*Image above via Peony Swimwear. I am loving their beachwear this season — yes, pls.
Q: A black gown.
A: It brings me joy to hear about so many of you heading out to deferred celebrations. Wedding Season, capitalized! Here are a few gorgeous black gowns:
REFORMATION — LOVE THE DAINTY SLEEVES PAIRED WITH THE DRAMA OF A FULL SKIRT
MANY WOMEN ABSOLUTELY RAVE ABOUT THE FIT/FLATTER OF CHIARA BONI LA PETITE ROBE PIECES, LIKE THIS ONE
THIS FROTHY CONFECTION IS SURE TO TURN HEADS
NAMED AFTER CAREY MULLIGAN, THIS DRESS EMBODIES HER GAMINE CHIC
UNFUSSY AND SLEEK — PAIR WITH ENORMOUS EARRINGS
Q: I’ve been invited to an 80’s themed roller skating birthday party for my friend’s 50th in 2 weeks. I would love to hear you take on outfit and gift ideas!
A: This is SO fun. My first thought was — how convenient. Hot pink is IN and 80s are its principal referent point. I would wear shorts or jeans for skating, so my first thought was a hot pink body suit with jeans or cut-offs and tube socks. If you want to go all the way into full 80s Barbie mode, pair with these inexpensive sweat/wrist bands and crimp your hair! If you want to do more of a reference versus costume, pair anything hot pink — maybe this top?! — with your favorite jeans and do a side pony.
For gifts, Lake Pajamas (specifically the long-short set) are my go-to, and when you have them gift-boxed, they are such a beautiful presentation. I also just bought a girlfriend Hotel Lobby’s new island candle scent. Who doesn’t love a luxurious candle? Finally, I believe that any woman over 30 will immediately fall hard for Clarins’ V-Lift Mask. It’s a hero product.
Q: I have a black tie wedding at the end of April. I am 60, usually wear a size 6, and think I look best in something off the shoulder. I would love to wear pink! I dont think the current poofy sleeve/smocked trend flatters me. I would love your thoughts.
A: Gorgeous! Love that you’re leaning towards pink. Here are a few chic black tie options in shades of pink without poufy sleeves or smocking that I absolutely love:
MARCHESA NOTTE — JUST THE DREAMIEST
SHOSHANNA — THE COLOR IS VERY GRACE KELLY TO ME
THIS STRAPLESS REFORMATION IN THE RHUBARB COLOR
Q: Clothing and home decor produced and sold by Indian Americans. So hard to find.
A: I do not have a good answer for this, but wanted to open this query up to the Magpie community in case anyone else does.
Q: Oversized white denim or khaki-ish jacket or chore coat — not Everlane.
A: J. Crew has a good one, and Rag & Bone has one on sale with a bit more drama to it. This style also totally fits with Alex Mill’s vibe, and they do have one, but a bit on the boxier side.
Q: An aqua or white Easter dress to match my little that is less than $200.
A: I absolutely love this pretty white dress from Moon River — Carolina Herrera had a similar style out last season and the cut is so elegant! On the aqua side, Hill House released their classic Ellie in a pretty bay blue hue that might be just what you’re after. More spring dresses under $150 here.
Q: Maternity jeans (side panel ideal), white or medium denim, straight leg, not crop.
A: Gap has several non-skinny styles, including a girlfriend style and a 90s “loose fit.” I love that you can almost always get them on sale, too.
Q: Commencement ceremony dress.
A: I’d reach for something pretty but festive — Mille has several perfect options at the moment, including their Olympia dress (on its way to me now) and their Daphne dress. I also adore this $128 score and this Zara find for the occasion. They all feel happy, youthful, and poised at the same time.
Q: Stone colored chinos and collared/polo bodysuits for 18-mo boy.
A: Too cute. Minnow (size up to 2T — this brand runs a tad small in boy’s shorts/bottoms I find) or Mayoral for pants. If you’re OK with something a bit more khaki than stone, Janie and Jack. For bodysuits: Kissy Kissy all the way! This brand is simply the best for basics. A bit pricey, sure, but they last forever. I handed down all of the collared and non-collared onesies from mini to micro after infinity washings, and I think I even gave them to cousins after that.
Q: Spring jackets for little boys.
A: My son has been living in either a Burberry quilted barn coat (currently hard to find online? — similar vibe at J. Crew for less) or this classic windbreaker, which is great rain or shine. It’s lined in a soft fabric, too, so slightly warmer than a standard slicker. Comes in great colors! Other options in this windbreaker vein: Kuling and Prodoh. I also love this reversible plaid/navy style jacket and this smart knit style.
Q: 5 moms, Palm Springs, first girls trip away from the kids — will be 15-ish weeks pregnant.
A: SO fun! I’m excited for you! I’m thinking loose-fitting dresses in festive, happy patterns, like…
Pair any/all with nude sandals and/or fun sneaks. I feel like the one non-negotiable for a Palm Springs trip (no idea where I came by this impression) is great sunglasses. I’m obsessed with the flashy styles from La Pima. I also like these green ones from Amazon and ofc my Le Specs.
Q: Wedding guest dress in Tuscany in June.
A: This tangerine colored La Ligne is beyond, I wish I could unsee this Caroline Constas which is positively haunting me, this Ulla Johnson (!) is a fun little exclamation point, and this botanical feels apropos.
Q: Smocked maxi/midi dresses for spring.
A: Where to even begin?! A few that have recently turned my head (and/or I’ve bought): this Alemais, this SEA, this Mille, this Aqua, this J. Crew, this dramatic Amazon gingham, and this Cara Cara.
Q: A cute outfit to wear to Napa in April.
A: Oo fun! My daytime vibe would be a midi dress like this, this, or this with simple slides. I also like the idea of this dress with spring sneakers. Finally, this head-to-toe moment with espadrilles.
Q: Cute layers (tops + matching sweaters) to wear with jeans and sneakers in San Fran in April.
A: I like the idea of striped/structured button-downs like this, this, this, this layered beneath a dressy sweatshirt or sweater along the lines of…
Q: A luxe wallet.
A: I really love the Gucci Marmont ones in cream or pink. Celine has some beautiful, sophisticated options, too — I love the color and style of this one!
Q: Proper church attire for 6/7 year old boys who have outgrown Peter Pan collars but are too young for a tie. I am thinking specifically of Easter when we need to take our usual Sunday dressing up a notch.
A: Ralph Lauren oxfords and pants from Minnow, Janie and Jack, RL, or Oso and Me. I also love these cashmere sweaters in the prettiest spring hues for boys — I will layer them over white polos on my son for a dressier Sunday look.
Q: A bracelet-style watch (Cartier Tank-esque) on a teacher’s salary.
Q: I’m in a bit of a shopping conundrum and you immediately came to mind. My daughter and her cousin, both toddlers, will be flower girls in a family wedding this summer, and I’ve been tasked with finding the dresses. The dresses need to be in a dark green, but the location is tropical, very hot and humid, and all I can find is Christmasy. Have you found anything that comes to mind?
A: A total head-scratcher — I spent a long time in pursuit of this unicorn! I honestly could not find anything I’d recommend. You might reach out to Daniel and Sofia and see if they could custom design one like this in a dark green fabric — I know they make their pieces to order. (Or at least you can have a darker green sash perhaps?). If you can do a lighter green/pattern, I love this dress, this dress, this dress, and this one.
Q: My fiance and I are getting married in a “courthouse elopement” in June. I’m wearing a simple, short white dress (from Express!) because I’d rather invest in shoes and/or jewelry that I know I’d wear again in the future!
With a $2,000 all-in budget, what fabulous heels and jewelry would you pick for my wedding day?
A: Wow! How romantic! Congratulations. This is, quite possibly, the most fun question I’ve ever received. I would invest in these Aquazzura heels and these Rebecca de Ravenel earrings. Wedding day perfection!!! I also adore these Jimmy Choos — Jimmy Choo makes tons of stunning bridal-appropriate shoes, but I feel like you’d wear these to infinity and beyond (basically any evening event from here on out, and a pump never goes out of style). Enjoy!
Catching up on a few weeks’ worth of blog reading but wanted to offer a fab flower girl dress recommendation if you are still looking. I can’t get the link to paste but search seller BabyFillbach on Etsy. She made three of the tulle skirt dresses for my nieces for my wedding. They were darling and so well made and very reasonable! I bet they could work with you on a dark green if you are set on finding a solid color!
Thank you so much for sharing this! Love when the Magpie community chimes in. Merci merci —
xx
First time commenter here. I have been on a similar search where sellers and producers are Indian/Indian American, which yielded these finds but I have not yet purchased:
https://maeludesigns.com/ (also stocked at Salt & Sundry in DC)
https://www.ichcha.com/
https://saeyri.com/
Thank you so much for sharing this!! xx
Thank you Gayathri and Michelle! I asked the question and am so appreciative of your suggestions!
I would also recommend Ten Thousand Villages for Indian home decor. They sell fair trade goods from all over and many from India. I also look to Brown Girl Magazine for inspiration and Anaka Collective has beautiful clothing. And for gifts for little, Moditoys!!
Thank you so much for sharing these! xx
I would also recommend Ten Thousand Villages for Indian home decor. They sell fair trade goods from all over and many from India. I also look to Brown Girl Magazine for inspiration and Anaka Collective has beautiful clothing.
I have to add a rec for the dark green flower girl dresses – if patterns are okay, I have ordered from this etsy vendor multiple times (and Jen I believe you have linked them here as well). A dark green liberty floral could work well!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/LibertyJardin?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=782266048
Oo great suggestion! Had forgotten about this shop – thank you!
xx
My favorite types of posts! Thanks for including a few of my qs over the last few weeks – had already ordered Gap maternity jeans (after LOTS of searching) since writing in. Waiting for them to arrive! Same wavelength 🙂
Oh yay! Hope they work well for you!
I have some recommendations for clothing and home decor by Indian Americans (aka Desis).
Clothing:
Holi Chic by Megha – in particular, I love https://www.holichicbymegha.com/collections/ready-to-wear/products/sana-dress and https://www.holichicbymegha.com/collections/sale/products/monica-2-in-1-dress. They also have a few items for home decor (pillow cases, little trays). One note – their service and quality can be hit or miss.
Harleen Kaur – this brand is new to me but looks promising https://www.harleenkaur.us/
Home Decor:
Arjuna Design Studio – Beautiful art like this https://www.arjunadesignstudio.com/collections/southasian-art/products/tamara-the-lotus-girl-by-dlaxart or a wine stand like https://www.arjunadesignstudio.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/amira-wine-stand.
Thank you so much for this incredible list!!