*Image via Aquazzura featuring their fabulous Babe slingbacks.
Q: A totally extra black tie wedding guest outfit.
A: This, this, or this with these shoes. If you’re not into black, this Acler.
Q: I’m on the hunt for casual, comfortable dresses to wear during the day this fall while working from home, going out for coffee, etc! With clogs, white sneakers, etc.
A: I will do a full post on this soon as I’ve had a bunch of questions along these lines, but a few great picks I want to share immediately —
DYING OVER THIS HUNTER BELL — SO, SO CUTE
THIS CORD SHIRTDRESS — YOU KNOW I LOVE A SHIRTDRESS
THIS MILLE (BRAND RUNS LARGE)
Knit dresses are also a great option — I shared a bunch of my favorites here, but take a look at this fun Missoni-inspired style! Adorable with clogs or sneakers. And this one would be fab with a suede boot! For some reason imagining layering it beneath a vest like this.
Q: An absolutely obscure request but please bear with me. I am great at hostess gifts and have those covered for an upcoming trip. One of my dear friends has a 4 year old boy who is obsessed with dinosaurs. Any suggestions on something that will pack well (I don’t check bags) that would be a hit? Ideally keeping budget to ~$20.
A: So sweet! I would come with a tube of Plus Plus blocks in a dino theme. These keep my little ones busy for long stretches of time and pack beautifully. I also love all things by Usborne — their books and activity pads are such high-quality gifts. This lift-the-flap book on dinos or this wipe-clean activity book would be perfect.
Q: November wedding in Antigua.
A: This Farm Rio or this Agua Bendita!
Q: Outfit for my 7 week old son as ring bearer in my brother’s wedding in VA beach in November.
A: I would put mine in one of these traditional sets from LaCoqueta! If the event is a little less formal, I would put him in a soft collared set with a princely vibe like this or this.
Q: Long, almost menswear-inspired, camel wool coat, under $400.
A: Chic! How about this Gap, this Vince, this Mango, this Uniqlo, or — if you can splurge a bit — this Club Monaco? I am loving how the street style starlets are styling these oversized camel coats with chucks and other sneaks! (See here for inspo.)
Q: Proper denim shirt!
A: I am loving a mid-wash at the moment — consider this Ayr, this Banana, this J. Crew, or this RL. I am daydreaming about any of these paired with black denim and chunky loafers or captoe flats. Maybe with an oversized blazer over top?! CHIC!
Q: Slightly oversized plaid or tweedy blazers for work and play this fall!
A: I’m so on board with this look. My top picks are this ASTR if you want to go trend-forward (comme ci) or this tweed Banana (or this J. Crew) if you want something that toggles between classic and on-trend. More oversized blazer options here.
Q: Fall workwear for professional events, including some chic sleeved sheath dress options.
A: I have an entire post on workwear in the works, but a quick suggestion: Mango always has great pieces that won’t make you wince too much over the cost/wear. I like this dress, this one, and this one. Theory always has great investment pieces that will last decades. This blazer dress is fabulous, and this combo dress has a mod energy I love. This knit dress is also amazing, as is this shift!
Q: Formal wedding in Montauk, October, bump friendly! Under $350-ish?
A: Depending on how much you are showing, how chic and adorable would this be with a bump silhouetted? Also love this style (self-tie belt means you can tie it just under the bump). Pair with BIG earrings like these or any of the fabulous ones from Sophia203. This is over budget but had to add — absolutely fabulous and I think accommodating of a bump. (P.S. – This is a great maternity-friendly style for rehearsal dinner or some other event that weekend!).
Q: Best denim like the pic of Kaia Gerber — high waist, modern flair, professional dark rinse. Not too bootcut.
A: I think a lot of the styles from Re/Done — like this — are right up your alley!
Q: Clothing I can style with OTK flat boots.
A: I would go with a boxy mini — think this, this, or this — or layer over skinny jeans and pair with a boxy sweater like this, this, this, or this, or a boxy coat like this layered over a simple white tee.
Q: Add fun and range to jeans-and-a-tee work uniform. Very casual healthcare IT environment.
A: Upgrade the tee to an Ayr and layer gold jewelry over the top! I like the thick neckline on these COS tees, too — they seem so intentional, elevated. (Pair with fun sneaks like these or these). Or swap out the tee for a boxy button-down like this or this paired with sneaks. Also – a statement sweatshirt like this or this might be a fun change!
Q: Red Rocks concern on 9/29!
A: Sorry to keep featuring this dress in my answers, but this Hunter Bell in either color with cowboy-style boots like these (look for less). Or basically anything layered beneath this SEA vest — a voluminous white mini with cowboy boots, jeans and a tee, or a floaty dress like this. This Madewell would also be fun! Also love this and this — both Hunter Bell. I think that label is pitch-perfect for the moment.
Q: Black tie gala – need sleeves and no cut-outs.
A: Do the cap sleeves on this count? It’s perfect! Also love this Staud. Pair with big earrings.
Q: Fall, but make it maternity.
A: I would lean into the knit dress trend with pieces like this and this. Or pair big, oversized sweaters like this or this with maternity jeans / leggings. I’ve also long loved the Annie-from-Father-of-the-Bride-II vibe of big oversized button downs over leggings. I also love maternity joveralls — too cute over a striped tee paired with fun sneaks. Finally, I’ve heard these pants work with a bump and I would pair with a striped button-down a la Ann Maudette. Oh! And treat yourself to some really fun, splashy footwear, whether chunky loafers, shearling clogs, embellished mules, or something straight up extra like these. I always felt like my shoes made my outfits when pregnant!
Jen! That Hunter Bell!! I also love the This The Great’s Bonnet Dress… such sweet detail on the neckline. So many choices to mull over 🙂
Thanks again, friend! Xx
Of course! xx
Thanks so much, very helpful info.
Of course!
Clicking allll the links… thank you!
!!! 🙂
I’d love some ideas for cardigans to layer over the dresses for work..it’s cold in the office!
Great minds think alike — sitting here with my notepad of post ideas and one of them is “desk sweaters” — ha! Coming soon!!
xx
Good Morning – great post, as always. I am intrigued by some items at Mango but have no idea on quality/fit, etc. So tired of the buy/return cycle. Do you compare their clothing in terms of sizing and quality to a i.e. slightly elevated Target? House brands at Nordstroms like Caslon or Halogen? Thanks.
Hi Nancy — I would compare it to Zara, if you’ve ever purchased from there. Not made for longevity, exactly, but I do find their knits hold up pretty well for me. A step up from H&M but not J. Crew. In terms of sizing, I think most Mango runs generally TTS on the side of a little small/slim.
Hope this helps! I do understand the fatigue with returns!
xx