*Image above showcasing Carolina Herrera x Wes Gordon. Swoon.
My final installment of fashion queries for the month of September! See volumes I and II here and here! Per those previous posts, I always get a lot of questions about what to wear as a bride and what to wear as a wedding guest, so have been keeping those shops updated!
Q: Graduation weekend outfits (was rescheduled from 2020).
A: Congratulations! A few festive but practical outfits (I feel like there is always a lot of walking/standing these weekends!) I love for participating in ceremonies, attending parties/gatherings, etc:
NAP DRESS WITH SUEDE MULES OR KITTEN HEEL BOOTIES OR VELVET SLIPPERS
WIDE LEG JEANS WITH A CASHMERE POLO SWEATER OR STATEMENT SWEATER OR TIDY TURTLENECK BODYSUIT AND SUEDE BOOTS
STATEMENT DRESS LIKE THIS, THIS, OR THIS WITH SUEDE BOOTS OR KITTEN HEEL MULES AND A PADDED HEADBAND (SEVERAL OPTIONS IN THIS POST)
FALL MINI DRESS (ALSO LOVE THIS) OR SWEATER DRESS WITH FLAT BOOTS
The vibe here is “collegiate chic, but make it festive.” (You can always just throw a statement headband on with a dress you own, too!) Congrats, friend!
Q: A classic crossbody.
A: Splurge picks: Celine, Gucci, or Mulberry. More reasonably priced: Clare Vivier. Classic shape, but with interesting colors/details. (This snakeskin one is over half off!). I also love this Oroton bag I just came across — Hermes vibes for under $300! Insane budget buy: this Birkin-inspired steal. So chic!
Q: Formal wedding guest dress.
A: Fun! I have a bunch of fabulous options here, but a few I’ll call out:
WOW THIS NAVY SATIN NUMBER IS SO ELEGANT AND I CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S UNDER $250
THIS BROCK (WOW WOW WOW)
THIS RUCHED SLIP DRESS WITH THESE EARRINGS IN YELLOW
BLACK GOWN (OR THIS ONE) WITH THESE FAB SHOES
Q: Looking for a classic luxury tote – do you have a favorite?
A: The two I use most heavily are my Goyard St. Louis in gray and my Pam Munson straw tote in the larger size. I love them for different reasons. The Goyard is super lightweight and goes with everything. It’s my throw-and-go bag; great for schlepping things on an everyday basis, including with children. I basically used it as my baby bag for both children. My Pam Munson makes me feel a bit more coordinated — more of a statement piece, aesthetically — and it carries a lot (!). It is pretty heavy/bulky on its own, though, so I would not recommend if you are going to be carrying it over your shoulder for a day out or going out to eat at an NYC restaurant (would take up a lot of space on floor/table).
Two other ultra chic ones I adore: this Loewe and Chanel’s Deauville tote,
Q: Dress for fall family photos.
A: I shared some thoughts here, but my advice is always the same: start with a piece you love for yourself or for one of your children and radiate outward from there. It’s too hard to not have an anchor print/piece! A few dresses I personally love at the moment that I would structure a family photo around…
ONE OF MY MOST-WORN DRESSES — LOVE THIS BECAUSE IT IS VIRTUALLY SEASONLESS, COULD BE WORN WITH LEATHER SLIDES IN SUMMER OR SUEDE BOOTS IN FALL
TIERED CORDUROY (OR A CORD MINI) FOR A MORE CASUAL VIBE…LOVE THE TEXTURE AND SEASONALITY…CUTE WITH A PADDED HEADBAND AND BOOTS, AND EASY TO MATCH WITH CORDS ON YOUR MAN/BOYS
IF YOU’RE FASHION-FEARLESS — J’ADORE
GORGEOUS SHIRTDRESS — BLUE AND WHITE IS ALWAYS CLASSIC; BOYS COULD WEAR JEANS AND WHITE BUTTON-DOWN AGAINST THIS
Q: A first birthday outfit for my son; the party theme is LumberJACK (his name).
A: So cute! Right now, this is a very on-trend theme. There are so many darling shackets/sherpa pieces to pick from. I’m thinking along the lines of this sherpa-lined button-down (or this overshirt), tiny jeans, and the cutest boots (I loved these on both mini and micro), or these more practical ones, which micro had last winter.
And for you, mama: this shacket and these jeans.
Q: A light brown/tan closed toe shoe for a wedding.
A: I wear these suede pumps constantly. They dress up nicely with a cocktail dress! Also love these Manolo-inspired mules for a less formal vibe. If you are game for a higher-heel, these platforms would be super on-trend.
Q: White maternity dress for photos at 8 months pregnant.
A: Congratulations, mama! I love this Rachel Pally, this one with broderie anglaise detail, a classic shirtdress, and this inexpensive style.
Q: Maternity-friendly sweater dresses to get me through late fall and winter.
A: Congrats, mama! I love this one (not maternity but would work with bump), this one in black (so versatile – pair with statement flats and a padded headband!), and this polo style (this neckline is so trendy at the moment).
Q: 30th birthday dinner outfit in Boston at the end of the month. Just had a second baby, so not too tight!
A: I feel like this, with velvet heels and a statement headband like this or this, is the ticket. Festive, seasonal, on-trend, flattering, not too tight. If you want something more gussied up, I’m swooning over this Ulla with these mules. Another exclamation point: anything from Johanna Ortiz’s latest collection, like this. So unique and absolutely breathtaking. Also love these styles from Cara Cara, SEA, and also SEA.
Q: Fabulous shoes for my rehearsal dinner! Not necessarily white.
A: Congrats, bride to be! There are some fab shoes here worth a gander, but a few to call out:
THESE FEATHERED/BROCADED BEAUTIES
Q: Super comfortable ankle/Chelsea boots for travel.
A: Envious of your travel! I find Loeffler Randall to be the best quality boots out there, so would encourage you to check these ones out. They do run narrow, so factor that in in terms of comfort/sizing. I like their simple, streamlined styling! These suede moc-boots also look very comfortable — kind of like a more stylish Ugg. Finally, I wore these all winter long last year and highly recommend. It’s more of an aesthetic and I don’t think it dresses up as nicely as a classic leather/suede style, but very warm and very easy to wear.