Monday, February 7, 2011

The Year of Outfits

You know all those super helpful wedding budget calculators out there? Well, I have yet to find one that includes a category for Engagement Outfits. All you brides out there, don't be fooled, you don't get to skate by with JUST a wedding gown. Oh no, you need outfits for your showers, your bachelorette party, your rehearsal and groom's dinner, your farewell brunch, your engagement photo shoot and your honeymoon! And if you're like me and have SEVEN weddings this summer you will need outfits for those weddings, those showers and those bachelorette parties AND to top it off if your BB is getting married and you are lucky enough to be a bridesmaid you'll need extra special outfits for her shower(s), bachelorette party, and rehearsal dinner, not to mention some bangin' shoes to go with your bridesmaid dress. Ummmm.....pretty sure my outfit budget is going to surpass the entire wedding budget (OK, maybe not, but I don't know why I'm just now realizing that I need all these clothes!)

In preparation for what I am now calling The Year of Outfits, I have started to get some ideas for things I would like to wear to all of these super-important events taking place throughout 2011. First up will be our engagement shoot (in early April) so I suppose these outfits are the most pressing. I know I'm going to do three looks, one of which will be a dress. I have a "dress" look in my mind but I'm debating with myself if I should do it for the engagement shoot or save it for the rehearsal dinner. Keep in mind my wedding is in November so my showers will take place late summer and fall, my bachelorette party will be in the fall and my Rehearsal and Groom's dinner will be November 4th....so I need season appropriate outfits. As for the other SEVEN weddings, four of them are Spring/Summer and three of them are in September/October.

For our engagement shoot I'm thinking I want to do some combination of the following items:

Really Skinny Pants by GAP


Open Stripe Cardigan by Khloe
*I just got a sweater similar to this from Len Druskin, so I'm thinking of saving it for the shoot.


Ribbed Cowl Neck Sweater by Ann Taylor
*But in black or white, obviously!


Skinny Leg Eva Curvy Fit Jeans by Express



Jessica Simpson 'Anne' Boot from Nordstrom


Steve Madden Caryssa Pump from Nordstrom

This is the dress look that I can't decide if I want to use for our Rehearsal/Groom's Dinner or for the Engagement Shoot. I want to do is a dress like this:

Lauren by Ralph Lauren 'Carrie' Ponte Knit Sheath Dress
from Nordstrom

or this:

Essential Knit Long-Sleeve Dress by BCBG

with these:

Steve Madden 'Snobbie' Sandal from Nordstrom

THOUGHTS?!?!

As for my Bachelorette Party, I'm not a fan of wearing all white anytime besides my wedding day, but if I were going to do it it would be for my bach party. Here are a few dresses I LOVE for my last fling before the ring!

Calvin Klein Pleated Bodice Stretch Satin Sheath Dress
from Nordstrom


One Shoulder Mesh Drape Dress by Arden B.
*This one is my fave!



Lauren by Ralph Lauren 'Sheila' Sequin Trim Jersey Dress
from Nordstrom

For the Farewell Brunch, the morning after the wedding, I want to wear something casual and comfortable. I'm thinking probably the jeans I buy for the engagement shoot with a top like one of these:
Open Sense Cardigan by Ann Taylor


Variegated Stripe Dolman Top by Arden B.


Hooded Zig Zag Tunic by BeBe


BCBG Striped Turtleneck Sweater by BCBG
*I am in LOVE with this!

Then of course there are dresses for my showers, my friend's showers, my rehearsal/groom's dinner, my BB's rehearsal/groom's dinner, and all of the weddings.........

Suzi Chin Maggy Boutique Beaded One Shoulder Stretch Satin Sheath Dress
from Nordstrom


Satin Mini Sequin Dress by Arden B.


Tiered-Tulle Dress by BCBG


JS Boutique Embellished Matte Jersey Dress
from Nordstrom


Striped Sateen Dress by BCBG


One Shoulder Hammered Satin Sheath Dress
from Nordstrom


Suzi Chin Maggy Boutique Burnout Bodice Stretch Satin Sheath Dress
from Nordstrom


Sequined Bustier Dress by BCBG


Donna Ricco Ruched Ponte Knit Sheath Dress
from Nordstrom

and because I work at a Bridal Salon part-time and have a plethora of bridesmaid dresses as my disposal, here are a couple I would considering getting (with my discount!) but I would change colors, well, not on the black and white one.




Alfred Angelo

And finally, my favorite part of every outfit....THE SHOES! Here are some of my favorite shoes that I would LOVE to get to go along with all my new outfits.

Steve Madden 'Minnii' Pump


BCBG Generation Fatima2


Steve Madden Sinful


Martinez Valero Myra Sandal


L.A.M.B Prissy



Nine West Nicefit


Chinese Laundry 'Haylie' Pump

Alright, enough blogging, I need to go find a fourth job so I can pay for all of this!

10 comments:

  1. Cute choices! Love them all! I just bought my first tank for the honeymoon! I need several more outfits though! So many things I need to look cute for! haha :) Enjoy shopping for everything!

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  2. Well... I love everything in this post. If you want to send it my way once you're done, feel free... I'll be more than happy to help alleviate your closet! =)

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  3. The first two set of dresses should definitely be for your rehearsal dinner.For your bachelorette party, I definitely LOVE the one-shoulder dress the most. It's GORGEOUS.

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  4. Great job thinking ahead! I've had to do the same thing as well. I bought a really cute white dress to wear for both my shower AND the rehearsal dinner and will probably wear it again for the honeymoon.

    I like the ideas you have for your engagement pics, all very cute and good "staple" items that will still look great in years to come!

    For the Bach party, the One Shoulder Mesh Drape Dress by Arden B. is my absolute fave and can def be worn again to a wedding or other bridal related party of a friends.

    For the farewell brunch i like the Variegated Stripe Dolman Top by Arden B. best.

    For the other bridal parties you got going on, Tiered-Tulle Dress by BCBG and One Shoulder Hammered Satin Sheath Dress from Nordstrom get my votes.

    Luckily, you have some time before some of your events so hopefully these items go on a great sale and the stores still have your size! Good luck girl!

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  5. ohmygoodness! what an exciting year you have on tap...one thing I wish I would have known about last year was Rent the Runway...you can rent dresses for much less than buying them...and then you never have to look like you're rewearing dresses ;)

    you have such great taste though...love the black and white color palette...and I hear ya on the cost of everything. I'm still paying things down! hang in there--and enjoy every minute! xoxo {av}

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  6. That one shoulder Arden dress is AMAZING. That gets top vote for me. I say go for some color for your engagement shoot and do a couple different outfits, have fun with it!

    I'm gonna need one each of those shoes -- there fabulous!!

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  7. BB - you're going to look so hot! :) Jason is a lucky lucky man.

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  8. Oh my gosh! I love all your choices. They're all so cute. I have to say I love your choices for the engagement shoot and the one shoulder mesh drape dress the best. Both outfits are just awesome. :)

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  9. Woww. No wonder you're having such a tough time with decisions - everything is so gorgeous! The Arden B. dresses are my fave! Have fun shopping! :)

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