Style Dilemma Solved: Brown Pumps and Black Wedges

When BabySis called in a full-fledged Shoe Panic last week, we came up with two soloutions to her bridal shower and bachelorette party dilemmas.

First, the bachelorette party. What shoes to wear with a white tank and denim mini to make it officially Not Hoochy. She picked the black Amanda wedge sandals recommended to BlueSuit Girl for her Cairo trip.

Secondly, BabySis did go for the brown pumps to pair with her pale silver shorts. Though the pic at right doesn't show them, she wrote, "brown, in this case, was a bold neutral. can't find an exact picture of the shoe - but it's [a classic pump] shape with little cut outs - kind of shoe take on eyelet."

Style Dilemma: Bachelorette Cute - But Not "Too"

BabySis called me yesterday evening in a panic. So much so that when I didn't return her call right away, I found out she called Mom. Clearly, she was desperate (we love you Mom, but...).

She's attending a bridal shower and bachelorette party for a good friend (actually, one of the 'Maids from her wedding) this weekend, and needed some help.

First question was what to do about the bachelorette attire. The girls are going in a "uniform," with some of them buying a blinged out pink tank for the heck of it. But BabySis is, well, curvy, and bling on a ribbed tank looks, well, let's just say she's opting for an old skool white tank and either a denim mini or jeans (they're headed out in Annapolis, Maryland). So if she goes with the mini, she wonders, what to do about shoes? What won't look hoochy (in a bad way - because some hooch is good sometimes)?

Second question is what shoes to wear with a navy blousy top and pale silver suit shorts (not metallic). Her instinct was brown pumps, but in that frantic call to mom, mom said "not brown." She was all turned around, color-wise.

So what to do?

Funny, when someone calls with a question about what to wear, I tend to get pictures in my head from what they're describing. And when she told me about her denim mini, I pictured cream colored ankle-tie espadrilles (like the DKNY sandal version, top left). A little beachy, pretty, and girly, all at the same time. Colored ones would work, too. But she doesn't want to spend any money and buy new shoes. "I want to work with what I have," she says.

Then flats. Metallic flats, something like MIA's woven ballet Gabriella (2nd, at left). She has those, I know. But apparently, they're not in such good shape.

Her first thought was black patent pumps. "Nope," I say. "Hoochy. In a bad way." In fact, any pumps with a mini is pushing it - unless you have a big, blousy top - which she doesn't, for this event. So those are out.

"What about wedges?" I ask. Height (as if she needs any - she beats 5'9"), but not hoochy, and the wedge makes for easy walking on the cobblestoned streets of Annapolis. Score. She has those - in fact, the Amanda (Isaac Mizrahi for Target) pair I happened to recommend to BlueSuitGirl for Cairo. That should work. She sent confirmation this morning that she's packed those, along with some fun earrings and necklaces from which to choose on Saturday night. Perfect. I'm always a fan of a simple, neutral outfit with a big splash of color jewelry.

Next, on to the shower. A blousy (banded short sleeves and waist) scoop neck top in navy (H&M*) and pale silver suit shorts. My first response: brown pumps. Might sound a little odd with the silver, but like I've said before, brown can either be treated as a color or as a neutral. In this case, it's a strong neutral. A nude shoe would be to pale, and black too blah. So brown pumps or even pick a color - almost any color, other than gold (and even that could be done, if careful). Yellow, green, or red (classic, but stately), especially. And seeing as the only red shoes she has are her wedding shoes (yeah, BabySis wore red d'orsay pumps under her gown - a brilliant touch, in my book), she's opting for brown. My pick, if she didn't already have some? KORS by Michael Kors - grounding to the blousy top, and flirty enough to not look staid with the suit shorts.

BabySis, if you get a chance, forward a pic or two from the weekend and let us know how the style choices ended up. We'd love to see!

*Dear H&M: Please put pictures of your inventory on your website. I would love to look at the pretty things before I go buy them.

**Thanks to zappos.com for all of the pics! My favorite online shoe site, by far.

Tired Random Fashion Thoughts

1) Thank you, Greek Goddess and HuskyGirl for your recommendation. Until recently, I didn't wear jeans to work, even on Fridays. Now, they're the most comfortable thing (and screw it, I say). Except that the waistband is getting a teeeeeeensy bit tight. So - undid that button and got me a big ol' rubber band (the kind you get from broccoli or asparagus bunches). Looped that sucker around the button and button hole - oila! pants are a little more comfortable. Now, if I could just get this kid to stop kicking my @##.

2) Baby Sis' bridal shower tomorrow. Packed in a stupor last night. Kept it light. H&M b&w wrap dress + Daslu boots OR H&M black babydoll sweater + grey tweed pencil skirt + Daslu boots. Just depends on how I feel tomorrow - or rather, how big I feel.

3) Not necessarily feeling big yet, just a little thicker. You wouldn't notice it on me walking down the street. But it is starting to affect style choices a little.

4) I guess I really should check with Jenny Yoo to see when I have to send in my final bump-friendly measurements. I had to change dresses a little, given that the Alana doesn't come bump-friendly, so ended up with Sophia. So much for wearing it again.

5) Looking forward to:

- LA trip - will show H the City of Angels and see The Liquid Muse
- Greece trip - over Easter. Darn. Just have to go visit H's relatives in Chania, Crete. Darn.
- Bump arrival - but that's a given, isn't it?

Now I'll go try and stay awake for the rest of my work day.

Style Dilemma: Baby Sis' Bridal Shower

Baby Sis writes:

ok - so i found this really pretty navy sweater - it's a soft v-neck, blousy at the top and ribbed/fitted at the waist. [DC Celine interjects: since she bought it at an outlet - well done - she couldn't find a pic. The one at left is similar in shape.] it has those wide, elbow length sleeves (you know the ones where the arm hole is big??). it's so graceful and pretty on. i thought i'd wear it for my shower but i'm not sure with what! i'm thinking a pencil skirt, either winter white or goldish and brown round toe pumps. i was thinking about wearing tights but i'm not sure what color!! what do you think??

Apart from being your proud Big Sis and Plotter of Bridal Activities, I think you’re right on target with the graceful dolman-like sleeves and understated navy. Winter white is a good choice. But I’d go with slacks. Personally, I’m a fan of the “new” Kate-inspired wide-leg trouser (and am thrilled they’re back and gracing the pages of InStyle and every other “how to” fashion mag). They’re flattering and infinitely wearable. Of course, the Armani Collezioni version at left are waaaaay out of the average girl's price range, but you get the idea.

The skirt, while a girly choice, I think could end up looking rather businesslike. Though with black opaque tights (maybe a teensy bit of a pattern) and brown pumps, like you say, could make a great statement. Maybe.

If you choose trousers, definitely pull out the caramel brown pumps – peep toe with tights could be cute – and cap it all off with some big gold jewelry. It might scream “nautical,” but if you make an unusual pendant choice on a necklace like this Barefoot Czarina necklace at unsungdesigners.com, then you’ll be in the clear of manning the mainsail.

And you won’t look back on your Bridal Shower Pictures and wonder, “what was I thinking?” Better yet, your daughter and granddaughter will look at the pictures and say, “What great style she had – even then!”

Now that we've got you all settled...what the heck am I gonna wear?