Style Dilemma Solved: What to Wear to a Charity Cocktail Party

Earlier this week, I wondered whether I'd find a dress for a charity cocktail party at the District Sample Sale. Of course I don't have anything in my closet I deem appropriate and on point. It's an established crowd, and I'll see longtime colleagues. Nothing I have felt right.

First stop at the DSS? Zoe Boutique. I pulled a swath of heavenly black pleats from the rack, pulled it on over my clothes.

Sold. And at $79, this Waverly Grey frock was a steal. (Pardon the grainy selfie. Only shot I have.)

But I still wondered whether it was "too much." So I finally caved and called the hostess. "Not quite cocktail" was the answer. She's wearing a dress, but not a cocktail dress. Some folks will be coming from work, but then the older crowd tends to dress for these events.

Still conflicted, I turned to twitter. And the best advice of the night, even though it does keep me from the hoped for emergency shopping, came from, of all places, a chef.

Cogito Ergo Sauté, you see, is a personal chef service. Who would know better than the person creating the canapés?

I will be wearing the dress.

Style Dilemmas: A Ball, a Nomination, a Gala, and a Family Portrait

It’s been a little quiet here on the DC Celine blogging front lately. I’ve been trying to focus on work and prepping the new Day Job for my 2-week absence while amping up #healthyme and spending time with the family.

That’s a lot.

I am not, however, gone from the blogging airwaves. I’m just keeping it to the other media at the moment. So here’s a taste of what friends (online and IRL) are asking and how we’re (because it’s collective in almost every circumstance) solving their style dilemmas.

Belle of the Ball (Pinterest board here, Chelsea’s posts here)
We haven’t posted more than Chelsea’s updates on Lee’s online fashion show. We do have a styling challenge we’re going to post - Chelsea’s going to style the champagne one shouldered dress, I’m going to take the gunmetal (with support from my warhead friends). I won’t say more than that, because I’m keeping my styling secrets secret. Gotta beat Chelsea, you know.

Dining in DC Does the RAMMYs
Lisa, the beauty and brains behind the acclaimed Dining in DC blog as well as the newly minted (baked? stirred? some other cooking reference) 4 Bitten Media cooperative, asked me for help a while back. The theme to this year’s Big Gala (the DC dining scene's Oscars) is “Hats Off,” which translates to, literally, hats for the men (easy, right) and fascinators for the women. Fun, on trend, and, well, when else do you wear a fasinator except to Gold Cup? She had some fantastic gown options, including a red stunner I’m dying to see her wear, but she decided on a, well, gunmetal frock. Apparently my preference for the strong, elegant shade is catching. She’s going to top her dark, side-swept locks with a pretty fascinator in purply hues. Searching for a dressy but not bride-y fasinator was not an easy task. (No pictures on this one - I'm keeping her gala ensemble a secret for her.)

Celebrating CityandSand (Pinterest board here)
I “overheard” hillarygrove and jesserker, just two of my new twitterverse-to-IRL friends congratulating cityandsand on her nomination. Nosy that I am, “What for?” Turns out she’s been nominated as member of the year and will join the board of directors for an organization near and dear to her heart. There’s a celebratory reception at which they’ll announce the award, and she was contemplating a new dress. Fans of the twitterfashionshow that they are, hillarygrove and jesserker sprang into action, and I butted in. There’s a pinterest board, and lots of color and sparkle. And just so you don’t think that pinterest is just a tool for companies to get you to buy new things, turns out cityandsand was inspired by the pins to don a dress from her closet. She has one similar to the pink one hanging below in a dove grey.

Counter-clockwise, from top left: Quillaree Macaron Shoppe Dress via BHLDN, Kenneth Jay Lane Sculpted Branch Cuff via Rent the Runway, CUSP dress (no longer available), Tom Ford Neroli Portofino via Nordstrom, Kate Chandelier Earrings (Kate Spade New York Accessories) via Rent the Runway

Dress selected, we moved on to jewelry. I’ll admit I had a little problem separating cityandsand’s (whom I’ve never met IRL, but seems to be similar in stature to me) jewelry search from my own lust-objects. The Kenneth Jay Lane cuff needs to be in my jewelry box now.

A Mama and Her Beans
I have a cousin. A long-lost cousin. She was a friend first, and we later discovered through drunken yells about Iggles that we are, in fact, fairly closely related. (It was a long time ago, ok? Long before either of us even thought about Beans. Looooong before.) Well, she texted me a few weeks ago. She’s just had her 3rd Bean, a second girl to sandwich her boy, and they’re doing a family portrait. On the beach. They live near Lewes, Delaware, at the beach, and she’s constantly posting pictures of their “playground” time on the beach. Yeah. You can hate her.

But anywho, she needed help picking an ensemble that would fit into the blue & white theme they’d picked for eveyone to wear. It would be a beach shoot, too, so casual. She was brave enough (seriously, she shouldn’t have any shame in front of me, given all that’s in our past, family or no) to text me pictures from the LOFT dressing room. I haven’t seen the final shot yet, but she ended up with a prettily layered navy blue top and white capris. Beachy, comfy, flattering, and she was happy in it. Ultimately, she picked it herself based on how she felt in it (“Feels great!” she said), which should, along with the fact that it’s navy and textured, translate well into a flattering and not-dated family picture. I considered sending her to Allie’s advice on dressing for the family portrait, and I certainly called on it myself (don’t pick the white for up top), but she found her own happy clothes place.

Top has somehow disappeared from the LOFT site between me putting it in the image above and now, so here's a similar one, Marisa Cargo Pants in white cotton poplin (LOFT). Background: my FriendCousin's backyard. Almost literally.

The moral of the story? Just because I’m posting Favorite Posts and gearing up for vacation doesn’t mean I’m not available for ensemble idea bouncing. Really! Tweet, email (dcceline dot blogspot at gmail), facebook message, or comment with your own dilemma, and we’ll see what we can do! Also, I won't post it unless you say it's ok. I never, ever post anything about anyone unless they're ok with it.

Style Dilemma Solved: Fashion Emergency = Dresses in My Closet. Sort Of.

I packed my clothes the night before. Blush plaid shirtdress, natural sandals, toiletries, makeup, towel, and underwear. If I don’t pack the night before, the 5:30am “call” to get to the gym just doesn’t work.

I had what turned out to be a private yoga session. We did restorative. I got myself realigned. It was amazing.

I went to the gym to shower and change, then got my regular venti bold + spinach feta egg white wrap at Starbucks. I drove to work.

The coffee had gone through me, so, well, off to the restroom. The mirror was a little revealing. The light grey thong I had one was clearly visible through the blush dress. We need to do laundry, so I’d gone with the closest thing to nude in my drawer. It didn’t work.

Thank goodness there’s a Tar-ZHAY not 10 minutes from the office. Bonus points that I’ll score diapers while I’m resolving my fashion emergency.

Cart. For the diapers, you know. Beeline for the “Intimates.” Score. A couple of nude pairs right up front. In the basket.

OK. I didn’t make a beeline for the intimates. I got waylaid by The Webster collection right at the front of the store. It’s good marketing. I’d spotted them on my last Target run, and was intrigued. They had marvelous patterns, and some fun, summery silhouettes. So, root, root, root, M. Root again on a different rack. M. 3 dresses in the basket. Then I found one more Mossimo dress that had simple, fun potential. It was polka dotted. I also threw in a few camis, just for good measure.

Then, en route to the intimates, I stopped by the shoes. A girl can’t go into Memorial Day weekend without flat sandals. And, well, they had some. My favorite pair, bought 6 years ago in South Beach, died. [sad face]

Now, I didn’t try any of it on. Not a lick. I had major deadlines to get to back in the office. But I killed all the birds with my one fashion emergency stone I could. I scored the diapers, and even new swim shirts and suits for The Beans.

And my fashion emergency was solved. I changed in the car.

So while The Beans were doing a yoga video (seriously), I did a quick Instagram fashion show so I could share the pictures here with you. I’m sad, because none of the dresses really works. One might end up staying in my closet as a beach cover up (tired of the babydoll styles and can’t stand the t-shirt thing), but the rest, as adorable as they are, just don’t work for me.

The dress that first caught my eye. In love with the print, but the shape + me don't mix. The Webster at Target Easy Waist Dress Deco Print.

See? Isn't the print gorgeous. And it's Target!

Maybe I'll get the print in this shift minidress. One of my favorite silouhettes ever, and it usually is great on me. The Webster at Target Sheath Dress Deco Print.

But something about the cut doesn't work at the neckline. It pulls and gaps in strange places.

Um, no. Monoboob and I don't get along. But the polka dots are adorable. Xhilaration Sleeveless Dress, similar here.

The Mondrian-inspired "plaid" makes this bleh shape a distinct possibility to stay in my closet. As a beach cover up. The Webster at Traget Easy Waist Short Sleeve Dress Plaid Print.

 The winner? The burnished gold rope thong sandals. They're not the vintage Etienne Aigner thongs I've been seeking, but they'll work more than fine. Meron Emeline Braided Flat in Gold.

And back goes the rest.

The Webster collection at Target has some really great options - check it out! And if you end up with any of them, let me know! I'd love to see you in one of them!

Swim in Style: Taking the Plunge

This is my own Style Dilemma. I also know that it’s Every Woman’s Style Dilemma.

If it isn’t, you’re a freak-of-...you’re exceptionally well-adjusted. Congratulations.

While I’m not going to buy The Real Beach Swimsuit until June (got less than 10lbs to get to my goal weight - and I’m going to flaunt it when I get there), H and I really want to get The Beans into the indoor pool now. This weekend, perhaps.

So when The Bean and I made our shopping list for a Target jaunt last weekend, right after the Bike for The Bean and Barbie for The Bean (long story, but Mama & Papa bought the Barbie - duh - bike and The Bean paid for the Barbie out of her very own piggybank), we listed bathing suit for Bean No. 1 and bathing suit for Mama.

I just needed something I could get in the pool in and not have it fall off because it’s 300 years old and stretched through pregnancies. Seriously. I figured Target could help with that.

Target doesn’t have many one pieces - maillots, if you will, oh, Fancy Fashion People, but they do run to the Esther-Williams-like retro styles that have been catching my eye. (Full “selection” over on my SeasidePoolside pinterest board.) We were at the end of our Target jaunt, so patience was low for both Beans. I dashed through the racks, and picked up a ruby-grape rouched halter, size M.

Merona Womens Purple 1-Piece Halter with Twist Mesh Front

Size M, people.

It was wishful thinking.

Oh.

And it worked. When I tried it on, the legs are a little tight, and the halter squeezes the girls just a tad too much (I hate when my halters are too loose, so it could be me), but it FITS. It won’t get me through 1000 yards in the lap pool (that’s another, non-Target swimsuit purchase on the horizon), but it’ll work. I’ll look presentable in the pool.

Mission accomplished.

Target has an almost overwhelming swim section. Racks and racks of bikinis. Some trashy, but most threateningly cute. I was hoping to include a few for your viewing pleasure, but I'm either completely internet unsavvy, or the interwebs have issues today. So instead, you'll see me - most likely - in crochet, Missoni-like zigzags, or old fashioned red, white, and blue stripes. And hopefully, all 3!

Favorite Post: Hooker Dress Style Dilemma

I wanted to post about our date at Mussel Bar Revel for today, but I just couldn't get to it. (Silly day job. Silly family.) Look for it Monday...I hope...in the meantime, here's another favorite.

We've all seen those people who really, really, really should have written into a style blogger to ask a question or two. Or three. Here's one who should have. My friend M and his wife Sugarplum (dear, dear, dear friends) witnessed an unfortunate style choice. And then he emailed me about it. It's a rare foray into snark for me.

Snicker again with me, will you?

I've got lots of thoughts brewing on this lil' ol' blog here, and while I mull them over, I thought I'd pull some of my favorite posts from the past 6+ years (yes, I'm an Old Blogger).

If you have thoughts, ideas, questions, Style Dilemmas, please do send them along! I'd love to hear what you want to read!

Style Dilemma Solved: Tar-ZHAY run

Last Thursday, I was working hard on a proposal with a Friday deadline. I was taking Friday off. You know, Good Friday and all. I was also, therefore, staring at a screen, editing my eyeballs off. Almost literally.

So about 1:30, while I was waiting for someone else to edit a piece or review it or track down missing information, I decided to take a treat break.

Yes, yes, I'm doing #healthyme, big time. And yes, I looked up my options at Starbucks before I went. I was a good #healthyme-er. Planning ahead, as in "I looked at the points values (or calories or fat or whatever else you're tracking) for all of the mini-treats at Starbucks, and the mini pink donut is my best choice and won't blow it for the day." Coffee and a donut would be the perfect antidote to my proposal eyes.

But I was tired, and I accidentally pulled into the left-hand turn lane at the light, which would take me past Target first, then Starbucks.

I'm sure I need toothpaste for the beans. And those Easter baskets. And looooove those dollar bins for their socks (seriously, the best source of socks for the beans).

And, well, hey! there's a Starbucks right there.

But wouldn't you know it, they didn't have any pink mini-donuts. All they had in "mini" was the red velvet whoopie pie, which, though delicious, I'm quite certain is not as good a choice as the pink mini-donut (cream cheese icing as filling, anyone?). So I got a tall bold (I'm a stick-your-spoon-up-straight-in-the-coffee kind of girl), and passed on the treat.

And then I compensated with a basketful of Tar-ZHAY purchases.

I did buy socks and Easter dollar toys for the beans. I also bought socks for myself. Neon argyle ones. They're awesome.

If only Tar-ZHAY would show everything online, you could see their awesomeness.

I browsed the belts and hats, not finding anything in the purses. Big floppy navy hat that can double as an Easter bonnet and a beach hat? Jump in my cart, please! Mr. jute and leather loopy-type belt that can replace the wide brown belt Bean No. 2 seems to have confiscated and hidden (he loves, loves, loves my belt drawer)? Join that floppy hat, please! 3 pair of less than $15 sunglasses I can afford to lose or have snapped by teeny hands? Yup.

I also, despite my ban on buying anything until I get to goal weight, splurged (emotionally, more than anything else) and grabbed a purple-on-purple striped henley in...ta-dah! Medium! There was also a bold print dress I grabbed in a Large (bodycon + juniors department = Large, thankyouverymuch). No, I didn't try them on. I didn't even try them on until the next morning.

But guess what? They fit! Both of them! I ended up wearing the henley (it has those great buttoned up half-sleeves) with a pair of tobacco cords on my crazy-long solo drive down tha shore. I could wear it every day, I love it's fitted comfortable casual sleekness so much.

The dress, you ask? Well, it fits. It fits nicely. It fits so nicely that I wore it out on Saturday's date to the new Robert Wiedmaier outpost, Mussel Bar Revel. With my new lillybee (yes, I have another pair) Kristins and their soft, supple neutral leather, I felt hot. Really hot.

Oh...and the pink mini-donut? Gone. Unfortunately replaced by a peep and some jelly beans, but gone from my mind. Treat v. style dilemma conquered.

Tar-ZHAY run by dcceline

Style Dilemma Solved: Blushing Toes Go Bright

When Kate, who's twitter "about" says "I'm a 50s housewife, in a nerdy kind of way," tweeted for help finding a pair of wide, high(er) heeled nude pumps, I didn't exactly spring to action, but with gentle prodding, I did finally get off my blogger butt and give her some options, here.

In the end, it turned out she didn't need any help from lil' ol' me, seeing as she'd not only managed to find a pair (she went to a brand she knew fit her, which is always a good start), but she found them online, "ignoring" my "get thee to a shoe store and try them on" advice.

Brava! I say, for doesn't she look maaaaaahvelous in her new Corso Como pumps? I'm absolutely in love with her ensemble. Each piece is just a leeeetle bit unexpected: the kelly green blouse is simple, but has sweet, just-below-the-elbow buttons; the white trousers, well, they have a Bow; and the layered long chains + molded cuff make the whole deal not only enviable (in a good way), but attainable and copyable. Kate herself tweeted, "I loved the outfit so much I didn't want to take it off."

I don't blame her one. little. bit. If my name were Kate, and I donned this outfit, I'd rock the day, channeling Kate H. in all sorts of ways. Which I'm sure she did.

The only negative, she tweets, "was how much work it was to get out of those pants." Her day-of tweet? "Love these pants, but with a zipper, a button, two hooks, and a ribbon they are not exactly #gulps4glam compatible."

Here's hoping I'll feel the same way, and not want to take of my outfit when I blatantly copy her, which I'm going to do as soon as I get to that #healthyme goal: on the shopping list? Kelly green blouse and off-white trousers.

Have a style dilemma? Email me, tweet me, facebook me...and I'll see what I can do to help! You just have to promise to update us on the results, like Kate did! Want to see what other Style Dilemmas we've solved here? Search the site for Style Dilemma or Style Dilemma Solved, and twitter for #StyleDilemma. Curious about #gulps4glam? Go find that hashtag, too!

Style Dilemma Solved: Pink Frock

Lisa from Dining in DC checked back on her style dilemma in via twitter with her new dress pick. It's a flirty, fluttery, layered number that is both forgiving and sexy (and, at $60 from David's Bridal, well, a steal! Whodathunkit?). Looking forward to seeing pics of her at the Pink Rocks the Runway event.

Style Dilemma Solved: Pink Rocks the Runway

This morning, Lisa of Dining in DC tossed her dilemma to the twitterverse in those blessed 140 characters: HELP! My dress I bought online for @PinkRocksRunway on 10/21 Doesn't Fit! What should I do? Where can I get a new dress?#fashion peeps

Sitting in traffic stopped on the Beltway, I sprang to her aid. Back and forth, she requested something "not too tight," so she doesn't have to worry about her tummy (she has 2 beans, too). She's a 4-6, and 4' 8". She swears that's not a typo. Given her timeline and a first try miss, trying it on the store would also help.

Style dilemma? Pshaw! Easy-peasy. (Did I just type that?)

To give Lisa both a place with elegant+sexy+flirty but still (relatively) reasonable options - and where she can try them on - I went to Neiman Marcus. Up popped a bunch of options that wouldn't have her looking the same as everyone else in their J. Crew lookalikes. Bonus? The NM site lets you filter for options under $300.

Ali Ro is a personal favorite. There's something about the effortless style that still has just the right amount of polish. The waisted, tiered ruffles add interest while still being graceful.

Sue Wong draws on a little 80s flounce. And who doesn't love ruffles and feathers done in a way that's actually understated? The structured, empire bodice and midsection would allow a girl to sample the cocktails and nibbles without fear.

Tadashi Shoji's rouching would be forgiving (especially in a 2x mama's tummy problem area), and the one shoulder sexy in a tempered way, but the flower might overwhelm a 4' 8" frame.

Phoebe Couture's menswear-inspired bubble dress is a little more structured, which I've found important in feeling comfortable and not worrying about the places I'd worry about.

I also tried (knowing others might don the same frocks, but thought I'd check anyway) J. Crew (only the bridesmaidsy ones came in pinks), LOFT (no pink), and Ann Taylor (no pink). Who has no pink?

Style Dilemma Solved: What to Wear to a 44th High School Reunion

I can't take credit for this one. vtgracie, a.k.a. my baby sister, helped my Mommy get ready for her 44th high school reunion. And she pulled it off - sis with the styling, mommy with the wearing.

They picked out the pieces when Mommy was visiting Baby Sis out in the Chicago suburbs. They found both at an adorable little boutique targeted at moms: Hot Mama.

Top: Sweet Pea; Jeans: 7 for All Mankind (Baby Sis swears these, one of their stretchy trouser styles, make you feel like a sky-high model); Sandals: Cole Haan; Bracelets: vintage (I've got dibs on at least one)

I hope any boys who dissed my mommy (like the one who slipped a mickey in her coke) or mean girls who were hatin' had to take a second look. And maybe Ralph will forgive her for dating him just for his car. Mommy was a catch in high school (if I'd thought ahead, I'd have gotten a pic from her), but now, Jimmy is one lucky (if not crazy and sainted) man.

So all of you working on your ensembles for the Next Big Reunion, take note. This is the way to do it. Simple, modern, and using shapes and silouhettes that flatter.

Style Dilemma Solved: WebMama Goes to a Wedding

WebMama wrote in to let us know how things went with her night out:

Hi! I ended up wearing the navy dress with nude hose and pewter heels. The blue tights and pewter heels just didn't look right. I think the blue Betsy Johnson tights were too bright blue and not navy enough. We had a fun night. My friend took a bunch of pictures. I'll see if there is a full body shot I can send you!

 

WebMama, I'm bummed the all-blue look didn't work for you. And you're right, for the monochromatic thing to work, the hues need to be very close. I struggled with the same thing this weekend in a grey sweater dress and grey tights (but my tights had a bit of texture, so I snuck by on that one). We will have to break you of the nude hose, though - in my book, there is No. Reason. To. Wear. Nude. Stockings., no matter how cold. But that's a battle for another style day (Smile)

 

And we would love to see pics of your night on the town!

Style Dilemma Solved: Winter Nautical

prettyinpink:

Ok – here’s a question for you.

Light gray and navy large horizontal striped sweater (with big turtleneck) what color pants? And what color shoes?

Initial thought is a darker gray pants and a medium very warm brown shoe (with and little gold buckle)

Would a herringbone pattern pant be too much pattern?

DC Celine:

like the herringbone idea, but would have to see it. brown herringbone or solid might work, too. but again, would have to see. darker grey would definitely work, as would a navy. would do either with a grey or black shoe. not getting the vibe of a brown shoe w/ the grey pant. but again, would have to see. don't suppose you have pics?

prettyinpink:

Sweater (in navy and gray)

can’t find the pants but they’re a darker gray and lighter gray herringbone pattern.

Also have camel pants

DC Celine:

prettyinpink, I think any of these options would work. I'm still not crazy about the brown trousers or shoes option...of course trouser or skinny jeans (if you're so inclined) would work best - that is if you don't want to wear to work (or for Fridays). camel pants would work, but lighter khaki/cream might be good too. or, for that matter, go bold with a winter white trouser a la kate hepburn. then you could swing the warm brown shoes and gold buckle.