Dearest DC Celine,

HELP! I just got two great new finds, but I need some shoe help!!! I can't believe I'm saying this, but I bought Max Studio Sweater Dress in Aubergine (see photo-- btw, it looks great on, but not so great in the photo) and another Juicy Couture knit dress in Heather Grey (see photo, but heather grey, not black). What are your thoughts on shoes--style, color, tights, fishnets, etc.? You know...more on the funky side, but also wearable to work in the big corporate environment. I hope you have some ideas, because I'm having a hard time with the whole "look".

Patiently awaiting your advice,
BlueSuitGirl

Dear BlueSuitGirl:

What a terrible dilemma for you - two pretty new dresses.

[grin]

So now what to do? Difficult question. Especially for work.

My first thought? MaryJanes. But if you're not careful, and get a pair that's too sweet, you'll look too young for the office. Try this Sciapo pair at Carbon. You could also do the open toed version with tights. For that matter, all shoe choices I'd pair with tights for these dresses.

Second thought? Flat boots. Maybe a little slouchy, if you're going to wear somewhere other than the office. For the office, pick straight. Something along the lines of the Sammi at AdMo cornerstone, Wild Women Wear Red.

You could go with flats, as pictured with the Juicy frock, but again, I think it's a little too sweet. But you could throw on a pair to wear with the dress when you take it out for a spin at the shoe store. In other words, wear the dress to go shopping.

And then pick out at least one pair...maybe more! (And report in, of course.)

Style Dilemma Solved: Being the Hot Wife at a Reunion

H's high school reunion is next Saturday.

Have to look hot for him - it's my wifely duty.

So I've been on the hunt for a dress to wear. We looked a little last weekend - hence the sweater dress post. And since the reunion is next weekend, it was today or never. So in the mom-mobile we piled, off to Nordstrom (I had a gift card to spend!).

The results? About 4 dresses on...2 liked, 1 hot.

M Missoni - amazing knit, obviously, and gorgeous color. Bottom was great, top just not so flattering on milk-producing boobs.

ISSA London wrap dress - not this exact one, but you get the drift. Lovely, but black & white, and, well, (sorry Dariaux), but a wrap dress. Just didn't do it.

Iisli cap sleeve mini - a sweater dress, yes. And absolutely f-ing amazing on. The delicate grey I bought isn't available on the website, but trust me, it's perfect. Hugs just a little more than on this model (heck, anyone has more curves than she does). Hot.

Now I just have to find the right tights and shoes. I'm thinking ruby slippers.

H&M and Sweater Dresses

Both debatably good.

Me? I love a good H&M shop-a-thon. But sometimes, well, sometimes it's just so "on trend" that there's nothing in the store worth even trying on, let alone buying. Clearly, if the trends are not what the average woman would want to buy or wear, then there's less. This summer, there were tons of adorable things - just not fit (literally) for a 9-months-pregant woman. The trends just didn't allow for a bump. But they did look great on Sugarplum and 31204ever.

Dariaux, who makes her home in Atlanta, took advantage of a biztrip to Chicago and stopped in their H&M. She, on the other hand, was not happy with what she found. We discussed the merits of the Swedish store and the trends therein...

DC Celine: it's almost like going to a steinmart or loehmans - you have to go frequently

Dariaux: you are so right.

DC Celine: also depends on the trends - if they're good ones, you can do well. ifnot, then ICK.

Dariaux: oh, this was definitely the ICK trends. The baby doll dresses, sweaterdresses (ye gods) and sometruly hideous colors. Blech.

DC Celine: i'm in love w/ sweater dresses. loved them in the early nineties, love them now (depending on shape, obviously). had two on yesterday that were great - though part might be my newly rediscovered figure.

Dariaux: this is where we differ. i've hated them since the 1970's. i think they are unflattering on most and tend to bag in the bottom once one sits for any period of time.

DC Celine: point taken. i was actually going to argue that they can be very forgiving. could be fodder for a philosophical debate. but sagging at bottom: hadn't thought about that. had one a while back, and can'tremember if that was the case.

Dariaux: and thus lies the dilemma with the sweater dress. Yes, they are lovely and yes, they can be quite forgiving and flattering . . . until you sit down. Then it becomes a disaster. I've never had one that didn't sag with time.

DC Celine: i'm just looking for it to be hot for h's 15 year reunion. ;-)

Dariaux: I still think wrap dresses are the hottest. sooo flattering, particularly when one shows some cleavage. And wearing some great pearls.

And with that, we enter an entirely different discussion.

This post shows you a couple of things (not in any particular order):

1) that two people can differ greatly on their opinions of sweater dresses while agreeing on H&M in general

2) that wrap dresses will always be great

3) that two reasonable, grown-up, professional women can spend inordinate amounts of time discussing innane things while maintaining airs of competency and even effectiveness.