Reader Request- A Maid of Honor Dress

This week's "Reader Request" is from C&C follower Lydia, who is a total fashionista in her own right. This gal has style, so when she wrote requesting the help of C&C with a Maid of Honor dress, I knew this would be a big challenge, with some serious pressure to deliver. 

First, let's talk the details of the wedding. It's at an uber cool venue in New Orleans and the bride has asked Lydia to be her only attendant. Knowing her BFF well, and that she has such great taste, the bride gave no restrictions on the dress. Talk about confidence!

Let's start with this AMAZING dress. Ironically, I found this dress and sent it to Lydia, only to find out it was already a front runner. Her only reservation is the length, as she isn't quite as leggy as this model (as if any of us are)! Good news, it also comes in petite. It will be hard to find something to top this (at least "on paper"), but I am going to try.

Anthropologie Rubied Dusk Dress $298

I was purusing Shopbop and came across this stunning Zimmermann dress. If she wants a solid dress in a more muted shade, this would be perfect!

Zimmermann Draped Dress $310

In that same color "family" is this ASOS dress. It's a stretch poly blend, which isn't the most fabulous of fabrics and could look really cheap in person, but the draping is a definite statement! 

It also comes in the blue/black combo. 

ASOS Origami Bonded Mini Dress $101.85

While we are talking solids, I LOVE this open back peplum dress. It's "ceremony" in the front and "reception" in the back! The "pink grapefruit" would be a lovely pop of color!

AQ AQ Open Back Structured Peplum Dress $277.79

This Coast Eva Halter Dress from ASOS is stunning. I LOVE the color, the draping and the beaded neckline. I want this dress!

Coast Eva Halter Dress $138.89

And, as always, there is Rent the Runway. There are so many fabulous frocks to choose from, so I decided to stick to prints. Lydia is no wall flower. This girl can pull off just about anything. She would look incredible in all of these dresses.

And if they don't make the cut for the wedding, they would also be great for a rehearsal dinner! The prices are right too...all but the Milly dress rent for $30-$50 (it's $75).

Shoshanna Barbara Dress 

Milly Hologram Dress 

Slate and Willow Derek Dress 

Tibi Reality Versus Dream Dress 

Tibi Rocco Mini Shift Dress

Truth be told, I have a wedding coming up in May, and all of these dresses are on my short list! 

Planning Ahead

We will be spending New Year's Eve in Sun Valley with our good friends. None of us have ever really "done it up" on New Year's (I know...we're pretty lame), so we will be leaving our little people at home for the night and hitting the town. We've made reservations at The Lodge Dining Room at the Sun Valley Resort for a night of dinner and dancing, totally old school style!

So the big question, what to wear? As always, Rent The Runway is my go-to! Here are the dresses I am considering?

Badgley Mischka Fifth Avenue Show Stopper ($75 rental)

Milly Sienna Sequin Stripe Dress (Rental $60)

Shoshanna Primary Lace Dress (Rental $65)

And my front runner....the Tibi Confetti Sequins Dress (Rental $100)

Which is your favorite?

What I'd Wear to My Wedding

It's pretty convenient that I've got a wedding dress all lined up for the big day next month. I don't have to worry what to wear. But I do have lots of guests who will be dealing with the ever-lingering question, "What do I wear to another summer wedding?" If I was attending my own wedding as a guest, here would be a few of my top contenders. If you've got a summer wedding coming up and actually need to find a dress, all of my picks are available from Rent the Runway.

Matthew Williamson Indian Beaded Sheath

Tibi High Tea Dress

Thread Social Poppy Sweetheart Dress
I actually own this dress, so I'd be getting
a second wear out of it!

Robert Rodriguez Peony Lace Shift

Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent Pastel Kaleidoscope Maxi

Milly Spin the Wheel Maxi

Which is your favorite? 

And The Designer Is...

For any of you who follow C&C on Facebook you may have seen my outfit post on Saturday night. I had a Junior League event to attend, and it was a great reason to wear something other than spandex! Thanks to my +1 for taking the backyard photo!

The shoes are Ferragamo and are one of my great finds from Consign Design in Sun Valley!

And as you all know, no C&C look is complete without Angela Caputi. Here I am wearing the turquoise and the orange. The gold clutch belonged to my grandmother.

Many of you asked about the dress designer, and MC guessed it right, Tibi...hands down, one of my favorite designers. The prints are bold and beautiful, and the silhouettes are classic and chic. Here are a few of my favorites currently available. 

And don't forget to enter our giveaway for an amazing History + Industry Cuff! 

Pop of Pastels

The return of pastels has me a little skeptical...I haven't worn them since Easter...as a kid...when I crimped my hair regularly. You get the idea. Last Friday, I decided to try the trend and wear a lavender J. Crew cardigan I've had in my closet for a few years. I paired it with my favorite pink Land's End Canvas gingham shirt, a mint (or robin's egg as they call it) Hermes bangle, and some brown Trina Turk trousers. 

I think I'll be adding some other pops of pastels into my wardrobe - particularly this spring and summer!   Here are some of the things I've got my eye on. 

ASOS MACABEE Patent Loafer

J. Crew Featherweight Cashmere Short-Sleeve Cardigan

AG Adriano Goldschmied the Stilt Cigarette Leg Jeans

Anthropologie Dappled Sea Blouse

Tibi Essentials Pleated Silk Skirt

Zara Printed Crossover Dress

Reader Request - Black Tie Wedding

A C & C reader recently asked for suggestions for a black tie wedding in Washington, D.C. at the Willard Hotel - ooh la la! I wish I were going, there's nothing more fun than getting all dressed up. The wedding is for one her best friends from growing up, and her friend LOVES glitter! The cake toppers are even crystal! She's marrying a good southern boy, so this fete promises to be a good one and this reader needs to look dynamite.

Rent the Runway to the rescue yet again! Because the reader is petite, 5'1, I made sure to read the reviews of the dresses and look at any photos of previous renters before making my suggestions--one of my favorite features of the site. Most of the long gowns come in two lengths, which is a must to meet the needs of all heights. Here are few dresses for her consideration. 

Badgley Mischka Glitz Gown

Carmen Marc Valero Major Moment Gown

Carmen Marc Valero Lifetime Love Gown

Tibi Angelic Gown

Badgley Mischka Gold Glitterati Gown

Nicole Miller Such a Sweetheart Gown

Which dress is your favorite?

Navy and Nautical

It all started with the Tibi Horatio Stripe Dress. You see I'm a sucker for anything striped..or navy...navy and striped really. So you can imagine how much I love this dress. But at $385, I thought I could turn this into a Splurge V. Save and find you a less expensive option. What I found was that there are so many cute navy and white striped dresses for your pleasure, in a range of prices. 

This Gianni Bini Roxanne Striped Dress from Dillard's is a reasonable alternative for $128.

Or you can look ship-shape at work for the bargain price of $49 in this figure-flattering wrap dress from Piperlime!

Regan sent me this as a possible rehearsal dress option, also from Piperlime. It's $216 and so cute! With a cardigan and a belt or a blazer, no one would ever know it's strapless (Yes, you'll be seeing navy, white, and some stripes in our wedding in August. Stay tuned!). 

Finally, for those of you with great gams, American Apparel added pockets to this short little number (which I'd have to wear as a tunic!). For $41, it's a steal as a dress or a shirt!

Which is your favorite? 

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