Review: Tadashi Shoji Lace Tea-Length Dress (+ 10 cute black lace holiday dresses under $200)

Hey guys! Marianne here with a little dress review. First, some background: I found myself a predicament this past month where I had 3 formal events requiring a capital-D Dress. They weren't close enough together to make Rent the Runway work (plus the ONLY dresses I liked that were available were $200 just to RENT), however they were with different people so I could get away with just one fancy dress purchase. Because I was going to be able to wear this multiple times right away, I felt justified in spending a bit more than I normally would. Enter this dress:

The Tadashi Shoji Lace Tea-Length Dress. It literally had everything I wanted. It was interesting but still felt covered up (I really did not want sleeveless, strapless, or off-the-shoulder, but I wanted something pretty and feminine). It was a great cut for my figure (fitted on top and flaring at the waist). And most importantly it was under $400 and I could order it from Nordstrom, which meant a great return policy and free shipping. And guys, it's a very good dress!

The lace is very delicate but I wore it three times, including traveling with it, and it still looks great. It's crazy flattering and I got more compliments than I can count, and best of all now it lives in my closet where I know it will be a pretty timeless classic for years. 

But y'all, I know. It's a $400 fancy dress, and that's a lot. I had to go with it because I really didn't have time to dig for alternatives that may not fit me as well. But now I have some time, so I found 10 cute black lace party dresses with a similar cut, all under $200 (and most well under $100!). Go forth and party, y'all. Tis the season, etc.

Alternatives:

(Under $50!)

(petite, under $30!)

BUY THIS (So We Don't Have To): LOFT Is Giving Clothes Away.

The crazy sales are upon us! Right now LOFT is offering an extra 60% off select sale styles, 40% off full-priced styles and 50% off dresses and tops, all with code FLASH. I DON'T NEED A THING but that shouldn't stop you! There's so much cute stuff: 

I really like this dress. Long sleeves, a cute pattern, interesting details. Someone should buy it and then tell me how good it is so I'll be full of regret for not buying it. That's usually how it works, right? 

Right now you are GOOD on striped shirts. You have so many! You have short sleeve, 3/4 sleeve and long sleeve and navy and black and you are good. But I ask you: Do any of them have a little red cat embroidered on it? I DIDN'T THINK SO. 

This is not a fancy cardigan but it's the best kind. This is the cardigan you wear on the couch while drinking gin, eating popcorn and binge-watching Younger. It's your go-to At Home cardigan and you absolutely love it.

I have so many jackets! So many. But, I do not have a really beautiful purple field jacket with a hood. How am I the worst? I keep finding Jackets I Need and I do NOT. But please, go ahead. Make me cry.

Loft's mixed media sweaters are a fun way to be warm and also let your pattern freak flag fly. (I do love a funky pattern.) They also remind me of my favorite line from Killing Eve, "Is that a sweater attached to a shirt?" 

I still kinda want these black moto jeans even though I am pretty much good on black pants/jeans. I just like a moto detail and I'm happy to see it still in the mix, you know? Those zippers provide just the right amount of edginess.

It's not quite cold enough here for serious winter scarves so something like this would be ideal. The dark floral print looks like a Liberty print and it will basically go with everything while also being it's own statement. 

Hey! This is my black blouse and I have to say, it looks really nice in this blush pink color. I feel like the details get lost on the black version. I will warn you that it requires ironing which is a pain, but it's a cute top. 

This is a sweatshirt! I know! It looks dressy af and it's secretly a sweatshirt. Get this immediately and then wear it to a party with black coated jeans and a blingy necklace and watch the compliments pour in. Trust. 

I cruised through the jewelry pretty quickly but stopped dead when I saw these. They look expensive, don't they? Like something you'd fall in love with and then see the price and be like, "Hhahaha sob." But really, they're cheap n' cheerful and when you lose one you will only cry a little bit. 

NO I AM NOT BUYING ANOTHER LEATHER JACKET. This one is faux leather and also comes in black but I am telling you, an olive leather jacket? SO GOOD. Why is this not a thing more often? I do have my faux suede jacket so I'm not too mad about missing this one, but I think it's really cute. Now get going. 

Weekend Window Shopping: Winterizing your Athletic Wear

Ugh, it's cold and raining out and I am NOT INTO IT. But, I still gotta stay motivated to workout all winter so I thought I'd post some athletic wear - a few favorites I already own and a few I've got my eye on:


         

       

Sephora VIB Sale - What's In My Shopping Cart?

YOU GUYS. Every year when Sephora does their piddly VIB 20% off sale* I get super excited and then I get mad because when else am I excited about 20% off? Also, I hate that you can't stack codes so you can't get the discount and a bag of crappy samples you won't use. I WANT IT ALL. Anyway, it's still an opportunity to get a discount on things that aren't normally discounted, so here's what's been waiting in my cart:

Sunday Riley has gotten some bad press lately and I'm still mad but you will have to pry my Juno oil from my cold, dead hands because I love it until the end of time. ALSO, they have lowered the price which is weird but I'm not questioning it. 

If you tried the old Ceramic Slip and thought it was drying or smelled weird you might want to give the reformulated version a try. It's creamier, more hydrating and it smells really good. I loved the old formula and was worried about the change but the new version is really luxe. Also, they lowered the price and improved the packaging so yup, definitely buying it.

It takes me forever to go through a tube of Bye Bye Under Eye but my current tube is nearly done so I'm restocking. This is the only concealer I've repurchased more than twice. It's serious stuff and a little goes a long way but it STAYS PUT. 

Every year when this sale comes around I buy at least one frivolous item - something new I probably wouldn't pay full price for. This year I'm finally giving in to this fancy Givenchy powder. I heard about this on an episode of Forever35 and it's been moving in and out of my shopping cart ever since. It's stupid expensive but I have to know! For science. (Also, you can return anything to Sephora! If an overpriced lipstick is disappointing? RETURN IT.) 

I am not giving in to any of the good deals they have going on with gift sets but I do want to point out a few that I think are worthwhile:

This Bite Beauty lip stuff is so good and you get three mini tubes for under $20! 

I've been dying to try something from Charlotte Tilbury and this looks like a fun place to start.

I've only heard good things about Fenty beauty and this lip set looks tempting. 

This is a great way to try Ceramic Slip and get some two minis of really good products.

This set isn't cheap but you get a full-sized bottle of Good Genes! I am super tempted.

Now it's your turn- what's in your cart? Or, if you're Rouge and have already made a purchase, what did you get? 

*VIB status get's 20% off Nov 9 -12th with code VIBBONUS. Insiders get 15% off starting Nov 16-19 with code BIBONUS.

Outfit of the Day: This Looks Familiar.

Okay, so the outfit I'm wearing is basically the same thing I wore last week in my Rothy's review but you know what? That's pretty much how it goes - I wear the stuff I really like over and over again and ignore the other two thirds of my wardrobe. I've gotten better at thinning out the things I don't wear anymore but I still wear my tried-and-true favorites the most often. TLDR: here you go:

This Ann Taylor ponte top I'm wearing is something I've had for years. It's indestructible, fits well, and has cool zippers on the sides. This Rachel Roy sweater has a similar zip thing going on and this grey TOV tee is also pretty similar, but I'm all about this side zip sweatshirt from Ann Taylor. It's not black but you already have black tops, right?

Now, I'm going to talk about these Madewell Tencel jeans. Yes, again. Since I bought them they're the only pair I want to wear. They're just the right amount of streamlined and they just get more comfortable each time I wear them. They don't slide down, they don't bag out at the knees. Worth every penny. They also come in black (and in other styles too) and I will definitely be getting another pair down the road. On to details:

This is my Madewell Anchor Pendant which I'm sorry to say is sold out. I love how extra it is and I think it makes a simple outfit a bit more fancy. You can achieve the same kind of thing with the Treasure Pendant necklace or the Curvelink Pendant but really, I'm kinda bummed mine is gone so quickly. Hmph. On to bags and shoes:

So, listen. If there's a bag you love and it pops up on Poshmark or eBay or whatever? Just go for it. Especially if it's different than anything else you own. I have carried this Liberty of London tote nearly every day since I bought it. it's lightweight, holds a ton and, honestly? It just sparks joy for me. I am SO glad I bought it. In searching for something similar (and less spendy) I still think this Sam Edelman tote is really cute and hell, even Lands' End has a version that's not bad. All that said, if you're looking for a tote, this canvas and leather Signet tote from J.Crew is really beautiful and under $100 with the F&F code! Dammit. Oh! My boots. They're the Cole Haan Landsman and I bought them at Costco last year, which is ridiculous. Also from Costco...

This is my cheap-ass Kirkland rain trench that I got for $29. I absolutely love it because, um, it was $29. It has a good, deep hood and not-good shallow pockets. 

Still, I'm happy I bought it and eventually I might replace it with a grown version but for now it's fine. Oh, and PS. my green camo scarf is from Banana Republic and it's sold out. I am the worst. This one is pretty? I give up. 

BUY THIS (Because I Can't Get Everything!)

Here's some cool stuff I found for you voting women who're biting your nails right now. I also want to point out that this dissent collar necklace is probably my favorite thing ever if anyone is looking to buy me a holiday gift. Just saying. I also very much love this "When There Are Nine" tee shirt.


         

       

Hey, Go Vote Today!

Me voting in 2016 vs. Me if we don't vote in 2018.

Twitter source: @loislane79

I am guessing nobody gives a shit about what I'm wearing today - we've got more important things to do. So, go vote and later this afternoon I'll post up some BUY THIS stuff with a fun feminist/left lean because we are real partisan around here. (Also, this is a style/shopping blog so I have to give you something to do with all that blue wave anxiety, right? Right.)