Reader Question: Black Tie Wedding Gown, Part One.

Today's reader question is from my amazing friend Ashley! We've been besties since our junior year in high school and we've both come a long way since our days of wearing cabbage rose print vintage dresses. She wrote: 

Hi Adrien, 

If you're brave and willing to delve into the world of fancy dresses, I would love your help... 

I have been invited to a black tie wedding this August and am wondering what the hell to wear. I could rent a dress or purchase one and don't want to go over $250 (which is a ridiculous stretch but I'd do it for something fantastic). It's August, so I am concerned about heat exhaustion from wearing a prom dress made out of shower curtain material. It would be great if I could find something that feels festive and in which I feel lovely. On my own, I've found such things online... at couture houses. Thanks for nothing, Oscar de la Renta. 

Another option, is this dress, which I already own:

 Think I could get away with it if I added some ridiculously blingy jewelry and uncomfortable shoes? If so, I'd welcome your ideas for the bling and the shoes. 

Okay! So I feel like I should put it out there that I never get invited to anything fancy, like, ever, so I'm deeply unqualified to answer this. But, I love Ashley AND I love pretty dresses, so I'm going to try anyway. First, I think something like this Halston gown would look amazing on Ashley:

Annnd, of course it sold out in the ten minutes between me finding it and adding it to this entry. It was on sale too! It does come in blue but I liked the purple. Ashley looks great in really intense, saturated colors, so I thought maybe something like this Jill Jill Stuart gown would look beautiful on her:

She is not sure sure about the pleated waist, though. I get it. Here's another one by Jill Jill Stuart (with slightly less pleating) in a beautiful deep pink color:

Is there such a thing as summer black tie? Because that's what we've got here, right? Okay. If we want to be a little more formal and a little less fun, this Lauren Ralph Lauren is very pretty without being over the top:

And something like this Adrianna Papell beaded gown is just so floaty and appealing in a Great Gatsby way:

I just wish it wasn't so damn expensive because that is not a dress you can wear very often. 

Now, I've never done the rental thing, but I don't think it's a bad option at all. You get to wear something super fancy without having to pay a million dollars, Currently Rent the Runway is offering 20% off your first order with code FIRSTRTR20P (plus shipping and cleaning are free) so I thought I'd look there.  This is the first dress I saw and I thought it was amazing: 

Apparently I like a long red dress. And here's a sparkly fancy-cocktail dress option:

Or, just go for something super classic and gorgeous:

OR... 

She should just wear the dress she has and go crazy with the accessories (which is always what I recommend because then you have awesome jewelry that you'll definitely wear again.) This is getting long so I'm going to save shoes and accessories for Part Two! 

Weekend Window Shopping: LOFT Is Seriously Cute Right Now.

LOFT is really doing it right this summer - lots of breezy looks and 40%-50% off most of it to boot! Here's what I like:

Cute Boy Friday: Football Is Awesome.

**Quick note: Marianne just added a bunch of stuff to the shop!**

A: Can you suggest a cute boy? Because I’m clean out.

M: Ooh I'm watching bloodline and have a new love for Coach Taylor.

A: A friend just suggested this show! I think she’s tired of my Gilmore Girls obsession.

M: I'm not super invested yet but I love him.

A: I still need to watch Friday Night Lights.

M: GOOD GRIEF YES.

M: I mean.

A: Football is boring, Marianne.

M: It's so not about football.

A: Maybe I actually love football.

M: 

A: FOOTBALL HOORAY.

M: 

M: Riggins AND Coach.

M: Do it.

A: I still have 6 1/2 seasons of Gilmore Girls to watch.

A: I’ll just quit my job.

M: Sounds legit.

A: I mean, I have a lot to catch up on.

Adrien: Way Back When.

I had to dig deep for this one!  I'll admit it pains me to dress like an adult in the summer but I can't go to work looking like a garbage person so I pulled it together:

This is my other great Ann Taylor skirt from that one great year when everything was great. (I think I have four pieces from that year I still wear regularly.) The leopard skirt they have right now (P4 only!) is pretty dang cute, I will admit, but I LOVE this Current/Elliott grey denim leopard skirt and the price is great! And if pencil skirts aren't for you check out this adorable leopard full skirt. Also, I can't stop looking at this amazing BCBG leopard skirt even though faux fur panels are... challenging. 

This is part of why I love this skirt - check out that kick pleat! That's the kind of fun detail I like in a skirt. I mean, check out this Trina Turk skirt. It's all about the back, right?  

Details! I'm wearing a very pretty Luv AJ lariat necklace that I got in my summer Box of Style. I love that it's so light and works great with weird necklines. This one, also by Luv AJ, is pretty similar and on sale! I also love Madewell's pretty lariat necklaces. My bracelet is Giles and Brother and my garnet ring was a gift. 

My top is from Banana Republic and I love the fit except it's so low cut I have to tape it all up for work. Annoying. I will say, I might be ready to check out BR again. This Pintuck-Bib top is intriguing and the print on this Floral Crepe top is so pretty. I'm also curious about the Tiered Vee Blouse but it could go either way on me. I'm not getting too excited though because this war crime of a dress is still for sale. (I believe Marianne called it, "Swamps of Sadness" green.)

 My bag is a MBMJ Too Hot to Handle hobo which I carry way too much. There is ONE in "Light Chocolate" on 6pm right now! On sale! Someone get that, please. You will have no regrets. The newer version is very nice but a bit bigger and has a zippy top. (I like my version better.) This Talbots leather hobo looks like a really good and inexpensive dupe.

But seriously, someone buy that MBMJ bag. It's hurting my feelings.

My sandals are Chie Mihara and if you wear a 7.5 you should probably be checking out this updated version that's on sale. If you are not a 7.5 maybe this pair instead? Just a suggestion.

Reader Question: Professional Laptop Bag. Not Easy.

Blog reader Lisa emailed and asked if I could find her a fashionable laptop bag option. Here's what she wrote:

I am now a real adult with a real career and my free with gift Elizabeth Grant tote that I got for $3 at a thrift store is not going to cut it any more (really…) 

I am looking for a bag I can take to work that can at least hold a 13” laptop, and also has a couple of other similarly sized pockets for random papers that I collect, if I don’t sort them I could carry them around with me forever. 

ADDITIONALLY, my program has told me that they would likely cover the cost if the name of the item included “business tote” or “laptop bag” or similar, and was under $100.

As it turns out, this is a tall order. I toss my laptop in my regular canvas work tote (which I don't recommend) so I hadn't ever searched for a proper business/laptop bag. It's... bad out there. Soooo many backpacks. Which okay, I get it, they're more comfortable if you travel with your laptop but I wanted to find Lisa something that she could carry to work that doesn't looks like Staples Sadness. Here's what I came up with:

This Baggallini tote is quite a nice, sleek, work option and it has a padded laptop pocket. I like that it just looks like a nice work tote without screaming I AM SUCH A LAPTOP BAG.

This Calvin Klein laptop tote isn’t the most exciting option, but the fun bright red color definitely saves it from being boring. With the 20% off code being offered it comes in under $100 (and the blue option is even less expensive!)

Okay, you knew this was coming, right? Yes, it's a Marc by Marc Jacobs laptop bag with a ridiculous lemon print. And it's under $100! I mean, come on. It is straight up adorable. You are welcome. 

I never thought I'd be posting a Vera Bradley bag on my blog but this quilted laptop tote is totally good, right? And the graphic print lining is really fun! I am pleased with this. Bonus: it's under budget and had the word "laptop" in the description. 

I checked Etsy because I was feeling brave and Eeeeee, how great is this handmade felt laptop satchel?? I just love it. I don't know that it's super business professional but it's awfully cute and I love that it's handmade. 

This Heys America Foldover Tote holds a 13” laptop and reminds me of a foldover Foley & Corinna bag! It comes in four colors, but I like the dark blue best. 

Y'all know I like a crazy print (and a bargain) so I also found this Hadaki by Kalencom neoprene laptop tote that comes in a bunch of fun prints. It's under $40!

This one is for me. The Vince Camuto Leila Saffiano tote. It's not a proper laptop bag but does have a pocket that works for a laptop. And it's just straight up sleek and perfect and ugh. I love it. Right now it's on sale for just under $100, so really, someone should buy it. 

My final pick is over budget but I think it's too cute not to include. It's a Kate Spade New York Classic Nylon Stripe laptop bag and I LOVE IT TO BITS. It really couldn't be more perfect and stripey and yes. Budget be damned. 

Hopefully one of these options work for Lisa but if you have a suggestion please leave a comment! 

Adrien: LOFT White Jeans Review and Outfit.

Back when LOFT was having a crazy sale I ordered two pairs of white jeans - the Modern Skinny and the Modern Straight.  I got both in my usual jeans size and here's what they look like:

This is the Modern Skinny. They aren't jegging skinny, which is nice because they look like jeans and the legs roll easily. I probably should've gone down a size but I'm okay with them being a bit less fitted. I don't always like to feel like I've been poured into my jeans and need to wait for them to release me.  Plus, they look good from the back: 

SEE WHAT I DID THERE. It's really important to get the rear report with jeans, is what I'm saying. And isn't that Old Navy striped tank cute in the back? This is the Modern Straight style:

They felt a little short 'n boxy (and definitely a size too big) so back they go. Both pairs were a good weight (not see-through!), a reasonable rise and pretty comfortable. You might want to size down, though. I'll probably regret that I didn't. Both styles are on sale right now for what I think is a reasonable amount to spend on white jeans. 

Now, my outfit! My necklace is a Jules Smith resin pendant and it's a nice bit of summery turquoise. I also think this turquoise pendant by Steve Madden is really pretty. On my wrist is my Cluse La Bohème watch. 

My tank is the Old Navy Sleeveless Split-Back which comes in a bunch of colors and is dirt cheap right now. I have two and wear them a lot. I've been so happy with my cheap ON summer stuff! I am currently eyeing this embroidered top and I love the print on this trapeze tank. 

Blue MBMJ Kirsten Globetrotter bag! A favorite. There are usually a few on eBay and Barney's Warehouse has a blue MJ backpack and a blue turnlock tote that's really cute. And ooh, how cute is this bright blue front zip faux leather bag at Last Call? It's so similar! 

Finally, my feet. My love for the Birkenstock Gizeh sandal is pretty strong. They're fashiony (at least, right now) and also really comfortable. I highly recommend. I might get a white pair next! Eep. I'm turning into my mother. Help. 

Weekend Window Shopping: Sparkly Pretty Things.

I don't post nearly enough jewelry but I do love it. Here are some bits and pieces I've had my eye on: