STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

CarrieS · Marc Jacobs

Is this dress okay for that wedding, or a huge no?

XtinaStyles · Marc Jacobs

I think with a cami underneath it is appropriate but not so sure about wedges, I feel as though they could look clunky w the sleek chic dress. Can you post a pic of your wedges or a pic of something similar?

CarrieS · Marc Jacobs

Not the best pic at ALL, but here's an outfit I wore with them:

My biggest problem with buying new shoes is simply finding them in my size AND for cheap. That's usually really hard for me hmm

Kelly · Hermes

I think the appropriateness depends on the size of your chest. If you're smaller chested, a plunging neckline won't be a big deal. But if you're bound to have cleavage, it might be too much without a cami.

I don't know about the wedges. I think black, and a wedge, would be so heavy. What about metallic wedges? Kind of like these (I don't know about the stacked heel, but I like that it's a "light" looking shoe

FWIW, I really like Cami Too under dresses, since it's less bulky than a cami (and therefore, less chance of weird lines). I bought mine at Dillards, but it looks like they're pretty widely available right now, like at JC Pennys. You can find them online too if you're not opposed to buying online.

-- Edited by Kelly on Wednesday 6th of May 2009 07:20:00 PM

CarrieS · Marc Jacobs

I have a 34DD chest, so a cami is a MUST for this dress if I get it, lol......I'm not opposed to a lighter wedge at all, but what color? I'm so clueless about all of this!

CarrieS · Marc Jacobs

Hmm, okay, now I'm thinking of these shoes. Still black, but lighter:
41Wov1qEfOL._AA260_.jpg

gossipgirl · Dooney & Bourke

I like it and the shoes!

CarrieS · Marc Jacobs

Thanks for all your help on this ladies! I've ordered both the F21 dress & the shoes, so I'll see how they work out smile

Yana · Dooney & Bourke

Hello, Carrie!
I don't usually say that, & I don't mean to sound rude, however, as a former fashion designer, I can't get it pass by: the dress is beautiful, & it's OK for the wedding ( in my book). However, you'll kill it with a camisole underneath & the wedge sandal, no matter what the wedge is & definitely not the one that you own. ( THough it does look awfully cute with those shorts)

Why do you need a cami: if you afraid to look too sexy because of the bra size- then pick a different dress, this one is meant to be worn with a deep V-neck opening:) You DO have a body for it! YOu can wear a bra that hooks in the front.

Re: shoes: no wedge - a heel & a high one, try either a platform with a peep toe ( for more comfort), or just a 2.5"-3" heel pump/with a peep toe. I don't think that black goes with this color, unless it's black patent. I'd rather go with either metallic ( then pick jewelry accordingly: if you pick silver metallic - then white gold/silver jewelry, if it's a gold metallic - then yellow gold) or a neutral camel ( can be patent), those are neutral colors that you can wear later with other styles. If you decide to splurge - you can go color ( light purple/pale blue/bright yellow/fuscia/greens).

P.S. on the V-opening: if you insist on the cami - not the one that has a round/straight neck line, it'll cut the visual shape of the sexy opening of the dress in unflattering way. But there are lace camis ( I'd go with either black or cream) with the same exactly opening as a dress, so when it's under the dress only the tips of the lace along the same lines as the dress' V-opening will be visible. That will look sexy & comfortable for you.

-- Edited by Yana on Thursday 7th of May 2009 03:57:37 PM

-- Edited by Yana on Thursday 7th of May 2009 04:02:15 PM

-- Edited by Yana on Thursday 7th of May 2009 04:06:17 PM

Kelly · Hermes

Yana wrote:
Why do you need a cami: if you afraid to look too sexy because of the bra size- then pick a different dress, this one is meant to be worn with a deep V-neck opening:) You DO have a body for it! YOu can wear a bra that hooks in the front.

What would wearing a bra that hooks in the front do differently for this dress?

Yana · Dooney & Bourke

The bras with the front hook are meant for wearing with very deep plunged necklines, like this one, if the right shape is found - the neckline of the dress remains untouched with the underneath support of a bra.

CarrieS · Marc Jacobs

Hmm, well, definitely thank you for all the thoughts! I can't make a final decision on the dress or the dress/shoe combo until they all arrive, so I'm not 100% dead set on them. I will more than likely be keeping the shoes no matter what though, since I currently don't own any black heels other than my wedges.

As far as the cami thing goes, it's really hard to find lower necked stuff, which I find more flattering on a big bust than a high neck, but it's hard for me to do those WITHOUT a cami or something under, or I look like a porn star, which I obviously don't want. I'm so used to camis under things that it's not that odd to me, lol

Shoe-wise, I'm totally open for more options, but quite frankly, I don't wear heels more than a handful of times a year, so I'm not particularly open to spending a lot on them. Unfortunately for my tiny shoe size of 5, that's hard to find (I pretty much hate shoe shopping for this reason)....I often gravitate to little girls, but they're not usually wearing stiletto heels, lol

I think this whole thing is starting to frustrate me, because I'm not rolling in money & just can't afford to buy all new jewelry, handbags, shoes, lingerie etc. to go to this wedding. Spending $200 for a whole look is absolutely NON-negotiable for me (I'm coughing up money for a bachelerette party in June & my actual summer vacation is 2 weeks after this wedding) *Sigh*

I'm totally keeping all of your ideas in my head though, just in case, because you never know what I may find that's actually IN my budget!

-- Edited by CarrieS on Thursday 7th of May 2009 09:53:28 PM

Suasoria · Chanel

I don't love it, but honestly for $20, it's hard to imagine doing any better. My only concern is that it could look cheap IRL. For that reason I would avoid lace underneath because that also can look cheap. A simple satin would be more elegant - you could do a cami or even a full slip if it's fitted enough.

Good find on the shoes! Size 5, yeah, that's a problem!

CarrieS · Marc Jacobs

Suasoria wrote:

I don't love it, but honestly for $20, it's hard to imagine doing any better. My only concern is that it could look cheap IRL. For that reason I would avoid lace underneath because that also can look cheap. A simple satin would be more elegant - you could do a cami or even a full slip if it's fitted enough.

Good find on the shoes! Size 5, yeah, that's a problem!

Yep, I'll just have to see what it looks like IRL when it gets delivered......It may very well go back and my hunt continues! smile

stardust · Kenneth Cole

I think it will look pretty and is fine for wedding attire. Especially with the second shoe. I think because it's a wedding especially i know what you mean about wanting a bit more coverage with a cami- it's a family thing and it would just feel more comfortable if it were me.

Vanessa · Kate Spade

I'm not sure if you had a chance to try this dress on in person. I bought it in black around Christmas and it is pretty form-fitting and sexy, at least on me and I'm not even curvy. As a matter of fact I have attempted to wear it to a couple of parties and each time ended up changing because I felt it was too much and more of a "dinner-out-with-bf" va-va-va-boom dress. Also, a cami would not look right with it IMO, because of the fabric.
As far as footwear, I like the shoes you ordered much better than wedges. Keep us updated! If it doesn't work out we can try to help you find a different outfit.

Boots · Gucci

Just wanted to say I understand your frustration with the too much cleavage problem. I'm a 32DD and a size 4 so a lot of things that look sexy on other women can just make me look trampy. I own many camis. I don't personally like the lace kind, but that's just me.

I think what is most important is that you feel comfortable at the wedding and not like you are hanging out giving everyone a free show. wink

When you get the dress, play around with it. If this isn't the right dress, you can always return it and keep looking.

-- Edited by Boots on Friday 8th of May 2009 01:30:59 PM

alb · Marc Jacobs

Vanessa wrote:

I'm not sure if you had a chance to try this dress on in person. I bought it in black around Christmas and it is pretty form-fitting and sexy, at least on me and I'm not even curvy. As a matter of fact I have attempted to wear it to a couple of parties and each time ended up changing because I felt it was too much and more of a "dinner-out-with-bf" va-va-va-boom dress. Also, a cami would not look right with it IMO, because of the fabric.
As far as footwear, I like the shoes you ordered much better than wedges. Keep us updated! If it doesn't work out we can try to help you find a different outfit.

This makes sense to me. i shop at F21 pretty frequently and have tried on a lot of their dresses but not bought any. my first thought, b/c it's by F21, was that it might be a little too much for a wedding. I say this mainly b/c of the fabric (usually a mixture with lots of lycra) and the low v neckline. While I don't completely agree with everything yana suggested (jmo), I think she and vanessa are right about a cami looking odd under that dress (though I think it's more because of the deep v). I wear camis all the time ( I'm a 36C and usually have to) too so I understand your inclination towards them as I'm in the same boat. Anyway, I'm not saying this to stress you out or make you feel bad but I wanted to offer an alternative - what about a wrap dress? Wrap dresses are classic and sexy yet totally appropriate for weddings (and lots of functions, actually), a cami looks great under them, AND you can find them very inexpensively. They are everywhere - Target, Marshalls, TJX, the Limited, etc. And I think either your wedges or your new shoes would work. Assuming you already own a cami to wear underneath it (if it needs one) and some accessories - you're good to go and don't have to spend any more $$. Just an idea. Good luck with whatever you decide!

-- Edited by alb on Friday 8th of May 2009 03:12:13 PM

-- Edited by alb on Friday 8th of May 2009 03:13:12 PM

subwolley · Kate Spade

CarrieS wrote:

Now, I'd be wearing a 3/4 sleeve cardi over it and a cami under. If I need to keep looking, it's cool, I won't be offended . I like it, but I'm not sure it's appropriate! Oh, forgot to mention that I'm only 5'4 and the dress is 35", so it'll be knee length on me.

If the dress is okay, would black wedge sandals be bad or good with it? And in general, would black wedge sandals be bad or good with a darker jewel toned dress?

-- Edited by CarrieS on Wednesday 6th of May 2009 06:39:48 PM

Ok, this is too funny, because this morning I saw this dress and thought "I wonder if I could wear this to a wedding!"

Yana · Dooney & Bourke

Well, you definitely need to try the dress on. I'll tell you this: all women in my family have big bra sizes ( except me, they consider my 34 B as flat chested), anyhow, DD cup is a popular cup in my family ( my cousin even wears a G cup, yeah....have you heared of such? By the way, her motto is: if you've got it - flaunt it:)) & it is always a problem to find the right bra/tops/dresses....so, based on their experiences & looking at what works/does't work on them: the dress is beautiful, but ultimately, if you're insecure with this part of your body - since it is VERY sexy - it might be the wrong dress...However, with a big bust I do always insist on plunging necklines ( deep round/V, cowl, not that plunging to your waist, but deeper then the boat neck) - it opens up the whole upper part of face/neck, also the chest area is more flattered, more then when you'd wear a turtle neck or a round closed neckline...( that way the bust seems to be much bigger)....so, do see how it looks on you when you try this on & spend a bit time in it at home to check how you feel.