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Friday Frocks: Nifty for Fifty

By |July 22nd, 2011|Friday Frocks|

While summer is now in full swing, there are really only a handful of beach days and summer Fridays left.  (Although it was pointed out to me today that summer officially ends on September 22).  You’ve probably done most of your summer shopping in advance but, there’s still the possibility of a hot (both literally and figuratively) date or rooftop cocktail party to attend before September rolls around.  In the off chance that you’ve exceeded your seasonal budget, I’ve rounded up some summer friendly frocks that are also friendly on the wallet.  Now you can enjoy the rest of the warm weather without feeling guilty about going into credit card debt (never in style- ever). Behold: 10 dresses all under $50:

1. ModCloth Saturday Night Dress, $42.99, 2. Forever21 Ditsy Floral Chiffon Dress, $19.80, 3. Bisou Bisou Scoopneck All Over Pleat Dress, $31.99, 4. Matthew Williamson Sleeveless Halter Romper, $27.99, 5. Free People Animal Knit Bodycon Dress, $49.95, 6. Victoria’s Secret Off the Shoulder Print Tee Dress, $29.50, 7. Arden B. Gauze Ruffle Tube Dress, $49, 8. Kimchi Blue Ruffle Sleeve Dress, $49, 9. Guess Lori Dress, $49.95, 10. Forever21 Sweetheart Lace Dress, $22.80

xx,

WhyDid

 

photo via Quizzle

Friday Frocks: Always a Bridesmaid

By |July 8th, 2011|Friday Frocks, Why Did You Wear That?|

Ah, that special day in your life.  You’ve dreamt about it since you were a little girl.  You’re wearing the most beautiful dress you’ll probably ever wear and you get to marry the man of your dreams with your very best friends right by your side.

They were there when you called them with giddy excitement after your first date, wiped away your tears after your first fight, and called them immediately when he finally popped the question.  So why are you dressing them up like show ponies?

I get that this is “your day” but what did I ever do to you?  Why must I look like I’m wearing a prom dress (and a bad one at that)? Is this some kind of hazing?  Cause I’m pretty sure we covered that when I was holding your hair back as you tossed your cookies at your bachelorette party… You know, the time you made me drink out of a penis straw?

Not sure why so many brides insist on making their besties and bridesmaids look like giant eggplants or fluffy pink sheep, while they’ve never looked better.  I know, I know… it’s hard to find one dress that matches your color “theme”, looks good on everyone, and doesn’t upstage you.

A few things:

  1. These dresses are ugly.  They just are.
  2. Not every girl is going to look smashing in the exact same dress.  I don’t care how beautiful your besties are.  Some have hips, some have breasts, and unless you lucked into having quintuplets for best friends, none of them are going to look the same in that damn dress.
  3. When you ask us, “Will you ever wear this dress again?” we have no choice but to plaster on a smile and squeal with delight, “Yes!!!”
  4. We will never upstage you- unless you make us wear these god forsaken taffeta monstrosities. You’re the bride and you are beautiful!

Listen, I know you think that you must purchase official bridesmaids dresses, but there are plenty of great “off the rack” options that might actually make your bridesmaids happy.  To drive home my point, I have found options (all under $300) in every color of the rainbow:

1. Top Shop Yellow Cami Ruched Mesh Dress, $95, 2. Amanda Uprichard Crystal Body Silk Dress, $194,  3. Victoria’s Secret Flirty Multi-Way Dress, $79.50, 4. Presley Skye Ruffle Trim Crepe de Chine Dress, $128,  5. BCBGENERATION Cascading Ruffle Dress, $98, 6. A.B.S. by Allen Schwartz Yellow Silk Chiffon Beaded One Shoulder Dress, $237, 7. Ellen Tracy Sleeveless V-Neck Dress, $148,  8. Aqua Encom Twist Bandeau Full Maxi Dress, $129.29, 9. Aidan Mattox Floral Print Tiered Gown, $295, 10. Aidan Mattox Pansy Silk Chiffon Halter Dress, $279

11. Lauren by Ralph Lauren Chessington Shirred Dress, $130, 12. Ani Lee Taryn Dress, $299, 13. Free People Watercolor Printed Asymmetrical Dress, $128, 14. Mark + James Tie Waist Metallic Tulle Dress, $295,  15. Parker Bead Dress, $297, 16. Max and Cleo One Shoulder Gown, $178, 17. Amanda Uprichard Jessie Maxi Dress, $242, 18. LM by Mignon Cascade One Shoulder Gown, $243, 19. American Apparel Siren Dress, $75, 20. Winter Kate Barbel Lace Trim Maxi Gown, $285

So cut your gals a break, would ya?  You still want them by your side after your big day, right?

xx,

WhyDid

Friday Frocks: Pretty in Pink

By |June 10th, 2011|Friday Frocks|

This week’s Friday Frocks is brought to you by the color “pink.”  While perusing the world wide web… taking one of my mini mental vacations, I stumbled upon what may, in fact, be the greatest place on earth.  No, I’m not talking about Disney World, kiddos.  I’m talking about the “Pink Palace of the Pacific,” the Royal Hawaiian.  I know what you’re thinking.  This can’t be true!  How can a place so magical possibly exist?  Does this mean unicorns are real too?

Well, I’m not sure about unicorns, but this beautiful rosy resort is no myth.  Gazing upon this shrine to every girly girl’s favorite color got me to thinking about what one would wear while lounging poolside at the Pink Palace.  Couldn’t be anything but pink, right?

1. Alice + Olivia Gitana Button Front Dress, $330, 2. Amanda Uprichard Ruffle Front Tank Dress, $194, 3. Free People Vintage Hand Dyed 1940’s Slip, $268, 4. Halston Heritage Shirred Spaghetti Strap Dress, $295, 5. Charlie Jade Birch Dress, $124, 6. Marc and Jame Ruffled One Shoulder Dress, $265, 7. Tibi Ikat Wrap Dress, $330, 8. Roxy Big Break Dress, $39.50, 9. Betsey Johnson Stripe Thermo Bustle Dress, $148, 10. Amanda Uprichard Joan Dress, $194

Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get back to my vacation.

xx,

WhyDid

Friday Frocks: LWD

By |June 3rd, 2011|Friday Frocks|

Despite the fact that the whole “don’t wear white before Memorial Day or after Labor Day” stigma is really no longer relevant, many people still follow these strict guidelines.  Seeing as we are now in the “safe zone” of wearing white, I think it’s high time to trade in that trusty black cocktail dress for something a little lighter.  May I suggest white?  Nothing says summertime like golden skin against stark white hemlines.

By the way, how about a little history lesson on the rules of white between Memorial Day and Labor Day?:

Most of the folk-lore about wearing white seems to be rooted in the South (in other words, the part of the United States that is below the Mason Dixon Line).  For GRITS (girls raised in the south), wearing white before Easter or after Labor Day is simply a clear sign of bad manners and poor class.  Still today, many Southern ladies would never be seen wearing white in the winter or fall months, that is unless they were getting married.

There you have it, ladies.  Time to move into this century.  Ever heard of winter white? Anyway, why not slip into one of this white hot frocks this weekend?

1. BB Dakota Jessica Dress, $66, 2. Forever 21 Crochet Yoke Surplice Dress, $19.80, 3. Kimberly Ovitz Buren Dress, $585, 4. INC International Concepts Lace Sheath Dress, $99.50, 5. Style Stalker Trust Fund Dress, $119, 6. Mark & Badgley by Badgley Mischka Crepe Caftan, $295, 7. Isabel Marant Danel Zip Trimmed Crocheted Lace Mini, $825, 8. Torn by Ronny Kobo Sari Ruched Dress, $315, 9. Free People Off the Shoulder Dress, $168, 10. Marciano Mindi Pencil Dress, $188

xx,

WhyDid

 

Friday Frocks: Run For Cover

By |May 28th, 2011|Friday Frocks, Why Did You Wear That?|

The only thing more important at the beach than your swimsuit (and choice of juicy beach read) is your coverup.  Long gone are the days of hokey sarongs.  No need to channel Aunt Gertrude in a silly muumuu.  A coverup should be light, sexy, and able to transform from beachside to barside.  There are so many options now that I had a hard time narrowing them down to a few of my favorites.

1. Nightcap Clothing Jungle Lace Caftan Coverup, $320, 2. Anna Kosturova Magnolia Dress, $266, 3. Vitamin A Shantung Coverup, $88, 4. Beach Bunny I Want You To Want Me, $289, 5. Vix Solid Ana Short Dress, $124, 6. Letarte Popcorn Sleeveless Tunic, $198, 7. Mara Hoffman Chiffon Coverup, $308, 8. Zimmerman Copy Cat Silk Swing Dress, $345

Don’t forget some strappy sandals and my beach bag essentials to complete the look.

xx,

WhyDid

 

Photo via Kristie Colon