Reader Request: Styling Your LBD for Holiday Events

Good morning!  I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving weekend, and are gearing up for the weeks ahead.  I'm actually relieved that my calendar isn't too full, but today I'm excited to help Becky style her favorite little black dress for the holidays.

Becky lucked out and found a flattering dress at Target, and realizes that it makes zero sense to search high and low for something new when she's got lots to work with already (and 5 kids!).  She can easily take her dress from church to a party by swapping out a top layer and accessories. 

LBD for holiday events by cardiganjunkie featuring slip on shoes

Just for fun, I decided to only feature pieces that are fairly affordable and similar to what's available at national chain stores.  You can also substitute a basic blazer for the structured sweater in the first look, or a regular cardigan instead of the fitted sweater in look three.

So, before you run out to buy a new dress, consider restyling the one you have... and treat yourself to a new bag instead!  I hope this was helpful - if you have any advice for Becky, leave a comment and share it!

Wanted: Dresses with Sleeves

I don't think I'm alone when I say that few things are worse than seeing a photo where your normal-sized upper arm looks as big as your face... or bigger.  It's also annoying to hunt for the elusive cardigan or blazer to pair with a dress without the degree of coverage that you want.  I won't even start on the challenges faced by those ladies with modesty preferences that don't include bare arms.

The solution to all of these issues is simple: sleeves.  Unfortunately, locating stylish dresses with sleeves on them is quite a challenge.  I've been on the the lookout for a while, and have finally compiled a group of great options at all price points - I hope you find it helpful!

Wedding Guest Dresses - Two Ways!

My husband and I have gone to a lot of weddings in the past few years.  Seriously, I can count ten including ours!  Although I'm fortunate to have two great staple dresses (and no fear of re-wearing them!) I know lots of other women see a wedding as a reason to buy something new.  And since I love a good shopping challenge, I thought I'd share a few options that you can wear to the wedding and then again for less formal occasions.

In my mind, this means you should look for a dress you really like and can wear for a long time, but it doesn't mean you need to spend lots of money either.  Observe:

wedding guest dresses - two ways by cardiganjunkie featuring a wood bracelet

wedding guest dresses - two more ways by cardiganjunkie featuring plastic sunglasses

I think the key to versatility is a good quality fabric that isn't too sheer, but also not too shiny.  You can rely on accessories to bring the glamour, and the dress can rise to the occasion.  However, you should avoid thin cotton, jersey knit, and any smocking or elastic.  I regret to inform you that this rules out most (but not all) of what you'll see at Target and Old Navy, although the latter has some amazing eyelet dresses that are nicely made and look great!

Here are the dresses I featured, in case you're interested:

PSA: LOFT is killing it with the Spring dresses!

Y'all!  I was just browsing the new offerings from LOFT and was super excited to see more cute dresses from one store than they've ever had before. 

The fits can be hit or miss, but I don't generally have problems with quality or finding styles that flatter my shape.  Plus, most of the styles will allow for a normal bra.  (Hooray!) 

Here are my favorites (and no, I was not asked to share this with you.  I just got excited):

Reader Request: Blushing Bridesmaid

Being a bride was hard, wasn't it?  I didn't really enjoy wedding planning, and I'm glad I don't have to ever get married again.  Being a bridesmaid, however, is pretty easy.  I've done it six times and am basically a pro.  I walk at the right pace, suck in my stomach like a champ, and smile.  However, it all would have been harder if I had to pick out a dress.

This morning I'm excited to help Kristi, a reader who will be a bridesmaid in a Texas hill country wedding where she needs to find a blush or cream colored dress without much adornment.  It's also preferred that the dress has straps and be under $75.  Challenge accepted!

modcloth options by cardiganjunkie featuring a pink dress

asos options by cardiganjunkie featuring high-low dresses

blush bridesmaid dress by cardiganjunkie featuring beaded dresses

Modcloth and Asos are the best options that I found within Kristi's price point, and if it were me, I'd order everything I liked and then take advantage of free returns. 

After much searching, I abandoned my hunt for appropriate cream dresses because they're so hard to keep from looking bridal when you're at a wedding.  Or, even worse, the wrong shade of cream can look dirty next to a girl in a white dress, so that browsing will need to be done in person.

Hopefully this was helpful - please share any other suggestions for Kristi in the comments!

The One That Got Away: Black Flared Dresses

It's not often that I pass up a great, wear-it-forever item when I see it.  However, I often declare that I can probably find a great deal on something similar or that I'll pick it up when it goes on sale.  Usually, I can (eventually), but this winter I decided not to buy this perfect flared dress from J.Crew and have regretted it ever since.

Look at how pretty:

Source: jcrew.com via Haley on Pinterest

There are few cuts more flattering than a fitted waist and full skirt, regardless of your shape.  Victoria Beckham and Adele couldn't be more different, figure-wise, but the same type of dress looks amazing on them both:

Source: images.search.yahoo.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: instyle.com via Maria on Pinterest

And since I keep seeing the dress and styling it in my mind, I'm taking it as a sign that I should keep looking for my own.  Here are some of the best affordable options I've found:

Reader Request: Styling a Summer Dress in Fall

Good morning!  Today I'm back from a great weekend trip and totally dreading the upcoming weeks of work now that I have no upcoming trip to look forward to.  However, one bright spot is that fall is starting to roll into Texas.  Hopefully we're done with our 100+ degree days, and it's time to start transitioning our less obvious summer clothes into autumn styles.

This week, I'm happy to help Valentina, who bought this great colorblock dress from J.Crew and wants some help styling it:

Source: jcrew.com via Megan on Pinterest

As you can see, the dress can be layered over a classic chambray shirt and paired with this season's smoking slippers or ballet flats,  However, I have a few more ideas:

Summer Dress in Fall - Three Ways by cardiganjunkie featuring leopard print flats

Nothing here is groundbreaking in terms of pairings, but I think a lot of people are quick to put a dress intended to be worn with sandals on a sailboat into a drawer after Labor Day.  However, adding a denim jacket and boots, or a belt and some unexpected (but neutral) flats can buy several more weeks of use.  Then, when it begins to cool down, layering a cozy cardigan and warm tights will bring a cotton dress into the winter (in climates where it's not freezing).

What's your favorite way to transition summer pieces to fall?  I hope Valentina gives one of these looks a shot, and finds ways to wear a really great dress in a new way.

If you have a style dilemma, send me a note and I'll try to help out. 

Christmas Party Dress Picks

Tis the season for holiday parties, and the inevitable panic about what wear when you'll be mingling with lots of people you may not see often.  You want to impress, but not if it involves spending a ridiculous amount of money on something you're unlikely to wear again until next December unless someone gets married and it's fancy.

However, I strongly believe that every woman needs a dress that she can feel great in and it's worth a small investment to have something reliable that you can throw on when the occasion arises.  That said, here are some of my top picks for this year's holiday part circuit:

holiday dress 1 by cardiganjunkie featuring a sheer dress

holiday dresses 2 by cardiganjunkie featuring cocktail wedding dresses

holiday dresses 3 by cardiganjunkie featuring party dresses

I officially do not need any more cocktail dresses, but the lace and leopard dresses in the last set are really tempting.  I'd be so classy!  But I don't need them.  Sigh.

Do you have a standby party dress in your closet?  Where did you get it?  Do tell!