FashionBinge Goes To Kleinfeld And Goes Bridal, Which Begat The Say Yes To The Affordable Wedding Dress + Non-Traditional Dress Post

So, yesterday I went to Kleinfeld and tried on about 20 dresses. My sales woman, Patricia, was wonderful and not pushy and was so so helpful and listened when I said I didn't want a crazy princessy dress with 1000 miles of fabric shooting out behind me, and that I didn't want a ballerina princess pony unicorn dress or anything. And while they didn't carry the Jenny Packham dress I really love, she and Fashion Director Randy Fenoli were so great about trying to find dresses that looked similar to the Jenny Packham dress I love and listening to my prices concerns (and ultimately, it's fine that they don't have that Jenny Packham dress because it's $5,000. Next!)

Anyway, the stuff I saw at Kleinfeld was nice, but a lot of them felt nightgowny, as my friend put it, and even the one I really did like was really nice but just didn't feel right for me -- too Cinderella-ish. So, while the selection at Kleinfeld is beyond extensive (note: their dresses, as they'll tell you when you make an appointment, start at $1,800), it's not the place to go if you're looking for a non-traditional gown. It all sorta reiterated the fact that a traditional white/ off-white wedding dress just isn't for me.

So, later on, I checked out the evening dresses in the windows at Bloomingdale's and saw some awesome non-bridal/ bridal-for-me options. Then I went home and read Tickled Pink's post on wedding dresses on a budget and was inspired to start my search online at places like Nordstrom, Saks, Bloomingdale's and the like to find either bridaly or non-bridal dresses there. I found tons of great stuff by BCBG Max Azria and ABS dresses. Read on please, as they say on the makeup boards...

($248, Bloomingdale's)


($435, ABS, Bloomingdale's)

($438, BCBG Max Azria, Bloomingdale's)

Whatever I end up with, I want it to be very modern, so I really love this one!

($375, Coast, Bloomingdale's)


($2595, Templerley, Net-a-porter.com)


($3760, RM by Roland Moure, Net-a-porter.com)

($3400, Marc Jacobs, Bergdorf Goodman)

I know it's insane, but I've always had a little bit of a drag queen in me and would be fine with wearing a purple sequined dress down the aisle.

Anyway, ladies, if you're just embarking on the wedding dress search, have hope. There's cool stuff out there! Will keep you posted, of course.

xoxo,
FashionBinge

Already, I Am Sick of Gladiator Sandals...

And it's barely even Spring!!! Seriously, unless you're actively involved in battling bears or guys who look like Russell Crowe, you do NOT need to encase you foot in a leather cage. Please. DON'T!

Some particularly egregious offenders:

($98, Jeffrey Campbell, Urban Outfitters)

If you're concerned that your cankle areas (for lack of a better term) are going to be chilly, MAYBE IT'S TOO COLD OUT FOR SANDALS! But you really truly do not get to do both.

($28, Urban Outfitters)

Dudes, fringe is not for shoes. Fringe is for jackets... no wait a second. Fringe is NOT FOR ANYONE outside of Branson (and I'm sure several of Branson's fine citizens don't even wear it). Don't ever wear fringe EVER. (One exception: you are Dolly Parton and/or 1967 Dennis Hopper.)

($57, Naughty Monkey, Karmaloop.com)
Seriously? What the shit??

($79, Nine West)

We get it. The American economy is in the shitter, so we're supposed to buy bright things to make us forget. I love bright things, but that's no reason to let the sandal equivalent of Bill Cosby's Coogi sweater creep up your foot.

($125, Urban Outfitters)

As if someone sent a perfectly okay jazz shoe through a paper shredder.

You get the point. So now, some lovely warm-weather footwear alternatives to the scourge of gladiators:

($48, Urban Oufitters)

Not my all-time favorites, but definitely not bad at all. At least there's no covered heel or ankle nonsense.

($105, Dolce Vita, Piperlime.com)

Perfectly reasonable, sweetly (note: not barfily) trendy metallic peep-toe that says "I'm a grown-up, and I'm perfectly mature about keeping MOST of my foot consistently -- not schizophrenically covered."

($105, Sam Edelman, Bloomingdale's)

Love both of these. (Very similar, cheaper ones here, BTW.) Wedge-y but not towering, which is more than I can say for these:

($29.50, Alloy.com)

Holy hell. Anyway, back to better spring shoes:

($175, Cole Haan, Bloomingdale's)

Rarely do I see white shoes I'd actually wear, but these are great (both versions!) all-purpose sping/ summer heeled sandals that completely do not suck or offend.

($365, Chie Mahara, Sodafine.com)

Sweet, sweet design. Sweet, sweet desire. It's like the Golden Gate Bridge found a happy home on your foot (minus the congestion and the jumpers.)

($375, Ralph Lauren, Bloomingdale's)

The price is a bit ridick for a bit of rope, and sure, they're a bit campy, but they're still fun in a WASPy sort of way. (And Ha'shem KNOWS I'm WASPY!) Though I'm not sure why you wouldn't just opt for Kinos -- Key West classics -- instead:

($11, KinoSandalFactory.com)

($11, KinoSandalFactory.com)


($41, Steve Madden)

It's not much, but it's right to the point and WORLDS better than the much-aligned flip-flop. HELP US HELP YOU!

** Also, Steve Madden promo code:
$10 off: SML963BF1E (Not sure if this is a one-hitter or what.)

Finally, if sandals aren't your thing (and I get that), I like these ridiculous (and ridiculously priced!) Nikes:

($79, Nike, Alloy)

Do I offend???

** Disclosure: This post contains a paid link.

Monday Fun-day Dresses

These dresses have absolutely nothing to do with Monday. I just wanted to make a cutesy rhyme.

So I went to the Soho Bloomingdale's this past weekend. I drooled over and nearly onto this Bellette dress:

($465, Diane von Furstenberg, Bloomingdale's)
... Except the cream dream version I saw was school bus yellow with magenta underneath. And I cannot find it ANYWHERE online. Not that I could justify buying it, but I do like to Windows shop. (Get it!? Hee!)

I did find these two DVF beauties on eBay though:

(Currently $39, DVF, eBay)
Vintage. Gorg.


(Currently $69, DVF, eBay)
Love this. Also, this chick looks like an Olsen twin after like three grapes.


($235, Alfie, Hayden-Hartnett)
This dress is gorgeous and could be easily mistaken for Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi or Gucci, IMHO.


($245, Nicholas K)
Refinery 29 and Nicholas K have me shedding tears of joy over The Ryan dress. It looks so comfy, and the accessorizing options are absolutely limitless! WANT WANT WANT WANT! NOW NOW NOW NOW! (waaah!)


($80, Chrissa, LuvCharlie.com)
I know it's not a dress, but it's MY blog so piss off! I so heart this fun mustard color. It'd work perfectly in any season. Don't agree? Well TOO BAD! IT'S MY BLOG! Jk. Loveyoumeanitpease!

Be Your Own Valentine. Turn Your Swag On.

Here is a photo of my Valentine. It's me. Yes, I'm married. But we don't really celebrate Valentine's Day beyond giving each other a card with an animal on it, because Valentine's Day is kinda meh. If you celebrate it and you derive pleasure from it, then God bless. I'm not saying I won't partake of some drugstore chocolate. Because I already have.

For Valentine's Day, I'm posting this photo I took of myself this past July in the dressing room at Bloomingdale's. I was having a really good day. You can't tell in the photo, but my hair looked really good. I'd just interviewed for a job (which I didn't get -- the interview went well, and I went on to have another interview, but it just wasn't meant to be... important life lesson there: things happen when they're supposed to, and jobs you don't get probably weren't the right jobs for you). But I'd busted my ass preparing, and I celebrated with a little excursion to Bloomingdale's, where, for some reason, this Cynthia Steffe dress jumped out at me. An asymmetrical ruched silk party dress the color of the blazing sun was the last thing on my must-buy list. Especially at $286. But I tried it on and the feeling of confidence and like "EFFYEAHCYNTHIASTEFFE" I got was immeasurable by money or exclamation points. I felt bona fide awesome wearing it (and after a few days of deliberation, I went to the downtown Bloomie's and bought it).

I snapped a photo to remind me of that feeling you get when you feel great in something. When you finally calm the voices in your head that say "you still need to lose 10 pounds," "ugh, your stomach's gonna stick out," "the top backs of your arms aren't toned enough," "you weigh more now than you did two years ago." And my favorite bizarre little personal demon: "When you turn your face to the side, that area between your nose and cheek sometimes looks weird in photos." WHATEVER. WHO. CARES. Every day that you get out of bed and walk around on your own two highly functional legs unassisted and live a life relatively unconfined by illness or suffering or an oxygen tank on wheels is a fucking gift that not everyone on this earth was granted. But it's really easy to lose sight of that big picture when you're staring in a mirror squinting at a mild case of bra-induced back fat that really no one but you will ever notice. (Something else I've learned: people are too busy going about their own lives and dealing with their own weird insecurities to notice yours.) Even the most confident women I know (and I consider myself one of them) probably say 10 disparaging things about themselves for every one good thing. And when they do admit one nice thing about themselves, it's almost always apologetic and hesitant. I'm trying to do something about that. I'll go first: I feel like I look as good in this dress as that model. If you think I'm nuts or deluded, then this probably isn't the blog for you.

My point is that everyone deserves a dress, a pair of shoes, a blouse, a jacket, jeans, whatever, that make you feel as good as you deserve to feel. And everyone deserves to be able to confidently say "I LOOK AWESOME" instead of being modest or conservative, without feeling like you're bragging. Turn your swag up to 10. Eleven, even.

I used to roll my eyes when people on TV or in magazines talked about self-love and loving your body. But the older I get, I realize we need to hear those things -- and remind ourselves of them -- even if they sound corny and "you-go-girl"-ish. We should be able to toast ourselves and celebrate feeling and looking good, inside and out.

So, consider this a little love letter to myself. And I hope you put on something awesome, turn your swag on, and write your own Valentine too. You deserve it.

Soulja Boy Tellem - Turn My Swag On

More Cute Stuff! Some Affordable, Others Not

Okay. Here's some rad, ruling stuff, y'all.


($182, Sunner, ActiveEndeavors.com)
Super cute dress, and it looks like it'd be super flattering on all body types, but the price doesn't flatter me. Fortunately this looks like JUST the type of thing we can expect Urban Outfitters and/or Old Navy to knock off shortly! Here's hopin'!


($158, BCBG, Bloomingdale's)
This is perf for those weddings and events in the in-between season of Sprummer -- not quite spring, not quite summer, knowhudimean?


($355, Diane von Furstenberg, Bloomie's)
OOoooh pretty, but eeeeeeeeeeeeeeek espensy! Super elegant and timeless though.


(Apprx $273 USD, Diane Von Furstenberg, Browns)
More DVF! I'd definitely sooner dole out nearly three BJs (Ew! Benjamins, you freak!) for this beauty as opposed to the black number. The dark colors reminds me of London, when it gets dark super early and rains the whole time, but you're drunk by 6PM because that's how it rolls. Also, brown and chili pepper are TOTES in for F/W '07, k? Also, while we're talking about DVF, check out the rest of her Fall line. Beauts!

Next...

($19.99, Target)
Yay! Cute and affordable! Viva la 'Jay!


($39.99, Rafe for Target)
Speaking of Targs... should I get this bag? Pro: It's orange. Con: It's canvas (soils easily) and snaps and doesn't zipper (safety first, ladies!)


($7, Sears, VintageAmore.com)
Yay! Another thing that's affordable! Except that ho totes needs to pick up an iron. Eeek! But apres, you could totes look like the cutest little all-growed-up L'il Orphan Annie.


($49.95, no apparent brand, Chinatowner.com)
If you're into the military look and/or My Chemical Romance, this jacket might make the maybe list. Maybe you could buy it and save it in case the "he's-in-the-army-now" look comes back again soon, as I'm sure it will since it's a close cousin to the nautical look. But this site is most shady.


($101, Michael Kors, Zoe)
Do you love these Michael Kors boots, or do you hate 'em? Maybe yes? Maybe no? Maybe I just like 'em because they're on sale. But they're sorta fun.


($35, prolly Wild Pair, Back-in-Style.com)
Anyone who's ever attended a party I've thrown knows that these Dolly Parton pumps are totes something I'd probably answer the door wearing. (Yay, me!)


($128.95, Steve Madden, Amazon.com)
Speaking of Dolly Parton and shoes that I'd def wear...


($15.95, SierraTradingPost.com)
Is it wrong that I think this could actually be cute if you took it up to the knee? Not with the Dolly pumps, but still? Cute?

Things I Need to Own Right This Minute!!

Let's cut to the chase for lots of indie designers, cheap shoes, hot black jeans to make your ass look even hotter, and a classy one-piece bathing suit:

($44, Rotter and Friends, Bonadrag.com)

Reminds me a little of Built By Wendy. I love the simple '70s-style line drawing on heather grey. More Rotter and Friends here.

($438, Knox, Bonadrag.com)

Nevermind the fact that this Knox bag, by Brooklyn designer Jessica Maxcy, looks like it weighs about 30 pounds alone. I still love it. Check out her Romanov bag too.

($216, Moss Mills)

Horsey cuff by Moss Mills (really Korean designer Hae.) I can't decide if I like it better in brass (pictured above) or gold. It's pricey but use discount code "lucky" for a whopping 30% off! Woo!

($75, Whitehorse Couture, Singer22.com)

Speaking of horsies, this vintage-looking oversized neon tee by Whitehorse Couture looks like the type of top you won't want to take off for days.

($154, Hudson, CoutureCandy.com)

Hudson Jeans' new Stella Skinny Poplin jean in black ties it all together. Bonus: they're STTTTRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEETCHY!

(Apprx $27 USD, Office.co.uk)

Cutey cute cute little bowed flats from the UK's Office (the shoe store, not the show.)

(Apprx $29, Office.co.uk)

Ahoy, sailor! Cute little casual anchor-print espadrilles. Kinda Sanuk-meets-Toms, which is actually a good thing in this case.

($14, Fred Flare)

I personally can't sleep with a sleep mask on, but were that I could, I would so wear this. The gold piping and blue satin remind me of those creepy royal puppets who'd crawl out of Mr. Rogers' walls to visit him from the Neighborhood of Make-Believe.

($21 for the top, $21 for the bottoms, Asos.com)

Forgive the fact that it's a knock-off of a suit seen on Paris Hilton -- I love the bright colors, simple style and dip dye.

($158, Carmen Marc Valvo, Bloomingdale's)

With all that kitsch, I had to throw in something classy and cool, like this Carmen Marc Valvo bandeau one-piece in lavender.


PLUS:
+ Check out newly overhauled site, The Vintage Society.
+ Shop for (some) cute stuff at Unique-Vintage.
+ Admire all the pretty pretty beauties at Grayburn.
+ Watch this crazy lady from Big Brother nearly unload one over the idea of eating a cookie.