On the way to College Station last weekend, Gulley and I discussed many important topics in between threatening our kids with a babysitter if they didn’t start acting right. We covered the economy, the Dow Jones Industrial average, who we like best on American Idol, our hair, and, of course, fashion.
The fashion topic of chief concern was regarding what to wear during the summer when it’s so hot that you want to take off your skin and sit around in your bones. In a pool of ice. While drinking an ice cold Diet Coke. With a fan blowing on you.
Maybe it’s just me, but I get tired of wearing shorts every day and I’m over capri pants. Now don’t freak out and send me a bunch of emails declaring your love for capris. I realize the capri is here to stay and I even own a few pairs, but I’m tired of them. I have decided that I like nothing better in the summer (other than Dreyers Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup ice cream) than a cotton dress or a skirt with a tank or tee.
So on Tuesday, Gulley and I headed to Nordstrom Rack on a quest to find her a few cotton summer dresses and we succeeded. That’s the good news.
The bad news is that later on in the day we went into Forever 21 and I hate to even type this out for fear of defiling my blog, but they were selling acid-washed jeans. Look, I realize these are hard times we’re living in right now, but do we really want to add acid-washed denim to the wealth of all the things that have gone wrong in 2009?
Let’s keep some dignity, people. And shame on you, Forever 21, for stooping to this level.
Now for the questions:
1. Emily asks: “What I should wear to my graduation from Texas A&M next month? Note, my cap and gown will be black so I’m thinking black shoes are a necessity.
Congratulations on your graduation, Emily! It’s such an important day because not only will you be getting your diploma, but you’ll be posing for pictures that will be around for a long time. If there is ever a time that you don’t want to commit a fashion faux pas, this is it.
Unfortunately, I chose to wear some really ugly black heels to my graduation and when I look at pictures from that day all I see are those bad shoes at the bottom of my gown. I don’t know what I was thinking, but it’s never a good idea to wear shoes that make your feet look like an isosceles triangle.
Just consider that bit of wisdom an early graduation present.
I love this retro black and white poppy dress. I realize it’s a little pricey and I’m almost certain College Station doesn’t have a White House Black Market store, but it’s a good guideline. If I were you, I’d go search the racks at TJ Maxx and some other discount stores to see what you can find.
I also saw this dress at Macy’s the other day and thought it was adorable. Sadly, it’s a little much for a trip to HEB.
The important thing is to look for something that you’ll actually wear again at some point. There’s nothing worse than buying a dress that you only wear one time, except, of course, shoes that make your feet look like isosceles triangles.
Hope that helps.
2. Courtney asks: “I am the proud mother of a beautiful 4 month old son. I am also now sporting the “pouch” that many women experience post-pregnancy. As I work to lose this mushy belly, I am in the need of some clothes that will help me to not still look 6 months pregnant. I’m slender everywhere else – I just need to hide this tummy!
The hand of fashion is smiling down on you because there are plenty of items to be found that will hide the mushy belly. I know this because I am still wearing those items even though my baby is now five and a half.
Don’t judge me, sit-ups are hard.
I love stuff like this top because you can wear it with jeans or shorts depending on how you feel. Not to mention that it covers a multitude of postpartum sins. You could also look for something like this darling ruffled dress.
Try to find things that are loose around your mid-section because, sadly, it takes a lot of crunches to get back into pre-pregnancy shape. Not that I know this from experience, it’s just what I’ve heard.
I actually did a short clip on BlogHer’s latest Backtalk video about what happens to your body post-pregnancy. You can go watch it here if you want and please keep in mind that the video camera causes me to have a horrible lisp. IT’S NOT MY FAULT.
At leatht I don’t think it ith.
3. MIchelle asks: “My husband and I are going to Boston this summer to celebrate our fifth anniversary. We are doing a lot of sightseeing, but I don’t want to walk around Fenway Park and Harvard in shorts, tennis shoes and a fanny pack. Any suggestions on casual day wear?”
I’m proud of your fashion instincts regarding the fanny pack. Well done.
I’ve already stated my love of the cotton dress/skirt/tee or tank option. I think it looks a little nicer than shorts and can be dressed up or down with jewelry and shoes. I’ve never been to Boston in the summer or, well…ever, but I believe the summer sandal is universally acceptable.
I’d look for a cute pair of comfortable flip-flops or sandals for the trip and maybe some type of messenger bag that you can carry instead of a purse or the dreaded fanny pack.
Hope y’all have fun. I hear Boston is lovely. In fact, I almost went to Harvard except for the fact that I had a hard time passing Algebra II.
That’s it for this week. I think next week will be dedicated to swimwear because a lot of people are trying to figure out how they can hide their entire body at the pool.
In the meantime, I’m putting up Mr. Linky if you have anything to add. Please link to your specific post.
Y’all have a great Friday.