I’m just going to be honest and let y’all know up front that my heart is not really into Fashion Friday this week. Maybe it’s because I’m tired from having a sick child who has spent the last three nights attempting to sleep inside my ribcage, or maybe it’s because I just overloaded on nostalgia yesterday.
However, in the words of Celine Dion, my heart will go on.
Of course part of the problem may be that I found out that NBC may be canceling Friday Night Lights. Seriously, NBC? You can air eight different versions of Law & Order, but have no room for Coach Taylor and the Dillon Panthers? If you cancel Friday Night Lights then you are dead to me, NBC. Dead.
And on a beauty front, I can’t leave well enough alone. I decided I needed some sideswept bangs to soften my face. I discussed my decision with Gulley at Starbucks on Wednesday morning and she said, “I don’t know why you want to do that. Every time you cut them all you do is complain until they grow out.” I listened to her words of wisdom and took them in.
Then, I went and had my hairdresser cut some sideswept bangs.
It will be forever referred to as the Valentines Day Massacre ’08.
I immediately came home and pulled them back in a bobby pin, as if that could make the horror stop. But, lo and behold, when I took the bobby pin out, they were still there.
Let’s move on to happier, shinier things.
1. Betsey asks: “I bought some really cute trouser jeans, but I’m not sure what type shirt to wear with them. It seems to me something fitted would work best. Any suggestions?”
Go with your instincts for they are right. If I had gone with my instincts I wouldn’t be sitting here with a bobby pin holding back my bangs.
Here is a great example of a trouser jean outfit from Neiman Marcus.
You don’t necessarily need to tuck anything in, but it should definitely be a top that balances out the wide legs of the jeans, although here is an example of trouser jeans with a top that’s not quite as fitted.
But keep in mind this model is probably 6’2″ and 105 pounds. She can get away with things that may not work on mere mortals.
Here are some things that would look great with trouser jeans.
Check out this. And this. And this. And this.
Plus, I love the look of a short jacket with a fitted shirt underneath. Like this.
Just remember, it’s all about creating a clean line. Trouser jeans should be your friend.
2. Carrie asks: “I’m 5’4″ and short-waisted and unfortunately VERY well-endowed up top. I’m on the low end of the
plus-size scale (a 16/18 or so), but thanks to the fact that I’m nursing, my tops that used to barely button now lack a
good 4” closing. Any inexpensive top ideas?
I looked around and found a couple of cute things that could give you some options besides the unbuttoned shirt with a tank top underneath that you mentioned in your email. But let me say, don’t underestimate the unbuttoned shirt with tank, it can be a friend of the nursing mother.
You may have better luck with things that don’t button down the front and look for some knit tops. Old Navy has some really cute options. Look at this and this and this.
Oh, and I love this sweater that you could throw on over a tank.
Just remember that a slight v-neck will be more flattering than a round neck and also, eventually your body will go back to normal. At least that’s what I hear.
3. Shayna asks: “My hubby is deployed in the Navy right now, and I just bought this dress for his ship’s homecoming in April. What color shoes should I get to go with it?? There has been much debate over it, although apparently white strappy sandals are out. HELP!!!
The rumors are true, white strappy sandals are out.
My instinct is to tell you to go with silver or pewter shoes. It’s hard to tell from the picture how dressy the dress is and since the material is jersey it could probably go either way.
If you’re looking for something more casual, then something like this might be a good option. And if you want something dressier with a heel, then check these out. Or these.
If anyone has any other suggestions, let me know. I just think that silver shoes with some pretty silver accessories would be perfect.
And, let’s be honest, by the time he gets off that ship he’s probably not going to be looking at your feet.
4. Kelly asks: ” I’m going to be wearing this dress in my best friend’s wedding less than 2 months after I give birth. I never wear strapless dresses because I need more “support” than you can generally get with a strapless dress. And I’m sure that I’ll want to try and wear something to smooth and slim my tummy area. I’m looking at getting something like this or this, but I’ve never worn anything like this before so I just wanted to see if anyone might have some suggestions for me. Thanks!
Well, bless your heart. No one should have to be a bridesmaid within two months of giving birth.
I attended a formal event five weeks after I had Caroline and I was so encased in lycra and spandex that just the memory of it makes me lose my breath. Not to mention that in all the pictures I look like a sausage about to burst out of its casing.
Out of the two choices you listed, I would go with the second one. The first one isn’t full coverage and may cause spillage and odd lines. The second one has the best chance of creating a long, lean silhouette.
However, please keep in mind that you won’t really know your postpartum measurements until you are, in fact, postpartum. Take in to account that your girls will grow to proportions not normally found outside of working dairy farms.
My point is that you don’t want to make a purchase until you are closer to the event because even if you’re back down to your normal weight, you will find that things have shifted and settled much like they do on a bumpy Trans-Atlantic flight.
Do y’all have any suggestions? If you do, shout out in the comments. It’s times like this that we need to lift a sister up, along with her two friends.
That’s all I’ve got for today. I’m going to go plug in my straightening iron and see if I can’t perform some healing on these bangs. Or at least stare at myself in the mirror and will them to grow.
Along with my eyelashes.
Y’all have a great Friday!