amileormoreinmyshoes asked: Hi Jaclyn!

I love your blog! I often find myself drooling over the adorable and reasonably priced outfits you piece together. I’m writing because I’m freaking out about finding something to wear for an upcoming event. My boyfriend’s brother is graduating and there is a ball (black tie affair) that we have been asked to attend. I don’t have anything to wear to said ball. I was hoping to find a long formal dress (preferably black) that is not too ridiculously expensive. I’m on the bustier side and I don’t want my girls hanging out, but I do want to look pretty and a little bit sexy without breaking the bank. Do you have any suggestions? I’m happy to provide any other info that might be pertinent to finding something - I just don’t even know where to start.

Thanks a million!

There is no better place to get an affordable, gorgeous black tie dress than Rent The Runway. I cannot recommend it enough. Although you may be able to find equally-priced dresses elsewhere that fit the bill and that you can keep, you will not have the same level of quality and design that you get from Rent The Runway’s ample selection. I know some people balk at renting and they want to keep any dress they wear, but there’s really no practical reason to want to “keep” a formal dress. By the time you get around to wearing it again a few years later, you’ll be bored of it, won’t fit into it and it will likely look a little dated anyway. Rent The Runway is the way to go.

(If you don’t have an account yet, consider using my referral link here!)

Here are a few dresses I found in Rent The Runway’s black tie section that may work for you:

Robert Rodriguez Black Label “Goddess Gown”, $100 (retails for $725) 

Mark & James by Badgley Mischka “Chain Detail Maxi Dress”, $75 (retails for $380)

DG Dolce & Gabbana “Beaded Treasure Gown”, $200 (retails for $1,395)

Escada “Spiral Wrap Gown”, $200 (retails for $1,650)

Yigal Azrouël “Draped Halter Gown”, $200 (retails for $1,500)

Doo.ri “Ravishing Remi Gown”, $250 (retails for $1,995)

Yigal Azrouël “Open Back Gown”, $200 (retails for $1,410)

Have fun and good luck shopping!

Which one of these would you wear to a black tie event?

That time of year is upon us! I’ve been getting a lot of questions about what to wear to graduations, so I’ve compiled a few of my favorite looks for graduation.

A few tips:

1. Plan ahead. Is your graduation outside? If so, go with a lighter fabric dress otherwise you’ll sweat through your robe. (You might anyway!)
2. Is your school’s graduation more formal? Will you have to attend a departmental meeting with professors or other influential school officials? If so, you may want to wear something more business casual and appropriate.
3. What are your plans for the rest of the day? Will you have time to change? Will you need to/want to?
4. Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes. You’ll probably be standing longer than you think you will and you don’t want risk blisters and hobbling across the stage to collect your diploma. If your graduation is outside, wear wedges to avoid heels sinking into grass or dirt. 

I love the dresses above because they are springy, light and fun. Perfect for the tons of photos you’ll be taking!

1. H&M Dress, $33

2. Vestique “LNBRD”, $43.50

3. Love21 Button Back Woven Dress, $24.80

4. Cooperative Tank Dress, $49

5. ModCloth Cheeky In Coral Dress, $75

6. Lulus.com Yellow Dress, $35

Anonymous asked:

Hello Jaclyn!
I have trouble finding flattering summer clothes because I have upper arms that are large in proportion to my size. I am self-conscious about them and just don’t feel comfortable wearing sleeveless tops or dresses (and I live in a country with hot, humid summers, so layering a short-sleeved cardigan isn’t always an option). Most T-shirt manufacturers also seem to think that women want short sleeves (like my nemesis, the cap sleeve) that cut straight across the largest part of their arms. Can you show me a few summer wardrobe options that will keep me cool but not highlight my body pet peeve?

Have you ever tried a shirtdress? They’re a classic wardrobe staple and are flattering to lots of body types. Best of all, they often come with three-quarter length sleeves that extend to the elbow!

These four options are all summer weather-friendly since they are made from light fabrics and can be worn more casually (with sandals and a belt) or dressed up for a business casual office. Shirtdresses also look great in the winter with wool tights, boots and a scarf.

1. LOFT Drapey Shirt Dress, $69.50

2. Staring at Stars Gauze Shirtdress, $59

3. Target Shirtdress, $25

4. Costa Blanca Gauze Shirtdress, $59

—tigerlilly asked:

Hi there :) I have a prom dress question and you were the first person I thought of asking! I’m seventeen and my junior prom is April 2. My boyfriend and I want to do a 50’s inspired look. I pictured him in a white coat, black suspenders and a bow-tie but when it comes to my look, I’m not sure where to find a 50’s prom dress. I have in mind a tea-length dress with a colour scheme of black, red, and white. I’d love to get elbow length gloves and even a birdcage veil. I’ve looked online and the problems I have run into is things are either wayy too pricey (My range is not too much over $100 but I’m willing to give a little as long as it’s reasonable) or stores like ModCloth, I can’t try anything on and have to guess at a size (I think I’m a 10? or a 12?)
Any and all advice is appreciated, I absolutely adore your blog <3 

Thank you! :)

I’d say the first thing to do is break out the measuring tape. It’s the most accurate way to figure out your sizing when you are buying online. Most websites have a size chart that lets you see the average measurements of each size. Sizing varies so much—especially where vintage-inspired dresses are concerned.

Here are three dresses I found that you may like. The first is more “authentically” vintage looking, but would look really classy with great shoes, your birdcage veil and some gloves. The second dress is less formal, but would look awesome with retro hair and a long pearl necklace. The third dress is more vintage-inspired…more of the Grease vein of promwear. I think it looks the most like what you described though, and the model is wearing a black birdcage veil!

1. Blue Velvet Vintage Bette Page Swing Dress, $125

2. Red Dress Shoppe The Neena 1950’s Swing Dress, $89

3. Vintage Dresses Outlet Red Swing Dress, $153

Have fun! I hope you find the perfect dress!

pcaruselle asked:

Hey girl! 1 TMI & 1 style advice for you today —since you mentioned you are 23 (same age as me!) How do you handle post-college there are no rules side of things? Relationships, most specifically. AND, I have a formal event to go to next week & want to wear a long dress (no muss no fuss with tights) Have you posted about long dresses/have any suggestions post Golden Globes!? Thanks! -Paula

Hi Paula! Well, as to the first part of your question—I’m not really the best person to answer questions about relationships since I’ve been in a long-term relationship for almost 6 years now! I am significantly removed from the dating scene and don’t quite feel that I can give you much advice on that front! Perhaps if you could give me a more specific example?

However, I WILL help you with the second question—about long dresses and/or evening gowns.

First, I want to let you know that you are not alone…I get a lot of questions about affordable evening looks (or prom or black tie weddings, etc.), which all have similar “dress codes,” if you will. And, although women tend to wear cocktail dresses to a lot of events that they wouldn’t have years ago, there is still something so fun about putting on a really long, glamorous dress. (One of my favorite things about wearing long dresses is that I can wear flats underneath. Shh!) But, it is really hard to find a long dress that’s chic and stylish (i.e. not too shiny or prom-y) at a reasonable price point.

…That’s where Rent The Runway comes in!

Although you can find expensive rentals on Rent The Runway, it is, for the most part, extremely affordable and offers almost any color and style you can think of. (I actually love the idea of using this for bridesmaids, too, so brides, take note!)

I know everyone loves owning their dress, but if you don’t go to formal events often, renting a gown that would be unaffordable otherwise is a fun treat—and you don’t have to deal with the dry-cleaning either.

Here are a few of my favorites you can get on Rent The Runway now:

All dresses available on Rent The Runway.

I generally agree with the dress decisions on both Say Yes To The Dress shows (NYC & Atlanta), but then there are the ones that make my head jerk sideways.

Personal taste accounts for a lot of what gets sent down the aisle, but brides going to Kleinfeld in New York should be prepared for the fact that if their budget allows, they most definitely will get house designer Pnina Tornai’s atrocious confections shoved on them by overeager consultants.

At least that’s the way it looks to me.

I’ve never been to Kleinfeld myself, but after watching a dozen or so episodes of the show, I began to see a pattern emerge. No designer was ever mentioned but Pnina. Anytime a bride had a budget over or around $6K, a consultant dutifully says something like, “I have this perfect Pnina Tornai gown in mind,” and hauls it in, all 30 pounds of it, to throw it on some unsuspecting bride about to get upsold by a couple grand. (Of course, they are almost certainly doing this because they know they are being filmed, and because I don’t have any personal experience with the store, I’m not sure if this is their usual sales strategy.)

All this wouldn’t even phase me (everyone needs sponsors, after all), but I just have to say it, and please don’t be offended if you’ve worn one: I think those Pnina Tornai dresses are some of the most ridiculous-looking gowns this side of $10k I’ve ever seen. There have been several I’ve liked on the show, but in almost every case, it’s a dress that looks a lot less expensive than it actually is and that’s not a good thing.

Here are some examples for back-up:

I’ve chosen the worst examples, obviously, but I just can’t believe it. The price, the overwrought fabric vomit, I mean. I just can’t. I really can’t.

Ladies, if you have $10-$20k to spend on a wedding dress, a Pnina Tornai gown should not be your first stop. In fact, if you have $20k to spend on a wedding dress, god bless you, because that thing better be jaw-droppingly gorgeous. (There’s a lot to live up to with a $20k wedding dress!)

Anyway, I understand that there’s a huge variation in personal taste that happens when people get married, and hell, there are things I would have changed about my wedding, but my heart hurts a little bit when I see women get upsold to gowns that don’t look like they are worth what the consultants get them to spend. Never underestimate the power of flattery and compliments from a retail consultant.

P.S. To demonstrate how easily you can be steered in the wrong direction, I nearly bought a gown that was quite full, more typical ball-gowny because I was hearing that it looked good on me and because it fit so well. I was in a haze of bridal bliss until I walked out of the store and realized I don’t even LIKE ball gown styles. It’s a jungle out there. Navigate intelligently. Do your homework. Stick to your guns—and your budget. Stay away from see-through corsets, etc.

rapplatt asked:

I have to go to a cocktail party, and therefore I have to buy a cocktail dress….
I’ve never bought or worn anything like that before in my life, and am not even complete sure what a cocktail dress is :/

What are some tips for buying and wearing these? please help :)

Cocktail dresses are traditionally thought of as semi-formal, trendy, stylish above-the-knee dresses. To better illustrate what I mean, I’ve included a few dresses from one of my favorite spots to find sexy, well-priced cocktail dresses: Lulus.com.

A couple things to remember when looking for a cocktail dress:

• Black is always a classic color choice.
• Think about the shoes. Will you be on your feet a lot? Make sure you have comfortable, stylish shoes to wear with the dress.
• If you can’t sit in the dress without showing off your goodies, you need a longer dress. Or you won’t be able to sit the whole night. Your call.
• The more detailed the dress, the less jewelry you need.
• There’s nothing worse than carrying around a big handbag at a cocktail party. If you can’t check your bag/coat, take a clutch with a wrist strap so you can have both hands free. 
• Use the One-Or-The-Other Rule. If you’re showing a lot of leg, don’t show a lot of boob. If you’re showing a lot of boob, make sure your hemline reaches to mid-thigh or longer.

Dresses from left: “Comeback Baby” Dress, $26; “First Impressions” One Shoulder Dress, $46; “Cutest Smile” Taupe Dress, $38

Do you have any rules for cocktail dresses?

Have you seen L.L. Bean’s new Signature line?

It’s pretty genius.

For me, L.L. Bean was a place for my family to buy backpacks and tents, and the occasional winter coat—but it was definitely not for buying stylish sportswear.

This new line feels a bit like a cross between J. Crew and LandsEnd, as it tends to be more classic and modest, but with modern cuts and fabrics. The prices are on the high side, but—if you’ve ever bought anything from L.L. Bean, you know that the quality is outstanding and worth the investment.

Here are my picks from the line:

• Mariner Leather Purse, $78 - I love the rope handle. I can see Cary wearing this all over Newport.
• Plaid Weekend Tote, $85 - Perfect for overnighting to a winter getaway.
• Set of 3 Enamel Bangle Brooches, $44 - Completely on-trend with patriotic, nautical colors.

• Oxford Cloth Jacket, $45 - The ideal fall jacket—all you need is a thin layer for chilly evenings. 
• Cropped Pants, $39 - Great with heels and wedges.
• Poplin Skirt, $39 - The ideal length for work, play and everything in between. 

• Signature Oxford Cloth Wrap Dress, $40 - Again, the ideal look for work/play. Dress it up with heels, a watch and maybe a jacket when it gets colder outside. 
• Chambray Shirt Dress, $40 - There is nothing more classic than a chambray shirt dress. It’s a style that’s been worn (with variations) in almost every decade in the last 50-60 years.

aquaticpoetry asked:

First of all - can’t get enough of your blog. It’s pretty fantastic, girl. Lots of clothes that I have picked up or wanted to get. Love your book reports as well and have added many to my list of books to pick up from the library. But I’m in a rather desperate need for some cute summer dresses! With bra hiding straps! I am rather curvy on top and it’s a big issue always when trying to find the right dress. Or ten right dresses, haha. Help help help!

Here are six dresses that you can definitely wear a bra with! Strapless bras, be gone from here!

• Dorothy Perkins Print Dress, $42
• Forever 21 Jersey Dress, $18
• ModCloth Striped Dress, $50
• ModCloth Floral Dress, $48
• Forever 21 Floral V-Neck, $20
• Target Tank Dress, $20

livehanny asked:

I love dresses, but i tend to have a hard time to find dresses that fit me right. I have broad shoulders and a little waist, and my legs are long and thin. what type of dresses would you recommend mainly for the spring and summer.

Here are some dresses that I think would look great on you this spring and summer!

• Kimchi Blue Strapless Dress, $48 - The ruffle top and defined waistline will accentuate your little waist and will also balance out your shoulders because of the volume up top. 
• Ann Taylor LOFT Strapless Dress, $50 - Like the Kimchi Blue dress, this slightly more casual version has nice ruffle volume to keep everything in proportion. It’s also shorter so you can show off your legs!
• Charlotte Russe Floral Dress, $28 - Thicker straps up top will help balance out the shoulders and the volume on the bottom will make your waist look teeny!
• MM Couture Drapey Wrap Dress, $75 - Wrap dresses are one of the most flattering shapes for ladies with broad shoulders, and with your slim lower body, you will rock this particular dress.
• Victoria’s Secret Strapless Dress, $50 - Strapless is a great look for you and this striped dress will help create some movement to balance your overall proportions. 

I hope this helps! Good luck!