Sending up the 'Stylish Mefites' beacon
October 14, 2014 10:14 AM Subscribe
Help me style this dress for an upcoming wedding! I am looking for jewelry/shoe/hair recommendations.
Isn't that a great dress? The neckline is especially lovely, I should probably wear a necklace with it? My hair is pin-straight and slightly longer than shoulder length, I should probably put it up?
I'm not great at accessorizing, but I love getting dressed up and I'm hoping the more stylish mefites can help me look my best. The more specific you can get, the better. I've budgeted about $100.
(that's not me in the dress but that's more or less what I look like)
Isn't that a great dress? The neckline is especially lovely, I should probably wear a necklace with it? My hair is pin-straight and slightly longer than shoulder length, I should probably put it up?
I'm not great at accessorizing, but I love getting dressed up and I'm hoping the more stylish mefites can help me look my best. The more specific you can get, the better. I've budgeted about $100.
(that's not me in the dress but that's more or less what I look like)
Pretty dress! I would get a simple pendant necklace that hits in the bottom half of your exposed decolletage, and pair that with a simple updo. You could pair a silver necklace with silver shoes and a silver purse/clutch. I wouldn't wear statement earrings or my hair down, which would distract from the neckline.
posted by fermezporte at 10:41 AM on October 14, 2014
posted by fermezporte at 10:41 AM on October 14, 2014
Best answer: I wouldn't wear a necklace. I'd wear your hair either in a low chignon updo or in a side fishtail braid. You want that neckline to stand on it's own.
Accessories above the neck should just be a pair of earrings, you could go simple/classy with diamond studs or maybe some contrasting orange chandelier earrings if your style is a bit more funky. If you go with simple studs you can also add something like a statement cuff or big cocktail ring. Forever 21, H&M, and in my area, Old Navy usually have a good mix of classic and funky jewelry that won't break the bank. They all ship, too, if you have time to order online. If you are unsure of colors, it's hard to go wrong with choosing something in the opposite color palette (yellow, orange, citrus).
Then for shoes, I'd just go with a nude heel like this. That dress is so beautiful you want it to be the center of attention, so keep the shoes plain. If you don't want to buy shoes, you could probably get away with plain black heels, but I'd do nude, myself.
posted by stellaluna at 10:47 AM on October 14, 2014 [1 favorite]
Accessories above the neck should just be a pair of earrings, you could go simple/classy with diamond studs or maybe some contrasting orange chandelier earrings if your style is a bit more funky. If you go with simple studs you can also add something like a statement cuff or big cocktail ring. Forever 21, H&M, and in my area, Old Navy usually have a good mix of classic and funky jewelry that won't break the bank. They all ship, too, if you have time to order online. If you are unsure of colors, it's hard to go wrong with choosing something in the opposite color palette (yellow, orange, citrus).
Then for shoes, I'd just go with a nude heel like this. That dress is so beautiful you want it to be the center of attention, so keep the shoes plain. If you don't want to buy shoes, you could probably get away with plain black heels, but I'd do nude, myself.
posted by stellaluna at 10:47 AM on October 14, 2014 [1 favorite]
This is a version of the 1940s sweetheart neckline so you might want to try an undo reminiscent of that period.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 10:56 AM on October 14, 2014
posted by TWinbrook8 at 10:56 AM on October 14, 2014
Best answer: My hair is long and doing my own updos has been for the longest time the absolute bane of my existence. I went to a panel on doing hair at a Con (I know, I KNOW) and it's changed my damn life.
I need to wash my hair and blow it dry every time - my hair is very soft and fine and there is a LOT of it persquareinch-wise, so that's what I have to do. You may have hair that does better dirty. Whatever works.
I put texturizing powder in at the roots -- I have the Big Sexy Hair kind. Gives me some lift which I need and it's not as hard on my hair as teasing. Then I pull the front back with bobby pins or a clear elastic, just enough to get the look I want as far as wisps framing my face or whatever. THEN THIS IS MAGIC. You section your hair out and just make rolls with it, as if you were using your fingers as hot rollers. Bobby pin, arrange. You can do a few or not many. This is the same principle as doing a Victory Roll, just all over the back of your head. You beef this up with a hair tribble if you want to, I don't bother. Spray that with some hairspray that holds your hair and get on with your bad self.
I get SO MANY COMPLIMENTS. And it's dead, dead easy.
posted by Medieval Maven at 10:57 AM on October 14, 2014
I need to wash my hair and blow it dry every time - my hair is very soft and fine and there is a LOT of it persquareinch-wise, so that's what I have to do. You may have hair that does better dirty. Whatever works.
I put texturizing powder in at the roots -- I have the Big Sexy Hair kind. Gives me some lift which I need and it's not as hard on my hair as teasing. Then I pull the front back with bobby pins or a clear elastic, just enough to get the look I want as far as wisps framing my face or whatever. THEN THIS IS MAGIC. You section your hair out and just make rolls with it, as if you were using your fingers as hot rollers. Bobby pin, arrange. You can do a few or not many. This is the same principle as doing a Victory Roll, just all over the back of your head. You beef this up with a hair tribble if you want to, I don't bother. Spray that with some hairspray that holds your hair and get on with your bad self.
I get SO MANY COMPLIMENTS. And it's dead, dead easy.
posted by Medieval Maven at 10:57 AM on October 14, 2014
I agree with the no necklace. That is a gorgeous neckline.
posted by harrietthespy at 10:59 AM on October 14, 2014
posted by harrietthespy at 10:59 AM on October 14, 2014
Best answer: Nthing no necklace. The neckline is distinctive, and the dress itself has plenty of detail and texture. Let it take center stage.
I agree that an updo would look nice with the dress. Maybe a French twist or no-fuss chignon? Something like this or this. You could also try pulling your hair back and away from your face in front and leave it long in back, like this.
Accessories: I'd stick with earrings, bracelets and/or rings. Silver would look gorgeous with that shade of blue. A striking pair of silver earrings, a silver bracelet or two and a couple of rings would be all you need.
Shoes: a silver or pewter metallic would go nicely with the dress and you could wear them again. Something like these, perhaps? If you don't like metallics, a neutral color like these might work. Or you could go with navy, like these.
Pictures are just to give you ideas: some of the shoes are more expensive than you might want to spend, but you can always find less expensive versions. I tend to get my fancy evening shoes at places like Payless or discounted at DSW, because I don't wear them very often and so won't spend the money on them that I will on work or athletic shoes.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 11:12 AM on October 14, 2014
I agree that an updo would look nice with the dress. Maybe a French twist or no-fuss chignon? Something like this or this. You could also try pulling your hair back and away from your face in front and leave it long in back, like this.
Accessories: I'd stick with earrings, bracelets and/or rings. Silver would look gorgeous with that shade of blue. A striking pair of silver earrings, a silver bracelet or two and a couple of rings would be all you need.
Shoes: a silver or pewter metallic would go nicely with the dress and you could wear them again. Something like these, perhaps? If you don't like metallics, a neutral color like these might work. Or you could go with navy, like these.
Pictures are just to give you ideas: some of the shoes are more expensive than you might want to spend, but you can always find less expensive versions. I tend to get my fancy evening shoes at places like Payless or discounted at DSW, because I don't wear them very often and so won't spend the money on them that I will on work or athletic shoes.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 11:12 AM on October 14, 2014
Gorgeous neckline! I agree, no necklace.
I would wear my hair up in a high updo, with dangly silver earrings.
I would go simple with the rest of my jewelry and wear any kind of nice shoe you like.
posted by stoneandstar at 11:15 AM on October 14, 2014
I would wear my hair up in a high updo, with dangly silver earrings.
I would go simple with the rest of my jewelry and wear any kind of nice shoe you like.
posted by stoneandstar at 11:15 AM on October 14, 2014
That dress is amazing, and posters upthread are correct that you want to let the dress be the star of the ensemble. That color will work with any metallic - gold, silver, pewter, rose gold, champagne gold, copper - whichever one you like best and works best with your coloring. Since the neckline goes high in the back, I would probably choose an updo (and TWinbrook8 is right, a 40s-inspired look would be great) - you want to be more on the sleek side, because any loose hair could potentially get caught in the lace. I'd go with stud earrings. Since your arms are bare, your statement accessory could be something on the hands - a bracelet, big ring, or possibly a clutch purse. For shoes, I'd say either nude or your chosen metallic.
If the wedding is a little less formal, you could play with color a bit more, either going with the citrusy complementary palette as suggested above or going a little more subtle... for example, I could see the right shades of blue-green and copper, subtly applied, looking amazing with this (what I think of as the "peacock" color palette.)
posted by oblique red at 2:22 PM on October 14, 2014
If the wedding is a little less formal, you could play with color a bit more, either going with the citrusy complementary palette as suggested above or going a little more subtle... for example, I could see the right shades of blue-green and copper, subtly applied, looking amazing with this (what I think of as the "peacock" color palette.)
posted by oblique red at 2:22 PM on October 14, 2014
I would skip the necklace and go for a bracelet or two instead. That neckline is gorgeous all on its own. Hair up, metallic shoes to match the bracelet.
(Great dress, btw!!)
posted by sarcasticah at 2:36 PM on October 14, 2014
(Great dress, btw!!)
posted by sarcasticah at 2:36 PM on October 14, 2014
(Medieval Maven, do you have a picture of the resulting hairdo? I am visualizing it in two different ways, not sure which is correct).
posted by bunderful at 3:35 PM on October 14, 2014
posted by bunderful at 3:35 PM on October 14, 2014
I don't know what your regular style is like, but if you tend toward the fashion-forward: With a bright fun dress I love a bright fun shoe. Red might feel a little patriotic depending on how cherry it was, but emerald or purple would work (as long as it was in the same "value" family — jewel-toned and strong, you know?), and you can always do metallic. Nude shoes are so blah, especially for a party. You could also do a print shoe if something caught your eye. (I linked to expensive examples because PRETTTYYYY, but you can definitely find much, much more affordable versions.)
That neckline IS great, and the way to accentuate it (other than some well-placed bronzer to contour decolletage) is with long earrings. I wouldn't do hoops, but otherwise I think any dangly earring would work. Soft, romantic updo; big earrings; fun shoe; if you are an accessories person, no reason not to go nuts on rings/bracelets; and a bag that coordinates with ONE but not all of these things. Aaahhh, I'm so jealous of this imaginary outfit.
posted by Charity Garfein at 5:47 PM on October 14, 2014
That neckline IS great, and the way to accentuate it (other than some well-placed bronzer to contour decolletage) is with long earrings. I wouldn't do hoops, but otherwise I think any dangly earring would work. Soft, romantic updo; big earrings; fun shoe; if you are an accessories person, no reason not to go nuts on rings/bracelets; and a bag that coordinates with ONE but not all of these things. Aaahhh, I'm so jealous of this imaginary outfit.
posted by Charity Garfein at 5:47 PM on October 14, 2014
No necklace! Simple black or nude heels. Either a big dangly earring and no bracelet, or big bracelet and smaller earrings. Definitely agree with pulling up your hair, that neckline is gorgeous!
posted by cobain_angel at 6:15 PM on October 14, 2014
posted by cobain_angel at 6:15 PM on October 14, 2014
No nude shoes! Too day-time, a little dated. No platforms! A simple, slim, strappy metallic sandle with a mid- to high-heel. Long, distinctive earrings would be great--on the more dainty side, though, rather than heavy. Definitely a bracelet or two. No necklace. Hair up would be great if you can manage it. If not, then have it brushed back behind your neck. A metallic clutch to coordinate with the sandals. That is one fab dress!
posted by primate moon at 6:58 PM on October 14, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by primate moon at 6:58 PM on October 14, 2014 [1 favorite]
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I actually think this dress has enough going on that you don't need a ton of accessorizing. Maybe earrings or a bracelet? But I would keep it simple.
posted by Sara C. at 10:38 AM on October 14, 2014 [7 favorites]