Personal Shopper: Pool Party

Reader Request

I've gained a lot of weight over the past couple of years and went from a size 10 to a size 16. I'm working to lose the weight now, and have lost a bit already, but in the meantime, I'm tired of feeling frumpy. I have a pool party to go to next month, and it's making me panic. I've gone all over trying to find a cute plus-sized one-piece suit but every suit I find is frump city. I decided that I'm willing to spend more money than usual on a suit, but I still haven't been able to find one that's cute. And then, even if I do find a suit, I don't feel comfortable walking around in it at the party, so I'd like to find a nice cover-up as well. Can you help?

Modcloth has some really cute plus-sized suits, so I built an entire retro look around one. I hope you love it!

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Swimsuit $90 // Coverup $50 // Shoes $40 // Hat $21 // Sunglasses $16 // Bag $33

Personal Shopper: Flared Jeans - Dressy

On Tuesday, I showed a reader how to wear flared jeans for a casual day. Now, here's a flared jeans outfit for a party or date night.

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Top $46 // Jeans $27 // Shoes $30 // Clutch $35 // Necklace $11 // Earrings $25 // Bracelets $20

Personal Shopper: Flared Jeans - Casual

Reader Request

For the past few years, I've only worn skinny jeans, but now that retro flared jeans are back in style, I'd like to try a pair out. Do you have any suggestions of an outfit featuring flared jeans that I can use for inspiration?

Today, I put together a casual daytime outfit featuring flares, and after the holiday, I'll show you a dressier look for nighttime.

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Tee $8 // Jeans $76 // Shoes $49 // Bag $50 // Necklace $7 // Bracelet $7 // Earrings $6 // Sunglasses $17

Personal Shopper: Luau

Reader Request

I have a luau themed party in mid July and don't know what to wear. I'd like to go along with the theme in a chic way without looking cheesy in a grass skirt and coconut bra. It will be hot and the party will be mostly outside, so something cool and comfortable would be preferred, too. Do you have any suggestions?

Luckily for you, tropical prints are very in right now, so this should be no problem at all!

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Dress $57 // Shoes $25 // Clutch $30 // Hairpin $14 // Necklace $12

Personal Shopper: Baby Shower

Reader Request

I'm seven months pregnant and my baby shower is coming up in a few weeks. I work from home so I haven't spent a lot of time and money on a maternity wardrobe. I mostly wear yoga pants and tank tops around the house, and I have a few pairs of jeans for when I need to leave the  house. I want to look nice for the shower since I'll be the center of attention but I also want to stay comfortable because I live in Texas and it's SO HOT down here. Also, I'd prefer to wear low heels, wedges or flats. Thanks.

This dress is lightweight so you'll be comfy, and it's perfect for a daytime event - festive but not too dressy.

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Dress $58 // Sandals $70 // Clutch $28 // Necklace $38 // Ring $4

Personal Shopper: Summer Job Interview

Reader Request

I have a job interview next week, but it's so hot out that I don't know what I should wear. I have a trusty interview suit, but I can't bear to put it on when the forecast says that it'll be almost 100 degrees out. The position I'm interviewing for is with a radio station, so I don't think I have to look too conservative, but I still want to look professional. What can I wear that won't make me sweat to death?

You're right that you won't have to look too conservative at a radio station, but you should still look polished. Here's a lightweight top/skirt combo that I think will be perfectly professional, but not too warm. 

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Top $27 // Skirt $45 // Shoes $35 // Bag $79 // Necklace $28 // Earrings $25

Personal Shopper: Leopard Shorts

Reader Request

I bought these leopard shorts from Forever 21, but they're a little bit out of my comfort zone so I don't know what to wear with them. I'm going to an outdoor concert in a few weeks. Do you think these would be appropriate? What should I wear them with?

These are actually perfect for an outdoor concert. Here's how I'd recommend you wear them.

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Tee $20 // Shorts $20 // Sandals $25 // Bag $44 // Necklace $8 // Earrings $30

Personal Shopper: Minidress

Reader Request

I bought this dress to wear to a wedding, but then decided not to wear it after my friends convinced me that it was too short and tight to wear (it was a Catholic wedding). So I wore something else, but I loved this dress so much that I didn't want to return it. Now, I have this dress and have never worn it because it's too revealing for everyday life, and my nights out are usually spent at casual places, not clubs. In the winter, I could wear it with tights, ankle boots, and a cardigan, but I'm trying to figure out how I can wear it now, to a casual bar, without looking overdone. 


Good call on not wearing that to a wedding, but I think it could be cute for a casual night out with a lightweight shirt tied over it (unbutton the top buttons), and simple flat sandals. Check it out...

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Dress $27 // Shirt $24 // Sandals $50 // Bag $28 // Earrings $25 //

Bracelets $8 // Necklace $24

Personal Shopper: 4th of July Barbecue

Reader Request

My husband and I are having a July 4th barbecue at our brand-new house. It's going to be pretty casual but I'd like to look nice, since I'm the hostess and it's the first time that many of our friends and family members are going to see the new place. It's going to start in the afternoon and go into the evening. What can I wear that's barbecue-appropriate but cute?

I went kind of literal on this one, what with the stars and stripes, the red and blue. But it's subtle, and fun. Congrats on the house!

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Dress $26 // Shoes $40 // Necklace $10 // Headband $8

Personal Shopper: Mixing Patterns

Reader Request

Can you give some advice on mixing patterns?

I've actually posted about this twice before (here and here), but I'd love to put together another outfit example, and re-post my tips:

1. Match a color or two, or at least keep the palettes somewhat similar.
2. Combine a small scale print with a large scale print, or a geometric print with something more natural.
3. Anchor the prints with similar colored accessories. 
4.  Most importantly, wear it with confidence! You can pull off anything if you believe that you can.

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Cardigan $35 // Top $15 // Shorts $48 // Sandals $15 // Bag $30 // Earrings $15 // Bracelets $6

Personal Shopper: Black on Black

Reader Request

I just graduated cosmetology school and got a job at a salon. The dress code is head-to-toe black, but we can wear any type of clothing we like, as long as it's all black. It's a pretty edgy place. I want to be stylish and fit in but also be comfortable, since I'll be on my feet all day. Do you have any ideas for something I can wear that won't be boring?

Since you can't express yourself with color, look for interesting silhouettes and textures. Here, I combined sheer, lightweight chiffon with leather and glitter for an interesting contrast. For a bit of color, I added a bright bag (nobody will see it while you're working anyway)!

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Top $16 // Shorts $50 // Shoes $30 // Bag $78 // Earrings $6 // Necklace $8

Personal Shopper: "Something Blue" Bridal Shower

Reader Request

My cousin's bridal shower is coming up, and the theme is "Something Blue." The invitation asked us to wear blue, but the only blue clothes that I own are jeans and casual tops. I tend to favor bright colors instead. Can you help me with a blue dress or skirt and accessories? The shower is a brunch at a very fancy hotel. Thanks!


This blue dress has a lot of bright color in it, and I added some color in with the accessories as well. Have fun at the shower!

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Dress $53 // Shoes $80 // Clutch $35 // Earrings $38

Personal Shopper: Nautical Bridal Shower

Reader Request

I'm my sister's Maid of Honor and the bridesmaids and I throwing her a nautical-themed bridal shower at a restaurant on the boardwalk. I thought it was a great idea until I realized that I have no idea what to wear to something like this. It's a brunch shower, and not too fancy. Can you help?

Nautical is SO in right now, so this is going to be easy. This look is seaworthy without being costumey, and you can wear all of the pieces again and again.

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Dress $59 // Sandals $48 // Bag $42 // Earrings $4 // Bracelets $7

Personal Shopper: Beer Festival

Reader Request

The guy I've been dating co-owns a small brewery with his brother, and they're throwing their annual beer fest in a few weeks. It's an all-day outdoor thing with bands, barbecue, etc. My problem is that it's going to be SO HOT and I never know how to look cute when it's hot. Also, I'm going to be meeting a lot of his friends and family for the first time, so looking cute is even more important. I'd wear a cute dress but apparently, everyone sits on blankets on the lawn to watch the bands and I'd rather not do that in a dress. All I can think to wear is shorts and a tank top, but that sounds so boring. Do you have any ideas for something I can wear?

Shorts and a tank doesn't have to be boring! Just wear some cute, summery accessories and you'll stay cool while impressing everyone you meet.

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Top $26 // Shorts $35 // Sandals $45 // Bag $22 // Hat $9 //
Necklace $15 // Sunglasses $18

Personal Shopper: Formal or Black-Tie Wedding Dress Code

In my opinion, the biggest difference between formal and black-tie is for the men: formal means a dark suit, and black-tie means a tux. For us ladies, the concept is a bit more nebulous, but I think that you can get away with the same type of ensemble for either dress code. I have a rule of thumb for these types of events: if you wear a long dress, keep it fairly simple. If you wear a shorter dress (which is still okay), then it should be pretty fancy and special.

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Gown $121 // Shoes $55 // Clutch $30 // Necklace $42 // Earrings $48

Personal Shopper: Cocktail or Semi-Formal Wedding Dress Code

In my opinion, cocktail and semi-formal are pretty much the same thing, but I suppose some may disagree. For a cocktail or semi-formal wedding, I recommend wearing a dress that's approximately knee-length (give or take) and has some some pretty details - think lace or beading - with luxe accessories.

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Dress $79 // Shoes $53 // Clutch $38 // Earrings $16 // Ring $24

Personal Shopper: "Festive" Wedding Dress Code

I've gone to a handful of weddings where the dress code was called "festive," and each time, I had no idea what to wear. Is that casual? Formal? Somewhere in-between? What I finally realized was that a festive dress code just means that you should wear party clothes. I think that a bold floral dress with fun accessories is perfectly festive and appropriate.

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Dress $39 // Shoes $75 // Clutch $40 // Earrings $14

Personal Shopper: Daytime Formal Wedding Dress Code

A daytime formal wedding requires dressy clothing, but I'd recommend staying away from shiny fabrics, sequins, too much bling, etc. Here's the perfect example:

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Dress $74 // Shoes $49 // Clutch $40 // Earrings $6 // Necklace $9

Personal Shopper: Informal/Casual Wedding Dress Code

As I said last yesterday, I've pre-scheduled some posts for while I'm visiting the Netherlands this week into next. While I'm gone, I decided to tackle many of the personal shopper questions I get, specifically about weddings.

Wedding dress codes confuse many people. What is the difference between formal and cocktail? What about white tie and black tie? And honestly, does it really matter anymore? 

In my opinion, the answer to that last question is not really, but it's a good idea to stick to the guidelines nonetheless. So we're going to start out casual and lead up to super fancy-pants, m'kay? Today, I'm going to put together a look that a guest can wear to a casual or informal wedding, maybe a daytime barn wedding, a beach affair, or something in someone's backyard.

I'd stay away from t-shirt dresses, denim dresses, overly-professional dresses and anything too revealing, but other than that, any festive-yet-casual dress will be just perfect. I paired this one with wedges, because I'm picturing a garden wedding in my head, but heels are fine, too.

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Dress $65 // Shoes $45 // Clutch $30 // Earrings $6 // Ring $4

Personal Shopper: Singing at a Wedding

Reader Request

My cousin is getting married this summer and she's asked me to sing at their ceremony. I can wear whatever I like, but I don't want to clash with the whole wedding theme. It's a rustic, vintage-inspired afternoon wedding and they're getting married in a barn. I tend to wear dark, tailored dresses but I'd like to wear something a bit more romantic (without looking like I'm drowning in fluff). And I'd like to stand out, but obviously not outshine the bride and her attendants. To make things more complicated, I'm recovering from foot surgery and will need to low heels or flats. Any suggestions?

Why not wear a simple, tailored sheath with a lush, romantic print? This dress and the bright accessories will be perfect for your performance. Good luck!

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Dress $80 // Shoes $65 // Clutch $30 // Earrings $34 // Bracelet $25