Saturday, February 22, 2014

The Nordstrom Stylist pt.2/What to Wear to a Wedding

So, I reached out to Nordstrom again. This time I got 2 replies, one within 24 hours, one a few days later. So I set up an appointment with a woman named Krista and I have the appointment tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it, if I feel a connection I think I'll actually have her help me find a dress for a wedding I'm going to at the end of March.

But more importantly, I'm fixated on what to wear to the wedding. My friend, who knows me very well, told me, "It's no big deal, wear whatever, it's not black tie." GREAAAAAAAAAAAAAT. That leaves the door open. And please don't get me wrong, she knows I won't show up in boyfriend jeans and a tank top, She knows me well enough to know I would show up looking good, but this is a moment to wear something fun. Of course, I'm digging through the internet looking for what one should wear to a wedding. I have a zillion dresses, of course, but I'm still torn on what to wear. Part of me wants a cool jumpsuit to wear. Part of me wants a fun, tea length party dress. Of course I could wear a sexy cocktail dress- boooooring, but if I paired it with a cool oversized cardigan and funky jewelry that would be fun. I have this great Calvin Klein dress that I'm worried would be too short, but opaque tights solve problems.

So, right now I'm researching, and I feel like there's no answer. It's the most ambiguous event I've ever attended. You see, I've missed every wedding since graduating college. I am committed to career and I've chosen work over weddings every time (all my weddings have been travel weddings. I was often told no I couldn't go.)

Of course I'm wondering if  a jumpsuit would be appropriate- I always want to wear a jumpsuit. I could class-up something like this by removing the belt and adding a better one, adding jewelry.

But then part of me wonders about a classic party dress, easy, and minimal accessorizing needed- it's hard to travel with accessories. Maybe something like this in a different color. 


The sexy dress/cardigan idea is something I am keeping in mind and toying with, but it would be something I need to work on conceiving in my head. But it may end up being something completely different. I guess only time will tell- though I don't have a lot of time.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Nordstrom Personal Stylist

So I know some of you will be surprised to find out I've been doing a lot of ordering from nordstrom.com. Okay no one is surprised to find that out. But I've been ordering, specifically lingerie. I've found a gorgeous British line that fits well and it so pretty- not an easy feat in a 36 G. Not at all. So, I've been visiting their website and ordering, because they don't carry the line in the Denver stores, except minimally. So, I've been getting emails about rating things and what I think, so I've been looking through it quite a bit.

The other day I was going in to rate my newest acquisition, an awesome honey-colored piece (sounds like I need to do a lingerie entry no?), and I saw an opportunity to set up an appointment with a personal stylist. I've always thought I'd be good at that, but I want to see what Nordstrom was offering. So I signed up, asking for an appointment. Very excitedly, I filled in my info, requesting an email response, and it told me I'd here back within 24 hours. So, I've been checking my email every thirty minutes or so for the last 2 days and still... nothing. I'm sad. I'm hoping that I'll hear something still, but I'm a bit disappointed that I didn't hear within the time frame advertised.

But all of this does pose the idea of letting people in to make judgement on style. Part of the thing is I know I will get into a rut. I mean, I would never purchase 4 of the exact same skirt and wear it all the time, never. Only I totally did. I know I'm overly obsessed with finding the perfect oversized cardigan and seeing what's out there. So that's why I'm pretty disappointed... Oh well I guess I can save the $120 I was planning on spending and take myself to a museum this weekend. And also get coffee. And maybe buy everyone in the bar a drink.

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Defining and Inspiring Style

Style comes from everywhere. Television, movies, books, history, high fashion, street style, Vogue, art, etc. will serve as inspiration. But what happens when that ends?

I just finished watching the last season of Gossip Girl, aka my style inspirations. It wasn't hard to dig for those perfect styling moments, in fact it was easier to forget some. From Blair's effortless Elie Saab wedding dress to Serena's perfect Diane von Furstenberg at fashion's night out, and everything in between, the show screams fashion. It's so in fashion, one of spring's biggest trends is featured here...

...and it's been off the air since 2012!  The wrap headband is perfect. 

This point tonight is not to rehash my obsession with (what started as a) teenage gossip show, but to question where the next great fashion inspiration comes from for the individual. I can go on and on about Marc Jacobs and how his shows constantly influence my style choices, or how Burberry Prosum's spring 2014 line was like a little bit of heaven for me, but really I think that for most people, individual style comes from more accessible places- television, film, and magazines. 

So, while I can watch The Devil Wears Prada 15,000 times, it is always important to remember to branch out and find those new inspirations. I know for a lot of people American Hustle fits the bill. I think the movie is interesting, but there were fashion moments that transported me right out of the movie- a recent Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress can be seen on Amy Adams, which took a lot of my attention. 

Instead, I've been looking to bloggers and the internet for that inspiration. Carrie Bradshaw will always be  an inspiration, as will the Blair Waldorf, but now it's become more apparent that it's about tangible, real fashion- which is part of the past with current trends, taking back fashion for everyone. Instead of maxing out credit cards, it's maxing out what is in your closet. And I'd like to see that in pop culture. Instead of it being
"real"- movies and tv are rarely realistic- I want to see some real street style put into pop culture. See girls in high waisted pants and flowy shirts or an oversized sweater and leggings. But, I guess for now, we will have Girls and wait for the next network tv show to really nail current trends.