Adorable Spring Dresses!

Spring has spring here in MN, there are tiny leaves growing on the trees and Easter is just around the corner.  So naturally it's time to freshen up your closet with some pretty spring dresses!

Swing-set Dress from Mod Cloth

Soda Fountain dress by Mod Cloth

Spiraea Shirtdress by Anthropologie

Rose & Gold Slip Dress by Anthropologie

Diamond Kite Dress by Anthropologie

Workwear Wednesday: What is Business Casual Anyway?

On Friday my husband & I are going to his (new) company party.  The invitation said "business casual" but it's in a slightly swanky location with a jazz band & casino entertainment.  He hasn't been with the company very long but it's the kind of office where most people wear jeans & t-shirts to work.  So we're kinda like, "Um, what exactly should we wear???"  With such super casual coworkers we'd hate to be over dressed!  But with all the higher-ups in attendance we also want to make a strong impression.  Should he wear a suit but no tie?  Should I wear a dress?  And did I mention it's freakin' freezing outside? Oh the choices!  So I leave it with the world of Pinterest to decide.  What do you think?

Vera Wang Spring 2012

If you haven't seen these gown yet you're in for a treat!  After her fall 2011 collection which was quite dark, with not a white dress in sight, Vera's spring 2012 collection is a lovely breath of fresh dewy air!  Traditionalists will love the pale tones and airy layers and off-beat brides will love the contrasting sashes and unique application of lace & a-symmetrical draping!  I love that these gowns somehow seem to marry modern style with old-fashioned elegance.  They remind me of a Degas painting.

I love the way the lace is applied to this gown!

Possible my favorite of the collection! I love the fan pleating and the wide sash.

Workwear Wednesday: Gentlemen's Edition

With as much as I tend to focus on women's fashion, it's hard to believe that I got my professional start as a tailor specializing in menswear. I still love getting my hands on a beautiful mens suit and tailoring it to fit just right.  While I understand that many work environments are more casual today, guys should still know how to do it right when necessary, and SO many men don't!  So today's Workwear Wednesday is for the bros!  Specifically I am reminded of this quote:

"So okay, I don't want to be a traitor to my generation and all but I don't get how guys dress today. I mean, come on, it looks like they just fell out of bed and put on some baggy pants and take their greasy hair - ew! - and cover it up with a backwards cap and like, we're expected to swoon? I don't think so!" 

-Cher Horowitz, Clueless, 1994

To start on a friendly note, here are two of your icons, looking quite dapper!

A fedora, perfectly pulled off. Note how this man wears one while NOT evoking Kevin Federline.

Excellently executed mixture of patterns! (not recommended for novices)

These guys look more sophisticated in jeans than any man in a Men's Warehouse suit!

A denim blazer. Again, not for beginners. High attention to accessories makes this work.

Classic high quality oxfords. Throw out your square-toed dress shoes if you haven't already.

Plaid ties are always wonderful!  It's the width & colors that change style over time.

And speaking of ties, you should all know by now that narrow ties are in fashion. Look for ties that are no more than 2&1/4 inch at the widest point. If you are a slender man you can go much narrower, if you've got a broad frame, stick to the 2" width.  Have a sentimental attachment to a super wide tie?  Take it to a tailors to have it narrowed. 

A lesson in layering. Consider not just color but texture too.

He should be wearing socks, but otherwise a great outfit. Notice how the belt matches the shoes?

Very fashionable while still completely masculine. 

Oh boy, I am just loving everything about this guy!  A plaid wool sports coat & matching cap? Now there's something to swoon about! 

Tuesday Shoesday Featuring Shabby Apple!

Hey everyone!  I hope you all had a great holiday!  Today's Tuesday Shoesday is a little unusual because I'm going to be featuring a specific store, Shabby Apple.  I don't usually do this with the exception of Etsy, but I'll be honest and just tell you to expect to see more fashion posts about this shop, which I only discovered this morning, because it's seriously as though someone said, "Hey let's open a 'Stuff Laura Whitney Likes' store!"  In fact I just ordered my first Shabby Apple dress! (review to come later)  But it's Tuesday shoesday so I'll leave the super adorable vintage style dresses until tomorrow.  Today it's just super adorable vintage-inspired shoes!  Here are my favorites!

Mini Photo Shoot!

Yesterday my dear friend Holly, aka Princess Pretty, came over for a quick 2 hour photo session to model the new winter wedding capelet and to re-shoot a couple gowns I wasn't entirely happy with.  It was a lot of fun but BRRR! was it ever cold up in the attic!  But Holly said the capelet kept her quite toasty!

Going Old-School: Wool Plaid Skirts

available on etsy

Happy Friday!

I have to do a repost today from 100 Layer Cake and the "Hollywood Glamour" themed bridal shoot they did!  It is SO my personal style, as in classic silver screen starlet!  Elements I'm loving: perfectly arched eyebrows, birdcage veils, and the fox fur wraps!  Enjoy!