Oh, wedding season. As we launch into the spate of nuptials, it can feel like a girl needs nothing more than dresses. A sassy little number for the bachelorette girls’ night out. An elegant choice for the wedding itself. And, of course, the trickiest of them all: the shower outfit. This one poses its own set of criteria: It can’t be white, obviously. Or black. It has to be day- and grandma-appropriate. So what to wear, then? Read on for our tips on finding the perfect party frock, then click through the slideshow for 20 adorable options.
Fit comes first. For this, think classic femininity. That means looking for simple, elegant sheaths, hourglass fit-and-flares, or retro shifts. Avoid super-tight body-con styles and too-bare strapless types.
Go for color. We already mentioned avoiding solid black or white (and we might even add red to the no-no list, too). This is a celebration, so it’s a great opportunity to indulge your color-loving side. Go for poppy pink! Sunny yellow! Languid blue!
Pick a print. While we love a sophisticated solid, this is a fab time to spring for spring’s flirty florals, a playful polka dot, or a preppy stripe. Have fun with it.
Outdoor movie season, how we love thee. Screen on the Green, Comcast Film Festival, NoMa Summer Screen . . . No one has officially run the numbers, but we bet the bevy of starlit movie festivals in Washington this summer probably makes it possible to catch a free film every night of the week. Haven’t been yet? Check out our handy Films Al Fresco guide, pack a picnic dinner, then put all the money you saved toward a new outfit for the occasion.
Benefits, benefits, benefits. The Washington social agenda is filled with ways to party down while giving back, so ladies constantly running the circuit need a reliable wardrobe piece to fête-hop. While we love the idea of investing in a great-fitting little black dress to fill that niche, we’d hate to see you settle on something that blends into the sea of women who’ve opted for the same approach. Focus on the details, friends! In case you missed the heads-up on Lanvin for H&M, exaggerated shoulders and over-the-top ruffles are having a moment. Above are two very different takes on the look. Try the first out at this weekend’s Modus Union Parisian Art Salon Party or Champagne Festival, or take the second straight to the Corcoran Gallery of Art for the FotoWeek DC kick-off party.
Outsiders love to chide us for taking things too seriously, but don’t let them get to you. From DC Improv to standup at venues all around town, Washington is filled with ways to get your giggle on.
When heading to one of these shows, NC-17 content is no excuse for dressing down. Remember, you’re still sitting for a performance, so respect those onstage with solidly constructed dresses and jackets. The “funny” comes in with a quirktastic mix of florals and stripes, and, for extra oomph, saturated tights. Keep accessories to a minimum, and make sure nothing’s too constricting— last thing you need is to bust a button laughing in front of a quick-insult comedian!
>> See a slideshow of fall fashion essentials
Ladies and gentlemen (but mostly ladies), we hope you’re as excited as we are: Fall Fashion week is just a few days away, and cooler weather heads in shortly thereafter. The days of ultra-basic, just-trying-to-keep cool outfits are almost over—it’s time for fashion to get fun again. Bust out those colored tights, re-sole your walking boots, and bring back the blazer! Click here to see what we’ll be mixing in to our wardrobe all over town this fall.
In case you missed our handy guide, there are lots of celebrations to mark Bastille Day tonight. Planning to partake in the festivities? Channel your best French fashion blogger—we like Cherry Blossom Girl and Miss Pandora—with sophisticated pieces trussed up with lady-like bows and rose petals.
From Billy Colbert’s Friday opening at Honfleur Gallery to sculptor Alan Binstock’s Saturday talk at American University, this weekend is full of art events. If you’re planning on checking one out but not sure what to wear, don’t worry—outfitting yourself to appreciate someone else’s creativity isn’t as tricky as it sounds. Remember to err on the side of edgy, avoid overly tailored garments (the last way you want to appear is stiff), and always incorporate one completely unexpected piece. We chose neutral safari basics in unexpected shapes, then accented the look with a healthy dose of rugged glam via chainlink jewelry and dramatic red lips. The final touch? A hardware-heavy leopard-print bootie sure to catch everyone off guard.
Restaurant Week is officially upon us! Our restaurant critic, Todd Kliman, has tips on where to dine, but now comes the more important question: What to wear to eateries you don’t normally frequent? If you plan on indulging on more than one occasion—and please consider this our official blessing to do so—a smartly selected dress will fit into a range of atmospheres. Stick to solid colors with interesting details—we like Alice + Olivia’s pleated Polly silk-chiffon dress ($365)—and pile on the accessories.
