This week Miss Attitude received the following e-mail from a friend and loyal blog reader in need of fashion advice:
Need your fashionista/recessionista advice!
My husband’s high school reunion is coming up in October in New York, and I have no idea what to wear. The last time I needed a dress for a friend’s wedding, someone suggested Ann Taylor. I wanted something more unique than an Ann Taylor dress but I ran out of time and ended up going with a cute dress I got on sale at AT Loft. We pulled up to the church and there was another woman in the same dress. UG!!!! When we got to the reception, there was yet ANOTHER woman in the same EXACT dress. Yep, THREE of us… people were asking if we were some sort of alternative bridal party or something. Really.
I need some help. I can’t do Ann Taylor again- I want something cute, fashionable and flattering. And I have no idea what you wear in NY in October. Do they wear strappy, sleeveless dresses then? I am also dealing with budget constraints (who isn’t???), so I need you to channel that girl who figured out how to eat at Bern’s on the cheap! Any ideas where in Tampa (or Pinellas) I might be able to find my perfect dress? Any idea what that dress would look like??
I admit I’m a frequent Ann Taylor Loft shopper, but after you appeared like a bridal party gone wrong I understand why you’d want to avoid it for the reunion. Now if you want to stick with a store in the mall, my vote would be with White House Black Market. While it’s still a chain, I’ve yet to see anyone wearing the exact same thing I bought there. Plus you get 10% if you sign up for the “little black book”, and there’s one at the outlets in Ellenton so you could save few more bucks!
www.whitehouseblackmarket.com.
As for channeling my Ghetto South Tampa Girls’ Guide spirit, my next suggestion would be Plato’s Closet. You have to be okay with gently used. I’ve noticed the brand name dresses tend to skew a little on the younger side. But one of my co-workers has shown up to several events, including Super Bowl red carpet parties, styling in dresses she bought there for under $30.
And while I personally am not big into gently used, unless it’s a hand-me-down from a close friend who knows who she is, Localshops1.com girl told me there’s a great consignment shop with tons of dresses in St. Pete. Designers’ Consigner is located at 1033 Central Avenue. Now I haven’t personally been yet, but I’d be willing to head over there with you to check it out!
Luckily you have an adorable figure, so there should be tons of options! As for the style itself, I’ve still worn sleeveless and somewhat formal in October in Maryland. As long as you have a wrap for walking outside, you’re fine. I think it’s a little late in the season for strappy up there, it’s not quite Florida weather after all. Now I know I’m not the only seasoned shopper here in Tampa Bay, so ladies feel free to weigh in!
Stylishly yours,
Miss Attitude
P.S. Don’t forget to buy cute shoes!
Tags: advice, fashion, miss attitude, shopping, style, tampa
I personally think you nailed it with your advice. Great post!
Wow! A girl at work was asking *me* for fashion advice on what to wear to a cousins church wedding. Her little boy is the ring bearer. She wanted to wear khaki capris and a bright fuchsia ruffle shirt made of jersey knit and heels to match the shirt. EEK!
I’ll have her consult you because you give great advice.
When I was thinner, I loved ‘gently used’ shops for big events.
1) I was less likely to show up in the same dress as someone else and
2) I could get a much nicer dress for the same price (or less!) than a new one.
Top off your gently used purchase with a pair of great shoes, the perfect jewelry, and a cute little purse, and you’ve got an envious ensemble!
Well I am not a big fan of AT Loft or any chain store for that matter, b/c I do not want to look like everyone else. I know it is a pain but I always order stuff online that has free shipping and send back what I do not like. I love shopping at Nordstroms (yes, you can find great deals there), also, look on Overstock.com. I am not from Tampa, but love second hand stores can always find great stuff. But the MOST important thing other than the dress SHOES!!!!!! Simple dress, you have to have FABULOUS shoes!!!!!!!
BRAVO!!! I love WHBM, their stuff is fantastic!