Saturday, I had the immense pleasure of attending my cousin’s wedding in Santa Fe. We flew out for a long weekend and got to see lots of family (lots!), hang out with my dad, his wife and their two cute dogs, eat a ton of fantastic New Mexican food and generally have a ball. You know it’s a nice trip when you’re eating some of your favorite food and having a margarita within an hour or so of landing!
Sadly, I was bad at taking photos (it was kind of a one event to the next type of a weekend) (and who am I kidding, I’ve gotten to be terrible at taking photos when out and about!), but at least I can show off one snapshot of my well-planned outfit, which was highlighted by a gorgeous 1950s lace overlay dress from Stutterin Mama, in wonderful condition (the spot you see on the photo below is just the light). The only bad thing was that I stupidly forgot to wear the matching belt. And if you know vintage dresses, you know how the belts are often in crummy shape… but this one was perfect! Ah well.
For more formal attire (something I rarely find myself in—not even at my own wedding!), of course you have to think long and hard about underpinnings. Fortunately this dress came with a crinoline that hooked at center back, but was pinned into the waistband. Clever, and it also means I can repurpose it in another dress or skirt in the future if I’d like (perhaps the original intention?). Stockings were a no brainer. So the only thing I needed was a long line strapless bra: the yoke was only covered by the lace overlay, and the back was open from the nape of the neck halfway down the back. There was lots of back-and-forth on Instagram about this because my initial purchase of a Goddess longline bra was a failure, but the Carnival one I ordered was perfect (goes up to a D cup).
I added a vintage brooch that was an anniversary gift, simple pointy black flats (sorry, they didn’t make it into the photo but you know what pointy black flats look like), and faux pearl earrings. I set my hair two days before, and swept it back into a curled ponytail the day of the wedding. My hairstyle was vetted earlier that week with the help of Rochelle, ha ha! I wanted something a little more casual so I had a nice quotient of dressy but no chance for overshadowing anyone in the wedding party, you know? And I think it worked out great. My hair is long enough now that towards the end of a set, it still holds enough curl (with September’s perm) that I can pull that off pretty nicely, so I’ve found myself wearing my hair like this a lot lately.
All in all, I love how this outfit came together! And I’m pretty sure when my mom sees this photo, she’s going to say how much I look like my grandmother. 😉
outfit details:
1950s dress: Stutterin Mama
faux fur shrug: Tion Design
1940s alligator purse: Midwest Vintage Clothing, Jewelry & Textile Show
vintage brooch: a gift from Mel
faux pearl earrings: miscellany
black pointy flats that you can’t see: Nine West
Next time you’re home, you need to scan some of the old pics of your grandmother, so your friends and fans can see that:
1) your mother IS always right, and yes,
2) you DO look like your grandmother. But …
3) you’re still in hot water for NOT taking a million pics!
😛
What an enchantingly pretty 1950s lace dress! I love this whole elegant ensemble. It’s the perfect thing to wear to a wedding.
♥ Jessica
*PS* I have a fairly similar dress in a dusty rose/puce hue. I haven’t gotten a wedding invite in ages (none of my friends or relatives seem to want to get hitched these days), but if I did, it would be one of the first things I’d reach for to wear to one.
I’ve only been to a few weddings in my life, honestly! And your dress sounds wonderful. I was surprised how taken I was by this color, it’s the perfect neutral without being boring!
Sounds like you had lots of fun. Thanks for sharing. Love the outfit. I totally get what you’re saying about looking formal but not wanting to overshadow any of the wedding. I’ve been to some friends weddings before where folks have thought I was in the wedding because I wore a dress and was a bit more dressed up than most of the guests there. Love the pics from your wedding, too.
Have a great day
Thanks Abigail!
Great outfit 🙂
Thanks! 🙂
You look stunning!
Thanks Julia!
Oh, I remember this dress! (I work for Sarah) Sarah has the most marvelous stuff! And it’s nice to see the “finished product” of your strapless bra dilemma that went down on Instagram! 🙂 You look darling!
xoxo
-Janey
Thanks Janey! And how cool that you remember the dress!! (Damn it for forgetting to wear the belt, lol) I’m so pleased everything came together. 🙂
I find that the more fun I’m having, the less I want to take pictures. Why would I stop having fun to take a picture of how much fun I’m having??? So while I would have loved to see more of the dress, (including what the back looks like) I don’t blame you at all 🙂
Also, I followed the link and looked at your wedding photos. Everything looked beautiful and laid back and enjoyable. Isn’t it the best looking back and thinking “My wedding was the BEST WEDDING EVER!!” Because that’s how I feel about mine, too 🙂
Good point, Nikki! And thanks on the wedding–I definitely DO have that feeling, even looking back at the photos 2 1/2 years later. 🙂
You are the cutest. That is all 🙂
Right back atcha! 😉
Gorgeous! And I love your purse.
Tomasitas! Oh, what a lucky duck you are.
Dear God that dress is GORGEOUS!
Awesome outfit, you look lovely! 🙂
Whoa, I have serious dress envy, even though I could never pull off that look! It’s absolutely gorgeous!
You really do look lovely in the vintage dress. Good job!
New to your blog and it is charming.
-Ginene
Hi can you also please tell me the shade of Black hair that you had when you were wearing the green sweater? Thanks, Susan