What DO I Wear?!?! Fancy Friday Take Two

“Glamour to me is about remaining graceful and understated.” ~ Kate Winslet

Fancy Friday

A long, long, loooonnggggg time ago, I posted about Fancy Fridays. At least once a month my friends and I would get glammed up for no darn reason except we just wanted to. Which honestly is the best reason to have actually. We would put our black tie best on, false eye lashes, and five inch heels included and go out on the town. We called it Fancy Fridays and it was a way for us to catch-up, have fun, and be stylin’ while doing it.

Weddings, galas, and holiday balls aren’t the only occasions you can wear a gown for. Sometimes you wear it just because you want too. Maybe it is the Gemini in me, but I love getting gussied up, just as much as I love wearing yoga pants.

Life is all about balance and that can and does include a black tie Outfit of the Day. And if it doesn’t, well I am changing those rules, because I also love breaking them anywho.

Lulu’s

In the last year, I have become obsessed with the brand Lulu’s. To the point, I might need an intervention. They sell both classic and trendy clothing at extremely reasonable prices. You will not be breaking the bank and that includes gorgeous dresses that you can wear for more formal occasions. Admittedly, when I buy dresses, it is usually not for Fancy Friday, (I wish) but because I am going to an event whether it is a wedding, gala, or even a theatre premiere. Because my social life can tend on the more formal, I luckily have a smorgasbord of dresses I can pick from.

I actually had a red gown in mind when I bought this one. I had been (and still am) coveting a gorgeous red which would give me all of the Princess Diaries two vibes minus a crinoline or ten. I had seen one on Lulu’s website that I actually owned in a winter green color and loved it. It was a classic halter styled gown that was extremely versatile while still being timeless. Alas they were sold out of my size, and thus I began perusing the site (which is extensive) for another style.

The Dress

Being honest, I wasn’t sure WHAT I thought about this dress when I first saw it. It definitely was not red, and was the exact opposite of everything I had been looking for. Being obsessed with lace, I was drawn to the lace detailing at the shoulders and waist. I also loved the color, despite not owning anything in sage green. It also had a plunging neckline which was outside my comfort zone. I love backless dresses, but despite being able to wear pretty much anything, showing of my décolletage, did and still does make me uncomfortable.

Yet, the dress stuck with me and kept beckoning me to order it every time I went on the website. I decided to give it a try. As much as I love Lulu’s, my one pet peeve with them is that their sizing is off which made me nervous when ordering a style that I had never worn before. While they typically run small, it really does depend on what you are ordering. Another issue, is that most of their clothing is designed for 6’0 giants of which I am very definitely not one. #shortgirlproblems

All that in mind, I took a chance and ordered a small. All my reservations disappeared when I got the dress. It was flowy, and as a friend sai,d I looked  and definitely felt like a fairy in it. The straps were adjustable and the laces detailing was stunning. The lace on the bodice acted like a corset and was incredibly flattering. I loved the flowy crepe like material that swirled around me when I walked. The v-neck was sexy, without being over the top, and I did not have to worry about my girls playing peek-a-boo. It fit true to size though I of course had to take a foot off of it. (darn giants!) 

Accessories

Usually I have an idea on how I am going to style a dress, but I kept going back and fourth. I decided to stick to the woodsy neutral color scheme and paired nude stilettos from Aldo with it. I accented it with gold leafy earrings and filigree cuff, for a pop of glitzy color while still being neutral. I also dded my tried and true pale aqua SeaMilligan necklace. Lastly, I grabbed a nude crocheted wrap for when the sun went down and I knew I would get cold.

Over all Look

This was not just a stunning Fancy Friday look, but also perfect for a formal birthday party, gala, black tie event or heck, even sitting on the couch watching gossip girl. Semi kidding about the last one, because this is a dress that deserves to be seen! Thanks to the color it is perfect to wear from spring to autumn.

It was sexy while still being chic. It was also unexpectedly incredibly comfy look despite its very en vogue style. Sometimes you have to push yourself outside your comfort zone, especially when it comes to fashion. It is so easy to stick with what you think will be safely comfortable rather then what will give you confidence and make you feel like a fashion icon. I am so happy I took the plunge, (sorry couldn’t resist the pun) and bought this. It has become one of my favorite go to dresses and looks to date and definitely a Fancy Friday staple!

What do you think of the look? What do you wear when getting dressed up? Do you get dressed up for no reason?