Welcome to my newest feature here on Stylewhipped...a (hopefully weekly!) column devoted to answering our readers' actual fashion & style questions. So if you have one, feel free to leave me a comment below or send in an email to alisonstylewhipped@gmail.com - I promise to get to every single one in the order I get them! Ready for the first one? Keep reading...!
From Lauren in NJ: "I am going to a 5pm wedding at the end of June...and am breastfeeding my new baby. What is the best option for me to wear? I don't want to break the bank, and it would be great if I could wear black heels I already own so I don't have to also buy new shoes."
Hi Lauren, thank you so much for your excellent question! New mommies are often limited in what they can wear, especially if they are still breastfeeding. What came to mind right off the bat was a wrap dress with tank-style straps or little cap sleeves. They are forgiving at the bust, provide easy on-off so the munchkin can eat (!), and are always flattering and easy to wear. They can also be dressed up and dressed down, so you will get tons of mileage out of one besides just at the wedding. I found three that are at great price points and would work with your black heels. Check them out below, as well as my commentary on accessorizing for the event! (Just click on the hyperlink where the designer's name is to go to the website for more info or to purchase!)
First up is this amazingly comfy-yet-chic dress from Maggy London. It is jersey, the most comfortable fabric out there, and its fit-&-flare shape is extremely flattering. This one isn't a true "wrap" but the cap-sleeves are perfect to wear a breastfeeding bra under, and you can easily slide that sweetheart neckline down in a pinch. I love this deep purple color, but the dress also comes in black and a super saturated red or royal blue (extra idea: ask what color the bridesmaids dresses are so you don't accidentally match them!). At $118, this is really a great deal, and I would dress it up with a little beaded clutch and a great statement necklace...
Next up is this slightly more formal number from Alex Evenings. This one is a true wrap dress so the top can be really easily opened. And its tank style is a great way to show off your arms but still hide a serious-duty breastfeeding bra! The charcoal blue-grey color is almost universally flattering (and works perfectly with black heels) and the stretch jersey fabric has some weight/structure to it...as well as that amazing side ruching to hide anything you still want to hide! This even has its own accessory built in with that sparkling ornament at the waist, so all you really need is maybe a satin clutch and some great sparkling silver chandelier earrings to finish off the whole look. And at $198, you still aren't even close to breaking the bank...
The last option that I think would be fantastic is this dress from Catherine by Catherine Malandrino. The twist-front, flowy short sleeves and tulip hemline together equal an amazingly easy, flattering, also able to be dressed up or down look (that will work for those breastfeeding moments!). The warm lipstick-red shade is gorgeous and romantic and makes the whole dress quite sexy even though you wouldn't have too much skin showing. With this, I would go ahead and create a full red-lip and go crazy with black mascara. You can also wear your black heels, and carry a coordinating black clutch. Lastly, some delicate layered jewelry and a fun cocktail ring in a contrasting jewel tone would be pretty fabulous. And because this is from Catherine Malandrino's diffusion line, you are getting a designer label with a $168 pricetag!
Lauren, I hope these ideas help and that maybe you even end up wearing one of the options I have chosen! Have a great time at the wedding, and congratulations from everyone at Stylewhipped on the new baby :)
~ Alison.
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