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2010-08-17

Match Point

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Dress? BCBG, Want Boutique
Shoes? Dumond
Hard shell purse? Vintage and thrifted

I might say 'this is my favourite ' (at least I think it all the time...) about a lot of my clothes but this dress truly is a favourite. I finally wore it again last weekend for a wedding. I meant to wear it last year to a bridal shower but I laid it out on the bed and one of the unruly bunch (the cats) peed on it. Two dry cleanings and a vet bill later, the dress was good to go again. I meant to wear it to the wedding I had a few weeks ago and that's when Matt got grease all over the back as he tried to zip me in. So I spot cleaned it to have it ready for the wedding last weekend. I really wanted to wear the dress with some very plain nude shoes but I was having problems getting the right pair. I did my research (basically I saw Krystal's shoes... let's hope government studies do more research than I did) but the colour I wanted is only available in the US. The colour available here in Canada is more greige, less nude. Boo. So, I pouted because I didn't get what I wanted. I ended up wearing my nude shoes with brown trim and then I added the hard shell purse because it has brown to match my shoes and it has a little bit of silver trim to match the dress and you know what? No one even noticed my perfect little touches of co-ordination. That's why I'm telling you now because I don't want my effort to go unnoticed.

I got this dress in my third year of university (5 years ago!?) when I was shopping with a friend for a bridesmaid dress for her sister's wedding. I tried it on and it wouldn't zip up. I couldn't have afforded it anyways. Months later I was back; magically it fit and the price was drastically reduced to about $100. I still couldn't really afford it but I was saving money by borrowing some of my textbooks from the library instead of buying them, so I deserved that dress... what great logic runs my life! And that's how I started to buy pretty dresses without having occasions to wear them. But I've never regretted buying this dress. I love the heavy cotton against the delicate, silver embroidery. In a way, this dress sums up my sense of style and maybe even my life. I wear roughed up denim with my sequins and I'm a landscaper with a style blog. A perfect contrast.

45 comments :

Lovers, Saints & Sailors said...

Effort noted. It looks life effortless effort though. That's how good it looks.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

I really really really love the dress. I love how you're not afraid to wear a beige dress to a wedding either. I probably wouldn't (too close to white sort of thing).. but maybe I need to get out of that rut? I don't know. Either way, your outfit is just stunning.

- Patricia
fivefootsomething.blogspot.com

those tricks said...

into every bit of this outfit!
perfecto.

Healthy and Homemade said...

Well fine. You're just too gorgeous. Enough said! =D

Looks and Books said...

This is just gorgeous. I am always intrigued by your hair as well--it looks so intricate, but effortless. Tips?

samantha ramage said...

beautiful! love the shoes! i hope that you didn't show up the bride in your off white!!

xo
sami

Academic Writer (a.k.a. A-Dubs) said...

No. Not Krystal's shoes (although they are really, really great). THESE SHOES. These shoes are perfect in every way with this perfect, perfect dress. And you are too exquisite in it all. Too.

Leigh said...

Your poor dress has been through so much! I love the detailing on it. And the vintage clutch is gorgeous.

Saltwatering.

Stephanie said...

I love it! And I absolutely love the bag. It's sooooo cute.

-Vern

The Pretty Pauper said...

I love your dress! The detailing is gorgeous!


-Amanda
(The Pretty Pauper)
prettypauperstyle.blogspot.com

Bri said...

What a great investment piece this dress has become, its gorgeous. The photos are also a lot of fun and interesting!

eleanor said...

I LOVE these photos. That dress is incredible, and I definitely noticed the subtle coordination going on here!

X

PS. Every time I buy a university textbook I calculate how many dresses/pairs of shoes I could buy with the money. It's depressing... I should really borrow from the library!

Nadine said...

So, so beautiful! It actually looks like a wedding dress to me. I love any short off-white dress . . . (Yeah, I got married in a registry office in jeans. Sigh.)

Kjrsten said...

YOU are my favourite! your hair, this dress (the debacle of this dress) the little handbag, and your insane ability to wear roughed up denim with sequins!

T said...

You look great - and those shoes are insane!

http://www.fashion-butter.com/

SWF_Terra said...

What a gorgeous find. And the shoes are fantastic. Before I read your post I actually thought this could double as a casual wedding gown, as in the bride wears this to the magistrate and then jaunts off to Niagra Falls with her new husband. Bridesmaid dress/wedding guest dress seem to fit the bill very nicely.

Alex said...

That poor dress has been through the wars! It looks amazing though and I really like those heels. Plain nude would have been a bit too...well, plain, I suppose.

myedit said...

I wore something else to the ceremony and I noticed a lot of off-white in the crowd so I didn't feel bad wearing this dress.
Don't worry, it was very off white beside the bride...

Secondhand Stella said...

I love the little purse! I am glad you finally got to wear your fav dress :)

Anonymous said...

THIS is why you are my FAVORITE style blogger. This look right here. And the fact that you are a landscaper with a style blog and can go from steel toed boots to THIS in hours. I'm jaw-droppingly impressed, which is just the usual when I stop by. :) Beautiful.

<3 Kim
http://fashionmommaintraining.blogspot.com

Melissa said...

You are STUNNING in this dress. Absolutely beautiful and I love the shoes!

Kara said...

the dress, the shoes and your hair- perfect combo!! :)

xo

Christina said...

I actually regret not buying dresses when I didn't have an occasion for them because later on I did have occasions and not the dress. So strike when the iron is hot I guess. Gorgeous dress. Well done. And I love the coordination of the accessories that's the first thing I noticed.

merl said...

this is what I want to look like when I grow up.

Paige said...

I LOVE THIS!! especially the shoes!!
such a perfect, fun, flirty, going out outfit!!

-paige

http://20somethingshopaholic.blogspot.com

Laura said...

This dress is absolutely gorgeous, and what a spot of luck with is being discounted!

L x
Half Dressed

liz said...

Wow you look gorgeous, that last picture is magical! I'll have to keep that in mind when I see fabulous dressing as a college student I don't think they fit into my life but maybe someday down the road I'll make a similar bog post?

Erica said...

I noticed the shoes right away and fell in love!

LS said...

oh my, I think I am in love <3

Jameil said...

I love this outfit & I think the shoes are perfect!

Anonymous said...

I think the shoes you went with are even better. That patch of dark color gives the whole look an awesome edge.

Plus I just don't "get" nude pumps ...

Kelly said...

Buying a pretty dress is always a good idea. As you've demonstrated, an occasion will present itself!

I love these shoes with this dress. I agree with Sal; the dark patch on the shoes makes the whole thing pop.

C said...

It is stunning. and by stunning I mean STUNNING. and by STUNNING I mean holy crap that is one hot dress!

Oh, and I noticed the detail touches right away. Perfection!

Raquelita said...

You look so gorgeous, Jentine! It sounds like this dress has been through a war. I'm glad it's survived!

Kyla said...

LOVE that last picture!

E said...

Ummm, this is pretty much my ideal outfit. Ladylike dress: check. Two-tone shoes: check. Exquisite purse: check. LOVE.

20 YORK STREET said...

Oh such beautiful photos and this dress is for keeps forever!

Unknown said...

I love this whole look. Those shoes are absolutely amazing!

Anonymous said...

This is one of my favorite looks you've worn (and I have many of them). The detailing on that dress is incredible, and it fits as if it were made for you. And those shoes are amazing. I love a thick-heeled shoe, and the detailing and texture in that pair is spot-on. Love this look!

Emma at Daily Clothes Fix said...

A perfect indeed. I love your dress and your styling - your effort certainly has been noticed. Those shoes are amazing, scarily high but amazing.

What Would a Nerd Wear said...

i LOVE that dress with those shoes and these photos are amazing.
what's best is the contrast between your sparkle and the grit of the graffiti in the background.
such wonderful shots!!

Bekah Mae said...

OH my GAH...what a lovely dress! And the shoes! Equally as stunning. Just stumbled upon your blog for the first time today and wanted to say hello.

Laura HH said...

love this dress. Good investment. Text books are over-rated

Erin from Dear Edna said...

I am so in love with that last photo, showing the back and the purse hanging down! Perfection! And I am so impressed with your flexibility when things go wrong. You seem to throw together another stellar outfit in seconds. Whereas I would just cry. Please tell me you have some kind of mini freakout when these things happen.