One of my favorite things in the world is to help people get dressed, so I don’t know why it took me so long to ask you all what you needed help shopping for!! Well, the good thing is I finally came to my senses! I accepted a collaboration with Nordstrom, and they asked me to focus on 1 of 4 categories, and y’all voted for dresses on Instastories!
You may not know this about me, but I am a die hard perfectionist. Especially when it comes to selecting something for my clients (that’s you!) to wear and I know my reputation is on the line. It might sound kinda dramatic, but that’s truly how I feel as a stylist. I must have tried on Nordstrom’s entire dress department! I’m not kidding. I ordered over $9,000 worth of dresses to my house, and that doesn’t even include the ones I tried on in the store!!! All that to say, these dresses from Nordstrom are the best of the best! And because Nordstrom has such a good return policy, I don’t have to worry when I order an entire department to my house- ha!
When I’m shopping, I don’t let brand names or prices dictate what I select. I base my decision on quality, fit, occasion, versatility and style. That’s why you’ll find a wide selection of dresses in this post with prices that range from $138-$750.
Black Tie/Black Tie Optional Dresses:
I once saw a wedding guest in a long maxi dress. She looked like she was floating as she walked and looked so beautiful and feminine. It was one of those moments when I made a mental note to find a maxi I could wear to a wedding at some point. This dress would look great if your assets are your hips, booty, thighs, tummy because the V in the front elongates and slims, allowing your eye to focus on the top. WHERE: When I saw this dress, I knew this would be a perfect dress for a garden party/wedding, a beach wedding, or a day/afternoon wedding. Basically, any event when a black formal or black cocktail dress doesn’t quite fit in with the environment. If you like this idea but this dress isn’t your style, check out Nordstrom’s Maxi dresses. For sizing reference, I’m wearing a 0.
STYLE NOTES: Wear a pair of platform shoes that give you height but are comfortable. Or, add pretty gold strappy sandals and pretty chandelier earrings to dress this dress up.
It must be my love for Ralph Lauren and the classic tuxedo style that has me head over heels for this dress! There’s something so cool about a tuxedo dress. It has that not trying too hard, effortless elegance feel. I swear, every celebrity at one point or another has been spotted wearing a tuxedo dress (or tuxedo). This would look great if your asset (my word for issue) is your hips, booty, or tummy. WHERE: Any black tie, black tie optional, or formal event… this dress would be perfect. For sizing reference, I’m wearing a size 2 (I probably needed the next size down.)
STYLE NOTES: Add your own belt to make the dress your own (belt pictured is old). I love this belt. If you wear the sash it comes with, have fun with it! I like the thought of wearing it like a cummerbund by knotting it and tucking in the ends. If the top opens up, add a tack stitch to make the dress more comfortable to wear. (I usually just grab a needle and thread and add a tack stitch myself.)
I’m starting to see a trend here… efortlessly elegant. I just love the idea of a dress that stands out from all the other dresses at the party because of its understated elegance. Sure, big flashy dresses are fun, but this one stands the test of time. No matter your assets, this dress would look great because it owns the wearers figure. And when you own your figure, that’s when you’ll look your best! Think about the best dressed celebrities of all shapes. They always wear form fitting clothes! WHERE: Any black tie, black tie optional, or formal event… this dress would be perfect. For sizing reference, I’m wearing a size 2.
STYLE NOTES: Grab a pair of Spanx or Commando, and you’re good to go with this dress. I love being able to see the pretty collar detail by wearing my hair up. If I wanted to add even more glitz to this dress, I’d add two matching cuff bracelets to the sleeves. This one and this one would look amazing! I’d keep the earring simple- a diamond drop or stud. And I’m pretty sure this clutch was made for this dress!
Not only is this dress unique because of its color combination and the hem that is see through, but it has POCKETS!!! I’m in love with this dress! A-Line dresses look amazing on a variety of different assets- hips, booty, thighs, tummy and straight figures because it gives you a waistline! The lace overlay is nice because it disguises so much. You might not even have to wear Spanx! WHERE: This dress would work for so many occasions from black tie optional, to cocktail, to garden party, to wedding, to baptism, to Easter, to luncheon. This dress is an all around winner! For sizing reference, I’m wearing a size 4 (I would prefer the size 2).
STYLE NOTES: Because this dress is such a piece of art in itself, I would keep the accessories minimal. I’d wear a classic black suede pump, a black clutch, and simple cool toned earrings.
Cocktail, Work, Luncheon Dresses:
Calling all fit and flare lovers, this dress is for you!!! Once again, I love this dress because it’s effortlessly elegant and will stand the test of time. There is absolutely nothing on this dress that will date it, ever. And honestly, that’s hard to find. WHERE: The question is where can you not wear this dress? HA! You can wear this dress to work, to a dressier work event (yes to both), to a luncheon, to a cocktail event, to a funeral, to a holiday party… the list goes on! For sizing reference, I’m wearing a size 0.
STYLE NOTES: Change the look of this dress by pairing it with different accessories and shoes. For instance, add a belt and pair it with hose and heels for work. For cocktail, add some glitzy jewelry and pair it with heels. This is a quintessential LBD.
This dress is so comfortable on. It’s lined and felt like I was wearing a nightgown (yes,please!) This is what I call an EASY dress. It just slides right on and looks good on so many assets. No matter the assets, shift dresses look great, especially when there is a v-that elongates! WHERE: This dress is perfect for cocktail, work, and luncheon. For sizing reference, I’m wearing a size 0.
STYLE NOTES: Pair this dress with booties, heels or flats. Wear hose for extra warmth. If you wear it to a cocktail event, add glitzy jewelry that accentuates the collar and cuffs!
This dress looks like it’s by Hugo Boss or Tibi and would cost a lot of money! The notched collar and the deep V make it elongating, but I love how the V doesn’t go down too far and the dress still looks classy. WHERE: You can wear this to work, a cocktail event, a funeral… pretty much anywhere. This is another quintessential LBD. For sizing reference, I’m wearing a size 4.
STYLE NOTES: Change up this look by adding a blazer. Dress it up for a cocktail event with some really pretty chandelier earrings and a cuff. Wear a sweater over it and have it be your black pencil skirt, or wear an Oxford under it for another look. This dress is extremely versatile.
This dress is just so fun! The deep-v and collar of this dress is so dramatic and feminine without being too revealing. This is like a little black dress alternative for someone who isn’t all about the LBD. Fit and flare dresses are so perfect if your asset area is tummy, hips, thighs or booty because it gives you a waistline and this deep-v elongates. WHERE: I could see this at a fun day wedding, a cocktail event, a garden party, or a luncheon. For sizing reference, I’m wearing a 0.
STYLE NOTES: Pair it with black pumps and black earrings for a cocktail party. Pair it with a red pair of open toed block heeled mules or fun multi-colored sandal for a garden party/day wedding.
This dress also screams fun with the bell sleeves and the V in the back. It’s super chic and stylish with the benefit of being a shift dress, which is hard to do. This would be perfect if your main asset is your tummy area, or if you’re small on top and hippy on bottom because the sleeves will balance your shape. WHERE: A fun day wedding, a garden party, a luncheon or a cocktail event. For sizing reference, I’m wearing a 4 (needed to size down).
STYLE NOTES: Size down as much as you can in this dress. A shift dress should fit your shoulders well without hugging your mid section. Pair it with black pumps and black earrings for a cocktail party. Pair it with a red pair of open toed block heeled mules or fun multi-colored sandal for a garden party/day wedding.
Party Dress!
I had to include this dress! So often, black leather has a hard edge to it, but the puffy sleeves and fit and flare of this dress make it sweet and feminine. How can you do that with black leather?! I don’t know, but it looks amazing! WHERE: This dress is perfect for a fun birthday party, a girl’s night out, a girl’s trip, a date night, or somewhere where I want to feel cool and hip without trying too hard. For sizing reference, I’m – wearing a 2.
STYLE NOTES: I see suede shoes with this instead of leather. For instance, black suede heels and black suede booties. Some edgy stud earrings and a gold cuff would look great with this dress. I could even see pairing it with a gold collar necklace.
Thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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