Continuing my LBD news... I bought shoes yesterday. I got these in black:

Ruffled Mary Jane pump, on sale $34, Newport News (link)

I'd like to apologize for not adhering to the poll results -- I hadn't planned on buying shoes with a strap, but once I saw these, I couldn't stop thinking about them. I told Madeline of Uber-Chic for Cheap about them so that she could do a Look for Less (they look so much like these ruffled Mary Janes from J. Crew), thinking that that would be the last I ever saw of them. However, after I saw her post, I decided I had to have them and bought them right away. Those ruffles around the heel are luscious, and they were such a good deal! I'm really excited about getting them!! If it were in the budget, I'm pretty sure I would buy them in pink and gray as well...

As an added bonus, check out this confirmation e-mail I got from Newport News (click to enlarge):


That's right, they said that I "have a fabulous sense of style," which is always nice to hear. ;)

Also, I'm going in to the tailor for a fitting today -- wish me luck!

I haven't gotten my LBD back from the tailor yet (I haven't even gone in for a fitting yet -- I need to call them today and make sure everything is okay), but I decided it was time for me to seriously think about the shoes I'm going to wear to the wedding.

To match the rest of the wedding party, I need to wear silver, black, or teal. I love the idea of pumps with a high heel (but not over 4 inches; I don't want to be too much taller than my husband) and maybe a platform. I don't like shoes with really pointy toes, because I feel like they make my already-large feet look even bigger. Silver or teal pumps could be pretty basic, because the color is enough to make them stand out -- black shoes would need some kind of detail. I'm thinking closed back and toe, because it will be December and I'll be standing outside for hours taking pictures. I definitely want something classic and sexy and endlessly rewearable, and under $50.

Here's what I found:

Silver:

1. Pleaser Women's Vanity Pump, $33.95, Endless (link)
2. Charles Albert Women's Spirit Pump, $29.95, Endless (link)
3. Michael Antonio Women's Lotus Pump, $39.95, Endless (link)
4. Crinkled Metallic Platforms, $24.99, Charlotte Russe (link)

Teal:

For anyone who has been wondering about my little black dress situation, which I talked about in this post, I have an update.

My two favorite dresses from the ones Emily suggested were Shabby Apple's Rita Hayworth, and Ann Taylor's Wool Ballet Neck Dress. I thought they were both beautiful. I had reservations about spending so much for a dress that I couldn't try on beforehand, so I e-mailed both websites, asking for specifics on each dress.

My big concern was that they wouldn't be long enough -- at 5'8" I'm not extremely tall, but I do have a long torso, and I also think it's possible that I have an abnormal thigh to calf ratio, so that the distance from my shoulders to my knees is crazy long.

I asked for the length of the dress, from shoulder to hem, and how much, if any, seam allowance was at the hem. The replies were not encouraging.

The Ann Taylor dress was nowhere near long enough. The Rita Hayworth definitely sounded long enough, but they were sold out in my size. Blerg. I went back to perusing Nordstrom's Dress Shop, but nothing looked right. I felt like I was in the Berenstain Bear's Old Hat, New Hat. (Did anyone else read that book when they were a kid?) Too short, too sleeveless, too low-cut, too shiny, too old, too beaded, too silly, too fluffy.

Finally, however, I have the solution to my problem:

I looked through all the dress patterns of every major sewing pattern manufacturer, and I found the dress that I wanted. My wonderful and patient mother went with me to the fabric store to buy fabric. (My mom did this cool thing where she took a small section of silk and balled it up in her hand for a few seconds to show me how badly it wrinkles. We decided to go polyester.)

But I am not going to make this dress myself. Oh, no. No no no no no no no no no no. No. I do not have the skills. I could count on one hand the items of clothing I have made for myself and looked like a homeless person while wearing. No, I am taking my pattern and my fabric and going to a very highly recommended tailor. I have a $200 budget on this dress, after all. I am very excited. I think it's going to turn out just right. I'll keep you updated!

Emily at Sensibly Styled did me a huge favor earlier today when she helped me look for the perfect little black dress! (You can read the full post here.) Other than wanting a LBD just for the reason that every woman should have one -- is there any other item of clothing that's more generally accepted to be a must-have in every female wardrobe? -- my brother-in-law is getting married in December, and I'm going to be a bridesmaid. My wonderful soon-to-be sister-in-law had the brilliant idea of letting us choose our own black bridesmaid dresses; isn't that awesome? It's one wedding where I'm going to walk away with a dress that I not only don't find hideous, but that I'll be able to wear again and again. Thanks for that, Kristin!

I would love everyone's input on which dress they love the most. Leave a comment or vote in the poll to the right. Or do both! (It's more fun that way.)

Picture 1: V-neck Dress, Ruffled Dress, V-neck Dress w/ Pleated Hem, Tulle Slip, Puff-sleeved Belted Dress, Silky Ruffled Dress, Shift w/ Gathered Neckline, Flutter-sleeve Dress

Picture 2: Ruched Neckline Dress, Satin Dress, Belted A-line Dress, Sweetheart Neckline Dress, Capsleeve Shift Dress