Finding something to wear around the holidays that makes a lady feel glamorous, gorgeous, and comfortable all in one can be a tall order. Living in a small space, it is a big production (sometimes, lasting for days) of switching out summer clothes for winter layers. This is complicated by a necessary session of anticipating what I’ll feel like wearing in 3-4-5 months from now (winter lasts long in the Northeast!).
By the time a night out or a holiday party comes around, the following can happen,
1) you find an outfit, it fits, you love it still!
2) you just don’t feel like wearing any of the options you have but you have to make it work
3) the worst- you can’t FIT into the outfit you pick out – or you can, but forget about eating all the yummy party food you were looking forward to.
Ladies, we all have those dresses that we can technically fit into off the shelf, but we’re honestly a little uncomfortable. Although we are probably the only people to notice that extra fabric along the torso, the sliiiiiightly too low neckline, a poor fit on the bust, or a waistline that doesn’t fit your waist but fits everywhere else, it can feel a little bit off.
I’m here to say, take back your style power, ladies! If I can do this, you can too – let me tell you exactly why.
I initially went on the eShakti site looking for something that fit my comfy chic style, could be dressed up or down, and would be seasonally appropriate for Northeast fall-winter chills.
I saw this dress, and those of you who follow me on Instagram or know me personally, you know that I LOVE merlot/wine colored anything. My bridesmaids wore this color. It was one of my wedding colors. Much of my wardrobe has to go with this color, or is this color.
Online shopping for clothes is a bit like house shopping for me.
I’ve been to open houses where the house is staged perfectly, I’ve been to apartments where I’ve seen a frantic cat swooping around after that hidden mouse they’re trying to get rid of before a sale (no thanks!), and I’ve been to completely empty spaces. For an imaginative, creative, artistic soul like me, even I am surprised at the challenge I have to envision brand-new potential in something that looks far from what I might live in (or, in this case, wear). Those of you who are seasoned thrift-shoppers or can up-cycle something you found on the side of the road have my admiration. In each case, I wonder how I will find the right place if it doesn’t come already ready made for me.
I loved the color, but I didn’t like the length at all. There was too much fabric, and I could never picture wearing this. But, I didn’t give up – I saw such potential to make THE perfect dress!
eShakti is a made-to-order women’s fashion and clothing company that offers dresses, party wear, tops, denim, jackets, skirts, pants, and wedding wear. There are lots of options.
For this dress, they allow you to select sleeve type, length, and neckline. They have pictures to help. I opted for a wide V neckline instead of a deep V, I opted for 3/4 length to show off pretty bracelets but being warm enough for cooler temperatures, and I shortened the dress, which already had a pretty high-low hem, to midi length at the mid-calf.
I looked at the standard sizes and realized that while I could probably fit into a standard size, I would be uncomfortable in the usual places. I clicked over to the Custom Size tab and grabbed my sewing tape and measured myself with 8 easy measurements – the (?) next to each selection opens a pop up box that explains in pictures where to measure.
Are you ready for the end product? 🙂
I styled this luxe dress two ways.
A NIGHT OUT
A BRUNCH, TEA, DAYTIME PARTY
▪️dress (custom, c/0 @eShakti)▪️
▪️shoes#enzoangiolini & tesori shoes
▪️makeup @fitglowbeauty @yslbeauty @narsissist @rmsbeauty @w3llpeople @benefitcosmetics @clinique ▪️
▪️jewelry @nordstrom @satyajewelry@inspireebys @anthropologie▪️
I really love this dress! It is a velvet wrap dress, with a hint of stretch, and pockets that are hidden within the draped skirt and fit a phone, keys, lipstick easily. Velvet is beautiful for the holiday season this year. The dress fits everywhere because it is made just for my body, but isn’t super expensive for a dress that is literally made for you – which means, it will last longer in your wardrobe. I’m all for making thoughtful decisions about what goes in to my closet, so this is an excellent way to look awesome and have a smart closet.
I hope this encourages some of you who despair at the thought of shopping for clothes online, or have specific size needs and don’t want to spend a fortune at the tailor fixing a piece.
Get yourself something special!
From now until December 20, 2016 take 10% off of your order with the code “BLUEBOOTSGO” as a special treat to you!
Link up with @eShakti on Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram and get inspired for a new, made-for-you piece!
Reblogged this on Another Kind Of Grass.