The Dress That Had Me At Hello

The Dress That Had Me At Hello

Dress: Three Floor Fashion c/o, Heels: Russell & Bromley, Arm Bangle: Feather & Stone c/o, Bracelets: Nadia Rabosio, Rings: Freedom @ Topshop

If this Three Floor dress could talk (no doubt in the most fabulous raspy, upper East Side New York-en lilt) it would have had me, for sure, at hello. 

I wore this look to our friends' wedding this past weekend, and had the most fun. A stellar dress will do that for you. 

Read on for more pics, and my notes on wedding guest dressing . . . 

Notes on styling: By the end of the Summer I will have been to five weddings this year - the most I have ever been to! I know you guys are smart, and so what I'm about to say will no doubt already be ingrained in your wardrobe psyche, however I feel it's worth repeating: you're comfort at the wedding is paramount, do not sacrifice it for your outfit! Bring a coat, wear comfortable shoes, and an ensemble you can eat in. 

When it comes to clothing, a flattering cut is my go-to for confidence. Be that a great pair of trousers and a structured top, or a fit n' flare dress . . . with room for wedding cake! 

Colour is an easy cheat to looking your best; think of the hue which people most compliment you in and search for a great look in that colour. I love pink, and will have worn it to three of the five weddings this year, I always feel great in it and so it's an easy option for me. For you, a fabulous jade green may be your perfect colour, or cobalt blue, or orange . . . experiment until you find a hue which makes your eyes sparkle, skin glow and you smile! If you find yourself lost in a pile of options, take a photo in your mirror of each, including shoes and accessories, and compare your looks once you've had some time to step away and get some perspective. Ultimately, it comes back to my first point, whatever you feel most comfortable in, you'll look your most fabulous!

Nails: Emma @ Boom Nails 

 

What is your favourite wedding guest outfit? Are you guys heading to any occasions soon? Can you share your failsafe tip for feeling fabulous?

Love, 

MB x 

William and Catherine Royal Wedding Guests Red Carpet Fashion Report: Part ONE!

William and Catherine Royal Wedding Guests Red Carpet Fashion Report: Part ONE!

Reporting From the Royal Red Carpet...

Viva España: Queen Sofia, Crown Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Spain

First up on my "William and Catherine Royal Wedding Red Carpet Fashion Report" is the Royal House of Spain. Queen Sofia of Spain wore a mauve-colored silk taffeta suit with jeweled button accents and stand-up shawl collar. I think she looked great; loved the color! And as always, she has her pashmina shawl which she never leaves her Palace without! Her son, Crown Prince Felipe, dashing in uniform and Princess Letizia...

Wore a pleated mousseline blush-colored dress by designer Felipe Varela and matching shoes by Magrit. The dress was simple, understated and "Wedding Guest Appropriate". I would have loved to have seen a more dramatic hat however.

L'Afrique C'est Chic: Prince Seeison and Princess Mabereng of Lesotho

A good friend of Prince William and Prince Harry, Prince Seeison Bereng Seeiso of Lesotho was accompanied by his wife Princess Mabereng Seeiso, who wore a colorfully printed floor-length fitted "Mermaid"-style gown.

Takchita Couture: Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco

Princess Lalla Salma is the princess consort of King Mohammed VI of Morocco and she showed up sans her husband (but with some SERIOUS body guards!) to the Royal Wedding, in a traditional Moroccan caftan gown or takchita in silk organza, gold center front covered buttons and gold embroidered applique.

Dutch Royal Treats: Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Maxima of The Netherlands

Prince of Orange Willem-Alexander and his wife, Crown Princess Maxima of the Netherlands. Maxima wore a blush pink Chantilly lace dress featuring a "belted" waist tie and scalloped edges. Her "hat" was more of a turban/pillbox combination and very 1950's Retro.

Millinery Divas: Zara Philips and Crown Princess Mathilde of Belgium

Two Royal Guests stand out for their fabulous Philip Treacy (of course!) creations. On the left, Zara Philips--only daughter of Princess Anne (Prince William's aunt)-chose a gunmetal colored hat of buckram with twisted side detail. On the right is Crown Princess Mathilde of Belgium...

Seen above with her husband, Prince Philippe of Belgium, heir to that country's throne. She looks rather chic in an Armani Prive custom-made teal-blue satin "trumpet"-style dress and matching jacket that featured interesting waist-drape tie. The black asymmetrical ankle-strapped pumps are rather stupendous. Her hat: Philip Treacy. Her necklace: AMAZING!

Blue Boring: Queen Margrethe II of Denmark

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark was a disappointment for me. Usually HRH is the Go-to gal for KRAZEE florals and dresses and suits that an old Costume Designer who has retired to Boca would wear--and that's why I LOVE HER! But for William and Catherine's Wedding, she came rather conservatively dressed, in a lilac blue coat-and-dress ensemble. No prints, no KRAZEE. Boring. Even the hat did not excite me. At least, she had a winning smile which actually was the best thing she "wore"!

Wrinkled Duchess: Maria Teresa of Luxembourg

Another snooze-fest in terms of "Royal Wedding Red Carpet Fashion" was Maria Teresa, the Cuban born (yep!!) Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, one of the smallest countries in the world. Wrinkled, ill-fitting and almost cheap-looking. The style of the dress and suit ensemble is better suited for--dare I say it--a commoner, as opposed to the Duchess of a country!

Miss Diva of Greece: Marie Chantal, Crown Princess of Greece & Princess of Denmark

On the other spectrum, leave it to Marie Chantal of Greece, wife to Prince Pavlos, to bring it when it comes to some fashion. Marie Chantal wore Chanel Spring 2011 Haute Couture darlings. A gray-lilac tweed dress with "spiderweb" hand beaded embroidery. Notice that her style has longer "glove length" sleeves. It is a Couture-ordering client's prerogative to change things a bit--especially when you are paying about $30,000 for a custom day dress darlings! Her flower-adorned hat: Philip Treacy.

For now, we'll end our "William and Catherine Wedding Day Red Carpet Report" with Prince Pavlos of Greece's father and mother--former King Constantine II and Queen Anne-Marie (she's from the Danish Royal Family, in case you didn't know). Both look quite handsome, elegant and Royal Wedding Appropriate, just the way exiled royals who have no country to rule should look like.

Prince Albert and Charlene of Monaco Royal Wedding: The Royal Guest's Red Carpet!!!

Prince Albert and Charlene of Monaco Royal Wedding: The Royal Guest's Red Carpet!!!

Monaco COUTURE Red Carpet...

The Family...

Niece of the groom, the model-stunning Charlotte Casiraghi (seen above with her beau, Alex Dellal)--For the wedding, Charlotte wore a rose pink silk taffeta off-the-shoulder dress featuring crystal center front buttons and black satin "bow" sashes from...

Chanel Haute Couture Spring 2011

Princess Stephanie and her children, including Luis, Pauline and Camille (left to right)--Pauline wore...

Chanel Pret-a-Porter Spring 2011 blue tweed boucle with feathered hem. Pauline added a skinny belt to accent her teeny waist. By the way, I just wonder if Pauline can get to wear a $20,000 Chanel dress at only 17 years old...it's safe to assume she'll NEVER touch Zara or H&M now!

Princess Caroline of Hanover and her daughter Alexandra--Princess Caroline, a strong devotee and client of the House of Chanel (as well as very good friend of Karl Lagerfeld's), wore a rose pink drop-waist dress with sequined silk chiffon jacket from Chanel Haute Couture Custom. Naturally.

Euro Royals...

Denmark: Crown Princess Mary and Prince Frederik of Denmark--I absolutely LOVE the turquoise blue color of this front-wait tied dress on Australian-born Crown Princess Mary of Denmark. The hat is FAB-u-Lous as well!!! Ten "Nick V Fashion Pints" my dear! Well done.

Norway: Princess Mette-Marit and Prince Haakon of Norway--Princess Matte-Marit's drabby blush-colored dress is not one of my favorites I must admit. It just blends in with the rest of her--it's just too close to her own skin coloring. She should have opted from a bolder stronger color. It's a "Monaco Yawn" for me...

England: Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Sophie, Countess of Wessex--The Countess looks nice. But that's all I can say, really. As elegant as she can dress for events such as this, there's still something about some of the British royals (and sub-royals) that well, do not come quite close to the Princess Caroline's of the World. Somehow, they missed the "I-was-born-with-a-silver-Couture-spoon-in-my-mouth" part. However...

England: Prince and Princess Michael of Kent--This is one exception to the British Royal Family (along with Prince William and new Fashion Goddess Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge). These two are always IMPECCABLE!! And naturally so. While I have a feeling Countess Sophie would rather be in jeans and sandals, I think the Prince and Princess Michael of Kent are thoroughly comfortable in "Adult Dress Up" clothes. The Princess is the definition of class in her jewel-blue silk shantung suit with THE MOST fabulous of sleeves (and boy! Is that a Necklace, kids!). And the Prince, well, just look at him! Tailored Perfection!

Sweden: HM Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden and Queen Silvia of Sweden--Queen Silvia chose a lilac-colored mini-side gathered dress with matching colored hat. She looks like a Queen should look. And once again, King Carl Gustaf forgot how to smile...

Sweden: H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Prince Daniel, Duke of Vatergotland--The King and Queen of Sweden's daughter, Crown Princess Victoria is becoming quite the fashionista of Scandinavia and we see why here. I like the entire look; the sequined cap-sleeved dress is rich, impressive and still young-looking. And the matching chignon "snood" covering her hair bun is GENIUS! She gets another one of my "Nick V Royal Ten Points"...Now, her husband, once again, still looks like a Computer Analyst who was forced to put on a Morning Suit...because his wife told him so! Poor thang...

The Netherlands: Princess Maxima of the Netherlands and Willem-Alexander Prince of Orange and heir to the Dutch throne--Argentinian-born Maxima chose a bright stand-out color for the Monaco Wedding in this orange-yellow diagonally pleated dress with a raw-cut oversized flower detail at the shoulder. I'm sure the color was no accident sine in fact, it goes perfectly with her husband's sash.

Luxembourg: Cuban-born Maria Teresa Grand Duchess of Luxembourg and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg--Maria Teresa chose a nude side gathered crepe dress and stunning sequined cropped jacket. She does look much better than what she wore to the "William and Kate" wedding--yet still, she is having some wrinkling issues...

Belgium: Italian-born H.R.H. Queen Paola of Belgium and King Albert II of Belgium--The Queen is wearing Armani Prive Custom hand-beaded degrade cocktail dress, and taupe jacket with sequined edge trim.

Belgium: Princess Mathilde Duchess of Brabant and Prince Philippe Duke of Brabant--He is the eldest son of the King and Queen of Belgium (previous photo). Princess Mathilde is also wearing Armani Prive Custom, a violet princess-seamed sheath dress with attached capelet...

Inspired from this Armani Prive Spring 2011 look above. The Princess, of course, had it customized to her specific design standards and choosing. That's what one can do when A) You're a Princess, and B) Can afford a $40,000 Couture Suit.

Italy: Emanuele Filiberto, Prince of Venice and Piedmont, heir of Vittorio Emanuele Prince of Naples, and his wife French actress Clotilde Courau--Love her bright coral organza ruffle accented sheath dress by Giambattista Valli.

France: Madrid-born H.R.H. Louis Alphonse de Bourbon, Duke of Anjou and claimant to the French throne and his Venezuelan-born wife Maria Margarita Vargas Santaella...

Who wore a design from fellow Venezuelan-born American designer Carolina Herrera and her Pre-Fall 2011 Collection.

Russia: H.I.H.Grand Duchess Maria of Russia--DIVA with a Capital "D"--I absolutely LOVE this woman!!! Babushka Who???? Nope, not so much. She looks IMPERIAL in this flower-printed caftan-and-dress ensemble with a matching Kokoshnik (headdress). Something tells me I would find Maria, the Grand Duchess, at the Vodka Bar, having a gay old time!!!

Persia/Iran: Her Imperial Majesty Empress Farah Pahlavi--always one of the Best Dressed women in the World, impeccable style, refined elegance, as seen here in this lemon suit with satin piping and box-pleated skirt. The Turban-scarf is so Sheikha Mozah of Qatar by the way!

Morocco: Rome-born Princess Lalla Meryem, the eldest daughter and child of the late King Hassan II if Morocco and her daughter Princess Lalla Soukaina--both went the "traditional Moroccan dress" route wearing stunning takchita. The mother's (left) is of course, the most elaborate of the two while the daughter's is more "subdued" and understated.

Thailand: Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana of Thailand--looking beautiful and very chic in a traditional Thai dress--albeit, a very COUTURE version of one. Here's some DISH: After the divorce of her mother, she moved to United Kingdom with her mother and siblings. However, she later was taken by her father from England and brought back to Thailand. Besides the fact that she comes from one of the wealthiest Royal Houses in the World, she also studied Fashion and Textile and is an aspiring fashion designer and has shown collections in Bangkok and Paris fashion weeks.

Stay tuned for Fashion "Royals" at the Prince Albert and Charlene Royal Wedding in the next post...

Figure Skating Costume Minute: The Ice Dance Costume Recap!

Figure Skating Costume Minute: The Ice Dance Costume Recap!

Yankee Polka, Swirling Skirts, Men in Black Pants, and Grecian Draping...

Top Three Ice Dance: (left to right) Silver medalists Ekaterina Bobrova & Dmitri Soloviev of Russia, gold
medalists Meryl Davis & Charlie White of the USA, and bronze
medalists Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje of Canada show off their
medals in the awards ceremony during the Hilton HHonors Skate America 2012
competition at the ShoWare Center on October 21, 2012 in Kent,
Washington

Rounding out my "Nick Figure Skating Costume Minute" Recap on the costumes of this past weekend's 2012 Hilton HHonors Skate America competition---now, it's time for the Ice Dancers. In case you missed my last two postings on the subject, you can click HERE on my thoughts on the PAIRS and MEN'S and HERE for the LADIES. Now, for a little background (to those not "in the know"), there are two parts to the Ice Dancing Competition--the first being a Short Dance whose theme is chosen by the ISU/International Skating Union--the theme this year is "Yankee Polka" (Umm, OK, I guess!). And the second part of their Ice Dancing Competition is the Free Dance where they are allowed to chose music and theme but still do many required elements.




So, let's discuss the Ice Dancers--and their costumes:

Anastassia Cannuscio and Colin McManus of the USA/ Short Dance--For their "Yankee Polka" Short Dance to "Polka, Waltz", I LOVED her peach and pink ombre dyed dress. It was very old-school ballroom dancer; long flowy skirt, matching-color arm gloves and nice one shoulder applique. I also liked that she slicked her hair back to diffuse any attention away from the already colorful and intricate costume.

Now Colin, the tuxedo shirt and black pants...I know that this is par-for-the-course in Ice Dancing to have the man throw on a dress shirt and black pants and "call it a day" but seriously...It looks as if she was a guest at a fabulous wedding and she picked up the Best Man...at 2AM! I want to see something more from Colin. Maybe a jacket with a matching peach/pink skinny tie! Something.

Lorenza Alessandrini and Simone Vaturi Italy Short Dance--For their "Yankee Polka" Short Dance, their costumes were great. They tried. Thank you very much. They definitely brought the Mary Poppins theme to life. See how there are touches of her on him; the matching red neck scarf to start. In addition, Simono looks put together. It looks like a COSTUME. And her little red a-line skirted number--with ruffled blouse and underskirt--when she is done skating she can transform into the perfect "Alitalia Flight Attendant" uniform!

Lynn Kriengkrairut and Logan Giuletti-Schmitt of the USA (try typing on a blog, or saying that three times!)--They ended up Fourth overall after their Short Dance and Free Dance. For their "Ring of Fire" and "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Chris Isaak Short Dance, they were very "Walking The Line/Johnny and June Carter Cash" in their costumes. I thought she was "Two Step" great but Logan WORKED it!! Here's a warning, if he ever shows up in that at Oil Can's Harry in Studio City, he might get FIVE "lucky" dates!

For their Free Dance to Adele's "Turning Tables" and "Rumor Has It", I liked the plum/violet color used in her costume as well as the multi layered "skirt". He was "just there"--the dress shirt, vest and black pants: yawn--especially after that FAB Short Dance Belt Buckle Western Boy outfit!

Russsia's Ekaterina Bobrova and Dmitri Soloviev--For their Free Skate, they skated to Ennio Morriconi's "Man With a Harmonica" from "Once Upon a Time in the West". These were "contemporary" costumes--modern, fresh; non-costume-y. I liked her "plunging" neckline and he looked modern and pretty hot. I am not usually a fan of the black pants on these Ice Dancing men, but here it worked (I think they might be Steel Grey?). I just get annoyed when she's in FULL COSTUME and Ice Dancing COUTURE and he...in a dress shirt and black pants. I call that an #IceDanceCostumeFail. But, like I said, here it worked. So much so, they got the SILVER at Skate America 2012. Hello.

Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje of Canada--For their Short Dance to "The Sound of Music", they wore lovely, "contemporary" costumes that one could have gotten from a department store. Her pale blue dress is pretty but there was nothing "'extra" special; it's like a cocktail dress from Macy's. He looked like he was part of the catering team at a wedding. It's SOUND OF MUSIC!!! I'd love to see more.

For their Free Dance, I got it. For their "Humanity in Motion" Free Dance costumes, they (well, at least she did) tried a little harder. I LOVE her draped "Grecian  Goddess"costume. It's very now and very sensual and right--for  the music and theme. I liked how polar opposite it was from her Short Dance costume. This one looked custom made. I'm not 100% on board with her continuing the pattern into the leggings, but I liked that she took a risk.

I guess all the costume money was spent on her, so for poor Andrew...he got the white dress shirt and black pants. #IceDancingCostumeFail.

Meryl Davis ans Charlie White of the USA--For their "Yankee Polka" Short Dance to "Giselle", they gave me COSTUMES!! PS: Yeayyy!!! Love her blue-and-white corseted "St. Pauli Girl" costume. Both her and Charlie looked great--and more importantly, appropriate for their Short Dance.

For their Free Dance to "Notre-Dame de Paris", they went a little more subdued--Meryl donned a maroon midriff corseted costume and Charlie...well, he went into his closet and got a black stretch long sleeve shirt and black pants. I would have LOVED to have seen a compatible COSTUME partner to Meryl's corseted damsel. A full-on period-piece three piece suit/vest/shirt ensemble on him might make me smile.