WEARING
Madewell silk shirtdress | size 8
Antik Batik necklace
Admonish custom leather tote
Robert Clergerie pepo sandals | on sale for $225 at La Garconne, only sizes 41, 41.5 available – more sizes at 6pm for $336
I’ve been wanting a silk dress for a while now, even though silk scares me. I only own one other silk item – a blouse from Everlane – and while I love it, I NEVER wear it, EVER, because I’m worried about staining, etc. So it was a big deal for me to get this dress, given that I don’t have a great track record with silk. But I LOVE LOVE LOVE it and am so glad I did; I can tell I’ll wear it a lot (probably more often in cooler weather), and it’ll be great for layering. And now I’m not so worried about staining because before I bought it, I found a slight “mark” on it and asked the SA at Madewell about it. She took it over to the steamer and steamed it out! Brilliant. Gotta get me one of those.
And just to prove to you guys (and myself) that I DO TRY color sometimes, here I am in the blue version of the dress (via Instagram, are you following me?). I liked it, but c’mon, the black is SO MUCH better, right? Honestly, if the dress had been a darker, more cobalt blue, it might have appealed to me more, but this is such a bright blue:
Anyway, if I get a bright blue dress, I can’t also get a bright blue bag, can I? I’ve been toying with the idea of getting the 3.1 Philip Lim pashli bag in cobalt blue, either in medium or small, which I think will go beautifully with my all black/gray/white wardrobe. What do you think?
The blue version of the dress is nice, but I LOVE the black version (and would have picked that myself). I think it looks so simple and chic with the necklace and sandals.
Haha! I am smiling because my wardrobe mainly consists of black and shades of grey! But, I am drawn to “pops” of color and my eyes quickly set on your bright, blue dress! It really is flattering and looks great with your new hair shade! I, of course, love the black Madewell silk dress. It looks stylish and comfortable (I am always trying to find that good blend of comfortable “with style!”). Not much of a dress or skirt wearer, I constantly aspire….this is the kind of thing I could see wearing! Love it with the Antik Batik necklace; it adds a nice different touch of color and texture. Great ensemble! Thanks! xox Kim
Love the dress – in black, you do lose the neckline detail, but that allows you to wear a funky awesome necklace without distraction! Dress sort of looks like it could have been a Uniform Project dress. I have a cardigan in that cobalt blue color – slight peplum (which is generally not a great look on me so I avoided that trend – except for the sweater 😉
oh nice! the cardigan sounds great actually. the dress is very simple, and i like it buttoned up with the necklace on top, something that i really don’t do – ever LOL, but you’re right, it works well that way, because you do lose the detail with the black.
Love the dress in black on you naturally. I really love cobalt Blue tho so I think you should def get the bag. I think youd get a lot of use out of it.
Love the blue, it would be gorgeous w/your chartruese Balenciaga
I vote blue!! Lol, although the black is nice at least you are trying to work some color in your wardrobe with a possible new blue handbag. 🙂
I have two silk dresses from Madewell and you just can’t go wrong with their dresses. They are comfortable, cute and always stylish. I’m sure you’ll get plenty of wear out of it.
I am all for you getting a cobalt blue Pashli. I have two Phillip Lim bags and would love to get another one in a fun, bright color. The blue would add a nice pop to the neutrals in your wardrobe plus I can live vicariously through you since I am so on a bag ban.
I prefer the black dress, and think it’s great on you. Get the bag – it’s gorgeous!
Did you pin back your hair in the black-dress pic? My hair is about your length and I can’t find barrettes/pins that work on my fine-ish hair and aren’t too juvenile.
You noted the price of the RC’s at La Garconne — is there another coupon code for La Garconne coming down the pike?
This may sound crazypants, but I wash silk at home, using the “Lady” delicates wash from The Laundress. I have an Equipment shirt in ‘flat’ sick, and a nubby-texted Etoile IM shirt that I’ve washed this way. Much less costly than dry-cleaning, and less aging to the fabric. I think you could take care of your dress and blouse that way very safely.
^^ ‘silk’ for ‘sick.’ Whoopsie!
That dress is amazing on you! I actually like the black better for practical reasons – more forgiving on the stain front, and also doesn’t show wrinkles and creases as easily. Stains and wrinkles are what prevents me from wearing silk (I’ve got two boys – toddler and infant – so I will not be wearing silk anytime soon!).
thanks eleanor!! yes, that’s another reason i always prefer black…
i did pin it back – my weird-length bangs get to me most days, so i just twist them a little and put them back in bobby pins or in a clip (like this). my friend found me the curved bobby pins at wal-mart which are MY FAVORITE, but i like to use just one clip better.
la garconne doesn’t do codes very often, the next one will probably be closer to holiday time, they’ve done 20% off in november before, but they usually stick to 10-15% off or more off of sale. I’ll definitely post over at grechenscodes.com when there is a code!!
i have heard that silk washes well at home, and i generally wash/hang dry almost everything i own, so i think i’ll try it, i’m only afraid of it shrinking. the other madewell dress i bought earlier this year (similar to this one, but sleeveless – same material) shrunk terribly only in cold water, so i’m REALLY afraid to do that!!
lol. of COURSE you vote blue!!! remember that i had the very 1st gen. of the pashli bag but sold it because it was too small for me – i like the new medium size better, and that blue just calls to me!! but i’m also considering the mini, because it’s so cute 🙂
I love this outfit on you! You look so chic and artsy! While I think the blue looks pretty on you, the black is a standout in this dress. And I guess I always figure, I might as well wear the silk and enjoy it (to death, if need be!). It’s only clothes.
Yes, yes, yes! to the Philip Lim handbag! It’s a keeper.
Gretchen, get yourself a Janie Stick. Best thing for silk and those inevitable grease spots. I like the black version of the dress so much better, and think it will be much more wearable!
http://www.amazon.com/Janie-Dry-Stick-Spot-Cleaner/dp/B0043XDZF2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1378335766&sr=8-1&keywords=janie+stick
That is brilliant! Thanks for the recommendation. Ordering now…
LOVE that dress, and the blue is gorgeous on you!! That being said….. I totally would have gone with the black one as well 🙂
Like Angela, I vote for blue! I saw your photo on Instagram and thought the color looked so pretty with your hair color. But you look good in the black version, too. If you get the Pashli bag I might drive up to Austin just to see it! You have the best bags.