Accessories Anonymous: McGlovin'

I am NOT a fan of mittens. I hate how my fingers aren't able to function individually when I'm wearing mittens. I've always been this way- even as a kid. I can remember having to wear mittens to play outside and just hating it.

I have a few go-to pairs of gloves that I wear almost every day in the winter, but I also have a couple of sets that are just a little out-of-the ordinary, a little more fun. I think it's a great way to make your outerwear look just a little more funky and out there.

Check out these fabulous gloves that I found around the interwebs:

Contrast Leather Suede Bow Gloves, Mango, $49.99

Handshake It Up Gloves, Modcloth, $74.99

Daisy Eyelet Gloves, Anthropologie, $78

Pin Stud Leather Gloves, TopShop, $48

How do you feel about gloves as a fashion accessory? Are they another fun detail to add to an outfit, or are they strictly utilitarian? Leave a comment and as always, thanks for reading! 

Rate My Look

I know it has been quite a while since I posted an outfit of my own, so I made sure to have someone take my picture the other day.

Sweater: Marshalls

Skirt: Anthropologie

Boots: Charlotte Russe

Ring & Necklace: Stella and Dot

You'll have to forgive my wrinkled skirt. I did press it after I took this picture, so I wasn't so rumpled for the workday. I was excited about the color combination of this outfit- I just love the mustard sweater with the purple skirt. And I love that neither is new, but this outfit feels so new because of the combination. You may remember the boots from this post. The ones pictured above are the new color, but I have a confession to make. I really preferred the darker brown color, so I ended up ordering a new pair online. I have a problem with buying boots this year. At least I can admit it, right? Anyway, part of the reason I felt compelled to get the darker color is because I really prefer a monochromatic look with my tights and boots. While the taupe color pictured above looks great on bare legs, I know that this winter I'll get a lot more use out of a darker pair that I can wear with chocolate brown tights. 

I'm going to try to be better about taking photos of my outfits- I definitely miss sharing them with all of you. Feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you think of my look. You know how much I love comments! 

Inspiration: Noon & Night Dress

I was flipping through the Anthropologie catalog last weekend when I saw this:

Noon and Night Dress, $158

Cherry Piped Oxfords, $398

Yabusame Necklace, $598

I fell in love with the entire outfit- from the texture and silhouette of the dress to the perfect piping in the shoes and the ceramic steeds hanging on a delicate ribbon. The entire look is perfection. Too bad it's about $1200 for the entire look. What got me thinking, though, was the idea of this "Noon and Night" dress. After all, it's true- this dress is perfectly appropriate for a day at work, followed by a nice dinner out or evening on the town. It's all in the styling. So, I decided to find some other "Noon and Night" dresses to see if I could easily transition them from one to the other. Here's what I came up with: 

First, the original dress styled for both a day at the office and an evening dinner date: 

Noon and Night by rtboo featuring a beaded bib necklace

I like that the dress is a muted shade of red- it isn't so bright that is will be inappropriate for work, but it's still a great color for a date. The styling changes are very simple. First, the shoes change from a sensible heeled oxford to a patent nude stiletto with a lovely feminine detail of a bow in the back. Next, the chic scarf is replaced by a bold statement necklace. It's eye catching, but not over-the-top. While the scarf is a cool accessory, the necklace is a better date night choice because it not only dresses up the outfit a bit more, but it also allows for the neckline to be a bit more open. Finally, the bags- the noon option is practical, but still stylish. It is also big enough to hold the smaller, leopard-print clutch, which means a super simple transition from one look to the next.

Next, I tried a dress that was a little more challenging: 

Noon and Night 2 by rtboo featuring a cropped jacket

At first, this one seems clearly destined for nighttime, but with a prim cropped blazer and flats instead of heels, it can be tamed for the workplace. Remove the jacket and add some stunning accessories including great earrings and tall, but chunky heels and suddenly you're the coolest chick at the bar after hours with your girlfriends. I kept the color palate the same with both styling options because I just adore the idea of an outfit made using shades of grey with just one pop of fabulous color. In this case, deep purple keeps the look mature and sophisticated, whereas bright pink or red would have taken the look to another place entirely. 

Finally, I want to show you how a simple white dress can literally be a blank canvas for switching from noon to night:

Noon & Night 3 by rtboo featuring cole haan shoes

As you can see, this simple white dress can easily go from brunch with your girlfriends to a sexy nighttime outfit with just a few accessory changes. It works perfectly with a floral cardigan, tan wedges and a straw tote for a Saturday morning spent running errands or at an early afternoon bridal shower. But if that shower turns into a bachelorette party, all you need is a simple change of accessories. Black is the ideal option not only because of the strong contrast against the white, but because it still allows you to introduce another color and texture into the look. In this case, I chose a rose gold metallic clutch and gold chandelier earrings to finish it off. Super sweet to sexy and glam in just seconds! 

Do you have many situations where you need to transition an outfit from day to night? How do you do it? Is it something you find easy or difficult to do? Leave a a comment and tell me! 

Shoesday Tuesday- Anthropologie's Best

I think my favorite day lately has been the day the Anthropologie catalog arrives in the mail. This week, I must have looked through it at least half a dozen times in one sitting, just taking in all the beautiful clothing and shoes. Honestly, their styling and photography is so wonderful- it's all very inspiring.

That is why this week's Shoesday Tuesday is all about Anthro- I've selected what I think are the best of their new shoes to share with you. With the heat of summer upon me, I didn't think anything could get me drooling over fall shoes right now, but apparently there is and it's a tiny little catalog.

Cherry Piped Oxfords, $398

Lake & Land Heels, $178

Loretta Heels, $298

Points of Light Oxfords, $388

Satin Swoop Heels, $168

I'm currently drooling for each and every one of these shoes, but if I had to pick just one to own, it would definitely be the Points of Light Oxfords. You all know how I feel about oxfords in general, but these are at once chic and whimsical. They have a touch of Mad Hatter to them that makes them just a touch more special than any other oxfords I've encountered. 

What do you think of these shoes? Do you love them? Hate them? Which ones would you wear? Leave a comment or tweet your response with our special hashtag #ShoesdayTuesday

Hydrangea Blue

I'm not sure if I never noticed it before or if it's just this year in particular, but the hydrangeas all over New Hampshire are a particularly vibrant shade of blue and have been for the last month or so. My commute takes me through some winding back roads and I see a lot of nicely manicured lawns. Hydrangeas have been in bloom for several weeks and I have been continually struck by the amazing color. I've even found myself searching in my closet for clothing that is as vibrant, but nothing seems to be able to equal the flowers I've been seeing outside.

I think it is the ombre shading of the actual flowers- it's a more complex combination than you might think at first glance. However, I thought these pieces were close enough in terms of color. If they aren't inspiration enough for you, I suggest you head to your local eye doctor and ask them to test you for color blindness.

Vintage Harper Dress, Anthropologie, $325

Kay, Bakers, $59.99

RD Style Silk Basic Tank, Piperlime, $58.99

Colorful Paintstrokes Skirt, Forever 21, $16.90

Whether you incorporate this bright blue color into your outfit with a dress, a skirt, a top, or even a small accessory, I promise you won't regret the cheerful addition. 

Rate My Look- New BR Top

You saw my new bargain Banana Republic skirt at the beginning of the week, but what do you think of the bargain top I scored as well?

My philosophy when creating this outfit was something along the lines of, "Why not add more purple?" The top is a fabulous mix of various shades of purple- from deep amethyst to periwinkle to a dusty lavender. I tried pairing it with all sorts of other skirts in my closet, but in the end, I decided to mix it with my purple Anthropologie skirt. Purple is such a universally flattering color, so why not wear it (nearly) head to toe? It certainly worked for me! 

Rate My Look- More Stella and Dot

Obviously, since I've received my Stella and Dot free jewelry, I have a large amount of jewelry to choose from when I get dressed in the morning. I wanted to show you a couple of outfits that were finished perfectly with one or two pieces of Stella and Dot jewelry:

Dress: Made by ME!
Shoes: Steve Madden

Necklace, Earrings and Cocktail Ring: Stella and Dot

As you know, on Saturday, we are required to wear black. We generally use our accessories when trying to make our all-black outfits a bit more interesting. After work, I had plans to see a show with a friend, so I needed an outfit (and accessories) that could easily transition from a busy day at the shop to a night out. This black dress (made by yours truly, of course), and the right accessories helped create the ideal outfit for both. I must admit, however, that I changed to the fun red shoes after I left work for the night. There's no way I could have survived 8 hours on my feet in those heels! The jewelry that helped to finish my look includes the Sofia Pearl Bib Necklace, the Ladybug Studs and the Camilla Ring.Overall, they helped create a sophisticated look that worked not only for a busy high-end bridal shop, but also for a night out at the theatre. 

Today, when I got dressed for work, my goal was to create an outfit around just one piece of Stella and Dot jewelry. I chose the Chloe Necklace, but I off-set the ribbon bow so that it was more visually interesting:

Top: Macy's

Skirt: Anthropologie (Please excuse the wrinkles)

Shoes: Target

Necklace: Stella and Dot

I like the necklace with the ribbon tied this way- it's still pretty when the ribbon is tied behind the neck, but I love asymmetry, so I prefer it with the ribbon tied to the side. Some might call me a genius for coming up with that idea. I'd be okay with that. 

Check back soon for more outfits inspired by and created using Stella and Dot jewelry. And don't forget to shop the virtual trunk show. Click here for more information on how you can participate! Enjoy the rest of your Monday, everyone! 

Shoesday Tuesday: Here, Kitty-kitty!

I'm really happy to see the kitten heel trend returning this spring. After so many seasons of 4-inch heels and ultra-tall platforms, it's like a breath of fresh air to see something a little less extreme. Of course, I still intend to rock my super tall heels at every opportunity, but when my toes need a break, I'll be happy to switch them out for a more reasonable kitten heel.

The kitten heel is the ultimate in girl-y-ness. While the stiletto may ooze sex appeal and power, the kitten heel is sweeter, gentler, and yet still incredibly feminine. Here are some amazing kitten heels that I wouldn't mind adding to my shoe arsenal:

Nelumbo Kitten Heels, Anthropologie, $148

Edmundo Castillo Suede Sling-back Kitten Heels, Shopbop, $595

Butter Sooth Peep-toe Kitten Heel, Endless, $264

Demmure, Steve Madden, $79.95

All of the above kitten heels would work equally well with jeans, as they would with a sun dress or with a suit for the office. Try out this trend soon- in peep-toe or patent leather, neutrals or florals, simple or embellished- you'll be happy you did! 

If you're a fan of kitten heels, tweet it now and don't forget the hashtag #ShoesdayTuesday so I can find it. Last week's Shoesday Tuesday was the best for tweets we've had yet, so let's try to top it this week! 

Rate My Look- Purple and Grey

I love separates because they make for a seemingly unlimited amount of combinations. You have seen these boots before, as I bought them at the beginning of the winter to wear to work. The skirt and top are relatively new and I really like how they all work together. You've seen the skirt more than once here on the blog. One of my favorite looks with it is this one, but the debut can be found here. The top is one that I purchased in two different colors and I'm loving having both in my wardrobe. The original outfit with the grey version can be found here.

When I look back at my outfits, it's SO easy to see how I can pair similar pieces to create entirely new outfits using only what's already in my closet. Of course accessories help to transform the look so that it feels fresh and vibrant, but that's the case whether you're accessorizing an entirely new outfit, or one that is "re-mixed" from older pieces in your closet. 

Leave a comment and let me know what you think of my grey and purple look- I'm always interested in hearing what you have to say! 

How to Rock a Maxi Dress (Even if you're petite)

You all know me well enough to know that I do not own a maxi dress and that my preferred hemlines fall at my knees- maybe a little above or below, but generally speaking, the knees are where it's at. Maxi dresses have never been my favorite type of garment because I don't find them to be all that flattering. I look at them as an unfortunate, billow-y cover-up appropriate for very little. However, I also know that I am in the minority when it comes to that opinion. The entire fashion industry seems to disagree with me, actually. I'm ok with that, but I understand that some of my readers may be interested in learning how to wear a maxi dress and I'd hate to alienate those people.

So, even though I'm not interested in wearing one, I'll be happy to help YOU look your best in a maxi dress. Here are my tips for pulling off this look:

1.) Select a maxi with a print that is in proportion to your body. Since the maxi is so long, there is going to be a LOT more print there than with a knee-length dress, so if you are petite, the wrong print can be overwhelming. If you're unsure of what type of print will work for you, select a maxi in a solid, color block or ombre instead.

2.) To avoid looking bottom-heavy, select a maxi with minimum fullness in the skirt. This will help you achieve a long, sleek look, rather than a heavy, prairie-dress effect.

3.) Select a halter, strapless or spaghetti-strap maxi to help the overall effect remain light and airy. Too much fabric will be overwhelming on just about anyone, so show a little skin up top to balance out the look.

4.) Choose a maxi that cinches in at the natural or empire waist. This will emphasize the smallest part of your figure and help maintain the hourglass figure you are striving for.

5.) Avoid heavy fabrics- the lighter the fabric, the more ethereal the effect will be in your maxi dress. Also avoid a slim-fitting jersey fabric as it is a very unforgiving fabric at times, but especially when cut close to the body.

Below are some maxi dresses that I feel would be flattering on just about anyone:

Halter Maxi Dress, Victoria's Secret, $98 

Not only is this print ideal- not too big or too small for anyone- the blue variation that runs down the center will help the elongate the entire look and offer a more slimming effect. 

Free People Voile Maxi Dress, Nordstrom, $198

This maxi not only has a nice monochromatic print, but the majority of the fullness in the skirt is concentrated at the bottom. If the entire skirt were as full as the bottom piece, it could be overwhelming, but since the top half of the skirt is slimmer, it can work on just about anyone. I also like how this one is shorter in the front- it keeps the dress from feeling too heavy. Finally, the details at the neckline draw the eye upward to the face, which is always a good thing. 

C&C California Crochet Back Maxi Dress, Zappos, $128

You may remember this dress from my post about interesting back details. I also like this maxi because the skirt is slim and the sash at the waist is very flattering. It won't be overwhelming on anyone because of those details. 

Of course, for every maxi that's great, there are five others that should be burned. Here are some maxi dresses I think everyone should avoid like the plague: 

Whispering Forest Maxi Dress, Anthropologie, $138

There is so much wrong with this maxi- it would take a statuesque, rail-thin figure to pull it off and even then I believe there are better choices that could be made. 

Black and White One-Shoulder Maxi Dress, Sears, $93

I have two words: horizontal stripes. Even if this pattern were vertical, it would be overwhelming on a lot of frames. Petite girls would get lost in it. Tall and large girls would overwhelm everyone around them because it would just be a lot of print to look at. Just say "no" to horizontally-striped maxi dresses. Just say "No." 

In case you're at a loss as to how to style a maxi dress, here are a few ideas to get your started: 

Maxi Dress by Rtboo featuring studded handbags

And if it's any consolation, I think that in the process of creating and writing this post, I may have convinced myself to be more open minded toward the maxi dress. Never say never, right? It seems that when I completely dismiss the idea of something (like Uggs), that's exactly when I discover a reason when it might be appropriate to choose that exact thing I just dismissed. Murphy's Law, I suppose. 

Anyway, leave a comment and tell me what YOU think of the maxi dress trend. Do you wear maxi's? How do you style them? Send me a picture and I'll post it on the blog! 

Rate My Look- Caped Crusader

It may officially be spring, but we've had snow and temperatures in the 30's and low 40's all week. Yuck. I'm trying to work my wardrobe in such a way that I have liberating moments heralding the coming of spring while also being warm and covered enough so as not to freeze off my boodandi*.

Today, I stayed warm with a wool cape over my outfit:

Cape: Target

Sweater: Marshalls

Skirt: Anthropologie

Shoes: Deb Shops

Necklace: Etsy

I looked at this photo afterwards and though, "Damn, girl- you look adorable!" My boss just got back from a trip to London and when she saw this outfit she said, "You look like you could be walking the streets of London right now!" Pip-pip, cheerio, ladies and gents! My self esteem is feeling pretty great right about now. The cape totally works with the short hemline and straight skirt silhouette. But I know what you're thinking, "Let me see the rest of the outfit, Renee!" And so I happily oblige: 

How much are you digging my mustard & plum combination? Not exactly a combination I'd want to see at lunchtime, but visually I think it's a real winner! (And not like Charlie Sheen #winning. Better. Much better.) The skirt is turning out to be a great addition to my wardrobe- I think it's going to transition through spring quite nicely. I can see it with some other silk blouses in my collection as well as some more casual cotton options. Thank you, Anthro- you really did me a solid on that one. 

On a side note, I have to say I'm a huge fan of the cape. It's like wearing a (very stylish) blanket. It's warm and cozy and much more comfortable to drive in than a jacket or coat. Have you ever worn a cape? I recommend you give it a whirl. Plus, don't you think it's such a fun look on top of being super comfy and warm? I do! Go ahead and leave me a comment telling me what you think about capes in general- and not the superhero kind. 

Have a great day, everyone! 

*Thank you, Shawna for introducing me to the awesome word "boodandi." It is now part of my every day vocabulary.

Rewarding Shopping

For the last couple of weeks I have felt very busy. Nearly every single "day off" has been filled with lots of things to do. I know that doesn't make me very different from most people, I'm not complaining- just explaining. Today is another day off and I'm about to go see my cousin in the hospital- she just had a beautiful baby girl! But first, a stop at the Baby Gap for a little "Welcome to the world" present for baby Gianna. (Isn't that a pretty name?) Anyway, my last day off was spent helping out at a photo shoot. I'd made a few dresses for a faux-wedding photo shoot for a photography class and I basically spent the day fluffing and tweaking and modeling my designs for the students. It was a fun day, but after the long drive to Waltham, MA, followed by the long day of photography, I decided I was going to treat myself to a trip to the Burlington Mall. It was technically "on my way" home, and since my drive home coincided with rush hour, I decided to take a break from the traffic on the streets and instead experience some pedestrian traffic in the mall. The Burlington Mall is definitely one of the nicer malls I've ever been to. It's not quite as grand as the KOP mall, but it does have a Cheesecake Factory Restaurant.

After a couple of hours wandering the mall, I had made a decent dent in my checking account, but nearly everything I found was a bargain.

Bath & Body Works- Lotion & body spray for my mom- $10 (I had a coupon)

Banana Republic- Silk blouse- $19.97 (they gave me an extra 25% off because it was slightly damaged)

Victoria's Secret- None of your business. Sorry

Anthropologie- Fabulous new skirt for $39.95 (60% off!)

Sephora (not pictured)- New lip plumper and gloss- the only items I paid full price for

On my way out, I breezed through the shoe department at Nordstrom and was tempted by quite a few options, but in the end I was strong and decided not to get any new shoes. Overall, it was a highly satisfying and rewarding shopping trip. And if you're wondering about the silk blouse and the fabulous Anthro skirt, well, check 'em out:

Love? Hate? Indifferent? Leave a comment and tell me what you think of my shopping finds and my outfit. You know how I love comments. 

Winter in New England

Last year was one of the worst winter's I've seen- the area in Pennsylvania where I lived actually got more snow than the area I used to live in New Hampshire. And that's saying something! The difference between how PA handled the snow versus how it is generally handled in NH is remarkable. In PA, everyone just stays home, waits for the snow to stop falling, then waits even longer for the handful of plows that will then go out and start to clear the roads. In New Hampshire, the plows are out as soon as the snow starts to fall- they plow, salt and sand throughout the storm, so that the roads don't accumulate too much snow. The main roads, of course. Back roads are handled later, but still swiftly. Also, the definition of "cleared roads" is vastly different in PA than it is in NH. As someone who has spent the majority of her life living in New England, the difference was a major shock to me and something I never quite got used to.

Anyway, now that I'm back in New England and the weather is starting to get colder, I've been pulling out my warmer clothes to wear. I packed all of my outerwear in a large wardrobe box and I keep procrastinating on un-packing it. The only jacket I have unpacked is a spring/fall weight denim jacket. It's not going to cut it much longer- eventually I'm going to need a warmer coat and that means I'll either have to unpack that box, or I'll have to go shopping. Given how many jackets and coats I own, shopping seems ludicrous, until you see these coats:

Chocolate and Coffee Coat, Anthropologie, $398

Curtsey Coat, Anthropologie, $298

Craftsmanship Capelet, Anthropologie, $118

Big City Blues Coat, Modcloth, $129.99

A Fresh Coat, Modcloth, $107.99

I am such a sucker for beautiful outerwear. It makes my heart ache. You think I'm being dramatic, but it's true.

Anthropologie

I absolutely adore Anthropologie's amazing dresses, but I am often even more enamored of the artful way they photograph the clothing. I received a catalog in the mail the other day and fell in love with this photo:

Everything, from the slightly distressed wood on the floor and bed, to the wall coverings, to the light from the window, to the door that stands ajar, to the bright red of the model's lip color- it's all just perfect. Even though the model is clearly posed, it still feels like a shot that involves action of some kind, but instead of motion within the photo, it's the movement of the viewer as we enter the room. It's brilliant. Not brilliant enough for me to buy the dress, though. In fact, this one caught my eye without the artful presentation:

Stemmed Sweetbriar Dress, $168

First of all, it's precious. Second, I adore the shoulder detail and the fact that it's asymmetrical. And you know I'm a sucker for florals and this shade of blue, so when they are combined, I can hardly restrain myself.

Another fabulous Anthro item is this adorable purse:

Finely Glazed Bag, $148

At first I found myself falling in love with this bag, but then I realized it was just the brightly printed scarf tied into a whimsical bow that I was really drawn to. And since that's the case, I don't have to drop $148 on a bag when I could just buy a scarf for $10 and tie it onto any bag in my close. The central placement of the bow is rather appealing, but even with a scarf tied around the handle, it would still offer the same vibe as this one and in a way that keeps my checking account intact. 

Of course, there are the occasional items that don't break the bank. These beauties are all on sale right now, so snatch 'em up while you still can.

From the Earth Sunhat, $29.95 (was $48)

I love hats, especially wide-brim hats that shade my face from the harsh rays of the sun. I have incredibly sensitive skin on my face, so I've recently invested in a few wide-brim hats to help combat the UV rays. This one would be a wonderful addition to my arsenal.

Garden Variety Sunglasses, $9.95

Of course, if the sun is bright enough that I need a hat, I probably also need some shades. I am still on the over-size lens trend, even though aviators and wayfarers are more en vogue these days. Sometimes it's okay to ignore a trend, especially if the previous one really works for you. These days I'm sporting a pair of Jackie O. shades in black. The frames are round and wide and I love them. Maybe they'll make their way on to the blog one of these days.

Mirasol Wingtips, $49.95

You all know how much I love my lace-up oxfords- flats, heels, cut-outs, leather, fabric, whatever- I adore them. And these have such a lovely feminine vibe to them. Maybe it's how they're so open- they show a bit more of the foot and ankle. And of course the vibrant red is just to die for. Too bad they're not available in my size, or they'd be on there way to my door right now!

Gilded Lily Skirt, $39.95

I adore this skirt not only for it's flattering silhouette and interesting layers, but also because it's incredibly versatile. While shiny fabrics aren't always my first choice, this one is more sheen than shine- it's a cotton/linen blend and as such it can be dressed up or dressed down, depending on your mood or your situation. A beaded top and strappy heels would dress it up, while a simple tank with lace trim and pretty ballet flats would just as easily dress it down. It's also essentially a neutral color, so you could pair just about anything with it. Once again, as my size is not available, it will not be visiting my closet anytime soon, but that doesn't mean you can't have it!

Happy Friday, everyone! Enjoy your weekend and try to stay cool!

Dressing for a Wedding

Wedding season is upon us, and chances are good you've got at least one to attend this year. I actually enjoy putting together an outfit for a wedding but I completely understand why the task can be a little daunting. In fact, if you remember, I enlisted your opinion when choosing an outfit for a wedding in October. There is one hard and fast fashion rule when you are a guest at a wedding: Do no wear white unless you are the bride. Some might say that you shouldn't wear black to a wedding, but it's for superstitious reasons- some say it's bad luck. Fashion-wise there is no faux pas associated with wearing black to a wedding.

Not having rules to follow can actually make dressing for a wedding even more difficult. But there are always guidelines to follow. Consider the following when selecting your attire:

- What time of day is the wedding?
- Where is the wedding/reception located?
- Has the couple specified attire in the invitation?

Obviously, an afternoon wedding that takes place in an outdoor setting will be more casual than an evening wedding at a posh hotel or restaurant. Black tie or white tie specified in the invitation is very clear for men, but can still be confusing for women. And what about the beach front wedding followed by a reception at a yacht club- is it casual or formal?

Hopefully if you have been invited to the wedding, you know the couple pretty well and if the question of casual vs. dressy exists, you should probably be able to figure out which direction the couple would go in. If however, it's a distant cousin you don't know too well, then the task is a little more difficult. For the sake of this blog post, let's assume you have a good idea of the type of wedding you are attending. No matter what the style of the wedding, the most important accessory you will choose is your shoes. Weddings are long events, often culminating in much dancing, so you want shoes that won't kill your feet from the start. For beautiful shoes that are also comfortable I must recommend Nina Shoes. I use these all the time for the performers at AMT because they are durable, elegant and comfortable. I often find them at heavily discounted prices at places like SYMS, Burlington Coat Factory, Marshall's and TJ Maxx.

So now that you know about the most important part, let's get on to the outfits!

Casual, outdoor wedding:

Dress: Anthropologie, $158

Flats: Nina, $79.95

Straw Clutch: Michael Kors, $106.99

A casual, outdoor wedding is the perfect opportunity to wear a fun print- just make sure the dress has dressy feel to it. Even though it's a casual wedding, it's still a wedding, so "casual" doesn't have the exact same meaning as it does in "casual cookout" or "casual date." You still need to bring it just a little bit.

In-between wedding:

Dress: Modcloth, $53.99

Clutch: G by Guess, $20

Shoes: Nina, $79.95

For the in-between wedding, it's best to err on the side of being little dressier, but have fun with your outfit. The bright green shoes add a fun punch of color and the grey clutch is a nice change from the traditional black evening bag.

Formal, evening wedding:

Dress: Sung Boutique, $108

Clutch: Emitations, $75

Shoes: Nina, $99.95

For a formal wedding (black or white tie), you really do need to wear full evening attire. It's up to you if you want to go long or short on the dress, but I find that short is always best for two reasons. First, with a long formal gown, you run the risk of looking like you're there to accept an Academy Award. And second, if you absolutely must kick of your shoes to shake your booty, the hem won't get shredded by the end of the night if you go short.

As with any outfit, use the accessories to add some personality to your look. It will help set you apart from the countless other guests at the reception. I once attended a wedding where I was literally the only 20-something who wasn't wearing an LBD and I was quite proud of myself for standing out in the crowd. If you must wear an LBD, be sure to spice it up with great accessories.

And please, refrain from doing the Chicken Dance. No one looks good doing the Chicken Dance.