What to Wear: Napa Valley or vineyard wedding guest

Vero Moda dress xxsp, Hei Hei vegan bomber jacket xxsp c/o, Prada bag in Pomice

Continuing the what to wear series, today I'm answering the popular question of what to wear to a vineyard wedding or event. Napa must be quite the spot, and no wonder, it's so scenic there! Since vineyard events are usually at least partially outdoors against lush greenery or gardens, I would start by choosing something flowy and romantic vs structured or tight. A maxi or knee-length dress in soft printed fabric, silk or chiffon should work perfectly. As temps may drop quite a bit in the evenings there, bring a cropped jacket or a wrap to drape around your shoulders. Also, if any part of the event will be on grass, I'd recommend wedges instead of heels unless you enjoy aerating the lawn! I was just visiting for the weekend so had my large tote bag with me, and would definitely suggest a clutch bag instead for a special event.

This Hei Hei faux leather jacket was recommended by a petite friend of mine, and seems to be rather popular based on the customer reviews. The fit is slightly cropped and narrow, a snug fit on me in my usual size. I wore it for the Anthropologie event in San Francisco where I had an amazing time meeting and getting to know some of you! I only wish there was more time to chat with everyone who kindly took the time to come.

Speaking of Anthro, I just saw they are having a rare 25% off all dresses and free shipping over $150 for a limited time w/ code HURRAH. The Byron Lars Carissima dress I picked out for the event is very petite-friendly and romantic in design. It comes in 3 colors and is of beautiful quality (scroll down for detailed photos). For dressier occasions, ,y other pick is this stunning embellished long dress by Moulinette Soeurs which starts in size 00p. I have a frock by this brand that is also great quality which I wear repeatedly...would've gotten this if I didn't already have a too similar blue & white maxi.

The Carissima dress is one of Anthro's perennial favorites which they have in stock year after year. I liked reading through the online reviews and seeing how it fits on different body types / sizes. I'm wearing a 00p with no alterations needed! It's hard to tell just looking at it, but there is a tan camisole dress slip lining the entire dress except at the neckline and sleeves. The base material is stretchy, sturdy and of a thicker weight. There's lots of mixed textures in the design including lace, crochet, ribbon, and a twill-like fabric. Everything was finished with care, such as with reinforcements at the hem and zipper.

Tip: I did have an issue with the front hook-and-eye closures coming undone (quite a surprise the first time I wore it!), but it was an easy fix. Simply use jewelry pliers or tweezers to compress the hooks tighter (after hooking into the eye) for the ones that you want to be securely closed. There is a back zipper entry so you don't actually need the hooks for functionality! I did this for the hooks from the chest down to about mid thigh, since I liked a little leg slit opening.

Photos credit my friend Ping : )

And here's a few other flowy options that'd be beautiful for attending a vineyard wedding! (tho I would do neutral sandals instead of stark black booties with the third dress...what odd styling!)

What to wear: black tie holiday party or formal winter wedding (and the right bra for low-cut or backless items!)

ASOS petite dress US 0p, Steve Madden heels (also here), Baublebar earrings (similar)

H&M faux fur wrap (similar here or here), NARS shanghai express lipcolor

On Nick: J.Crew Ludlow tuxedo, DIY pocket square (I always make him one to match me : )

As holiday party season will soon be upon us, I�m going to be sharing outfit ideas for all sorts of environments and dress codes! I�ve gotten requests for office-appropriate party attire and also more formal black tie wear, so will be showing those first this week. Earlier this month, Nick and I attended a fun Fall formal organized by our friends. They raised an amazing 100k for charity, and we got to dress up and drink the night away in the Children�s Museum, so win-win all around! For a winter formal party or wedding, I love the look of a long gown with a little sultriness and touches of glamour. Here I looked to my usual old-school hollywood inspiration with a high leg slit, faux fur wrap, crystal drop earrings and minimalistic shoes. I took to the same inspiration for makeup with a subtle smokey eye, wine red lips and wavy hair swept off to the side.

For this event, I had procrastinated and was at a last-minute loss on what to wear. I wanted to rent this sequin gown recommended by my petite aunt but it was booked up well in advance. For readers who ask about formal dresses for petites, I usually suggest browsing ASOS and filtering their selection by size and item type. Their sizing runs very small and they have some unusual styles that you don�t see everywhere. I ended up taking my own advice and ordered this dress 2 days before the event - their express shipping is amazingly fast from across the pond!

Here's are a few other formal dresses from there all under $200, starting in 0 or 00 petite...

And here are a few other budget options above for under $100!

I will say ASOS is a fast fashion retailer so you do get what you pay for. This dress is a bargain for a long piece but it is not made of high quality materials, so I wouldn't suggest wearing it to a nicer event where others may be decked out in intricate gowns or couture. I would prefer to pay more for better quality, but due to procrastination, was hard-pressed to find formalwear anywhere else that fits with no alterations at all, even in length! Please note that ASOS sells a variety of different brands in addition to their own in-house one, so sizing may vary. Their in-house brand runs 1-2 sizes smaller than American brands for me (I'm wearing US 0 petite here which was a good fit throughout), and I've heard from friends that Jarlo petite which they sell also runs very small.

And now for the common question of what bra to wear with these dresses that have dips and cutouts here and there. I was able to wear a regular bra with this one, but my bra drawer is armed with the four tools below for those unexpected times when you can't:

Low back items: low back bra converter strap in black, 2 hooks (or in nude, 1 hook). I showed how to DIY one of these back in this post but at $9, it is totally worth purchasing instead of buying the materials. ASOS also sells a 2-pack of converters in both black and nude, with 2 bra strap hooks and 2 size options.

Low front items: nude plunge front bra. This one is noted with cups that run small and the reviewers say the B is actually well suited for A cups.

Backless and strapless or other items that will show any bra straps: Nubra adhesive silicone bra provides the most minimalistic coverage. I have one from this brand based on a friend's suggestion, and highly recommend it in return! The A cups fit me well, create magical cleavage, and the adhesive can be re-used for numerous wears (listed to last up to 50 wears!).

Very low front or unusual cutout designs: adhesive nipple covers! Lots of choices out there with mixed reviews. The ones linked here have fairly positive reviews, and are probably best for smaller busts that don't need a lot of support.
PS - For this particular dress, If you�ll be out in breezy conditions, be sure to secure down the front flap with double-sided fashion tape, a safety pin, or some thread at the highest point you�d want it to fly open! Another alternative which I did is to wear a pair of biking shorts underneath and let the skirt flap away without worry.

Our Boston garden party brunch / bridal shower

ASOS petites lace dress in sz US 1 (2 colors, runs small), M.Gemi heels (sold out, similar)
On Nick: J.Crew Ludlow blazer, Levi 508 jeans, Cole Haan shoes

We're gradually getting photos back from our wedding-related festivities, and are excited to share some with you guys! Instead of a traditional bridal shower, my bridesmaids helped organize a coed garden party brunch of sorts, so that guests who had traveled early to Boston could join. We had it the day before our wedding which turned out to be hectic, but we were just happy to have time with our friends & family. Ladies were encouraged to wear their floral finest (I was amused by my grandma frantically iMessaging me all her outfit options from the 60's) and make their own fresh flower crowns at brunch. The DIY activity was a hit and made for some great photos to boot! Per your requests, I've made a very easy tutorial that's coming up.

Nick and his mom made these cute signs for all the food. The mini chalkboard selection at AC Moore is a dangerous place...I came out with more of 'em than I could ever need.

Now about this dress...I was beyond excited that it got fully restocked, as I've gotten tons of questions about it. I'm wearing a size US 1 (usually size up when I see the word "bodycon") and would say this runs about 2 sizes smaller than typical US brands. The material is lightweight and stretchy, and the dress is lined with an invisible zipper down the back. I see it's available in black lace now too! Some of you have asked if the white version is OK to wear as a wedding guest - I don't know what the rules are these days, but I wouldn't recommend it if you aren't the bride. Aside from bridal activities though, I've been wearing this to cocktail parties and out to dinner alike - it's just an elegant and unique piece that is comfortable too. If you don't see your size, check back in the mornings as they often restock due to returns (since sizing can be confusing for customers).



We borrowed several decor pieces from our wedding the next day. The adorable vintage suitcases are from one of my favorite places to browse, the SOWA vintage market. Nick and I love poking around there on Sundays and then grabbing lunch at the mass of food trucks down the street.


To be honest, we didn't put too much thought into decor as we were much more interested in the food! Mini Maine lobster rolls, crabcakes, and oysters were a must - no visitors should have to leave Boston without a heavy dose of our yummy seafood!

And what's a dessert table without mini Boston cream pies...

Surprise surprise...Nick and my little brother Schuyler were never more than two feet away from the food table all morning:

I don't see too much resemblance, but I can't count the number of times my own family members kept mistaking Wendy and I for each other throughout the wedding weekend! My aunts, grandpa, brother and even my dad (*shakes head*)...

My grandparents mean the world to me, so seeing them in Boston having a blast made the stress of wedding planning worth it. Even my grandmother couldn't resist making herself a little crown! Stay tuned for a tutorial post and a few more photos.

Photos by Katch Studios, Florist: Pollen Floral Design, Restaurant: Precinct

Petite-friendly wedding gowns: Reader edition

Happy early wedding Wednesday! I've been compiling this post for a little while, and it's a special one. When I first blogged about my wedding gown search, several gorgeous readers from all over the world shared their own dress photos with me on my Facebook page. I loved seeing the range of designs / silhouettes on a variety of body types, and especially enjoyed reading their accompanying stories and tips! With each bride's permission, I've re-shared their photos below:

Name: Roxana
Dress: Inbal Dror "VIP"
"I remember wedding dress shopping (we are around the same measurements) and almost everything would have required alterations off the rack. After much searching, I bought my dream gown designed by Inbal Dror." Roxana also kindly shared a tip to help the "girls" : "I searched for a dress that had defined cups in the corset instead of having a strapless neckline without sewn-in cups...I also highly, highly recommend the backless silicone gel bras sold in Victoria's Secret stores. The size A version fit me well."


Name: Melissa
Dress: Maggie Sottero - Alana 2
Self-described body type: 5'2" petite straight-cut
"A-line/mermaid was the most figure-flattering silhouette for my frame...don't be too swayed by all the trends you see out there. Simplicity, figure-flattering silhouettes and subtle details make a classic and timeless look."


Name: Cara
Dress: Her mother's!
"I wore my mothers gown from 1962 (organza with alencon lace details) and had it fitted to me and a bit of the volume taken out as it would have been a tad overwhelming. But there's no reason a petite person can't wear a ball gown...I was 5'1." Here is a pic of my parents with my mom wearing our dress in 1962. Mind you - she was 19 years old there and I was 40 when I got married. I also used her tiered crystal crown to hold my bouquet. It was quite something." (photo by Teness Herman)

And here is another beautiful reader Kristen who was able to wear her mother's wedding gown with absolutely no alterations!! So special...her mom is on the left, and Kristen on the right:

Name: Betty
Dress: Monique Lhuillier Scarlet
Self-described body type: 5'1" hourglass shaped
"I think it's important to not get fixated on one particular dress and to be open to trying different styles...another thing I found important was to trust your own judgement and not let too many of your friends and families opinions get in the way. I went shopping by myself and purchased the dress by myself."


Name: Melissa 
Dress: Essence of Australia Style D1688
Self-described body type: 5 ft tall and 00P
"I am very petite, and I opted for a form-fitting gown with slight flare at the bottom. I actually had the straps removed during alterations. 2. Other alterations just included taking up the length quite a bit, removing one of the tulle underlays to make it more form fitting, and taking in the waist."


Name: Blair
Dress: BCBG
"I'm also very petite (4'11 100 lbs) and was on a tight budget for my wedding. I actually wore a $300 BCBG gown for my wedding and loved it! I happened to wander into the BCBG section of the mall and saw this gown - in pink. On a whim, I tried it on and imagined what it would look like in my size, and white. I may have been crazy, but I ordered it without getting anyone else's feedback...I still had some alterations done to take it in a bit and of course, shorten, but I was really pleased with an affordable dress that I may actually be able to wear again!"

Name: Amanda
Dress: Badgley Mischka Odessa Style # 28923803 from BHLDN
Self-described body type:  5'4" pear-shaped with a shorter torso
"The best part of dress-finding story is that I went to BHDLN and tried it on by myself....My gown still required quite a bit of alterations to fit my frame, but that was to be expected. My dress fit like a glove, thanks to Nhu!" (Houston-based tailor, for anyone interested)


Name: Anna of Min Edition
Dress: Made by herself - so talented!
Self-described body type: 5'3" with small bust and waist; a bit pear shaped.
"The dress is an a-line with a sweetheart neckline. The main dress fabric is silk taffeta which I chose because it's crisp and light (it was 106 degrees on my wedding day!) I used silk organza on top of the taffeta to add an airy layered effect and the bodice is made of silk chiffon ties that create the ruching effect. I hemmed the entire length of the silk chiffon by hand"


Name: Jessica
Dress: Suzanne Neville
"I'm 5'2 and I had a really hard time finding something that I felt made me look tall and elegant, which was my vision for a bride. I fell in love with Suzanne Neville. Her dresses are handmade out of London and I customized mine to lower the back. Highly recommend her dresses!"


Name: Ruth
Dress: Vera Wang White at David's Bridal
"I'm just under 5ft and choose this dress...just trust your instincts and you can't go wrong. I ordered the dress in size 0 and I had to have the dress taken up a few inches and the way they 'shortened' the dress was by pinning the ruffles up which I though was very clever! It meant none of the dress had to be cut!"


Name: Jan
Dress: Nouvelle Amsale #929349
"I immediately gravitated towards this style and material - lo and behold, the designer, Amsale, is Ethiopian (my husband's family's ethnic background). I couldn't afford her regular dresses and searched for similar styles from other designers to no avail...she subsequently released an affordable line partnering with Nordstrom and this dress was love at first sight. I also made my purchase a triple point day AND had it tailored in the bridal suite at Nordstrom at a discount as I am a card member. Nordstrom was amazing - they even held my dress for almost a year under lock and key so I didn't have to worry about storing it (and the other half seeing it) until the wedding. It was steamed and pressed and ready to go the day before. Choosing this designer was an homage to my husband and his family. " 

Name: Belinda
Dress: Reem Acra Tianna 4915 (selling pre-owned here)
"I personally tried on many different designers/brands but I found designer Reem Acra styles were well suited for petite frames. The dress I ended up going with, was actually the first dress I tried on! My dress was size 2 and altered to fit. My seamstress put in built in cups and I also wore a nu bra."

Thanks again to the beautiful brides above who shared a part of your wedding day with me! I would love to see and read about more of your dresses (petite and taller ladies alike) - please feel free to share a photo and a blurb about your dress in the above formats on my Facebook page, or you can Facebook message me via my page!