Tiered Stripes Top

I was excited to find a Bailey 44 tiered piece at the Mission Valley Nordstrom Rack while I was in San Diego. I grabbed it and immediately worked it into my wardrobe rotation. I wore it for a day of informal meetings and campus business.

It was cold that day so I had a few layers that worked with the outfit for interoffice/interbuilding travels.

The entire outfit is pretty dark and fall-like but I prefer fall colors anyway so I'll risk seasonal inappropriateness.

Details:
Bailey 44 tiered stripe/pieced column top (summery tank versions here and here)
J. Crew matchstick cords (on sale for $19.99 before coupon codes!)
Romeo and Juliet cardi
Stuart Weitzman flats (similar here and here)
Marc by Marc Jacobs bag
Kors watch (15% off watches on saks with coupon code "friends"; 20% off clothes!)

Haphazard outfit

See by Chloé dress

Calvin Klein cardigan (similar here)

Misc. enamel bracelets (similar here, here, and here)

Hue tights

I threw this drapey cardigan (from TJ Maxx clearance last winter) over a too-big See by Chloé dress the other week. I think it helped reign in the volume without the need for belting. I think I've become too belt-dependent. So I'm trying to branch out again. I know these photos could be better. I was trying a new spot in my office (at the end of the day like usual) and cut off my shoes. But I took a shoe photo!

Stuart Weitzman studded flats (in blue here; similar here)

Maybe I will ask for a mini tripod for Christmas so I can use my new camera in my office?

In other news, check out my guide to picking a thoughtful hostess gift on CBS Pittsburgh. 

Choosing Wedding Shoes: Advice Would Be Nice!

I am a little confused and since I will have my first dress fitting on Wednesday of this coming week, I need to decide soon. I have some great options and this is in theory a good thing. But sometimes options can makes decisions more difficult. How do you choose pieces for a big event where you know you will remember what you wore? I talked about this before a bit but projecting that kind of anticipation onto a wedding day has me a little intimidated.

This first pair is technically something old. I have had them for almost a year now. They are not very high (3 inches maybe?). It would be practical to wear something I already own but a slingback could dig into my heels causing eventual discomfort. Plus the color reads pretty yellowy with flash and I worry that I should maybe try to dye them to be a little more neutral. I don't have a shoe dye person so I would need to find someone on the fly to do this.

The second pair would be new. I can still return them to Endless. They just arrived yesterday and are a little high even with a platform.  I like that they are a neutral formal color and they have a full back. I would probably wear them again if I kept them but they are the most expensive of my options so returning might be smart.

These are pretty comfortable but still a slingback. My bridal attendants are wearing a purple color similar to this (well I didn't actually dictate what anyone wear except that they wear something purple so who knows the hues that will result but this is the color my sister is wearing). They're pretty enough but new so less financially practical than something old. Still reasonably priced on sale. I would be able wear them again to weddings and what not.

My dress is long so the likelihood of people seeing my shoes for a longer stretch of time than a moment is not that great. Unless I pick up my dress a few times for steps or something. Do I go for comfort? Wear something old? Something new? Go glam, practicality/comfort be damned? Do I bring two pairs in case of emergency (and if so should that be flats instead of heels? Do I return the new stuff because weddings are financially impractical enough on their own?

This is certainly not a "problem" or a "dilemma" so much as a minor moment of privileged confusion but I would love some input.