I’ve been feeling kinda chunky and bloated all day long (damn you, PMS!) and came this close to wearing sweats and a tank top to my BFF’s baby shower this afternoon, but I didn’t want to break any unwritten party etiquette rules like “Thou shalt not wear stretchy pants to events celebrating major life changes,” or anything like that, so I nixed the idea, as tempting as it was.
Instead, I pulled out one of my favorite dresses, a black cotton strapless A-line I picked up years ago at Gap.
I 
how forgiving it is. Ah, sweet, wonderful A-line… Fitted at the top, it gradually widens toward the hem to form the shape of a capital letter A. They’re one of my favorite cuts — so great if you’re trying to disguise your tum and/or bum but still want to show a little bit of shape.
I think the black makes it a little more slimming, too, and the color never really goes out of style.
Here I’m dressing it up with some Chanel-inspired accessories from Forever 21, an ivory lace sweater and black wedges. I considered dressing it down with a denim jacket, hoops and flip-flops but decided against it this time around.
A breakdown of the outfit…
- Dress — Gap (it was years ago…)
- Sweater — Nordstrom (I found it in the junior’s section)
- Shoes — Franco Sarto (I’m not sure if they still carry these…)
- Necklace — Forever 21 (check the store for availability)
- Purse — Kate Spade (check the store for availability)
What’s your favorite flattering/forgiving outfit or dress?
Well, my Giant Pet Hair Roller and I bid you adieu (this dress picks up cat fur like crazy!). See you after the shower, hopefully with some loot from the games. 😀
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
You look *so* beautiful. Though, I suppose that’s par for the course for you! 😉
Wow, gorg! (in the words of the Kardashians)
You look GORGEOUS. And I love the haircut!!
I love the lace sweater!
Your outfit looks gorgeous also your new hair style and make up. I’m totally in love with the sweater with lace 🙂
A-lines are the best! I also love tops with the empire cut with a pair of slimmer cut jeans; very slimming and comfy. Your hair is super cute BTW. 🙂
You look breathtaking Karen! I love your new hair!
Oh and congrats to you BFF!
You really do look great! Your outfit and hair look amazing and I love your lips! It just works! I am glad that you went with this over sweats. 😉
You look great! Have fun at the shower!!
You look beautiful Karen! I love your hair 🙂
uber cute
Very chic! I love the lacy sweater, necklace, and wedges with that dress.
love, love, love the hair. you look so cute! so retro modern. which reminds me i really need to get a haircut soon.
Very cute outfit! I also have a black A-line dress that I wear when I’m feeling a little bloated. It’s loose and airy – great for hot summer days. I like to jazz it up with funky accessories.
i looooove your new hair! SO CUTE
you look great! your hair is fantastic!
you look beautiful!!!love the whole look=)love the your new hairdo=)
You look amazing, Karen!! What are you wearing on your eyes and lips?
You look so adorable, Karen! Can you tell us what makeup are you wearing in these pics?
So pretty Karen!! And the new hair is amazing!!!
Oh, Karen, I love the new haircut! My hair is too fine for that kind of haircut, but it looks fabulous on you. I especially like it with that outfit. It really ties it all together. It really is cute.
I got my hair cut exactly one week ago so it looks like we both went for a change! You can see my cut on FB, but I’ll make sure to leave a direct link for you here so you can see it.
Before and After
You’re haircut is too fabulous for words! I love it, hope you do too!
Karen I totally have (or had?) this dress! It looks great on you!
like everyone said, your hair looks fabulous on you! really accentuates your features and makes you look even sweeter than before~
gorgeous outfit! <3s it!
This outfit is fabulous! I love the dress, and the sheer lace back on the cardigan. Super cute! And the way you did your hair looks amazing too.
I love seeing your outfits. You look gorgeous! I like how the cardigan has lace in the back.
I love wearing A-line dresses when PMS hits. I bought a couple of knit dresses from Express that are very comfortable and figure flattering. They’re as comfortable as wearing a pair of sweats!
You are looking Gorgeous :)….. I had said it before and I say it again, Love <3 your new hairstyle!!!
If you’re not tired of hearing it yet — fab hair! Now please reveal the name of that stunning lipstick!
Absolutely gorg! I love your new haircut by the way!
You look absolutely sensational! I hope you have fun….by the way, bloated? Pshhh. You hide it well :).
Oooh…I love the lace back on your cardigan. It gives your outfit such a chic vibe!
Wow!! that hair cut looks FAB on you!
You look stunning here!
I resently bought a baby pink and white lace dress from H&M and it was $5!
its fab! I can wear it on a lazy saterday or to school! 🙂
LOL! I have the same dress and it’s PERFECT for those “I-feel-fat-but-I-need-to-look-good” days (i.e., PMS’ing). Love the way you styled it with the lacy sweater and chunky heels. Very cute. I do like your new hair, but must admit that I really loved your old haircut and thought it framed your face beautifully. What inspired the change in hair?
you look so cute with bangs
Your hair is amazing!
It’s a very sweet look on you… i love it!
I love your new hair! I keep seeing you wear that necklace and I’m lusting after it now! So pretty!
PS Loving the bangs!! Frames your cheekbones 🙂
You are rocking those bangs!!
I love your new hair and the outfit. It looks very chic 🙂
OMG I loooove the new hair! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve talked myself into bangs only to regret it when the first cut is made and it’s too late to turn back. You would think I would learn my lesson but somehow I keep convincing myself I need bangs! It’s a vicious (why does that look wrong? I even spell-checked it.) cycle. Perfect outfit for a shower! You’ll be the belle of the ball!
Looking great Karen!
After finishing 5 and a half years at University on student support, I come out of it now realising that clothes were never a focal point of my spendings. I am looking forward to getting a job now and going shopping! I can’t even remember the last time I went out shopping with the intention of getting new clothes. ;___;
P.S. Love the hair!
That is one AMAZING outfit! Simple yet elegant! <3 <3 <3
You look so wonderful! And I like you new haircut! You look so good!
xoxo
Very elegant and cute <3
Very chic black & white look! I love your necklace so much.
Love your new haircut,Karen!
Okay, I am gonna dream very very hard that I’ll have this look. Plus the hair. Ahhhh, so prettyyyyyy!
Love the white sweater! Very feminine and flowing, love the ruffles. Are they clip on bangs? They are very flattering. No you don’t look PMSy @ all. God I’m glad those days are over for me!
I love every single piece of your outfit! ….and your hair looks great! You look very chic!
I have that cardigan in pink!!! Love the outfit!
You look so freakin adorable! I love how you look pretty, ladylike, and put together, yet still demure enough to show that you’re not trying to steal anyone’s thunder. Your bff is a lucky girl. 🙂
Have you taken some length off your hair? It’s really pretty. I also love that cardie.
Like the bangs, too cute.
Super cute!
You look lovely!!
This is a great look! I love the new hair, btw. Your bangs look awesome. 🙂
How beautiful, very classy.
I love black & white too! I had a similar post on this just now!
Yup! love the new hair, too. 🙂