February 7, 2012

Today's Everyday Fashion: Shopping Inspiration







































This inspiration photo has been haunting me for months. I couldn't afford the actual dress, but I knew I had to find a look-alike. I recently spotted one online and it was exactly how I hoped it would be when it arrived. It's a semi-thick sweater dress in a dreamy camel color, with seams that give it a slight ruching. I paired it with my new Stella & Dot necklace for a friend's birthday celebration on Saturday night (and snapped this photo on the way out), and I plan on wearing it later with boots and leggings for a more casual look. Have you ever been inspired by a magazine ad to buy a similar item?

Inspiration photo: Shopbop
Dress: Moda c/o MJR Sales, $21 (search term: Moda Ruched Crewneck Dress)
Necklace: My Stella & Dot website, $228
Shoes: Restricted from Endless, $40
Purse: Juicy Couture via TJ Maxx, $70
Ring: My Stella & Dot website, $49
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Bracelets: Banana Republic, $20 and My Stella & Dot website, $49


1. Arden B black ruched dress, $59
2. eDressMe gray ruched dress, $56
3. Forever 21 black ruched dress, $27.80

40 comments:

  1. i love that dress! i want to get it but am not sure which size... can i ask, what size did you get?

    ReplyDelete
  2. I purchased that dress from MJR Sales, and when it came, the sleeves (and especially the shoulders), were constructed completely differently.  Not a very flattering look on me, unfortunately, but the dress looks great on you!  I'm curious if yours is constructed the same way, or if I just didn't read the description of the dress close enough when I purchased! Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I like your take on the outfit even better than the inspiration photo!

    ReplyDelete
  4. gorgeous dress! you look stunning.

    www.modernsuburbanites.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks Melissa! I'm a size 2 in dresses at Express, XS in dresses at Banana, and I got a size S in this dress. Since it's form-fitting, I didn't want it to be too tight and look like a stuffed sausage. :-) I was very happy with the fit when it arrived!

    ReplyDelete
  6. That is so strange Natalie! :-( Sometimes things will fit slightly different than what they show on the mannequin, but I was really happy with this particular dress!

    ReplyDelete
  7. LOVE this outfit! I'm not too sure about these colors on me, but they look awesome on you!

    The necklace sort of reminds me of a top you pinned on pinterest {http://pinterest.com/pin/227150374925317546/} I'm loving it!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you! And yep - I am loving anything tribal. I also pinned a picture of this exact necklace in that folder! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hmmm....when I looked at the dress, it only came in S, M, L.  I'm guess you would be the small then?

    ReplyDelete
  10. They might be sold out of the XS, but I have other Moda dresses in XS so I know they make that size.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am loving the color and fit of that dress on you!!!  It is perfect!  You definitely found an almost identical dress to the picture!  Great necklace too!!!  xx

    Pip
    http://chicstayathome.blogspot.com
    http://lucianobybethaddis.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi! You said that you would be pairing this dress with a pair of leggings for a more casual look. What color leggings/shoes are you thinking? I have the toughest time styling leggings but I love them! Thanks for your advice!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Mary, I only have black and navy, so most likely navy leggings with brown boots!

    ReplyDelete
  14. oh, ok.  I ordered a Medium!  I hope that's not too big...

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a great dress!  And you have the best collection of necklaces!

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is a great dress. I love mini dresses with long sleeves. The Forever 21 on is adorable.

    Tiffany
    http://shoeschampagne.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I absolutely love this look for you!! The necklace pairing is perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  18. This dress is hot!!! You look great.  What's the name of the exact colour that you're wearing? 

    ReplyDelete
  19. Good question. I don't remember for sure and the color is not listed in my email order confirmation. The product # is 405999, though. Currently none in stock but if you find one in the next couple days (MJR's stock changes quickly) and it matches that #, then it should be the same!

    ReplyDelete
  20. That is a hot little dress and you look amazing!! I like your version even better than the original look! 

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love your looks and that you keep everything on a budget. We are also trying to do great things with everyday fashion and work with people all across America. Check out our kickstarter campaign.
    http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/446192037/style-everyday-people-positive-tv-kims-closet
     

    ReplyDelete
  22. Check out the pilot episode of my makeover show! 12 more episodes coming this spring/summer! :-) http://www.izonorlando.com/2011/05/js-everyday-fashion-season-1-pilot-colleen/

    ReplyDelete
  23. I looooove your necklace :)

    xx
    Julie
    http://lovecardelia.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  24. you look amazing with this dress!. i have a blog too it's called the chic and  cheap.
    http://thechicandcheapblog.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  25. i like your versions even better!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Ok 1. CUTE DRESS! I am in love with it! and 2. your legs are KILLER! What work out do you use? or are you just blessed with amazing legs?
    xoxo
    Chels

    ReplyDelete
  27. did you wear special undies with the dress? they look so sheer on the MJR website! looks fab!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Nope. Didn't seem sheer to me in person at all! The seams in the back also kind of go across your butt, making that part of the dress even thicker. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  29. So sweet, thank you! You may have already seen this post, about my fitness story? I don't do anything specifically for my legs, but I do love to workout and be active, and I also think wearing heels helps tone them. :-) http://www.jseverydayfashion.com/2010/09/my-fitness-story.html

    ReplyDelete
  30. Love that dress! That is all I have to say. I love it!

    ReplyDelete
  31. These make your legs look fantastic...they steal the show here!

    ReplyDelete
  32. J.. I loved your take on the outfit a lot more and you look so great and put together. That necklace is a killer but $228 :(

    ReplyDelete
  33. I know I totally splurged on this necklace!! Here are a couple cheaper options for ya: http://shop.stelladot.com/style/b2c_en_us/festival-til-dawn.html?s=jspage http://shop.stelladot.com/style/b2c_en_us/casablanca-bib-necklace-188.html?s=jspage

    ReplyDelete
  34. The dress looks gorgeous on you; better than the inspiration photo. You have such a great figure! I never would have thought to use an inspiration photo before reading your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  35. notimeforstyle.blogspot.comFebruary 11, 2012 at 5:22 PM

    I love your use of colors and I think you're doing a great job posting all this outfits! Very useful blog, thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  36. So sweet, thank you! 

    ReplyDelete
  37. I bought this in dark pink and wore for Valentine's day with black tights and black pumps :)

    ReplyDelete