Do you have a special event on the horizon? Whether you’re anticipating a special party, wedding, dinner or other celebration, I’ve put together style boards that will have you dazzling and feeling oh so confident for your big event. And I found everything you’ll need for your celebration – from head to toe – at Nordstrom Rack, one of my favorite places to shop for special pieces at affordable prices.
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Especially for the Petites
This first dress comes in a full range of petite sizes from 0 to 18, and the ruffle details and cut of this pretty pink frock truly are perfect for those under 5’6″.
Add nude colored heels and a soft pink satchel and your outfit is complete. These well known brands are available at truly great prices at Nordstrom Rack. And you always get FREE shipping on orders over $89. And even order under that price are shipped for a flat fee of $5.95 (jewelry or beauty items) or $7.95 (everything else).
Pro Tip: Perk up tired eyes before heading out by lining the inside of your bottom lash line (the water line) with a soft white eyeliner pencil like this one.
I’ve created shopping widgets for each style inspiration collage. And remember, these items, including makeup, shoes, handbags and even some dresses, often come in other colors, too.
Perfect for a Festive Afternoon
Next I have a couple of outfit inspirations that are perfect for afternoon celebrations. But you could easily wear these into the evening, too, for a less formal affair.
This first print dress is such a great silhouette. The ruching at the waistline is slimming and the skirt will skim your hips and legs gracefully. The colorful print is a combination of summer and early fall hues, so it works perfectly into early autumn.
I like wearing nude shoes with this dress, but you could opt for metallic if you want to dress it up a bit. Add this crossbody in the color of your choice. It comes in several shades that will work nicely. And the strap will keep you handsfree for juggling a plate of small bites and a drink.
Pro Tip: If you’d like to wear pantyhose with any of these looks, opt for the sheerest you can find in a shade closest to your skin color. Then finish off your look with closed toe shoes.
This fun ruched v-neck maxi dress is also appropriate for an afternoon soiree, but could easily transition into evening. If color is your thing, this dress is a fun one! I’ve add a little glamour with shimmery pink sandals (also available in gold) and a gold wrap.
I think this small satchel in canyon clay would work beautifully with this colorful dress. Add just a little jewelry and a coral or pink lip.
Pro Tip: If you accentuate your eyes for your party look, go soft on your lipstick. But if you would like to wear a bold lip color, such as red, bright pink or deep coral, wear softer eye makeup.
It’s Party Time!
If you’re planning to party into the evening, these dresses will help create the mood. Especially this lovely green v-neck sleeveless dress will be so fun on the dance floor.
I love the idea of a contrasting color for the shoes, as shown on the website. But I think a neutral color or a metallic are both safe and fun. Then add the contrasting color in your handbag and/or wrap. This blue wrap and handbag will look so “cool” with this green dress. And instead of wearing a necklace (because that neckline is already amazing), I’d opt for a bold bracelet and fun earrings.
If your evening affair is of the more conservative nature, a pretty blue short sleeve crepe midi dress will work so nicely. However, this classic dress actually comes in a nice range of colors.
I’ve paired a nice nude block heel with this fairly conservative dress, but you could wear a stiletto or even a flatter shoe if needed. Adding a blue gem stone necklace and pave studs will brighten this outfit up. Complete the look for evening with a gold mini crossbody and a gold wrap.
Pro Tip: You absolutely can wear false eyelashes! But you probably need to practice applying them quite a bit before the big event. I like these Wispies and I usually cut them down a little bit so they are not so big, but just add volume to the outer 2/3 of my eyes.
I didn’t include a long dress in my style boards, but this tea length sequin lace dress is certainly elegant enough for a true evening affair. This lovely frock also comes in fig and mystic heather. With all the built in sparkle, I suggest keeping your jewelry equally dazzling but minimal. Create a smoky evening eye and then wear a soft lipstick.
I bet these high quality gold heels would be more comfortable than you might imagine. And how amazing is that navy sheer social wrap?
VaVaVoom!
Celebrating a special anniversary with a night out on the town? Why not go all out with a bold red dress? He’s worth it. You’re worth it!
I did read that you’ll want to size up in this dress. In fact, be sure to read the sizing information on all of these dresses. I’d add nude colored shoes again. These sandals certainly add a little something special to this modern look. Finish off the look with gold accessories and a bold red lip (try Caprice).
Remember, Nordstrom Rack has a full selection of clothing, accessories and beauty products for your special occasions. And you can also outfit your honey or your family for the big event at Nordstrom Rack, too. And you’ll find high quality brands at prices you can appreciate.
I’m grateful to Nordstrom Rack for sponsoring today’s post. And thank you for supporting the brands that help support Dressed for My Day.
Blessed for My Day
Yesterday James and I saw the move Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris. Woven throughout this charming movie about one woman’s passionate pursuit of a Christian Dior dress, is the richer theme of the desire that each of us has to be seen accurately. You may or may not be a woman who wants to make a big splash when you walk into a room. But I think the movie accurately addressed the God given cry within our hearts to be noticed and known for who we truly are. It also alluded to the feeling that many of us get, especially as we age, that we are somehow completely invisible, diminishing even more as the years go by.
Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris addressed these desires beautifully. I heartily recommend the movie. But right now I want you to remember that there is One who not only sees you accurately, but even knows you better than you know yourself. Your God indeed knows you intimately, from the inside out. And even though He knows the good, the bad and the ugly, He loves you deeply. You are indeed seen. You are known. You are known accurately. And you are deeply loved and valued.
O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways. ~ Psalm 139:1-3
Thank you for the BFMD! I needed that reminder today. I really like how you created this post, Kay! Job well done. I enjoy shopping online at Nordstrom Rack, and while I don’t like paying for the shipping on orders and returns, it doesn’t stop me from making purchases. That movie sounds like a good one. Have a fabulous day!
This is a great post. I like all of the dresses especially the first 3, it is so difficult to pick one favorite. I’m glad you did a post about special events in the summer because summer is the trickiest time to dress up.
I loved this post, and I do believe that I pinned every outfit for future reference on Pinterest! 🙂 Love your blog so much. Thank you for all the work you do, for all the fashion and style advice, and also for the garment recommendations. And what a beautiful reminder in “Blessed for my Day” today.
I loved all these looks, but why did you put that big bag with the Petite Raspberry dress, It needs a cute little clutch or something in silver like the gold chain bag. Since these are all special occasion looks the big bag overwhelms the balance. I adore the black sequined dress, it is my favorite. I also love most of the other looks. However, as attractive as the style of the green Maxi dress was, I wouldn’t purchase it. It just isn”t a good color for me.. This blog was a lot if fun to. read and to think about. Thank you, you have given me some excellent ideas–as usual.
I saw Mrs. Arris and I loved it. When I was a little girl, my sister and I had the chicken pox. Every day mother would read books to us. She gave book reviews for woman’s groups all over Indiana and Mrs Arris was one of the early books she reviewed. She was such a good reader and I fell in love with this story. Mother was able to find British women’s magazines and she would show us Vogue other magazines that showed these beautiful Dior gowns. I wish my mother was still with us, so we could have all seen it together. but my love of books and reading was the best gift she could have given us.
Hi Beth, I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. Those are sweet memories of your mom reading to you and sharing her love for fashion. Just precious! The pink bag with the petite dress really is not large at all. It looks disproportionately large in my graphic, but that’s my fault. If you were to click through you’d see it’s really a rather small satchel that can even be worn as a crossbody. A metallic or nude clutch would work beautifully here, too, of course. But I was just trying to show a variety of options in all the looks and I found myself sharing those bags too frequently. Ha!
Thanks for these beautiful dresses! I especially appreciate a petite option – now that hemlines are falling, I have to pay attention to where they land on my legs. It’s too easy to end up looking frumpy instead of fabulous. There’s a good amount of variety, in colors and styling, so it’s easy to find a look that works. And as always, I love the Blessed for My Day. Thanks Kay!