Jefren Anderson: The Year of Outfits

You know all those super helpful wedding budget calculators out there? Well, I have yet to find one that includes a category for Engagement Outfits. All you brides out there, don't be fooled, you don't get to skate by with JUST a wedding gown. Oh no, you need outfits for your showers, your bachelorette party, your rehearsal and groom's dinner, your farewell brunch, your engagement photo shoot and your honeymoon! And if you're like me and have SEVEN weddings this summer you will need outfits for those weddings, those showers and those bachelorette parties AND to top it off if your BB is getting married and you are lucky enough to be a bridesmaid you'll need extra special outfits for her shower(s), bachelorette party, and rehearsal dinner, not to mention some bangin' shoes to go with your bridesmaid dress. Ummmm.....pretty sure my outfit budget is going to surpass the entire wedding budget (OK, maybe not, but I don't know why I'm just now realizing that I need all these clothes!)

In preparation for what I am now calling The Year of Outfits, I have started to get some ideas for things I would like to wear to all of these super-important events taking place throughout 2011. First up will be our engagement shoot (in early April) so I suppose these outfits are the most pressing. I know I'm going to do three looks, one of which will be a dress. I have a "dress" look in my mind but I'm debating with myself if I should do it for the engagement shoot or save it for the rehearsal dinner. Keep in mind my wedding is in November so my showers will take place late summer and fall, my bachelorette party will be in the fall and my Rehearsal and Groom's dinner will be November 4th....so I need season appropriate outfits. As for the other SEVEN weddings, four of them are Spring/Summer and three of them are in September/October.

For our engagement shoot I'm thinking I want to do some combination of the following items:

Really Skinny Pants by GAP

Open Stripe Cardigan by Khloe
*I just got a sweater similar to this from Len Druskin, so I'm thinking of saving it for the shoot.

Ribbed Cowl Neck Sweater by Ann Taylor
*But in black or white, obviously!

Skinny Leg Eva Curvy Fit Jeans by Express

Jessica Simpson 'Anne' Boot from Nordstrom

Steve Madden Caryssa Pump from Nordstrom

This is the dress look that I can't decide if I want to use for our Rehearsal/Groom's Dinner or for the Engagement Shoot. I want to do is a dress like this:

Lauren by Ralph Lauren 'Carrie' Ponte Knit Sheath Dress
from Nordstrom

or this:

Essential Knit Long-Sleeve Dress by BCBG

with these:

Steve Madden 'Snobbie' Sandal from Nordstrom

THOUGHTS?!?!

As for my Bachelorette Party, I'm not a fan of wearing all white anytime besides my wedding day, but if I were going to do it it would be for my bach party. Here are a few dresses I LOVE for my last fling before the ring!

Calvin Klein Pleated Bodice Stretch Satin Sheath Dress
from Nordstrom

One Shoulder Mesh Drape Dress by Arden B.
*This one is my fave!

Lauren by Ralph Lauren 'Sheila' Sequin Trim Jersey Dress
from Nordstrom

For the Farewell Brunch, the morning after the wedding, I want to wear something casual and comfortable. I'm thinking probably the jeans I buy for the engagement shoot with a top like one of these:

Open Sense Cardigan by Ann Taylor

Variegated Stripe Dolman Top by Arden B.

Hooded Zig Zag Tunic by BeBe

BCBG Striped Turtleneck Sweater by BCBG
*I am in LOVE with this!

Then of course there are dresses for my showers, my friend's showers, my rehearsal/groom's dinner, my BB's rehearsal/groom's dinner, and all of the weddings.........

Suzi Chin Maggy Boutique Beaded One Shoulder Stretch Satin Sheath Dress
from Nordstrom

Satin Mini Sequin Dress by Arden B.

Tiered-Tulle Dress by BCBG

JS Boutique Embellished Matte Jersey Dress
from Nordstrom

Striped Sateen Dress by BCBG

One Shoulder Hammered Satin Sheath Dress
from Nordstrom

Suzi Chin Maggy Boutique Burnout Bodice Stretch Satin Sheath Dress
from Nordstrom

Sequined Bustier Dress by BCBG

Donna Ricco Ruched Ponte Knit Sheath Dress
from Nordstrom

and because I work at a Bridal Salon part-time and have a plethora of bridesmaid dresses as my disposal, here are a couple I would considering getting (with my discount!) but I would change colors, well, not on the black and white one.

Alfred Angelo

And finally, my favorite part of every outfit....THE SHOES! Here are some of my favorite shoes that I would LOVE to get to go along with all my new outfits.