so cute – good modest lengths / necklines!

thank you pixie market, ruche - ruche, and toast

livi

Another good legging top option!  This saddle colored sweater dress from JCrew is perfect for fall.

Try it with skinny or flared/boot cut jeans.

Also – make sure to check out the modest dresses on sale at JCrew here here here and here.

Ciao Ciao and Happy Shopping!

Livi

I was watching Notting Hill the other day. I know.

I prepared myself for the birthday party scene.  That scene has always made me cringe.  The high waisted pants.   The braided hair.  The short length of her top.  The kimono style jacket with jeans.  I waited to be embarrassed for Julia Roberts like I always was…….

And then, I wasn’t.   I have watched that movie several times and every time I have been wholly offended by that outfit.  And now, here I was thinking it was really cute.

Fashion is referencing the 90′s more and more these days and I’m kind of loving it.

ASOS has come out with Fall items and I am already droooling.   They have such lovely neutrals + pops of interesting color.  Its so satisfying to the eye to see how the colors correspond.

The subtle 90′s references work wonderfully.
You all just know how I feel about a good trouser.

Fall is my hands down favorite time for fashion.  As the weather gets cooler – there are more layers and options to play with.   And I will always love the colors.

Check out some of the options below.  I love the great modest options.  I also think this coat is a great value.

clutch earrings jeans black dress cranberry dress mustard purse cranberry trouser satchel handbag bright coat

olive trouser blue skirt brown coat

Also: make sure to check out the awesome summer sale at ASOS as well.   Awesome deals!

Lots of stylish, knee length skirts: here here here and pretty close: here

Pretty and soft knee length dress + sleeves {plus} here and here

Fitted and sexy knee length + sleeves here and here

My very FAV item from the bunch: a beautiful maxi skirt

A really cool loose dress with sleeves

I love this drapey, modest kimono dress – I think it would make great maternity

This is mid thigh but has sleeves – if you’re okay with the length it would make a great party dress

An extra long cute tee with sleeves for $20.

Ciao Ciao and Happy Shopping!

livi thebrightbit.com

last pop in for the week – but i had to tell you about some new finds!

there are a lot more really cute plus size clothing coming out every year.  but the fact of the matter is, plus size shopping is harder than you think and for more reasons than you think.

plus size tends to be on extremes sometimes.  you either have the super frumpy dated look, or the too - juvenile look.  plus size tends to be not just a little – but way more expensive.  but most of all, finding trendy AND modest plus size attire can be so hard.   you wouldn’t think that right?

so i am really excited about a new source for plus size i have realized : saks

i’ve never really considered saks.

the only thing i have ever owned from there was this beautiful number.  i got buyers remorse and took it back 3 days later. one of the enduring tragedies of my life. {cough overly dramatic cough}

the point is, i never really look there for items because i always assume they are totally out of price range and i have always assumed they don’t even sell plus size.

i was pleasantly surprised to find that saks.com has some really great stuff AND carries sizes 0-24!

yes, the prices are a little higher, but they aren’t too insane when you compare them to shabby apple or even lane bryant because saks clothing is obviously designer brands.

this would especially be a great resource if you’re looking for something extra special, as a bridesmaid dress or for a holiday/occasion!

p.s. somebody buy that little red party number right NOW and wear it for a christmas or new years party!  its fab!\

ciao ciao and happy shopping!

livi thebrightbit.com

salmon colored dark gathered red fitted blue purple teal

Found some modest dresses at French Connection Outlet.  I love these!

p.s. check out the exclusive clothing boutique discount code at the bright bit today!

here

white red/pink tan

I may be a little late in the day but I have lots of finds for you!!

Something for every style, budget, type of shop.

Click around.

Lots of great long shorts, skirts and dresses with sleeves.

AND some carazzy deals -

anthro skirt – $30

zara fedora – $4

french connection skinnies – $118.00 $35.00

Ciao Ciao and Happy Shopping!

Livi, thebrightbit.com

gold earring multicolored belt mustard scarf sunglasses black and gold belt gold earrings blue clutch lipstick bracelet

{PLUS SIZE}
gold ring teal top pattern and bow dress bathing suit shimmer top white dress gold watch salmon shorts lavender dress striped top bracelets brown belt {not pictured: Levis}

skinny jeans tee shorts yellow skirt pink and gray top floral skirt

nude + pink pumps teal flats madewell bracelets fedora gold ring shoes orange bracelet LAMB bag sunnies

striped dress LAMB shorts LAMB skirt skinny jeans green dress peach skirt white shorts teal top jean shorts stripe skirt flare jeans

I have been on the modest hunt today.  So many good finds!

Ciao Ciao and Happy Shopping!

livi : thebrightbit.com

plaid top stripes bright skirt dress white pant earrings bathing suit trousers brooch lipstick

{plus size}: hair clips peach dress tan dress teal dress black trousers black & purple top gray stripe top two tone bracelet
slap watch ring red bracelet

necklace mustard sweater bootie gold ring black dress sandal sunnies pink trouser leggings blue dress nail polish

Lots of great solid colored dresses (all sizes) on sale at Bloomies.

Would love some gold to brighten up the entire look!

Ciao Ciao and Happy Shopping!

Livi, thebrightbit.com

plus size khaki purple plus size black plus size striped top + skirt khaki black

ring 1 ring 2 earrings ring 3 necklace

I am in love with this modest, functional and flattering maxi dress!!

Ciao Ciao and Happy Shopping!

p.s. make sure you stop over at The Bright Bit today – there is a special surprise!

Livi, thebrightbit.com

Hey everyone in Sensibly Styled land!  I will be being Independent on Monday {and so should you!} – so I thought I would do my post today.

I just love topshop.   H&M, Zara,Mango, ASOS and Topshop all seem to fall within the same category and I love them ALL.

Topshop has some awesome modest finds right now {dresses!} and some are even on sale.  I have picked some of my favorite items out.
Also, wouldn’t that purple dress look just divine with a shrug? {and it falls clear to the knee as well!}

Ciao Ciao and Happy Shopping!

p.s. make sure to comment on The Bright Bit today as the giveaway ends tomorrow morning!

Livi, thebrightbit.com

Hi Natalie-
I have enjoyed reading your blog and have appreciated your insight on putting together modest yet cute outfits. I am a 28 year old mother of one who is desperately looking for a classy and figure flattering Easter dress.  I have exhausted my local mall options and I could die if I had to try on one more t-shirt material or spandex dress that makes me feel like a mu mu would be more figure flattering. Does nothing have structure anymore?  I wear a size 10 or 12 and have a fairly hourglass figure with a little post baby tummy trouble.  Can you offer any suggestions of where to find the perfect easter dress.
Thanks
Jacque H.

Easter is the perfect time for bold colors and bright prints. If you’re looking for more shape, grab a belt. It will highlight the slimmest part of your figure and give a dress a little more shape.

easter sunday by nkershaw featuring rope earrings

Hi guys!
I’m been on the hunt for a great deep navy bridesmaid dress. The wedding is in SLC, UT in June… aka its gonna be WARM!I want something sensibly priced, short sleeved and adorable! It doesn’t need to be ridiculously fancy but I don’t want anything cheap. Perhaps a simple A-lined dress? Or wrap-around? Any good finds?
You guys are the best!!!
Amy

oh, the navy bridesmaid dress…this was my dilemma two years ago. There are definitely a lot more choices now! I’m kind of jealous…Congrats!

navy bridesmaid by nkershaw featuring a taffeta dress

I feel like I have to have this dress… I love the green, and I love the bold stripes! Perfection. (note: I’ve wanted several Shabby Apple dresses over the years and to this day have not been able to splurge and buy one! Maybe one of these days…)

Gondola Dress from Shabby Apple, $84.00

Also, don’t forget to check out my DownEast posts: How to accessorize with DownEast Basics’ Handbags,  How to get Vanessa Hudgens’ look,  and My top three March catalog picks.

I don’t know about you, but I think this Magnified Corolla Dress is adorable! It’s on clearance at Anthropologie right now for only $49.95 (down from $168) and they have sizes 2-12 available. Woah.

DownEast posts this week: How to dress your daughter in the DownEast Girls Line, and How to get Eva Mendes’ look (I love this post).

Have a great weekend!

I bought this dress and it came in the mail today. It is perfect! Modest, beautiful, well-made, AND it has pockets! What else could a girl ask for? -Lauren

Thanks Lauren for sending me the link! Belted Poplin Shirtdress from Lands’ End, $69.50.

Links from this weeks DownEast posts: How to Wear the Thing of Beauty Skirt 3 different ways! Get Rachel Bilson’s look!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

I MUST have this dress! Seriously my favorite thing from DownEast Basics’ March catalog…  I love the print and the ruffle sleeves.

Spring Retreat Dress from DownEast Basics, $36.99.

Isn’t this one of the most beautiful prints you’ve ever seen? I wish it came a bit longer and with a cap sleeve…

Eliza J Belted Cotton Party Dress from Nordstrom, $138.00

Shabby Apple has some fun, fresh, and bright dresses in their South Pacific Line… I would highly recommend taking a look! Which one is your favorite?

chip chop is having a 50% off sale!  i think their clothes are so cute and unique.  the best part is that many of their dresses are LONG.  here are some of my favorites below.

ciao ciao and happy shopping!

don’t forget to check me out at my new blog, www.thebrightbit.com

find all of these and more sale items here

No joke, there is an awesome $15 store! Thanks Jana for letting us know!

They actually have some pretty cute stuff, you just have to sift through the other “meh” stuff. Pictured above: ROMEO & JULIET COUTURE Wool-Blend Draped Open Cardigan W/ Belt, NECESSARY OBJECTS Belted Chambray Dress, SELE Stretch Denim Ruffled Pencil Skirt, MISS ME Beaded Gladiator Sandals. And they are really $15 each! Woah!

Anthro is having a sale!

here is a dress i really like.    $79.95…was $168.00!!!

Ciao Ciao and Happy Shopping!!!

Reader Question:

Hi Livi!

I have a question for ya! My friend is getting married and I want to be able to find something that would look awesome on me, because I will see a lot of my old high school friends there.  I want to be able to hide my little “pooch” belly from my pregnancy and I am also a triange/pear shape.  I need it to be really affordable and I am looking for either a skirt or dress… Any suggestions??

Thank you so much! I am really looking forward to what you find for me!!

Brittany

Brittany – Thanks for writing in!  It was really fun finding dresses for you.  My suggestion for pear shapes is to emphasize the top, hide the mid sections and wear mostly dark or solid colors or a pattern.  Drape-y stuff is also a good idea.

Hope you enjoy your selection!!  Ciao Ciao and Happy Shopping!

1 2 3

1 2 3

So, I have a nice formal winter coat, but I needed a SNOW coat.    So I found this.   I even got it with free shipping.  I ordered it about a size and half to two sizes too big, because I underestimated the size as I have never ordered from Woman Within before.  They make clothes very liberally, which is nice – but something to keep in mind when ordering!

My brothers make fun of me and call it my “sleeping bag”.    It is perfect for playing in the snow and keeping warm here in the frozen north.  I love the blue.  It is really well made, so far I am very happy with WW.

Some favorites from the site right now:

black dress

blue boot

floral tights

Ann Taylor Loft has a huge sale right now! Take 40% off  your entire order… not including new arrivals.  All the dresses above and more qualify! Wahoo!

This week and next will be a little sporadic with postings as it is so close to Christmas and we are working on some home improvement projects (aka new wood floors! YAY! I’ll post pictures when they are done!) So until next time… Merry Christmas!

Natalie

Maybe it’s the bright orangey reds that are catching my eye today, but either way, this dress is lovely.

Kate Spade new york ‘raya’ dress from Nordstrom.

This dress is beautiful! I love the color, the neckline with the detailing (although probably a little too low for me) and the sleeves!

Would you wear this Jacinth Sweaterdress from Anthropologie?

Some lovely and modest dresses at Nordstrom right now. Pink Dress, Blue Dress, Black Dress.

Actually, after looking at the black dress for a minute… I realized it’s the same as the William Riera Camilla Dress that I posted last week! Am I right? You’ll save $30 if you go with the Camilla!

Looks like William Riera has some new dresses! And I like them! I love the color of the Camilla Dress, and love all the layers on the Brooke Dress! (in fact, if you are pregnant and trying to hide your 3-4 month bump, I think this dress would do the job!

Don’t forget to check out this weeks DownEast Basics posts!

See how to wear DownEast Basics’ Double Take Jean! And a denim giveaway!

Check out how to get Cameron Diaz’s look!

Faces Behind DownEast Basics: Get to know Heidi Currie!

I’ve posted all three of these dresses at one point on this blog and now they are all super discounted! I LOVE sales! Lots of coats, sweaters, pants, skirts and accessories on sale as well!

Purple Dress only $8.76,  Peach Dress only $8.40, and the Yellow and Gray Dress only $11.16!

Okay, I promise I’m not pregnant but I think I might have to buy all three of these dresses so I can look cute when I am! And the best part? They are all only $22.80! WOAH! Check them out at Forever 21 Maternity.

Oh yes, and don’t forget to check out my posts at DownEast by Design! I promise it’s worth the click! (and there is a giveaway to win one of their cardigans!)

so I say Hall – o – ween.  Like, I am walking down the Hall o ween.  Any way you say it – one things for sure:

HDAY is F. U. N.!!

Here are some of my personal favorites from my weekend:

my gorgeous red headed mother as Mary, Queen of Scots

Cute Cute Cute Ashley as Bo-Peep from Toy Story (her husband was Woody)

and me, once again dressing up as a man – Sherlock Holmes.

I thought I would throw in some of our Halloween party decorations.

I was totally trying to (unsuccessfully be Martha Stewart!!!)

Thanks for all the modest Halloween Submissions!!!  Hope your H Day was every thing you dreamed of and more.

Next up: family pics!!!

Ciao Ciao and Happy Shopping

HALLOWEEN!! and that means pumpkin spice, spooky decoration, scary movies and trick or treating.  Some of my greatest memories are from Halloween (see pics below)

pumpkin sculptures in Tarrytown, upstate New York, circa 2007

And for us SS kinda gals it means another thing to: the hunt for a modest Halloween suit.

Our reader, Becky, said:

I love your blog. I’ve been so frustrated lately trying to find a cute Halloween costume that is modest. Why must all costumes be more appropriate for the bedroom than trick-or-treating with your small children? What are your favorite modest but still cute dress-up options for costume parties?

We might have to ask our readers to help with this one!!  What do you all think?  I think the best thing to do is find a modest dress or top and bottoms and then go OVER the top with accessories.

I tend to always be men.   I have been:  Charlie Chaplin, Professor Plum and I am being a certain man this HDay as well.  (Will not reveal now…….mwahahaha) {I’ve also been a dead camper and a homeless bum in college. not. cute.}

me as a gypsy, circa 2008

But as women we want to feel pretty at Halloween without feeling uncomfortable and most costumes out there are not. appropriate.

my mother and me next to the Headless Horseman Bridge circa 2007

I think taking a classic costume, like a witch, nerd, period costume, anything (easily made dead with white makeup and red lipstick), diva, hippie,  grecian goddess, native american or something, and making it interesting with different accessories and a cute dress would be a good idea.    PLAY UP ON THE MAKEUP!

Of course, LEGGINGS and SHRUGS may be required!!

Here are some of my finds.   Readers what do you think?

Ciao Ciao and Happy Shopping!

tights, moccasins, blue pumps, wig, cheetah dress, eye lashes

southwest dress, black outfit, glasses, shoes, floral dress (shrug required, obviously)

shirt dress, mustache kit, hand bling, feathered mask, sequin dress

witch hat, skeleton necklace, plus size dark dress, love top, heart sunnies, seashell hair wear

venetian mask, ghost costume, striped dress, fur coat, black bow

Sarah – Thanks so much for the link/heads up on the GREAT GREAT site.  I found so many modest things I loved.

Here are my favorites:

black lines skirt, cranberry skirt, black button dress, white top, color block dress

Our Reader Heidi said,

Hey Miss Livi,

Thanks,
Heidi

Heidi –  It was so fun shopping for you!  and I hear you.  Most days I wear dresses I have to do leggings just because of the way my body is proportioned.

I did have some luck however.    A lot of lines aren’t usually considered modes overall but if you look through you can find one or two in the mix that work such as the first black MNG dress by JC Penny I found.   Also there is always Down East Basics for cute, modes dresses as well as Shabby Apple.  (site is down, I’m doing this like super early…) so make sure you check there on your own.

The most luck I had was at Le Target’.  You can narrow it down by sleeve type, size and neck line.

Hope you enjoy your selection!

Ciao Ciao and Happy Shopping!

black cocktail dress, gray DEB, black target dress, plaid, purple sweet dress, print dress, orange with ruffles

Purple dress, Floral Print Dress (would look great with so many different colors of cardigans!), Gray Dress.

So often I don’t think to look at places like JCPenney for inspiration… but I think all three of these dresses are lovely.

Also, don’t forget that I post over at DownEast! This weeks posts:

How to wear DEB’s Soft and Pretty Top

Celebrity Look: Get Rachel Bilson’s look!

Faces behind DEB, meet Candy!