Help Needed!

I was invited by Saks Fifth Avenue Chicago to attend a private media event Thursday morning for the unveiling of their new shoe department and to meet shoe god Brian Atwood. Then that evening I'm also invited to their big Fashion's Night Out event. Which leads to the most important question of the week: WHAT AM I GOING TO WEAR????????

I so far have picked out my foot attire. Since they are the most recently purchased and this season, I'm going with the Valentinos.
But what to wear on top???! I just picked up some adorable black skinny pants from Club Monaco (darn them and their lack of online shopping, so I can't post a pic), which I think would be cute with the heels. *GASP* I know, I'm contemplating wearing pants. What has become of me?

I need your help coming up with possible outfits. Mr. EWP has somehow agreed that I need a new outfit to meet Brian Atwood (I'm not sure what he was smoking at the time, but it'd be nice if he continued to do so). Since this event is in just two days, I don't have time to deal with online purchases and must work with what I can get to around my 'hood. So come up with options that I can pick up at: Scoop, Intermix, Nanette Lepore, Club Monaco, Cynthia Rowley, Marc Jacobs, or any of the many cute boutiques in Bucktown. HELP! HELP!

Please post links to actual pieces or ideas for the outfit in the comments or send me an email.

Possible prize for any suggestions I end up using.

Thanks!
xoxo,
EWP

Reader Question: Formal Wedding

I have a formal wedding in Spain this year and I need a formal dress to wear - these Spaniards get really dressed up and I need a full length gown. Please help!

Formal, black tie, white tie, ball attire - gowns are what you need. Trouble is, for some reason, gowns can look super old lady or super bridesmaidy. Lucky for you, I've culled the internets to find some options just for you. Check them out below!

Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent, was $396, sale $198

Tibi, was $886, sale $620.20

Robert Rodriguez, $895

Catherine Malandrino, $795

Alice + Olivia, $495

David Meister, $578

Tadashi Shoji, $818 *

Kara Janx, $420 @

Max and Cleo "Anika" gown. Yup, that's really its name. $158*

Nicole Miller, $510 - I'm really digging formal printed gowns

Aidan Mattox, $375*

David Meister, $425

BCBGMAXAZRIA, $498

Tadashi Shoji, $808 @

Aqua, $248

JS Collections, $198 *

Aidan Mattox, was $338, sale $149.90

JS Collections, $198

@ Available in more colors

* EWP Fave

Reader Question: Silver Strappy Heels

I need some silver strappy heels for a wedding I'm in. But I don't want to spend a fortune. Please help!

We continue our wedding season posts with something many of you might need help with - bridesmaid shoes. You may not be able to pick out your dress, but at least you can pick out your own shoes. So better make them as hot as possible :)

Here are a variety of strappy silver heel options I've culled from the interwebs, all $175 or less. I've even thrown in some lower heel options, taking into consideration you'll be on your feet for a very long day and night. I'm nice like that.

Via Spiga, was $119.90, sale $99.90

Pierre Dumas, was $50, sale $24.99

Nine West, $49

Nina, $79

Naturalizer, $64.95

Magdesians, was $119.95, sale $59.90

Ivanka Trump, $149.95

Glint, $89.95

Glint, $129.95

Badgley Mischka, $175*

Dolce Vita, $169.95

Calvin Klein, $98.95*

Badgley Mischka, $175

*EWP Fave

Heel Condoms

These are not a joke. There are really things called heel condoms out there.

I was alerted to their existence by faithful reader Laura, who wanted to know my take on them. I didn't have a take at the time since I had no idea what she was talking about. But after a quick trip to the Heel Condoms website I feasted my eyes on these:
Now I have an opinion to share.

1) The name is terrible. What self-respecting lady wears something called a condom on her shoes? Not this one, that's for sure.

2) At $20 a pair, they're actually priced better than I thought they would be.

3) Some (like the studded red ones at the top left of the pic) are reminiscent of some Loubs I've seen. But that just makes me think these are a poor man's answer to achieving high-end-looking shoes. But, if you know me, you know I don't do knock-offs. And these are not even good knock offs. Sorry, Heel Condoms buyers, but these look really cheap. And may make you look like a tranny hooker. But if you're a tranny hooker, go for it! Buy as many as you want.

EWP On Christmas

A commenter asked in my last post why I was giving out stocking/gift ideas when I don't celebrate Christmas. It's true, I'm Muslim and Christmas doesn't really fall on our calendar of events. But EWP is all about helping other people shop and, for better or worse, there's A LOT of shopping going on right now (We can get to my thoughts on the commercialization of Christmas another day). So the demand is there, who am I not to help out my neighbor (or blog reader)?

Yes, I don't celebrate Christmas, but that doesn't mean I have to deny its existence. My parents raised me to respect the religions and beliefs of others. And while that sentiment seems to be completely out of vogue in this country lately, it is a value that I deem important.

No, I don't have a Christmas tree. No, my children will not go sit on Santa's lap (seriously, it is SO creepy to me to stick a child on a random stranger's lap. NOT going to happen). No, there will never be stockings hung at my fireplace. But that doesn't make me the grinchy Muslim who stole Christmas. How many of you put up decorations for Eid? Anyone? Anyone?

And while it may not be celebrated in my home, I am happy to join others in their traditions and holidays because it is important to them. We celebrate Christmas with my in-laws, not because Mr. EWP or I really care about Christmas, but because it's important to them and we respect that. Growing up if a friend's family invited me or one of my sisters to Christmas dinner or Christmas services at their church, my foreign conservative Muslim parents had no problem with it. They saw it as expanding our knowledge of other people's beliefs and they thought it was just polite to celebrate something important to others when invited. Now how many Christian parents would ever consider sending their children to Mosque with one of their Muslim friends to join in the celebration of Eid? I'm guessing not very many. So I'm just going to go ahead and say my parents may be more on the Christmas spirit of brotherly love than many of the actual Christmas-celebrators.

All this to say, yes, I don't celebrate Christmas, but no, that doesn't preclude me from helping people shop for it. Help thy neighbor and all that.

xoxo,
EWP

Reader Question: Diaper Bags

Hola! Would love a post on cute and functional diaper bags some time...most I've found are super ug!! :)

Cute I can definitely do. Functional I'm not so sure about. Not actually having had a baby, I'm not sure what makes for functionality. I know the Kate Spade bags have stroller clips (I'm sure others of these brands do too, I just didn't read the specs on them). And many, if not all, of these bags come with changing mats.

As far as cute, I love a diaper bag that looks like a handbag. I don't need something that screams "baby!" I think the baby I'll be carrying around will do just fine at letting people know I have a little one. My diaper bag, however, should just be another cute accessory. An accessory, mind you, that does NOT need to match your baby. I don't know how many times I've heard people worry they can't have a pink diaper bag because they have a boy. A) your diaper bag is your accessory, who cares what gender your baby is. B) what on earth do you want a pink diaper bag for??? This goes with the whole not screaming "baby" thing. If I wouldn't carry a regular handbag in pink, I'm not carrying a diaper bag in pink.

Below are many diaper bagoptions at a range of prices. I've also included a link for a changing mat on its own in case you go the route that many people do - just buy a nice, big, cute bag and stick baby things in it. It's a totally viable option!

Nest, was $220, sale $199.95

Caden Lane, was $140, sale $89 @

Nest, was $389, sale $340

Skip Hop, $89.99 @

Burberry, $1,095 @

Storksak, $450 @

Storksak, $198 @

Kate Spade, $395

Kate Spade, $395 @

Timi & Leslie, was $163.99, sale $114.79 @

Timi & Leslie, $158.99 @

Skip Hop, $30 @

@Available in more colors

Reader Question: "I bought a cute denim jacket... now what?"

Hi EWP,

I stumbled across a fabulous sale at the Gap today and finally got myself a cute jean jacket to wear for the fall. My question is what do I wear it with? I don't want to be too matchy/matchy in the denim department. Can you give me some pointers???

Denim Diva

I must admit it's been years since I last wore a denim jacket. They really aren't my thing. But they can be cute with the right look.

But before we get to what to wear with your denim jacket, let's memorize the number one commandment of denim jacket wearing: Do NOT pair your jean jacket with a pair of jeans. I think it's called something like a farmer's suit or something, but nevermind what it's called, I just call it a major fashion faux pas.

Another thing about my preferences for jean jackets - I think they make a great spring/early summer jacket option and work well with a sundress. But we're in October, so make it a more fall-appropriate look with a darker wash.

Here are some denim-jacket pairing options for fall:

1) Pair with some pants/leggings. This is a nice casual look for fall. Try it with flats or boots. Just remember if you go with the leggings, be sure to wear a long enough top to cover your lady bits!
2) Pair with a cute fall skirt and tights. This look I'm especially loving. Nothing I love more than a nice tweed skirt. And you get to wear tights. *sigh* I love tights. Once again go with cute boots or flats or heels. So many options! This also depends on the color of your jacket. The darker the better. A lighter jacket may be too light to go with this tweed, and too light for cold weather. I love the shade and the cut of the jacket on this model.

3) Pair with a printed dress. I like that this dress is belted. I'd have to see it all together to know for sure it'd look cute, but this is the idea I have. Add tights and boots to make this a fall look.

4) Pair with a shirt dress. I saw this olive dress and just thought "fall." Wear with tights (of course) and some nice brown boots. A great look for fall.

And these two options I found online and loved the look they had going. A full getup for what I was saying. Of course these pics were for spring/summer (which is more my idea of denim jacket wearing) but change out the shoes to something fall-appropriate and you get the idea for a fall look.

Hope that helps!