Special Feature: Dear Diabolina

Two weeks ago, I got this email from Artsy Fartsy:

Dear Diabolina:

I went to see the new Made of Honor movie last night with Patrick Dempsey and Michelle Monaghan. Her clothes were so "me" throughout the entire film, and there is one shirt in particular that I absolutely must have. No doubt it is designer, but you are so good at finding knockoffs, I was wondering if you could help me.

Go to photo gallery and look at the picture with Michelle and McDreamy walking down the street. She is wearing a belted red shirt with the white/cream polka dots and gorgeous pleating around the neckline. I adore it!

I don't know how we found each other's blogs, but I must say, yours is one of my daily reads. It is so fun to see what you come up with, and although my lawyer job forbids me from mimicking much of your style, I try to at least to take inspiration from your color combinations.

Good luck with your new job!

The Dear Diabolina Answer:

So sweet. The top and Artsy Fartsy.

Wrote her back immediately and let her know I too loved the dotted dreaminess. As you've probably noticed, I have a thing for polka dots. Plus I am trying to retrain my eye to embrace a fitted, maybe even belted silhouette so this was a timely request.

At first I thought finding the top would be a cinch - no pun intended - and that the real challenge would be finding an affordable version. But even finding who makes the original top has proved to be a conundrum.

Initially, I thought the top might be Nanette Lepore. Then maybe Donna Karan. Then Dolce and Gabanna. Then Dior. Then Yves Saint Laurent. All these high end designers do fluttery feminine pieces and occasionally have a thing for polka dots. But no dice.

Then I started thinking like a wardrobe stylist. I considered the more mainstream brands that could keep the look realistic for the movie character's budget and lifestyle. I thought the top could be a Betsey Johnson or J Crew or Banana or Anthropologie. Still no exact match that I could find online.


I did find several adorable printed tops at Anthropologie. Here are some of my favorites.

Very flirty and girly. Already come with a fitted waist but you could still add a belt over the cinched middle.



Could work well paired with jeans for play. Or under a jacket for work. Think they'd look really delish with a black pencil skirt. Very sexy librarian.

And for about $88 dollars they are affordable. A bit pricey for my taste though. If I'm going to spend over $80, I like to make sure it's designer.




More searching yielded this slim fit button down at JCrew. Could be belted and for $58 it's getting closer to my sweet spot ;)

But in the end it's more preppy than pretty chiffony. Back to Google...






Decided to check out my one, my only, my Forever 21. Took a look through the latest dressy top offerings. After all, I've gotten some cutie polka dots there - all for under $30.

Found these two dotted tops that could work. Both could be belted and are definitely dainty.





Both of these little non-dotted numbers I would suggest spying in person. The idea and shape is right but I'm not sure how luxe they look because of the material. After all, both are under $22. Sometimes cheap just looks cheap.



That satin bow alone gives me an allergic reaction. But then again it could probably be snipped off. I've done that several times with Forever purchases to de-trashify.

Then it was time for Polyvore. She had no polka dot answers for me but still played for a little bit when Mr. Diabolina wasn't looking :)

Finally today, in one last ditch effort, I googled "Made of Honor wardrobe." Found a site I've been hearing about for ages but never visited I Saw It On.

It aims to be "a central hub where you can find information and links to clothing, jewelry, shoes and accessories you saw in your favorite movies worn by your favorite stars." Pretty cool. Wish I'd thought of it.

However, it appears even the ISIO professionals are stumped about this top's origin. But like any good resource, they provide some look alike options too.

Let me know if any of you have the answer to this puzzle for the ages. I'll even take educated guesses at this point...

Thanks for the question, Artsy Fartsy. Hope this all helps. Kiss.

New Feature: Dear Diabolina

For the last month, LilCee and I have been falling in (fashion) love slowly but surely via email. We've discussed Marimekko at H&M and Target's Go International line and even running in mud. She seems like a girl after my own heart plus she sends me sale notices :)
This could get serious.

The Nine West flats from yesterday reminded me of an email she sent last week:

I need your fashion advice. I've been dreaming about the Nine West gladiators since it's available to purchase again. Should I get them since it's so late into the game? Do you think they'll last throughout the summer at least? I'm just worried that they'll be out of style in a month or so. conflicted.

The Dear Diabolina answer:

Eeeks! To gladiator or not to gladiator - that IS the question this season. Jean Bean, Styleminded and I have been AGONIZING over the right pair for months.

I think I am just going to let the trend pass since I am incapable of making my mind up.

However, I think those Nine West ones are good good good. They transcend the trend because they are not flats, me thinks. I am seeing ALL kinds of strappy shoes into the fall season so I think you'd be safe.

Just ask yourself whether you really really want them. That's my big thing lately. If I can live without it, I am trying to pass. No matter how cute they look on hot chicks.

BTW go to Fashion Toast's site. She is super into gladiator type shoes and does really interesting pairings. Also she gets alot of them at Nine West and Aldo. Who knew!

hearts!



POSTSCRIPT:

And then, yesterday, I emailed her this Who What Wear Daily story featuring her shoes!!!! I swear those girls are tapping my emails. Homeland Security style.

Nine West is really stepping it up lately - pun intended. It's like the Forever 21 of shoes. So is Steve Madden actually. Lots of looks inspired by high fashion for bargain basement prices.




Here are some more of the gladiator/peep toe sandals I've been mooning over.

However, think my Forever 21 bubble black flats and Stuart Weitzman gold flats will do for this season. Maybe I will get a heel in the fall. Maybe maybe maybe.

The Scene
Awake to a white boy ritual I still find hilarious. I've dated Mr. Diabolina for 9 years and for 5 of those he lived with Danny B. So I have witnessed this dynamic duo in these exact poistions many a time.


Their meticulous application of sunscreen is truly an art. They even manage to force me to slap some on too. Boo. Don't they see I need some color? Gone are my golden baby days if they have anything to say about it - wah!




Head out to do the canopy zip tour. Look at my three pretty babies pretending not to be anxious. We are all first timers.

We board a big open tank of a vehicle which takes us 40 minutes outside the city. Pass some gorgeous seaside scenery as we make our way to the jungle.




When we get to the tour site, we crack up at all the Predator references. Never imagined people would be super proud of this film. Ever. Anywhere!






After a SHORT training session by guys who remind me of the Jackass boyz, we are unleashed on 12 zip lines. EEEKS!


I immediately become a pet of the Jackass boys because I am shaking and cracking jokes in Spanish about pooping my pants and prove to be the worst at breaking. Diabolina the not-sporty-monkey strikes again!

The delicious Daisy Duke's becomes a fave too but for better reasons: she is tall, hot and very Lara Croft in her gear. YUM :)

Me, I look more like I'm ready for the Special Olympics in my helmet. BOOOO!


Really amazing experience that I highly recommend. At times terrifying but truly exhilarating. Felt like a bird soaring over the tree tops. The views where insane.

Plus, it further cemented the rapport between the four of us. Nothing like doing something for the first time together. Yay for vacation besties!!





After an hour of death-defying antics and serious mountain climbing, we are parched and booze it up.




And then Danny B. almost breaks a hip sliding off some gringo death trap. Ugh. He is the ultimate scramble-sporty-spice monkey. He regularly takes Mr. Diabolina shark fishing and lobster diving. I pretend to be nonplussed by his antics but secretly I wish I was as fearless as he is ;)




The tour ends with a tequila tasting in the middle of nowhere. FINALLY a dangerous activity with my name written all over it. I do all my shots and most of Daisy Duke's and Danny B's because suddenly they are tee-totalers. Love that they automatically know the brown girl can handle her tequila.

We try apricot and almond and chocolate and moonshine tequilas. Delish. Mr. Diabolina tries to hang too but can't ;)

We are too funny.

Play in the pool when we get back which requires ANOTHER sunscreen application.

Adorable baby style.






Then it's time for our fanciest feast of the trip. Each night we get to request something delicioso for dinner.


Tonight Danny B. suggested lobster and shrimp. It was taste overload. We inhaled every last morsel.




Instead of chit chat all night, we break into the closet o' board games for the first time. I choose Scrabble thinking my English major skillz are going to dominate. Instead I suck. I suck balls. Gems like "it" and "hues" are mine. Blech!


Danny B ultimately wins the game and my undying love for being good at sporty and verbal reindeer games.

Best day of the trip!


The Outfit
Banana Republic striped tunic
Puerto Vallarta sweat pants

The Accessories
Hello Kitty Purse
Yellow heart earrings
Plastic black and white sunnies
Stella McCartney for Adidas trainers

The Grade
B+








The Commentary

Decided that if today I died zip-lining I wanted to be in my signature colors - black and white. I wanted them to tell my mom, "Yes, she is the only person we've ever lost but damn, she looked like Coco Chanel plunging into the jungle."

I think Mr. Diabolina had a similar thought. He wore his ABSOLUTE FAVORITE t-shirt. It's one my mom brought him back from Guatemala. It's emblazoned with the Guatemalan beer Gallo. I. LOVE. HIM.

Brought two pairs of good sunglasses - black Guccis and brown Chanels - to Mexico. Decided I should protect my peepers in style. They were my only designer accoutrements the whole trip.


But today I decided to wear these cheapy ones in case I accidentally dropped them while soaring like a birdie. Bought them in the fashion district for $10 a few years ago. Love how they look like something Posh or Katie would don. Very Jackie O too.


It NEVER occurred to me to bring pants to Mexico. And I didn't quite understand what the harness would look like so I figured my jean Marc by Marc Jacobs skirt would do. What a tard. So I had to buy this pair of sweats yesterday. $10.

When I was about to do my first line, one of the tour guides asked me who had put on my harness. I panicked and narced out the guy thinking he had done something wrong.

The tour guide just laughed and said he must be gay because he put it on all fashionable for me, like a corset. HAHAHAHAH! I swear I can't escape fashion even when I try.

For dinner I changed into a new Forever 21 color block jersey dress. Heavenly for just $19.

The neckline is a bit skimpy for me but I am in love with the color combos on this one. Looks so great with my (increasingly) tan skin.







I even had the PERFECT flip flops to match.
I'm good.








p.s. I'm also naughty. Have been playing with Polyvore while Mr. D is at work. SSSSSHHHHH!

But JUST LOOK at my crazy for color blocking collages - SO CUTE!!!

NEW FEATURE: DEAR DIABOLINA

Fabulosity emailed me a few weeks ago:

Hi Diabolina,

Thanks for giving us your e-mail address, I've been waiting for that.

I purchased this skirt and top but haven't worn them because I don't know what to pair them with.


If you could help me I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

The Dear Diabolina Answer:

I immediately wrote Fabulosity back and told her that this was a yummy conundrum for me but that I would need some time to get her the "right" answer. Have been thinking about it as I shop and peruse other sites. Even decided to put together my first little Polyvore set to respond to her questions. (I've been avoiding this site and playing with it like the plague since I hear it's the ultimate way for a fashionista to get lost in an online time vortex. Mr. Diabolina already complains I'm on the computer to much!)

So let's start from easy to hardest F21 piece.

The tunic is like so many tunics that I sport regularly. It's got great detail at the neckline and the color makes it an easy blank palette. The only problem is that it looks quite voluminous with the pleating and the swingy cut. This means it's easy to look preggers.

With this in mind, I'd suggest keeping the rest of the outfit quite fitted. Showing your shape via your limbs is key. You can do skinny jeans (colored ones if you are feeling daring) or simple calf length leggings (I have ones in black, brown and electric blue.) You might also be able to pair it with a simple SHORT demin mini if you've got good legs and know how to use them ;)

I think you could throw on a fitted jacket as well to give the look a bit more structure and make it more formal/work appropriate. Remember to please keep it fitted and show your shape.

With anyone of these bottoms you could do flats or heels. And I would suggest fun earrings or a bracelet since you won't be needing a necklace. Here are some of my faves from Polyvore:

Now for the short tiered skirt. It's a look I did quite a bit in junior high but not much since. Not because it isn't adorable but because I hit 14 and became way too hippy to pull it off. I think it is a look best saved for straight and narrow hipped chicas.

I found a few examples of how the fashion wizards styled this type of skirt at Forever 21.


Think thin fabrics that can tuck into the sheer material of the skirt or hang over it delicately. Think fun and feminine.








Last night, I was catching up on my regular blog reads and found that one of my fave fashionistas Fashion Toast has the exact Forever 21 skirt!!!

I HEART this girl's style (and writing.) I read her daily even though half the looks she puts together would never work on me given the fact that I am about 3 sizes bigger than her and 6 years older. Wah.

Really loving how she toughens up the skirt with a little leather jacket and cool fugly nurse shoes. She is very Kate Moss, very French magic.



One final note on this skirt. If you are feeling adventurous, you can wear it as a top with fitted pants and maybe a little jacket. I used to do this in college with skirts that no longer quite fit. Haven't tried it in a while but did it for fun at a resale store with a Marc Jacobs skirt that was a size too small. Wah.




And now the pleated sailor skirt. This one is also a toughie for me since it's not a look that works on my body at all. Again I am too thick in the middle to pull this high waisted look off. The buttons and the pleats would just draw too much attention to my problem areas. This sailor dress is about all I could pull off in the boating wear family.



So though I am kinda talking out of my ass, I would suggest wearing thin tops tucked in to the skirt much like the ones you'd pair with the guazy tiered skirt. They can be finer t-shirts, button downs or tanks. Just make sure if the top has buttons they don't fight the skirt's buttons too much. In other words, make sure it's not too button busy.


The deminy look of the skirt is terrific because you can dress it down or up depending on the top and the shoes you chose to pair with it. Very versatile. Think you'll get get alot of use of it once you crack the code of what to pair it with in your closet.


When I close my eyes, I can see it working with a nice thin scoop neck pristine white tee and a puffy sleeved fitted black jacket and round toe black heels and a killer red bag and red lips.

Hearts and thanks for the challenge, Fabulosity. Send pics of how it all works out ;)