Monday was the swinging sixties and today I feel like a ’50s housewife in this dress from eShakti. eShakti offers an array of vintage-inspired designs that are fully customizable. 

Every item on the site can be altered to fit your exact measurements. You can also alter hemlines or remove pockets (although, I’m not sure why anyone would forgo pockets). I actually chose a standard size on the site instead of entering my measurements, which probably wasn’t the best idea. While it fits perfectly around the waist, the bust is too large. (I have this problem in many items, so it’s not a surprise.) 

The cotton dress is light and airy with a thin cotton voile lining. Given that eShakti prides itself on customized tailoring, I didn’t expect the construction issues that I discovered. There was some puckering along the seams that I couldn’t iron out and the black waistband wasn’t perfectly aligned at the sides, which could have been avoided with a back zipper instead of a side one.

These are small criticisms, however. I do think eShakti is a great option for those who want a customized fit without the high price of a bespoke piece. It’s also the ideal e-shop for ladies with a feminine, ’50s aesthetic. (I’ll admit that this tunic is more my style if I’m going for a retro vibe.)

Exclusive Discount! Take 20% off your order with code BKANDB through April 30, 2013. If you’re a new customer, register on the site first to receive a $25 coupon. These discounts can be stacked together. 

Featured: gifted eShakti dress // Kate Spade shoes // vintage bracelet // Forever21 rings // Kate Spade earrings

I had this dress bookmarked for awhile, but was hesitant to pull the trigger since it’s unlike anything else in my closet. But that’s exactly what I love about it. The a-line shift style is unbelievably comfortable and the lightweight jacquard is a nice option for whenever the weather finally does warm up. (I put a coat on right after we snapped these photos.)

On another note, how cute are the Chloe sunglasses with the scalloped detail? DITTO sent them over for a review that will be up tomorrow!

Featured: ASOS dress // Kate Spade shoes // Chloe sunglasses (gifted by DITTO) // Diane von Furstenberg clutch (similar) // Kate Spade scalloped and polka dot bangles // pearl earrings (similar)

I bought this dress for a friend’s wedding in May, but I couldn’t wait to wear it. So much, in fact, that I braved the freezing temperatures to take a few snapshots before a trip to the tailor. The straps need to be adjusted (the woes of having a small bust), which should take care of the extra fabric wrinkling on the sides. Fingers crossed.

Featured: Lilly Pulitzer dress // Banana Republic jacket (similar) // Banana Republic clutch // Kate Spade shoes // vintage ring // gifted JewelMint bracelet

I remember coveting this coat from Deborah Lloyd’s tenure at Banana Republic back in 2004. Even though I had my Gap employee discount, I couldn’t justify the purchase on my modest college budget. But some things are meant to be. I stumbled across the coat on eBay a couple of weeks ago and scored it for $40.

Featured: Banana Republic coat // J.Crew dress (similar) // gifted Julie Vos bracelet // Banana Republic ring // Ann Taylor shoes

Saturday was unseasonably warm and I took full advantage of the 40-degree weather with spring accessories: my favorite Kate Spade shoes and a new J.Crew necklace. I was unsure about this necklace when it first arrived because the color is much brighter in person than it appears in the stock photo. It has been a bit of a styling challenge, but I love how it looks with mint accessories.

Featured: H&M coat | J.Crew sweater | J.Crew necklace | J.Crew jeans | J.Crew purse | Melinda Maria ring | Kate Spade shoes | Estee Lauder nail polish 

Usually anything that shimmers or glitters tops my list of sartorial standouts, but this pair of “Joanna” heels from ShoeMint have the added perk of being versatile. (That’s not an adjective you’d expect for metallic, bow-topped shoes, right?) They effortlessly polish a cocktail dress or elevate a pair of worn-in jeans.

They’re also my first experience with ShoeMint. If you’re unfamiliar with ShoeMint, here’s the overview: ShoeMint is basically a subscription-based shoe store. When you sign up, you’ll take a style quiz to identify the options best suited to you. After you make your first purchase, you’ll receive a monthly credit for $79.98 (one pair of shoes). However, there’s no obligation to make a monthly purchase and you can cancel at any time. (Bonus: new members receive a 20% discount.)

Even with the opt-out option, I was still hesitant to give it a whirl without seeing the quality first-hand. The ShoeMint team graciously sent over a pair for me to try and you know what? I had nothing to worry about. These shoes are absolutely gorgeous. I suspect a second pair will be on their way soon enough.

(You can also see the “Joanna” pumps at Christine in Color in teal.)

P.S. You’ll have a chance to win a pair of shoes from ShoeMint during the 12 Days of Holiday Giveaways!

Sartorial Summary
Coat: LOFT // Skirt: J.Crew Factory // Tights: Hue // Shoes: c/o ShoeMint // Earrings: J.Crew

If it’s mint, turquoise or stripes, I’m sold. What can I say? The heart wants what it wants, so it’s no surprise that this necklace from Outfit Additions is my latest go-to gem. Outfit Additions is a California-based accessory store that offers unique designs and quality workmanship at affordable prices. In fact, everything in the shop is under $60 with free shipping. (Seriously, free shipping gets me every time.) You’ll want to keep this one in mind for your holiday shopping, even if it’s just for yourself.

Exclusive Discount! For today only, take 25% off your Outfit Additions purchase of $50 or more. Code: baubles

Sartorial Summary
Necklace: c/o Outfit Additions // Ring: c/o Gorjana // Coat: Ann Taylor // Dress: J.Crew // Clutch: Diane von Furstenberg // Shoes: Kate Spade (this season’s version has a bow - swoon! - but I can’t find it online yet)

I bought this dress from J.Crew years ago and it has since become a frock I reach for repeatedly each fall. It’s a simple, a-line shift, but the ruffles on the bottom keep it from looking too mundane. It’s also the perfect canvas for this Ann Taylor jacket.

Sartorial Summary
Dress: J.Crew (similar) // Coat: Ann Taylor // Bag: Coach (vintage, but current version here) // Shoes: Kate Spade (similar) // Bracelet: Gorjana // Earrings: Jeweliq (no longer available, but the necklace version is here) // Nails: Revlon “Peachy”

Every now and then a pair of shoes come along that are too perfect to pass up, like these Kate Spade “Cora” loafers. The sparkles are irresistibly feminine, but the conservative shape keep the shoes from being too over-the-top for daytime outings.

Sartorial Summary
Top: Banana Republic (similar) // Skirt: Gap // Bag: Coach (vintage, but current version here) // Shoes: Kate Spade // Watch: Target 

Note: If you’re interested in the shoes, go down a half size. I normally wear a 7 in all Kate Spade shoes, but wear a 6.5 in these.

Sartorial Summary
Top: Banana Republic // Skirt: J.Crew // Clutch: Diane von Furstenberg // Necklace: Gorjana (c/o) // Ring: Gorjana (c/o) // Shoes: Kate Spade

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