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Ms. Stripes, Los Angeles Age and Occupation: 29, Costume Designer/Stylist Fiancee's Age and Occupation: 29, Chef Engagement Date: June 23, 2009 Wedding Date: September 2010 Venue: Heritage Square Museum About Me: I’m a type A creative with a messy streak, a loud mouth, and an uncanny knack for combining clashing patterns. I can usually be found with my nose in a book, my feet (or at least my toes) on the ground, my head in the clouds, and my arm around the prettiest girl you ever saw- aka Fiancee Stripes. Together we’re planning a FUN vintage/modern French carnival wedding extravaganza and rockin’ dance party on a dime. (Say that three times fast!) Good coffee, long lists, Uniball pens, and my iPhone keep me sane, and making art, making trouble, and making out keep me happy! I love urban adventures, bike rides that end with afternoon drinks, breakfast for dinner, beautiful light, photography, travel, my furry family, and of course, my beautiful fiancee! I’m super excited to be here and can’t wait to share all our adventures as we craft a joyful, budget-friendly, design-savvy and all-around AWESOME wedding!
About Ms. Stripes

Meet Me in the Mall.

January 25th, 2010 @ 3:46 pm by Ms. Stripes

Okay.

So when I left off I had found every amazing (and expensive) couture/designer piece of menswear inspired women’s wear on the net. Exaggeration? Maybe. Probably not, though. I posted the pics so that we can all be ridiculously inspired, ultimately shocked at the price tag, and then phenomenally disappointed as we head towards the Men’s Wearhouse and hope for the best.

OR NOT.

Let’s be clear - I’m not talking about this:

Meet Me in the Mall. :  wedding dress Bad Chr bad-christine

source

Why not? It’s old. It’s frumpy. That tie’s too wide. And it looks like it came from the Men’s Wearhouse. And guess what? I’m interested in dressing HOT ladies not shlumpy dudes! I admit I’m an asshole: I specifically searched Christine Marioni in hopes of seeing a bad suit (and I found it) but I also came across this bad boy.

Meet Me in the Mall. :  wedding dress Goodchr goodchristine

source

A very nice suit if I do say so - way to go Christine & sorry for being a hater!

So you wanna see some of my picks for where you can find this perfect, magical, tailor-fit budget suit to fit your hot bod?

Okay. Let’s revisit the J. Crew Wedding to start with.

AND no - I’m not talking about multicolored, mismatched bridesmaids dresses, or overpriced boring gowns (I looked and I can tell you right now I’m not paying $2800 for J Crew. Not now. Not ever.)

Here’s what I am talking about:

Meet Me in the Mall. :  wedding dress 1 1

How rad would this jacket be with a pair of grey pants? Presto. Instant Suit. It also comes in other color combos, but I LOVE the grey!

Meet Me in the Mall. :  wedding dress 2 2

I think that if we got rid of the accessories this would be a pretty awesome wedding outfit. And it would be good if you’re going for a less masculine/more androgynous look. :)

Meet Me in the Mall. :  wedding dress 3 3

Or maybe you want a cardigan without velvet ribbon and silk chiffon flowers? Bottom left corner - that’s my pick.

Meet Me in the Mall. :  wedding dress 4 4

So you want a shirt that’s a little fem/romantic? I think this could be super cute with a bow tie.

Meet Me in the Mall. :  wedding dress 5 5

A looser/more tomboyish silhouette. So cute!

Meet Me in the Mall. :  wedding dress 6 6

How cute is that jacket? Super flattering, too.

So you see what I mean—with a little creative mismatching or fabric swatching/tailoring you could easily come away with a pretty bad ass little suit for around $300.

And while you’re at the mall, don’t forget to check out Zara.

I found this bad ass number there:

Meet Me in the Mall. :  wedding dress 7 7

source via bright side dweller

$80 & the cutest little grey elbow patches makes me think the price is right, though. Go to Zara now. And thank me later.

Where else could you check out on your suburban mall trip? (Mmm.. Hot Dog on a Stick veggie dogs—yum!)

H&M

Meet Me in the Mall. :  wedding dress 821 8

Bloomies

Meet Me in the Mall. :  wedding dress 912 9

And if you’re just too damn hip to be seen at the mall or too lazy to leave your house, then may I recommend Etsy Alchemy? I put a post up asking for a tailor-made, fully-lined bad-ass suit for my lady (we supply the fabric) for the low low price of $350 and I had so many replies I’m still working out which one to go with.

So stop reading & start shopping already. And show me what you come up with.

xoxo

P.S. I have nothing against the Men’s Wearhouse and I think that if you have the correct build and a great tailor you might be able to get just what you’re looking for there. And on a budget, to boot! However, suits that are tailored specifically to ladies are just plain better—we have boobs and hips and curves that menswear is NOT suited for. Or we DON’T, and then we’re too slight for even the smallest of men’s suits. If you can rock a straight-up man’s suit go for it—but I’m telling you right now you can do better! And I’m stepping off my soap box now, too.

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31 Responses to “Meet Me in the Mall.”

1 2 

1.
Bee Icon
Bee
Mrs. Peep Toe (message)  1,804 posts, Buzzing bee

Loving the idea of the gray jacket from J. Crew.

 
2.
Member Icon
Member
flamingred (message)  1,921 posts, Buzzing bee

LOVE!

 
3.
Magenta
Member
Magenta (message)  1,860 posts, Buzzing bee

love the womens suit and the ruffle shirts!!!

 
4.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Spaniel (message)  6,792 posts, Bee Keeper

I got a GREAT suit from Zara’s for interviews… I had a little trouble with their sizing, though!

 
5.
Mrs. Star
Bee
Mrs. Star (message)  2,057 posts, Buzzing bee

I love your style in every post. I want to be in something you’re working on just to get costumed by you!

 
6.
Miss Cardigan
Bee
Miss Cardigan (message)  8,645 posts, Bee Keeper

Love the gray J.Crew jacket! I can’t wait to see what you get on etsy!

 
7.
Guest Icon
Guest
Jo

…I’m having some serious suitgasms here. That first “less masculine/more androgynous” piece with the yellow blouse is making me drool.

 
8.
Miss Pug
Bee
Miss Pug (message)  3,753 posts, Honey bee

i can see why you’re a stylist–you have such an eye for things! so jealous.

 
9.
Guest Icon
Guest
Elisabeth

So, I’m a lawyer and therefore own a number of suits. I am also in constant search for a suit that doesn’t make me look like I’m wearing my dad’s clothes. I’m Canadian, so I’m not sure if TeenFlo (which sounds ridiculous, but is actually a great Montreal-based company) or Pink Tartan are carried where you are (www.teenflo.com and http://www.pinktartan.com) but they’re worth checking out, if you can get it on sale! Also, are their Club Monacos in the States? Also a good bet. But if you can get one custom-made for $350, power to you!

 
10.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Trail Mix (message)  6,312 posts, Bee Keeper

Love the Jcrew looks (although I will state that I don’t think their dresses are boring…Overpriced, yes.)

 
11.
Guest Icon
Guest
Happy Nappy Bride

I’m such a JCrew person that I just can’t understand NOT wanting their clothes…but I sort of get it. Sort of. :)

 
12.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Stripes (message)  1,063 posts, Bumble bee

LOL. Uh-oh. I clearly underestimated the blogosphere’s love for all things J Crew! My professional assessment has always been that when it’s good, it’s REALLY good. And clearly from the number of inspiration pics I ripped from the catalog, I think it’s REALLY good right now! AND we’ve already jumped on the mismatched bridesmaids band wagon- we may even make a stop or two at ye Ol’ J Crew! See ladies- I’ve got a little J Crew love in my heart! I’ve still gotta draw the line at wedding dresses though. Pretty enough sure, but just not my style!

 
13.
Mrs. Mouse
Bee
Mrs. Mouse (message)  5,844 posts, Bee Keeper

I agree that J. Crew is very hit or miss (and almost always overpriced), but you’ve gathered some awesome suit inspiration from there! I especially love the little tuxedo-esque jacket.

 
14.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Pencils (message)  1,027 posts, Bumble bee

I think I love the H&M option! :)

 
15.
Guest Icon
Guest
the introitus

I’ve really liked your posts so far - but I just wanted to leave you a little note that your assessment of the jcrew wedding gowns as boring an overpriced is really hurtful. Weddingbee is usually a place where people can do whatever they want and get supportive feedback - so why be so judgmental? I have a jcrew wedding gown and I don’t think it was boring or overpriced - but reading you write that definitely stung.

 
16.
Bee Icon
Bee
Miss Parfait (message)  1,755 posts, Buzzing bee

I adore the Jcrew outfit with the yellow shirt inside, but really these are all good finds!

 
17.
Maude
Member
Maude (message)  354 posts, Helper bee

It’s Rojo Caliente!

 
18.
Mrs. Labrador
Bee
Mrs. Labrador (message)  1,805 posts, Buzzing bee

Oh no! I should NOT have read this post. I’m desperately in need of some cute work clothes but have NO money right now. You’re the devil!

 
19.
yogigal
Member
yogigal (message)  419 posts, Helper bee

I highly recommend Zara. My favorite, favorite suit from the past three years is an awesomely tailored gray/black suit, with a pleated back in the skirt but flat front. I wish I can find a picture!

Love your style aesthetic!

 
20.
Bee Icon
Bee
Mrs. Swan (message)  1,046 posts, Bumble bee

Hey, I’m loving your inspiration. I love tailored looks as well. I
reall like the blazers that are out this season. I agree that when J. Crew is good, they are on point. I’ve had hit or miss experiences with their clothing and shoes, but I love the styling in the catalogs. I’m interested in seeing what you end up wearing. Is Fiancee Stripes wearing a suit as well (I hope I did not inadvertently miss that!)?

 
1 2 

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Ms. Stripes
Ms. Stripes

Ms. Stripes, Los Angeles Age and Occupation: 29, Costume Designer/Stylist Fiancee's Age and Occupation: 29, Chef Engagement Date: June 23, 2009 Wedding Date: September 2010 Venue: Heritage Square Museum About Me: I’m a type A creative with a messy streak, a loud mouth, and an uncanny knack for combining clashing patterns. I can usually be found with my nose in a book, my feet (or at least my toes) on the ground, my head in the clouds, and my arm around the prettiest girl you ever saw- aka Fiancee Stripes. Together we’re planning a FUN vintage/modern French carnival wedding extravaganza and rockin’ dance party on a dime. (Say that three times fast!) Good coffee, long lists, Uniball pens, and my iPhone keep me sane, and making art, making trouble, and making out keep me happy! I love urban adventures, bike rides that end with afternoon drinks, breakfast for dinner, beautiful light, photography, travel, my furry family, and of course, my beautiful fiancee! I’m super excited to be here and can’t wait to share all our adventures as we craft a joyful, budget-friendly, design-savvy and all-around AWESOME wedding!

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