LOL! No, I’m not rolling out to Trader Joe’s dressed like this. 🙂 Tomorrow I’m going out to dinner with El Hub for our sixth wedding anniversary, and I’m trying to figure out what to wear.
I’m thinking it would be a good time to finally take my birthday dress out for a spin, the French Connection Banded Cap Sleeve Minidress in Grey Steel I scored on deep discount at Nordstrom last month.
One of the reasons I like the dress is because it’s similar to this $780 (!) Herve Leger, which is way, way out of my budget.
The French Connection version regularly goes for about $180 — still a lot — but if you can snag it on sale like I did…
Wait — you can! It’s on sale right now at both nordstrom.com and frenchconnection.com.
Some of the reviews online mentioned that it runs small, so I decided to order a size up, and I’m glad I did. But since it’s a very body conscious style, I still squeeze myself into some Spanx before slipping it on.
The dress does have a little stretch to it, but not much. It tends to flatten certain areas out, so if you want to showcase the girls, for instance, this might not be the dress to do it in.
Just for kicks, I tried it on with a pair of silver Marc Fischer shoes from a couple years ago and a Kate Spade bag, but I’m not really feelin’ the shoes with the dress… Something about ’em makes me feel extra short!
I may stop by DSW this afternoon to look for a nude pair. Gotta love the old nude heels trick to make the legs look longer. 🙂
What’s your go-to outfit for big nights out? And what do you like about it?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Tracy says
YOU LOOK AMAZING!! He’s a lucky guy! Happy Anniversary to you both! Wishing you mucho happiness and love!
Paris B says
I love how the dress looks on you! I do agree though, nude heels may go better, maybe because silver is a bit too matchy matchy 😉 Happy Anniversary to you and the Mr.!
lyn says
Happy Anniversary! You look absolutely stunning! The pairing with the tote bag is nice but I think a daintier piece may look better for a special night out.
Mishel says
Hot damn! U look sexy Karen! El hub is a lucky man 😉
gio says
You look stunning! Happy anniversary!
Yogirl says
Great outfit and enjoy the evening!
Kath says
Happy anniv!You look fab! I’m diggin’ that dress.
Marian says
OMG Karen! You look HOT in that dress! Happy Anniversary!
Crystal says
You look great! Happy Anniversary!
Vanessa D. says
LOVE this dress!!! It looks amazing on you!
Tavi says
You look gorgeous Karen!
Rainy Days & Lattes says
Congrats! You look… AMAZING. Seriously amazing. I love that dress and you have a serious rocking body!
Flyavsted says
You look amazing!
Nivedita says
Happy Anniversary Karen! I love the dress but I love your shoes more.
What is the lipstick shade you are wearing. it looks so fresh!
You look lovely as ever!
artemis says
pretty! i think you’d look great also w/o the spanx 😀 I JUST LOOOVE these banded dresses and when i’ll be rich(or just a bit) i’ll buy one too 😀 (even tho some already say it’s outta style, i don’t care!
Agata says
You look beautiful Karen. Happy Anniversary to you and El Hub!
Vonvon says
Karen, we got married at around the same time! It’s our 6th anni too, on Sunday. 🙂
Vonvon says
And you look hot!
Sunny @ Mostly Sunny says
Happy wedding anniversary Karen and El Hub! Many more to come! You look AMAZING in this dress! Way too gorgeous! Hope you guys will have a GREAT time 😉
Advah says
Love the whole look , and the silver goes so well with your skintone! Oh, and happy wedding anniversary! 🙂
Arianne says
You look HOT Karen! Happy anniversary to you and El Hub. 🙂
Melissa says
You totally rock that dress!!! Happy anniversary and I hope you have a fabulous night out!
Vero says
Woooot wooo! Sexy Karen! Have a great anniversary. And have fun shoe shopping.
Alison says
Happy anniversary to you both! You look so beautiful, Karen!
Blatheringspretty says
Gorgeous dress!! I am all about nude heels as well. They make everything look much more classier.
Wenz says
WOW! That dress on you is GORGG!!!! Happy Anniversary 🙂
Stef Smith says
Happy Anniversary!!!
Silka says
Te ves lindÃsima. Tu vestido está de ataque. Have a very nice dinner with your esposito! Happy Anniversary.
Cheryl says
Sizzlin’ hot, Karen! Happy anniversary! 😉
Jenny says
Smokin, Karen. Though I do agree, a nude pair of heels would complement it well. Maybe even black pumps for a darker look. But seriously, you look amazing in that dress!
Minnegirl says
You look great! Happy anniversary to you and el hub! I am sure Tabs is celebrating too!
Amie M says
You look lovely!
JCz says
Have FUN Gorgeous!
Kim says
Holy crap!!!! U look awesome!!!! Gee!!
Becca @ The Beauty Sample says
HOT MAMA IN THE HOUSE!!!!
Maria says
No on the shoes and the purse; I think nudey pink high heels and a clutch would look really hot with this dress! Fabulous pictures you look perfect!
Futuralon says
Dress is lookin good! You are right about the shoes, a better choice would be something cut closer to the toes like a classic pump – I’m sure you have some black pumps & a matching clutch. Throw in a loud scarf and that’s what I’d wear with this dress.
Round these parts going out means dinner and a movie, so I always bring a scarf or “third piece” (jacket, cardi…). What makes a going out outfit for me is wearing full makeup (a rarity) and a cute evening bag 🙂
Cathy says
Karen, that dress is amazing and you look gorgeous in it! Happy anniversary to you and El Hubs 🙂
Janice says
You look outstanding. Are you about a size 2? A lot of people don’t do grey well and you rocked it.
Katherine G says
You look amazing! Happy Anniversary to you and El Hubs. I have a couple of go-to outfits myself. I have a little black dress that is cowl necked in the front and open in the back, a strapless yellow dress (my fave color), and a watercolor grey/white flower rope halter dress. I really love that dress on you!
Jane says
Happy Anniversary. You look gorgeous in that dress. . . have fun with El Hub and enjoy your dinner date.
auroragyps says
[insert whistle here] Wow, Hubs is a lucky man. I love that dress on you. I think you can wear sparkly silver shoes with it, but those look almost like booties with all the wide straps up the front of the foot and do make your legs look short. I think shoes that are a bit more delicate looking would be nice and maybe a bag with some color or even vise versa. Whatever you wear, have an amazing night.
jenn s. says
Dang, Karen, that is one sexy dress! It really fits you to a “T.” I just love a bandage dress. Unfortunately, I do not have the body to wear one. I’ll just live vicariously thru you, LOL. El hubs is a lucky dude! 😉
nacacijin says
Love that dress, it’s absolutely flawless on you!
musical says
Happy Anniversary, Lady K and El-Hub! You look gorgeous! Hope you both are having a swell evening! Rock it, chica! xoxo.
layla says
oh wow, you look gorgeous! love the dress, it looks amazing on you. and yes, i agree about the nude heels. i think those silver shoes match a little too much right? nude would look awesome! happy anniversary! enjoy!
Ankita@corallista says
You look fabulous Karen! I think nude shoes would work better with the dress too! Happy Anniversary!
Dominique says
Very pretty dress Karen, hope your Anniversary was beautiful !
Vicki says
Wow you look gorgeous. Happy anniversary!
Gwen @ Makeup Toys says
You look gorgeous here Karen!!! Have a lovely anniversary celebration!! Congrats!
Cristy says
Hope both had a great Aniv! I always wanted a HL Dress but it’s way too expensive.. And this is a great alternative! But one day I will have my “original” piece he!
Elle says
Smokin’ hot, Karen! Congrats on the anniversary – best wishes for many many more!
TJ says
You look amazing! Hope the date was wonderful!
Stacee says
I thought it was a Herve Ledger dress at first. Dang!
rashmi says
happy anniversary Karen … 😀 😀 my dad’s b’day was on 8th july 😀 😀 …
you are looking super duper Sexy 😀 …. lovedddd the overall look
your hubby is so luckyyyy and you better make him realize once more by making him read all the comments
wish you good luck dear
XOXO 😀
Astrid says
Oh you look gorgeous!!! Love the dress and the makeup :). I think I might going to steal the color combo soon ;).
Happy anniversary, Karen! Hope you have an eternity of happiness together with el hub!!!
Nadege says
YOU LOOK GORGEOUS!! El hub is eating his heart out!!
Ru says
First of all, LOVE the Ombre highlights. And that dress is HOT and looks hot on you 🙂
Jae says
You looks hands down absolutely fantabulous!! 😉 I hope you had a wonderful anniversary celebration and here’s to many, many more years of wedded bliss for you and your hubs!
stalkthepostman says
Happy Anniversary!! You look amazing 🙂 How was dinner??
Iris says
Happy anniversary! You look beautiful, and this is such a glam outfit.
Amy says
Somehow a pink one jumped into my shopping cart.
Anna says
Aww have a great anniversary celebration. You look beautiful. El Hub is a lucky guy! =D
LuvJ says
Karen!!! Drop Dead! — Drop Dead GORGEOUS, that is!!! Love that dress and for sure you did it some justice!
Tina B says
Hope you enjoy your anniversary, you look great in that dress! You’ll have to let us know what shoes you settled on :).