Remember
last year when I was getting ready for a fab Miami bachelorette party trip with my sorority sisters and I asked for your help with knowing what to wear? I ended up bringing many outfit choices and wore three dresses total. The Miami dress code seems to be short, tight, or low-cut, similar to clubs in Vegas (which was another time when I had nothing to wear). As I don't often dress this way, I didn't want to spend too much money on clothes I wouldn't wear again. I also tried to wear fun outfits that were less conservative than my usual attire, but still classy and cute.
This weekend, my friend N is headed to Miami for one of her friend's bachelorette parties and I got to go shopping with her to get some necessities for her trip.
These are the lessons I learned last year:
1. Most cheaper items look more high quality in black.
2. Sparkly shoes can make an outfit.
3. You will be very glad once you get to Miami that you brought lots of options. Don't forget accessory options as well! Bring belts, necklaces, earrings, and clutches.
4. Very few women wear anything other than dresses (or tops with a bandage skirt) out.
5. Your highest platforms will still probably not be the tallest shoes in the club.
6. Watching a few old episodes of
Khloe and Kourtney Take Miami may not be a bad idea. (Thanks,
Alexandria for this tip of channeling Kim K.! ;)
7. Prioritize getting a spray tan and nice mani/pedi before you go. A spray tan, perfect nails and a pair of Spanx make a world of difference.
Forever 21 really is one of the best places to go. I bought a short, tighter black dress for $10 and dressed it up with metallic accessories for one night out.
You could use any of these dresses to get a similar look.
For another night, I wore a dress from H & M (another great inexpensive place to look) that was an animal print off the shoulder. For the last night, I wore a J. Crew dress. I had bought one of the popular Herve Leger-style bandage skirt to wear, but realized I left it at home, so I had to improvise. Again, I took my dress (which was definitely on the shorter side, but not too far outside my comfort zone) and added a metallic belt, fun clutch and sparkly shoes.
While searching for clothes for a fun trip, this may be a perfect time to go into stores you never go into or at least since 10th grade. Other stores to look at:
- Zara
- Bebe
- Arden B
- Express
- Any department store junior's department
Another option would be to use
Rent the Runway. I have only heard wonderful reviews for the site, and it would be so nice to be able to pick out one or two and have them shipped to your hotel. My favorite dress is the one in the top middle, Mark and James by Badgley Mischka's
Gossip Queen.
And if all else fails, just smile big and have a blast with your girlfriends! Isn't that the whole point of your trip anyway?
What are your tips for dressing up for bachelorette parties and the like?
