Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog

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What Wendy Wore: New Castelbajac Dress in Paris

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I became obsessed with the crazy, whimsical designs of Jean-Claude de Castelbajac in 2009. I can’t say I wasn’t warned: Look at this tag from one of my Castelbajac jackets.

tag

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Since 2009, I’ve gotten rainbow high-heel loafers; a boob-cloud top; a Lego dress; a sailor outfit; a sailor vest; a smiling skirt; and an army jacket. (Still on my wish list is Lady Gaga’s Kermit the Frog Castelbajac jacket.) Whenever I’m in Paris, a visit to the Castelbajac store is a must. You can buy some Castelbajac online at sites including Frenchologie, but I like to try clothes on in person these days. So old-fashioned, I know!

Anyway, I was in Paris last week and as I was standing at the Castelbajac counter paying for a completely ridiculous trench coat (which you’ll see in a later post) I flipped through the spring look book and spotted a dress. “Stop everything!” I calmly screamed in my fake French accent to the sales people. “Do you have this dress?” Yes, they did. Thank goodness for the 30% off sale because I had to have the coat AND the dress. I wore the dress to dinner with MrB at La Société in Place Saint-Germain des Prés.

castelbajacdressresizeWhat Wendy Wore
Dress with pockets: JC de Castelbajac (2013)
Shoes: Prada (2010)
Lip color: Chanel Rouge Double Intensité in Ruby Lite

I admit that “burlap” isn’t the best color for me, but I think the black pleather lightning bolt more than makes up for that. I have a couple of other pieces — including this Ossie Clark maxi dress — that aren’t as flattering to my complexion as they could be, but I don’t give a fuck because I still love them. And love, as the sages say, is blind.

UPDATED TO ADD: I added a link to this post to the Visible Monday post on Not Dead Yet Style. Click here to see the other highly visible wimmins.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    • LOL, you sound like Stacy did when I sent her a photo of the trench coat. “It’s very you,” she said diplomatically 😀

    • I do love one-shoulder pieces! When I saw that I was like “oooooooh.” Plus…lightning bolt. Who can resist that?

  4. So the crocodile/alligator coat is yours?! You gotta wear it to Florida 😀 this dress is absolutely amazing, I think the color looks quite flattering on you! Great find. I was this close to getting my first JCdCB shoes this weekend, but alas, they were half a size too small.

    • Speaking of half sizes, I keep encountering interesting shoes that only come in whole sizes and I’m a 6.5. What’s that about? The universe must have a plan to stop me from getting too many shoes.

  5. I adore that dress! And you got the jacket too! Eee! Your red lips make up for any blandness in the basic dress colour – love that lightning bolt. Shot to the heart!

    • I do always think that red lipstick, like wallpaper, hides a multitude of sins. Or at least distracts from them.

  6. OMG LOVE! I love the piece. Fuck the haters. I just bought a similar color shirt. It’s not the best color on me, but I liked the shirt. So I got it.

    • I almost wonder if it would be too much if it was in one of “my” colors. If the lightning bolt was accompanied by a great red fabric, would it be perfection or would it be over the top? Inquiring minds want to know!

  11. you look slamming in that dress, brightened up the flowers if i may say so myself.Totally agree that the black leather insert is everything and takes focus of the burlap but burlap or no burlap and you kill that dress.
    love it
    marian.

  12. You look amazing, Wendy! And I think the burlap color is great – you and your red lips can rock anything. Hope you had a great trip!
    Britt