For today’s blogger style beautiful Chloe from TopKnots & PolkaDots is sharing two sweet looks for an engagement session. A recent transplant from Charlottesville, VA Chloe fell in love with the cobblestone streets and pastel style of Charleston and decided to start a blog to document her new city. Well I for one couldn’t be more happy that she decided to spread her fashion wisdom as Chloe is a whiz when it comes to budget finds! I was floored when I found out her cute wedges were from Target and her flowered dress below? It’s only 12 dollars! Read on below to see what she has to say about engagement fashion and don’t forget to visit her blog and facebook!
TopKnots & PolkaDots: Selecting your outfit for engagement photos can be tough; however, if you follow a couple basic guidelines, you can focus on what’s actually important — you’re getting married! The two most vital rules of your wardrobe are: go with something classic and flatter your figure. The first seems like a no-brainer, but I can’t stress it enough — you want to look back on these photos and focus on how happy you both look, not how ugly that romper was.

For the second guideline, really think about what shapes and styles look best on your body type. If you don’t like your arms, don’t wear something sleeveless; if you love your legs, show them off with a fun skirt. Avoid oversized, boxy shapes, but don’t go too tight — you get it. As long as you feel comfortable and confident in your clothes, you will look gorgeous!
For a little inspiration, I chose two outfit examples based on my two guidelines. My first look, the all-white ensemble, is not only popular for engagement shoots but has also been huge this summer. This is pretty much as classic as it gets — a crisp white top, fitted white pants, and wedges. I’m a big heel person as it is (anything to give this 5’2″ girl some height!), and for engagement photos I feel like they’re a must. They’ll make your legs look longer and more toned — who wouldn’t want that?

To spruce up this look a little, I went with fairly simple jewelry: nautical, delicate bow studs, and a sea glass-inspired statement necklace that I knew would go really well with the backdrop. Now your man just needs to throw on a well-tailored white oxford and khakis or jeans, and y’all will have timeless photos that will still look just as good in 50 years. Wearing all white kind of takes the focus off your clothes and puts it right where you want it to be — on the love between the two of you.

My second look is an example of a figure-flattering outfit. I chose this floral fit-and-flare dress because the warm colors compliment my skin tone and the shape emphasizes the smallest part of me, my waist. Some might rule out patterns in engagement shoots, but floral is very classic and the print is small enough to not be a distraction/still be flattering (smaller patterns = more flattering; larger patterns = less flattering). I also thought the floral print would go great with the scenery.

To top off the outfit, I went with a pretty statement necklace and some neutral-colored wedges. Again, wedges will always make your legs look longer and leaner, and choosing a color that is closer to your skin tone will elongate them even more (black or other dark hues will cut you off). With a colorful pattern, your man could either choose a color to match — in this case, a pale blue or green — or he could still go with the white + khaki look to let his lady stand out. Nothing wrong with that!
As important as your appearance might seem at your engagement shoot, it’s much more important to remain stress-free and just have fun with it. Once you pick out a couple good outfits, don’t worry about how you’re looking in the photos — acting natural and having fun with your fiancé will always look better than adjusting your skirt and worrying if your bra strap is showing!

Photographer: Gillian Ellis, Ellis Photo Studio // First Look: Top: J.Crew Factory // White Jeans: J. Crew // Wedges: Target (similar) // Earrings: Francesca’s (similar) // Necklace: Francesca’s (similar) // Second Look: Dress: Forever 21 // Sandals: Target // Necklace: J.Crew Factory (similar)