Last spring I featured Beg + Borrow in my Memphis Fashion Week coverage and I knew I wanted to get something as soon as I saw it. Beg + Borrow is a Memphis Fashion brand featuring custom shirts and shirt dresses for women. Who doesn’t love a good shirt dress? They’re comfortable, versatile and give an effortless chic style. Back in April I was just starting to focus on paring down my closet and knew that this would make a great piece to own – plus each dress is custom, how fun is that?
Beg + Borrow creator Monte Stewart is really great to work with and the process was much easier than I expected it to be. My biggest motivator in getting a Beg + Borrow dress is accommodating my large chest – I have very few off the rack button up items because typically when they fit everywhere else they are subject to buttons popping open on the chest – and length, because it’s hard being a 5’10 girl in a 5’6 world y’all. After a few emails back and forth I met with Monte at his office at the Memphis Fashion Design Network Lab (side note, I think it is so cool that we have this organization in Memphis – learn more about MFDN here). The first step is to select your fabric – which can be tough because there are 100s of options. I went in knowing that I wanted a dress in navy because it’s a good versatile color that can work for multiple seasons and after talking with Monte about my lifestyle and how I was looking to wear the dress we decided on linen for the fabric. From there there are a lot of ways to make each dress personal to your taste – sleeve length, cuffs, buttons, pockets, tabs, collars, and other detailing. Once we settled on the details for my dress Monte took my measurements and three weeks later it was ready.
Just a few of Monte’s creations – each dress is $150 with the customizations included in that price
For my first dress I went with pockets, exposed buttons and long sleeves that I tend to wear rolled up. Each creation comes with your name or monogram embroidered on the inside under the collar – it’s your original after all. I really love this little detail.
With it being really hot and humid in Memphis I loved that I could pair this dress with a belt and some heels and look polished and professional for the office. If it ever gets cooler around here I plan on paring with a cardigan or blazer, tights and some boots.
But also, it’s great to wear super casual poolside or at the beach.
Basically, it’s the perfect piece to pack for a short getaway when you’re trying to get all your stuff into one carryon.
After having success with my first dress I was ready for a 2nd! This time I was a little more conflicted on the fabric but settled on a pink gingham with no pockets , hidden buttons, shorter sleeves – also Monte was super sweet to accommodate my request to add a matching sash (this was an extra expense). This one is a more traditional men’s shirt fabric and I love it.
I’m kinda rocking a June Cleaver look here but I’m still playing around with how I’m going to style this one – I’m thinking wearing it with my denim jacket next time will look cute but a little less prissy.
The only hard part about the entire process is picking what you want – I’m torn if I’m going to stick with the more structured fabric of the gingham dress or go flannel for my next one but I’m excited already to add to my collection.
***This post features clothing items purchased with my own money, this is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own***
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