I am in kind of a “situation” with the bottom half of my wardrobe. I have one plain black skirt. One pair of black pants, and that’s about it. Oh, jeans, but Monday- Thursday those do me no good. My black denim leggings have finally reached a point where they are worn out enough they are not fit for work wear and I just have not managed to replace them yet. I know some of you have suggested thrifting and I am willing to give that a try, but so far I have not had the time to do so (the time you have to put into thrifting to find one decent pair of well fitting work pants, in my experience, is substantial. I might get lucky and find a pair first stop, but I’m not counting on it.)
So I’m mostly looking at wearing dresses right now, and I do love dresses, but I also get tired of the same ones pretty quick. In Fall and Winter it’s so much easier for me to trick them up. Different jacket, different tights, over the knee socks, all kinds of things. In Spring and Summer I find it harder, but I am willing to see what I can do.
Today I wanted to carry this bag from Morocco, because I don’t carry it as often as I’d like. That’s sort of what brought the whole situation to light, because I had a really hard time styling this with a dress. In fact, as you can see, I didn’t. I went with the one black skirt. The bag just seems to have so much to say on its own and I didn’t want to drown it out with a floral or other print.
How do you trick up your dresses in Summer? Outside of shoes and jewelry, what am I not tapping into?
Tee, American Apparel
Skirt, Target
Clogs, White Mountain via Amazon
Bag, Morocco, via Laura C
Necklace, self made from thrift store and craft store parts
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27 comments:
I layer light weight shirts under and over my dresses to mix things up.
I just want to pet that bag, it looks so soft and luscious!
As for switching out my dresses? Scarves. Tons and tons of different scarves. However, I don't live in Texas, so I don't know if your temperatures will let you do that comfortably.
I second interrobangsanon: Scarves help a ton for making dresses more versatile in summer. Belts, too. And scarves AS belts!
Use vintage scarves, esp. silk, for belts. I have a couple I adore (one is a Texas 'Aquarena' theme, complete with freak show people!) and just the change in color/patterns makes the dress fresher.
p.s.-found you through my lovely friends Adrien and Marianne from looksgoodfromtheback.blogspot.com
Lovely bag. Camel is a pretty popular netural these days. I think it could work with any dress that you might wear with a brown shoe? A dress with green, purple, brown, red? You could treat to beautiful circle piece (is it metal? Blue?) like it was jewelry, and not worry about matching it to a dress.
I have no idea how to trick out a summer dress. I have a couple of lightweight scarves, but when it gets HOT, I don't want anything touching my neck. Ligthweight shirts work until it gets hot too. Belts work with some dressed but I seem to have a preponderance of floaty, empire types. (that whole not wanting things to touch me bit). I guess it will be my personal challenge.
shirts under or over dresses, belts, scarves, vests. there are many ways. ;)
I actually really adore the way you styled this outfit. That AMAZING bag totally shines with the simple, more subdued ensemble. And black looks tres chic on you!
Lets get back into the swing of things this friday. I have been eating really poorly, mostly takeout or whatever people are bringing to my aunt's house. On Saturday I had Tiny Tom donuts for lunch because, well I was sad and comfort food makes me happy, for about 5 seconds, then I am sad again. I just consumed a piece of Toblerone 1 minute ago, this has got to stop. Remember that "dive in and swimming" comment you made? You might want to retract it, lol.
I love that bag, and the studded belt with that skirt is fantastic! I have the same problem with switching up dresses (but all the time instead of just summer). Especially wrap dresses. :)
I got nothing for you besides shoes and jewelry. I'm not much of a stylist! You do a much better job than I do.
i love that you paired this carmel-brown bag with black. it makes the bag pop!
I'll concur with the shirts under/over, scarves, belts, and vests for dress styling. I also like layering dresses over other dresses or skirts.
I'm a big fan of lightweight outer layers like cardigans, boleros, and shrugs. Changes the look, and cuts the chill in over-air conditioned offices without being beastly hot when you go outside.
I tend to focus on the jewelry in the summer. It gets so hot here that any sort of layering is out of the question, even a scarf is too much. I like the jewelry thing too because you can get stuff super cheap and one piece can totally change the look of an outfit.
very cool bag! :) i don't usually wear dresses, although i'd like to..maybe one day.
I'm going to Morocco now. And I'm not leaving until I find a bag just like that.
Even though your leggings are close to busted, I like the way I'm seeing bloggers wear leggings under their dresses. It gives them an instantly different vibe. Also, the power of belts can never be underestimated.
Love the bag.
For me I use scarves, purses, belts and fishnet type panty hose during the summer.
You could always go further and go for gloves, hats and hair accessories.
Accessories in general are a girls best friend.
http://thepaleandpallorprincess.blogspot.com/
I feel your pain, it is hot where live to. I change up my dresses with belts and scarves (not arounnd my neck but in my hair). Doing different stuff with your hair always helps, try adding headbands, clips and scarves for a new look
I will also chime in to the scarf chorus. Belts, short sleeved cardis and different shoes, as well as jewelry can really change up a look.
That bag is fantastic!
I'm afraid I'm struggling with my summer wardrobe too so I can't really help - but I do love your hair in a braid!
I honestly can't accessorize during the summer months. I live in New Orleans and when the humidity is 80-100% the last think I want is extra things on my body. To combat a boring wardrobe I amp it up with fun prints that way I'm not stuck in basics w/o great pieces.
Awesome bag, and I love that black skirt. Very chic.
I have a couple of super lightweight, almost sheer tops that loop in the front with one tie (like a cardi, but not, you know?) that I wear with a lot of my summer dresses.
When it's hot? Mix your prints (your new breton stripes are a cinch with your florals), and wear funky nail polish. I've been getting away with lilac (OPI Done Out in Deco) and subdued blue (China Glaze For Audrey) at my office.
Shut up! That outfit is so cute. So simple and fun. Love it!
Digging the braid, Erin!
I'm having the same issue with the summer simplicity. I find that I am wearing cardi and stuff right now as much as possible b/c I know in a few weeks my outfits will be super simple b/c it will be too hot to accessorize much.
I don't like t-shirts under dresses because I feel like it makes the dress look like a jumper, but I do like layering a tank under dresses for a peak of contrasting color or pattern at the neckline or straps. Doing this with a coral jersey dress with spaghetti straps makes the dress instantly different when I pair it with a black and white striped wifebeater and black sandals vs. a floral gauzy tank with a tie in front and gladiators.
v necks are very flattering on you!
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