No, this summer I want to dress for success and step out in style, starting with, you guessed it: dresses.
This mint sundress from Target is flouncy and fresh, and its refreshing color takes center stage when paired with nude wedges. The fabric, a lightweight knit, keeps the dress casual enough to be worn with flip flops for a picnic or transitioned into cooler summer evenings (or air conditioned spaces) with a light cardigan.
If, like me, you'll be attending a wedding this summer, then you'll also likely want to own a dress that dazzles. I went out on a limb when I bought this dress a few summers back. It's bold and busy, but something -- perhaps its audacious stripes -- drew me in. (Besides, if you're going to a wedding, you might was well go big. Rock the heels. You'll eventually kick them off to dance, anyway.)
I bought this dress for just $12 at Ross, a store that I've found to be a goldmine for inexpensive dresses if you pan through the racks carefully.
When I'm searching for a more polished look, I like this dress that I snagged from a clearance rack at LOFT (my favorite clothing store). The attractive collar adds professionalism while the skirt's golden sheen adds a pop of fun. My metallic heels that I've mentioned before (scored for $1 at a thrift store!) are a perfect compliment.
Now although I told you that this post was about dresses, the unsung heroes in all these outfits aren't the dresses themselves, but rather the belts. Granted, the LOFT dress boasts a built-in band that cinches the waist on its own, which is precisely a belt's key function: to define your waist.
For many years, I rarely wore belts. If I wore them, it was only with pants, and (naturally) through the provided belt loops. Wearing a belt at my natural waist -- the narrowest portion of my midsection -- felt odd. It was like vacationing abroad, something other, more cultured people did, just not me.
Plus, all the belts I owned fit my hips, and consequently, were too long to wear around the narrowest part of my waist. I worked around this in three ways:
1) I sought out belts at resale shops -- often sold for just $2 or $3 -- which allowed me to add a few new options to my wardrobe without breaking the bank.
2) I looked in the kids' clothing section at Wal-Mart for the largest sized belts. No joke. These belts sometimes come in colorful packs of three, they're a fraction of the price of adult belts, and, depending on your size, they could fit at your natural waist, even if they don't span around your hips.
3) I mastered the loop. Even if your belt is slightly long, twisting the remaining portion and securing it underneath adds a decorative touch and prevents the excess belt from flapping.
And there you have it: dresses and belts, two of my go-to summer fashion staples. Go forth today and be beautiful, you utterly beautiful readers, you!
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Wow! All fabulous looks Robin! Look at you all summery and stuff!
ReplyDeleteI have to ask... how tall are you? You look like you're really tall... I would guess 5'8"? Weird I know. In case you're wondering, I'm really small. Like really small. I'm 5'2" (and 3/4) because every little bit counts when you're as small as me.
xoxo
I'm also 5'2" -- and some change! (Never actually reached 5'3"!) Remember, we're cross-border twins, so 5'8" is out of the question for me.
DeleteIt might be a miracle of photography, but I'll probably just credit the heels for the appearance of height. :)
What?! No really?! No. You're 5'2"? We seriously ARE cross-border twins.
ReplyDeleteYay for our smallness!