Ask and You Shall Receive
Yesterday, a reader left a comment asking for work appropriate sweater dresses. This is something I am also seeking out because I like to be comfortable and snuggly at work as often as possible. So, I started hunting.
Fortuitously, I received the Isabella Bird catalog in the mail just a few days ago, and luckily I decided to look through it before tossing it in the pile of unsolicited catalogs that live in a basket beside my bed. In that catalog, I found this fantastic sweater dress, which I feel will both be perfect for the office, and flattering to many body types:
Isabella Bird Whitney Dress
This dress is form fitting enough to be flattering, but loose enough not to create any extra bumps or lumps, as sweater dresses can do. The defined waist will also prevent that sack look that sweater dresses can sometimes create. I would pair this dress with boots as shown, or a with a pair of round toe pumps.
Whitney Sweater Dress at Isabella Bird, $99.00. Available in sizes XS-XL.
The Perfect Everything Dress
Ladies, I’ve found it. The dress you can wear to the wedding, to that fancy dinner out with your significant other, to the office holiday party. And I have good news- it only costs $39.50.
Old Navy Embellished Tank Dress
I love everything about this dress. The perfect length- just above the knee. This makes it both appropriate enough to wear in front of co-workers (your own OR your husband’s), but short enough that it is not dowdy. The empire waistline is forgiving enough that you can indulge in that anniversary steak dinner or a few too many office sponsored cookies without feeling the need to hide your belly. Yet it is not so loose as to inspire rumors of an impending visit from the stork. And just check out the neckline:
Gorgeous!
Embellished Tank Dress at Old Navy, $39.50. Available in sizes XXS-XXL.
Navy is the new black
Gap European Collection wrap dress
I turned 40 this year, and suddenly I find that I’m looking for pieces that are both cool and age-appropriate (which is hard because I’ve never been all that cool, and I still mostly feel like I’m about 14 years old). Primarily, though, I’ve been looking for things that will not make me look 40, or at least not look like what we all fear 40 looks like.
Oh you know what I mean.
I’m looking for ways to be chic during the day without being overdressed; one simple solution is to substitute navy for black. Navy is less harsh and more flattering and still hip and chic. Right now I am coveting this fabulous silk wrap dress from the Gap’s European collection. Perfect for day with a cardigan and flats, or for evening with a big statement necklace and some sexy heels. The clean line is versatile but still grown up, and the price tag is perfect for every closet.
Gap European Collection wrap dress, $78.00.
The LBD - It’s all about the details
J. Crew Carrie dress
I’m currently in the market for a Little Black Dress (okay I’m pretty much ALWAYS in the market for an LBD, because it’s the one thing you KNOW will always be useful). I want something that I can wear for day, with boots and a cardigan, or for a date, with slingbacks and a dab of perfume. The dress needs to be simple and function and stunning all at once.
The LBD is the essence of basic; black is classic, and even a less-than-simple silhouette is still a wardrobe staple. But if you want your LBD to last beyond this seaon, choose one that will outlast trends, one with details that are distinctive and dramatic but not trendy.
This dress, the Carrie dress from J. Crew, is a basic sheath — with great details. Pockets and a grosgrain detail at the waist and the collar — oh the collar! I love the collar.
J. Crew tailored wool Carrie dress, $138.00. Available in sizes 0 to 12.
The shirtdress - Wear it now, wear it later, wear it forever
If you only buy ONE dress this fall, I strongly suggest you buy a shirtdress; a shirtdress is perfect for day or evening, work or weekend. Shirtdresses can move from season to season with ease, and that classic tailored shape never goes out of style.
This shirtdress, from Old Navy, is a perfect piece for now and for later. Wear it this summer as shown — paired with cute sandals and the kicky fabric belt that comes with it. Wear it this fall with flats and a cardigan; wear it this winter with boots and a pullover, or layer it over a slim turtleneck and add a cool leather belt.
Choose a shirtdress in neutral color, for the most versatility; I like this navy, but the same dress also comes in khaki. Experiment with jewelery and other accessories, to find a look that really works for you.
Old Navy belted shirtdress, $29.50. Available in sizes XXS to XXL.
Embroidered dot sundress, for the longest hottest days of summer
Each summer I forget that where I live, the hottest days are in August. Swelteringly hot. The kind of hot where the very thought of putting on clothes makes you feel a little weepy.
Know what I mean?
For those long hot days, you need an simple dress, one that isn’t heavy or complicated, but that still looks nice enough to go out in. This one, from Old Navy, is perfect; it is made of lightweight cotton but is fully lined, for just enough coverage.
Wear it after the pool with pretty sandals, or under a cardigan for running errands. Layer it over a skinny strap tank for a little more coverage.
Old Navy embroidered dot sundress, $29.50. Available in two colors (this nice green and a pale pink) in sizes XXS to XXL.
Old Navy polo dress keeps you casual and chic
I’m all about dresses these days — a dress is so simple and so practical and so pretty. And while I love a great dress-up dress, day dresses are becoming a staple of my wardrobe.
This ruffled collar polo dress from Old Navy is a nice alternative to shorts for hot summer days. The ruffled collar and girly color keep it from looking like an oversized men’s shirt, which is nice, while the polo shaping keeps it classic.
Old Navy ruffled polo dress, $24.50. Also available in navy. Wear with ballet flats or sandals; add a belt or scarf for a little more shape.
Coveting: J. Crew flowy jersey bateau dress
A year or so ago, I found a dress at the Gap, a simple V-neck dress with an empire waist and A-line skirt. EVERYONE who bought it loved it and looked great in it, no matter what her size. It truly was the Perfect Dress.
I think I have found The Perfect Dress, Version 2.0: over the weekend, I saw my friends Sarah and Heather, both of whom were wearing the dress pictured here, from J. Crew. They are different sizes and shapes and the dress looked fantastic on both of them. The shape is simple — bateau neckline, empire waist with just the right amount of ruching — and the fabric is a lovely soft jersey knit that never wrinkles, no matter how long you wear the dress or how much you wad it up to stuff it in your suitcase.
J. Crew flowy jersey bateau dress, $88.00. Available online in three colors.
J. Crew simplifies weddings
I’m not a big fan of over-the-top wedding gowns; then again, I’m not a big fan of over the top anything, really. I think that clothing, even special occasion dresses, should be functional and easy to wear.
And also beautiful. Don’t forget that.
In the past decade, J. Crew has built a bridal line that is remarkable both for the elegance and simplicity of the gowns and for their incredibly reasonable prices. J. Crew also carries bridesmaids dresses that your friends just MIGHT not hate, and they now offer a designated wedding consultant to coordinate orders.
What more could a bride ask for?
J. Crew Island Eyelet dress, $395.00.
Shabby Apple brings back ladylike
I love Shabby Apple; I love that there is ONE line out there dedicated to offering women sophisticated, well-made, classic dresses that don’t leave our cleavage hanging out. I love that their dresses are feminine without being cloying and festive without being occasion-specific.
And I really love that they’ve thought about how to make these pieces work in terms of travel and laundering.
The dress pictured here, the Daisy, is a practical shirtdress with lovely details; the empire waist and A-line skirt are flattering, while the cotton-rayon blend fabric make this a hearty piece that will last through the day and can be stuffed in a suitcase for a weekend away.
Daisy shirt dress, Shabby Apple, $76.00. And Shabby Apple offers free shipping both ways, so you can try their pieces risk-free! Now that’s real class.