June 7, 2021
Dresses! I wear a LOT of dresses in the summer time, because they’re fast, easy, and modest but still cool…
I know that the list of garments that I wrote years ago specifically says “shirtdress,” but we can be flexible… I like shirtdresses because you can wear another top under them, or use them as a swimsuit coverup, or as a duster jacket over another outfit etc.
Let’s look at some ideas!
Sunglasses – Kate Spade; cotton poplin shirtdress – J.Crew; tank top – L.L.Bean; bag – Melrose And Market; espadrilles – Nine West
For those of you who are saving the individual garment images, here’s the glorious dress all on its own:
I often see women wear button-front dresses with a contrast top underneath, and the dress itself unbutton down to mid-torso. It’s a nice look…
And I’m picturing this scarf tied around a pony tail!
Earrings – Roxanne Assoulin; linen shirtdress – J.Crew; scarf – Echo; tank top – L.L.Bean; espadrille sandals – David Tate
Maybe you just want a dress that does NOT button down the front? This dress looks like it would be so easy to wear – carry your cardigan for air-conditioning chill, and color-coordinate your scrunchie!
Earrings – Kendra Scott; scrunchie – Sweaty Betty; juniper leaf dress – L.L.Bean; white mesh cardigan – Nordstrom; sandals – Sam Edelman
This oh-so-neutral dress is perfect with nothing more than gold accessories. I keep telling myself that I do NOT need this bracelet…
Linen dress – J.Crew; earrings – Talbots; bracelet – Talbots; sandals – Nine West; tote – Chico’s
If I were in the market for a new dress right now, this next one would be the winner!
Cotton poplin gingham shirtdress – J.Crew; earrings – Bling Jewelry; black linen cardigan – Tommy Bahama; bag – Eleanor Ofori London; sandals – Schutz
This next outfit is both casual and dressy kind of all at the same time; I would tie the waist of the shirt over the dress, roll the shirt sleeves, and show off this pretty bracelet and sparkly sandals:
Silver hoop earrings – Nordstrom; icy orchid linen button-back dress – J.Crew; icy orchid linen shirt – J.Crew; pink quartz bracelet – Shubhra Singh; rhinestone sandals – Jeffrey Campbell
For those of you keeping track of where we are in this process, here’s the list:
Wednesday I’m going to try to assemble 13-piece wardrobes from the 13 Spring garments that we’ve seen. Should be a great base for a Garde-Robe du Mois, or just an easy travel wardrobe!
love,
Janice
p.s. Four years ago, our heroine was headed to the beach with an 11 piece wardrobe and a couple of swimsuits…
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Oh I’m so ready for dresses and skirts. I favour maxi length so I can wear a variety of footwear – lace-up walking shoes, ballet shoes, heels or sandals.
Thanks for the look-back. You are a genius (or psychic).
My wardrobe for my birthday weekend away will be based on that colour scheme, though I’m swapping the beige for pale grey. I’m going for 4 days (mainly travelling on two of them). So I reckon on nine garments or a Six Pack
Two pairs of trousers – grey and navy or poss two pairs of grey reducing the need for grey and navy shoes.
Three tops – turquoise, lilac (tees), grey/turquoise floral tee, and an ivory self coloured floral top (probs only wear three)
One floral cardigan (ivory with turquoise and purple flowers and butterflies)
A lilac casual jumper
A grey or lilac cardigan
A purple floral dress for my birthday dinner with grey dress shoes.
Plus in the car, a ight grey trenchcoat (rain not forecast but just in case…)
Scarf and jewellery
Thanks a lot Janice for making packing so easy ?
Beth T,
Happy Birthday !
Happy Birthday to you!
I love the look of a shirt dress, and the idea of it being flexible in it’s use. What I don’t like – esp in summer – is the collar…. i tend more towards t-shirt dresses in the spring/summer… I do really like the icy orchid combo.
Hi! I love all the lovely colors, but for some reason the black/white gingham jumps out at me.
Oh, I know how you feel…
hugs,
Janice
This is a lovely collection of dresses. That long sleeved shirt dress comes in a lot of colors. (I’m swoooooooooning over that one in the plaid you showed and in lemon chiffon.)
Both the pink plaid and navy shirtdresses are fantastic; I would have a hard time choosing between them!
For a comfortable, casual T-shirt maxi-dress, I can highly recommend this Amazon Daily Rituals Lived-In Cotton maxi dress: https://www.amazon.com/Daily-Ritual-Standard-Short-Sleeve-Crewneck/dp/B07JK9ZWNK/ref=sr_1_53?dchild=1&keywords=daily+rituals+t-shirt+dress&qid=1623096259&sr=8-53
I have two: in coral red (I think is called Brick in the US) and in the moss green.
@betht: It’s available from amazon.co.uk, too
That pink and blue plaid and the gingham dresses speak to me! All the dresses are lovely.
You definitely need the bracelet. She’s a stunner!
J Crew has really upped their game. These dresses are all beautiful and fresh looking. Great post!
Janice, All the dresses are beautiful! I particularly loved the navy and the beige dresses for me!!
My favourite is the juniper leaf dress with the pink plaid a close second, although I would more likely wear it if it was a shirt.
Love the pink flower bracelet too.
Summer is the best time to wear flowers (and butterflies). Yesterday, I discovered the remnants of a pearl bracelet in the washing machine…. ? I’m hoping that the rest of it might be in the fluff trap but that is not the easiest thing to get into.
My favourites are the teal juniper dress and the pink plaid, though I’d probably get more wear out of the plaid if it was a shirt.
Love the pink flower bracelet. Summer really is the best time to wear flowers and insects. The pearl bracelet would have my vote if the metal was silver. I found the remnants of a pearl bracelet in the washing machine. I only hope the rest of it is in the fluff trap though that’s difficult to get at.
P.S. Janice – that four year old wardrobe you list at the end has the EXACT same dress as this wardrobe today! The LLBean leaf print dress. A true classic.