All Tied Up

It's time to put away the tights and show off those bare legs! Summer dresses are easy to throw on and automatically appear put together in 90° weather. The most casual tee shirt-dress with a pair of sneakers says "I look fabulous" without working at it at all. I love a no-thought look! The drawstring waist dress seems to be popping up everywhere this season, elevating that plain old tee dress into something that is easily styled but still super functional. Check out these examples:

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1. River Island's kimono sleeve dress is big on the details, with beautiful drapey sleeves, a v neckline and lots of pockets - two flap pockets at the chest and hip pockets. This would be a great beach-to-dinner option. 

2. If pure cotton is your game, Tory Burch's drawstring waist t-shirt dress has your name all over it. The lovely Frenesi print is a modern take on toile and a great contrast to a laid-back look. At 34" in length, it can be worn cinched without worrying that you'll be exposing your lady bits (unless lady bit exposure is your thing). 

3. Banana Republic's soft drawstring dress is a tank version that is a mix of modal and viscose, and I'm betting it's a flowy, soft hand. This dress also has pockets and the white version is fully lined. Apparently there's another version (color? print? something?), but I can't find it on the BR site. I'm hoping it shows up soon.

4. For the boho chic fan, Joie's Suerte dress is a beautiful pink silk with an ikat print and embroidery. I may not be big into boho looks, but a little luck (suerte ≡ luck) from Joie in the form of this dress is welcome all summer long. 

Four Way Wednesday: Daytime Affair

It's the middle of the week, which means it's time to explore some options! Our third (fourth, maybe?) daytime affair is coming up next weekend and I'm trying to figure out what to do for this one. If it's not a garden party, daytime affairs can be tough, especially if there is a ceremony in a house of worship. For weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, christenings and other partly-religious shindigs, things to consider are whether or not your arms/shoulders have to be covered, if your skirt needs to be a particular length, and if, as a woman, pants are permitted. Oh, and my favorite: how dressy is this thing, exactly? You might think there's an easy answer to that, but trust me, you'd be wrong. One affair was on a boat and called for "first class attire". We debated if this meant casual, smart, dressy or otherwise. Final translation: cocktail.

So my arms will have to be covered in the synagogue, but after, all bets are off. And I mean that literally since the party is in the middle of the day. For a big party post-religious ceremony, I have seen dresses that range from work attire to red carpet, all at the same event. I am planning on wearing a sleeveless, high crew neck black Ralph Lauren Purple Label jersey sheath. But how to make it something more than just a "regular" black dress? Here are the four options I've come up with:

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The Armani Collezioni dress above is nearly identical to my dress, except the one pictured has pockets, which is stellar. I adore a dress with pockets, especially an LBD with pockets. This look may be my favorite. Having a high neckline with a really bright statement necklace is so much fun and really spot on for a daytime affair. The clutch carries through the bright color theme, but you're not on the dance floor with it, so it's just a sweet addition. All the other accessories remain neutral (read: black) to keep the focus on the dress and necklace.

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Black and white is a no-miss, as long as you make sure you're not dressed like the catering staff. The addition of this adorable moto-inspired jacket from Club Monaco along with pearls and fun graphic heels will keep me in with the party, not in with the wait staff.

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A big cuff and fun earrings is another way to go with this silhouette. And gold and black is elegant and timeless. The sweater is a necessity for the synagogue, but I'll lose it the minute we leave. This look does skew a bit more evening with the addition of the Edie Parker clutch, but it's just divine!

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While silver/platinum isn't usually my thing, I love this look from head to toe. The black dress will set off the sweet classic crystal strand from Bauble Bar and the fun Tarina Tarantino chandelier earrings. J. Crew's mirror finish heels are a great height for three hours of dancing (ok, maybe two before all of my girls and I are barefoot). And the holo clutch from Clare Vivier is delicious, and big enough for all the essentials. 

What's your favorite? Keep a lookout for my pick next Saturday on Instagram!

Four Way Wednesday: Summer Dress

Being a lazy chick who doesn't like to look like she's being lazy, dresses are a fantastic asset to my warm weather wardrobe. I try to stuff my spring/summer closet with dresses that work in a variety of situations. And when I say variety, I don't mean throwing a suit jacket over a bodycon dress. My office is corporate enough (and I'm old enough) to know that there is no way that's going to be appropriate for me.

Tory Burch's Valerie dress fits the bill for so many occasions. It's green and white print is eye-catching without being overwhelming, and the low cut back is exactly right for when you want to show a little skin, yet can be hidden under a jacket or sweater when you want to look a bit more buttoned up. Let's have a look:

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I need heels for work. It makes me feel powerful. I also need a big bag to stash my flipflops in when I slip my heels on. The dark chambray jacket covers the open back of the dress, keeps your body temp from hitting hypothermia from the office HVAC and provides professionalism all in one go. I don't like to go crazy with jewelry at the office, and a short chunky link chain compliments the high neckline of the dress without being too fussy. A nude lip at work makes me feel polished and keeps the lips moisturized. 

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Versatility is key at a pool party. Throw your suit and towel in a bag and wear this to meet everyone. Sunscreen is a must, and I go the extra mile with a hat and sunglasses. Well, sunglasses look incredibly cool too, so I never skip them!

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Every summer, my girlfriends and I play hooky for a day and hit the city. We do a lot of walking, so a sturdy heel and a cross-body bag are musts. By using a bootie, an eye catching cuff and big hoops, the dress skews a bit boho. I am nowhere near boho in my style. This satisfies my need for boho without me feeling like I'm dressed in someone else's clothing.

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Got a daytime wedding? Add a chic jeweled cardi for the actual ceremony and then lose it for the party. Gold accessories with a dash of neon take the Valerie dress to the next level. And don't forget your pedi. I love to play with color on my toes, and it's a great conversation starter!

Draw the Line

Something about summer brings out the stripe lover in me, be it a nautical, a wild color mix or a bold graphic. Maybe I was a sailor in a former life...yeah, not really sure about that one. Stripes can be tough though. There's the fear of them making me look wide, or look like I'm refereeing my kids' softball game, or that I might look like an actual sailor (or just like I'm dressed in a ridiculous costume). I remember as a kid I had a great vertical black and white striped rugby shirt. Oh, how I loved that shirt, and it was purchased on sale at the end of summer, before the beginning of 8th grade. I was so excited to wear it, and loved every second of having it on...until one of my classmates asked me if I was going to call the boys' soccer game. That evening, the shirt went into the goodwill pile. To stay far, far away from the game ref look, I avoid vertical black and white stripes.

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1. A traditional sailor shirt has been on my wish list for a very long time. This version from St. James is so chic and cool, and it works with white jeans (yes!), or even better, a white mini skirt. 

2. When I think of tote, Michael Kors Jet Set immediately pops into mind. Aside from the richly striped Saffiano leather, this multi-function tote has a center zip compartment, which makes organization a snap!

3. As I'm sure you've figured out, I'm lazy, but I like to look put-together and many times these two are at odds with each other. Problem solved with Trina Turk's Montecito dress, which makes the lazy person in me happy (just throw it on!), and satisfies my need to look like I have made an effort, simply because it's gorgeous. 

4. Equipment shirts were a staple of my mom's wardrobe in the 80's and they are quickly becoming a go-to in mine. The silk is so soft and feels fantastic. This tie-dye stripe provides just a bit of boho to any look.

5. Coach has been knocking it out of the park in the shoe department, this season being no exception. The Marci heel has captured the essence of the ankle-strap sandal, and the striped leather is so exciting! A major plus for me is the 2.5" heel height, which means I can walk in them all day.

6. Summertime date nights make me want to break out colorful clothes. Colorful striped clothes? Bonus! Nanette Lepore's striped dress will make the cut for the pool party, the beach party and the table for two with a votive candle.  

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