Thank you for all the feedback from this post. A lot of you told me you were digging the fashion and photography lately, so lets dive right into it. If I could summarize two trends that I consistently see over the blogland when it comes to fashion it would probably be stripes and plaids, for good reason. They are both extremely versatile and in my book are treated like neutrals that I pair with just about everything. I also like to wear them together. The weather in Florida lately has been blazing lately. Like I feel it is August and I should be heading to Gator games in Gainesville with the amount of humidity in the air. So this past weekend when the temps finally dipped and the humidity went away, it was time to bust out the sweaters and boots that I have been longingly staring at for the past few months. See what I did here?
Let me tell you why I love this sweater dress so much. First, it’s on sale. Second, it’s incredibly soft and not bulky so it doesn’t add that dreaded sweater weight to your frame. Third, it’s clingy just enough to have shape but not see through. It passes the sunshine test. What is the sunshine test you ask? Well wear a thin Target dress to your husbands outdoor softball game with underwear that has writing on it and then ask yourself what that sunshine test is……this dress passes. Note to self and to others, invest in a good slip or stop buying dresses that don’t have an under layer. You will thank me later when the sunshine scene is avoided by all.
Anyways, back to this dress. I am always on the hunt for long sleeve dresses. Rule of thumb, if you are wearing boots that are closed toe, then your shoulders must be covered. No tank top dresses with boots. That is my PSA moment of the day. Boots = sleeves of some sort. Just file that little nugget of knowledge for future use please. This dress meets the long sleeve requirements and is also of an appropriate length especially since it is body fitting.
Striped dress here and here || booties on sale here here and major sale slightly different style here || sunglasses Karen Walker here || fringe purse Milly here and here on sale half off.
The other thing to always check with striped dress is that the stripes line up at the side seams. A cheap or inexpensive dress, the lines won’t line up, dead giveaway for poorly made. This dress lines up perfectly.
How cute is this little fringe piece by Milly? It is the perfect size and not too over fringe bearing. If you want to dip your toe into the fringe trend but not overly commit then this is the bag for you. Perfect spice up to the little black going out purse. It’s on total sale right now find it here.
I think I could get away with it at work if I paired it with a conservative blazer and flats. You can dress it up for happy hour with some statement jewelry or make it casual for the weekend for running errands. This is a great staple investment piece that should hold up throughout the seasons. You can Winterize it with thick tights and boots. It would also look fab layered under a long coat like this one.
The white and black is selling out quickly but the newest version of it comes in a Winter grey/black combo. It runs pretty true to size. This is a small and it is form fitting but not tight. An XS would probably be too clingy so I would say order for your regular sizing. These Joie booties are finally on a major clearance. I picked them up originally from the SHOPBOP sale and they have been staring at me waiting to come out of the plastic envelopes. I also found them on deep discount in a different leather here. I wear them with dresses, skinnies and skirts. They are totally multi functional and are a great addition to the wardrobe.
Last, I have really been digging DITTO. These Karen Walker sunnies are my go to and I didn’t have to plunk down the couple hundred for them. Have you checked them yet? The first month is free with the code meetatthebarre.
I hope everyone is slowly getting back into the groove of the work week. I am back to teaching at barre but my University doesn’t start until next week. One more blissful week of minimal student emails. I will bask in that silence for a few more days!
Cute sweater dress!! You rock it :) Perfect for the winter especially if it’s not to cold.
liz @ sundays with sophie
I love that dress! And how you’ve paired it up. Also, good nugget of advice on the lines meeting up at the seams — I never even thought about that, but you better believe I’ll be looking for that the next time I get anything stripey ;) xo
You know how much I love stripes so I definitely love this dress! SO cute and perfect for a cool day! And love that bag! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
I love that you can’t tell it’s actually a sweater dress – makes it look very light and airy, but how great that it actually provides some warmth too! Such a great look! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
You know I love this dress! I love the white scarf with it, and I would happily take those booties too :)
Total stripe addict over here! This dress looks not only cute but super comfortable too!
I am such a sucker for a good striped dress. I can’t stop buying them! This one is so cute!
Xoxo,
Whitney & Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
Love love love this entire look but that fringe bag is everything!! You look gorgeous, lady!
You were born to rock stripes. Fact.
You look great, lady.
cute dress!! xo jillian – cornflake dreams
Love everything! Looks great on you, and I would wear this year round too. :-)
OMG, I love the sunshine dress, brilliant and hilarious! I’m so with you on the closed toe/covered shoulder PSA. Amen! Enjoy that silence while you can!!
Love this dress. You always find such cool backdrops.
Love this stripe dress! Such a great staple piece for any closet. And what a cute bag!
Xo, Rachel
A Blonde’s Moment
So classic- and too chic! You look killer here, girlfriend. :)
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Stripes are so in this year and I am loving it! This dress seems so versatile and fun. Love your fashion posts!
Super cute outfit!
Gorgeous photos, my friend! That dress fits you to perfection – I’m glad that it finally cooled off so you could rock it!
That bag is so fabulous!!! Love the size! I am all about some stripes. I have been sporting them since high school :)
This dress is fabulous on you, love the stripes! I can’t believe how long it stayed so warm, and was over the humidity. But I’m already too cold lol :-P
Green Fashionista
i love how the dress lines up – you are so right! and i love that you can raise your arms and it won’t show your butt haha! you look so gorgeous my friend!
Loving these stripes for winter, and love it against that bold wall! Fabulous look!
Shauna
http://www.lipglossandlace.net
Love this look, that dress is perfect!
The sunshine test is my new favorite tip! Enjoy the break from school while it lasts!
You can’t go wrong with black and white and this dress is the perfect neutral. Love the fringe bag.
I love the white scarf with this dress and the booties go great with it!
The dress plus the shoes look so comfortable. You rock the look! I like that the dress is form fitted but not tight.
Give me all the stripes! This looks so comfy and so versatile – I feel like you could wear it a million different ways, especially great as a layering piece for up here in the cold!
Give me this dress! You are rockin’ this entire outfit! Xo, Stephanie
Stripes are so classic and you rock them well! Your tips are great too- so true about the seams :)
I’m just so obsessed with this dress–it looks so adorable on you! I can’t get enough of stripes this season!
http://www.rosyoutlookblog.com
Great dress and booties! Love your photo location too. The bright wall is a fun accent with the black and white stripes!
Fabulous dress – you look so cozy and elegant! Not super heavy or see through? That dress sounds perfect! There’s nothing worse than getting new dress and you find out it’s ill fitting or totally sheer.
Annessa
http://www.seekingsunshine.com
Such a cute dress, you can never go wrong with stripes!!
So stylish, but also comfy! Also, how perfect is that wall? xo, Champagne&Suburbs
this dress looks fabulous on you! can’t go wrong with stripes!
I love this dress too! So versatile!