Dreamy Dresses from Closet52 - The Doily Print Dress

Closet52 is on a mission to give all women affordable, quality made dresses at reasonable prices. Based in New York City, they provide dresses for work, everyday and special occasions. Their line of affordable, quality made dresses includes swing styles, a-line, sheath, maxis and more. Join me today as I style the Doily Print Dress.

This dress is all about the print. I love the fun doily pattern. If you are older, like me, then you probably had doilies around your home growing up or perhaps they were in your grandmother’s house. I always love the lacy look of a doily under a lamp on a side table or dresser. These are much more colorful than the creamy white ones I grew up with, but they definitely give the dress a lacy look.

I am very impressed with Closet52’s fabrics and details. The dress is a medium weight (polyester/spandex blend) which gives it movement and swing. This one lays very well and I did not have to worry about wearing a slip. The other detail that impressed me about all of the sleeveless dresses I picked out was that the armholes were the perfect size for me. Often the sleeveless arm holes on a piece will be too big, revealing my bra, or so small they feel constricting.

Another fabulous detail on this dress is the tie at the back of the neck. Easy on and easy off make this piece perfect for a summer party, event or dinner out after a day at the beach. The material will pack well and the fun pattern will translate into all seasons. I am already thinking about how I could add tights and ankle boots in the fall, or a blazer and skinny jeans in the winter. I love when clothing pieces have that much versatility.

For this look I simply added a few of my own elements, including a necklace, bag, combat boots, and a jacket.

There are so many ways you could style this dress from amazingly simple to wonderfully elegant. Add a pair of flip flops or sneakers for ultra casual. Add a fancy topper and heels for a night on the town. If you are looking for a dress be sure to stop by Closet52. Styles range from cute to elegant, and sizing includes regular, petites and plus size.

If you are looking for a dress be sure to stop by Closet52.

Photo credit Jessica Trumbull @ Rebecca Trumbull Photography.

This dress was gifted to me by Closet52. All opinions are my own.

Having Fun with Layers - Summer Dress in Winter

The beauty of layering is that it allows you to wear many of your wardrobe pieces over multiple seasons. In fact, when you layer you can wear any lighter weight spring or summer pieces all year long. For people like me, who have way too many clothes for every season, I don’t really have to worry about wearing summer skirts in the winter, but there is an element of desire here. Once we get into the month of March, all of us are over winter and want to pull out our light weight pieces and at least look like spring has sprung.

Today, I am going to show you how to layer an outfit with a summer dress that makes it perfectly wearable during a polar vortex. It is most likely you won’t be going anywhere anyway, but why not look springy and bright in your own home for a needed change of pace. You could turn the heat up to 80 F, or you could just add a few layers.

I am also trying to add a few tips to my blog posts when applicable that help you in the how to’s of outfit building. These will be highlighted in bold text.

My daughter was getting rid of this LuLaRoe swing dress with a high-low hem and I just fell in love with the colors, so I grabbed it. In the picture below, you can see it without the belt, but I wanted to have more of an hour glass silhouette so I added the wide black stretchy belt.

Once again, I used my black knit tights and my black tank top as my under layers. I simply use what I have available, but every woman is different. You might prefer more silky fabrics agains your skin and choose pretty cami’s and slips for your foundational under layers. Or you might prefer a set of heat keeping thermal (or something like Under Armor) underwear. Whatever you use, if you live in a climate that gets cold, snow and ice in the winter you know how essential layering is.

Layering Tip: Use multiple light weight layers to alleviate bulk.

For this look I also chose to add a button down blouse under the dress. This thrifted chambray printed top is Old Navy brand and I thought the colors in it went well with the colors in the dress. I get a bit of print mixing as well.

Print Mixing Tip: Choose patterns that have at least one or two similar colors.

For this first look, I added a bright blue bag, a Christmas gift from my younger daughter a few years ago. I like how it makes the blue in the dress really pop. It also adds that element of spring we are all longing for.

Once I added the belt, I thought I would also add a longer sweater over the top. Ladies, I live in an old, drafty house that is almost 100 years old. We have done a few things over the years to help insulate, like add loose insulation and get new windows, but without actually tearing the place down and starting over, we still live in a drafty, older home. I’m fine with that, but it does require multiple layers. I often feel silly wearing as many layers as I do, but this is life. All that to say, yes, I would wear these layers at home.

This cozy open front sweater was a Christopher and Banks purchase from a year ago. I love this medium green, marled look and I thought it went really well with the dress, even though it isn’t exactly matchy, matchy. Sometimes a little different shade of color or added texture can really add to an outfit.

Outfit Building Tip: Adding texture to your outfit will add interest, and often extra warmth.

Since the background of the dress is black, I thought black was a good choice for the belt and boots, and in this look with the sweater I added my black Aidebam bag, which I got this past Christmas from the same daughter who got me the blue bag. Both my daughters know, I love my accessories. My boots are Croft & Barrow, a few years old, from Kohl’s.

For jewelry I wore a simple bead pendant necklace with a similar color scheme and a couple of beaded bracelets, that I didn’t get a close up of.

Accessory Tip: Less is more. If wearing busy pattern all over, chose accessories that compliment rather than detract from the pattern.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you like your pieces to match or do you like to think outside the box when it comes to blending colors and patterns? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me some love in the comments section below.

Now, for the winners of the Bloggiversary giveaway. The winners are Jessica Klimesh and April White. Congratulations, ladies! I will be contacting you soon, to arrange getting your gift card!

Have a great day everyone. Stay warm, stay safe and stay sane!