The Role of Dresses in Your Personal Style

Some of my friends, family members, and clients wear dresses sparingly or not at all. Generally, they find dresses fussy, uncomfortable, impractical, hard to style, and too dressed up for daily life despite the fact that dresses can be roomy, comfy, easy to wear, easy to launder, and very casual. 

Some reserve dresses for special occasions. Some feel that their mobility is restricted in a dress, and wear them infrequently. Some feel self-conscious or exposed in dresses. Some prefer the leg coverage of long pants and jeans. Some prefer shorts to dresses in high heat. Some find dresses hard to fit, opting for skirts and tops instead. Some don’t like to wear hosiery, leggings, or tall boots with dresses when it’s cold, making them a non-starter. Some feel they don’t have the right footwear to wear with dresses. Some prefer their body type in pants, jeans, and shorts. Some feel that their personality is more effectively expressed through pants, jeans, and shorts. And dresses can be wind-unfriendly.

Personally, I bat for Team Dress and LOVE wearing pretty dresses in warm and hot weather. With time and patience (because I’m very particular about the length, fit, silhouette, fabric, and colour of the dresses I wear) I’ve created a fab-for-me frock capsule that gives me joy. I feel attractive, carefree, relaxed, comfortable, pulled together, confident, and summery when I wear a dress that provides the right coverage and allows me to move freely. I find dresses an easy pull-on-and-go outfit option, and wear them with flat footwear. Here’s my current dress capsule. Apart from the formal and funeral frocks, these are “everyday dresses” for my lifestyle.

All of that said, I relate to some of the reasons to not wear a dress. I tend to wear casual and smart casual dresses in Summer because they are a glorious hot weather option for my style. I have a few Winter weight dresses, but do not gravitate to them because I run cold. Although I happily wear sheer hosiery and tall boots for insulation, the combination isn’t as warm as wearing pants, jeans, or a skirt with knitwear. And when I’m having a very active day with my clients — where I’m bending up and down a lot, walking up and down flights of stairs, and running around — pants are more practical.

Over to you. How frequently do you wear dresses?

Repositioning and Switching Buttons

Adjusting the position of buttons on clothing can improve their fit. Swapping out the buttons on garments can make them more to your taste. Carefully painting the existing buttons to change their colour can work well too. 

I occasionally adjust the buttons on the sleeve cuffs of shirts, blouses, and shirtdresses to create a tighter fit on my wrists. The narrower opening makes them look neater, and more structured when the sleeves are down. The narrower cuff opening can also make sleeves scrunch more effectively when I pull them up. Sometimes I reposition the buttons on toppers to create a more streamlined and cleaner fit.

I’ve swapped out dark buttons on coats for oatmeal tortoiseshell buttons that match my hair, or to self-colour buttons that match the topper. I’ve painted too-silver stud buttons on a white denim jacket with gold nail polish to warm them up.

With needle, thread, and scissors on hand, these types of garment alterations are easy, affordable, and not that time consuming. I find buttons I like at craft stores or buy them online. I’ve also passed on buttons to seamstress friends who can repurpose them.

Over to you. Do you reposition or change the buttons of clothing from time to time?

Outfit Formula: Summery Trends

It’s Summer in the northern hemisphere and the trends are in full swing. Snack, fast, or feast from the buffet of trends and do your own thing. Milk the ones you love, dabble in the ones you like, and leave the rest. All items and looks have longevity when you wear them with confidence, intention, verve and sass. 

Onto some outfit inspiration:

1. Jorts and Jacket

Jorts — a jeans and shorts hybrid — are having a fashion moment, and here’s a way to dress them up a bit. A pair of light wash jorts is combined with a tucked white tee. A brightly patterned and fluidly cut blush and orange blazer is the third piece. A mismatched brown belt complements the palette and dresses up the look. Cream flat Mary Janes with matching cream boho-chic bag are the on trend finishing touches. Hoop earrings add a little glam.

Jorts and Jacket

Here are ways to dress up jorts with neutrals, and also without toppers:

2. Bubbled and Vested

Bubble skirts continue to fringe trend while waistcoats (or vests) are mainstream. Here’s an example of wearing them together. A knee-length tan broomstick pleated bubble skirt is combined with on off-white long length waistcoat. White sneakers add a Sporty Luxe touch.They match the top, while the stripes match the model’s hair. Arm candy and hoop earrings add shine and interest. A gold bag would work well too.

Bubbled and Vested

3. Patterned Pants Set

Co-ords in the form of roomy patterned tops with matching patterned pants in airy linens and cottons continue to trend. They are an easy and breezy way to dress if you like the visual effect. The sleeved versions offer effective sun protection. Here’s a version in a cream and olive pattern. The set is completed with cream and black flatform sandals, which match the cream in the pattern and the model’s hair. An on trend crochet boho-chic bag completes the look.

Patterned Pants Set

Here more versions of co-ords, generally worn with flat sandals or slides. There are ballet flats and sneakers too:

Nordstrom
DIARRABLU Una Top
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Mango
Printed Cotton Shirt
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Mango
Cotton Paisley Shirt
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Mango
Printed Cotton Shirt
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4. Boho-Lite Dress

Last, an on trend boho-lite dress in a breezy tiered silhouette is a no fuss pull-on-and-go, and there are countless variations in colour and styles. This version is a ‘70s silhouette in ‘80s colours so quite the eclectic mix. Western accents are classic AND on trend making the metallic cowboy boots a delicious addition. Add jewellerry, bag, eyewear and watch as desired.

Boho Lite Dress

More boho-lite dresses for outfit inspiration:

Roundups

Simpler Items

This week's list of top picks list is about basic pieces.

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Assorted Items

Items for Summer, both in and out of air conditioning.

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Casual Summer Vibes

This week's top picks are good for a casual Summer vibe.

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Summery Earth Tones

These items are for those who like to wear casual earth tones in warm and hot weather.

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Hints of Spring

Some tried-and-tested winning items to refresh your style for Spring.

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Dressier Items

An assortment of dressier top picks might be just what the doctor ordered.

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Fab Finds: Shoes, Bags, Beauty Products

Here are items that have been winners on clients recently. I’ve also included some of my current favourite new-to-me beauty products. Be sure to browse the colour options, and read the online reviews. You might catch some items on sale. 

1. Cole Haan Footwear

Cole Haan shoes are worth a look because they’re generally well made and comfortable. The brand offers excellent mens shoes too. Hubs Greg has several pairs that are workhorses. I usually have one or two pairs of Cole Haan shoes in my footwear capsule. Of this selection, notably, the Mirabelle Crisscross Sandal in the metallic options has awfully pretty white piping that makes it look extra refined and interesting on the feet. The Grand Pro Topspin Sneaker is fashionably platformed, works on narrow heels and higher arches, is super comfy, and comes in nineteen colour options. Some of the colours come in wide widths. The Marlee Fisherman Footbed Sandal is cushioning, has a wider footbed, and might run half a size big.

2. Calvin Klein Fay Crossbody Bag

This bag is for Team Silver Hardware, which is finally more available. The CK Fay Crossbody is small and streamlined, has an architectural boxy integrity, handy magnetic closure, great hardware, and comes in a range of colours. It’s fairly lightweight, and has a comfy broad strap.

3. Beauty Products

I’ve finally found effective dry shampoo that does not irritate my skin too much, and Act + Acre fits the bill. It’s fragrance-free, and not too drying. It’s a powder that blows out of the applicator rather than a spray. Living Proof Clarifying Detox Shampoo is amazing! It’s shampoo you use ONCE a week to deeply cleanse hair and remove buildup from hair products, dirt, oil, and other impurities. It leaves your hair looking healthy, shiny, and voluminous for days. I repeat, this is a weekly, and not daily shampoo. Last, Ren Clean Skincare Overnight Recovery Balm has been a game changer for my facial and neck skin, which is reactive and prone to dermatitis, eczema, and intense dryness. You use it at night only – (once a day) – and without additional facial creams. It does its magic when you sleep, leaving your skin dewy, soft, soothed, rosy, moisturized and healthy. I apply regular moisturizer in the morning, and recovery balm a few times a week. I’ve been using the balm for five weeks with zero irritation. The look and feeling of my skin changed within a day, and I’m grateful.

Open Weave Knitwear: Yay, Nay, or Maybe

An open weave (or open stitch) sweater is a pullover or cardigan made with a loosely knitted pattern that has noticeable gaps between the yarn. This creates a breathable and lightweight item of knitwear that’s semi-sheer or see-through, depending on the size of the weave. Pointelle and crochet knitwear are examples of open weave knits. 

Open weave knitwear can be any colour and length, and comes in a range of silhouettes. Some weaves are more open than others. Some styles are warmer and more covered than others. Some have sleeves and some are sleeveless. Some require a camisole, bra-top, bathing costume, or tank, and some are sufficiently opaque with a regular bra. Fabrics range from cotton and linen, to wool and synthetics. Blends of these fibres are common.

This collection shows many examples.

Zara
Crochet Kimono Jacket
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Loft
Daisy Crochet Tank Top
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Zara
Pointelle Knit Top
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Zara
Textured Knit Top
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We see open weave knitwear every season because depending on the weight and style, it works well in mild, warm, and hot weather. Some like it for transitional weather. Others like it for their swimwear capsule. Generally lightweight, breathable, breezy, covered, texture-rich, and relaxed. It has the the tendency to snag if the weave is very loose and the holes are big so be mindful of that.

Open weave knitwear creates different vibes. It can look beachy, boho chic, boho-lite, sporty, preppy, pretty, or modern retro from the ‘60s and ‘70s, so take your pick. I usually have a couple of open weave Summer pullovers in my knitwear capsule because I adore the prettiness of it, and the alluring integrity of a more sheer garment. Currently I have two, of which the one requires a white camisole, and the other is fine with just a bra. The holes are smaller for sun protection.

I vote YAY. How about you?