I finally found a pair of dress-worthy boots that fit my petite frame/athletic calves challenge. So I started looking for dresses and skirts so that I can make the most of the boots once the weather cools enough.

This first item is a striped rayon jersey dress from Ann Taylor Loft (ATL), which comes in petites (thank the fates!). It has a slight ruching at the waist, which plays down the potential for skin-tight-clubbing-dress. I love the cowl neck - a favorite neckline of mine, and the relatively wide shoulders. It is shorter and tighter than I have become accustomed to wearing, but I am working on embracing clothes that show & flatter my figure more. This dress will look great with dark tights and dressier boots, though here I went for summery bare legs and my distressed Frye Campus boots. This is why I think it is a great two-to-three season dress.

I intentionally dressed down the look so that I wouldn't be over "done" for my casual clinic environment. I feel like the tall boots compliment the short length of the dress while giving me more of a covered look - sandals or heels make it all leg, which felt too bare for clinic. I added my new AG Denim jacket for coverage and comfort during the cool morning hours.

This look really brings me back to an essential but long overlooked favorite of mine: a clearly womanly top paired with beat-up/well-loved boots. When I was younger, I did this with distressed jeans, harness boots, and a girly/romantic top. Nowadays, I like the somewhat rock-n-roll aspect of this fitted, short dress with my Fryes. I'm on a rock-n-roll chic kick!