1 July 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.
Sources:
- Navy dress: Target
- Scarf: gift from S. from Germany!
- Necklace: polished garnets, from a street vendor in Chattanooga
- Sandals: Jeffrey Campbell, via Rue La La
End Notes:
One of the most rewarding things about this blog is the ability to look back and see how I’ve been able to wear and re-wear a single item. So, much as I reviewed my remixes of my color block skirt, I’m gushing over the ways that I’ve been able to remix this navy dress.
Although this dress is a neutral color (navy), the full dolman sleeves and wide sash still give it “statement” elements. But, I think that I’ve been able to transform this dress in fairly significant ways through styling. The easiest — but still powerful — way to change the feel of this dress is of course through accessories, particularly pops of color. While today’s brown and blue accessories — tan sandals, a polished garnet necklace, and a patterned scarf — are fairly subtle, I’ve also worn patterned tights, saffron tights, and yellow shoes with this dress.
Layering has been another useful practice for re-styling a staple. I’ve layered a skirt over the dress to change the silhouette and I’ve layered a shirt under the dress to add pattern and color.
I used to worry about buying items that were, in my mind, “too statement-y” (yes, I made that up). I thought that if a garment had too many details, too many things that made it visually interesting, it would also be too recognizable and thus I wouldn’t get that much wear out of it. I think that this navy dress has put that myth to rest. Sure, this is not as bold a statement as, say, my candy striper dress, but I do think it manages to hit a great balance between versatility and not-boringness.
1 July 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.
What a pretty (and versatile) dress. I see that you’re definitely getting use out of your new sandals, too!
I love how versatile you made the dress. I would have just worn it the same exact way every time, but I love how you are able to change it up and make it look like a new dress every time!
I absolutely LOVE those sandals from today!! And love all the different looks for the dress – so inspiring!
Could you possibly be any more elegant?!? I think not.
I look at a lot of the stuff from Anthro and think of it as “too statement-y.” Or maybe just too specific. Few of those pieces strike me as versatile, and I really prefer remix-able garments.
This dress, however, has proven marvelously versatile!
Oh, this is absolutely lovely!
I love this post for two reasons: love that dress and I learned new words ;-)
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