Who doesn’t love a summer dress? Especially one that can be worn two ways?! After the long winter, and the much awaited Spring has sprung, it’s time to add, or pull out those fabulous summer dresses. And since here at Method39 we love versatility, I thought I’d show you two ways to wear one of mine.
MY RAINBOW SUMMER DRESS
You know, I didn’t even think I liked a rainbow pattern this bold, until I came across this one. Last summer I was looking for a fab dress to take to Las Vegas for a friends surprise 40th birthday party. Since my days of wearing super tight and short dresses are behind me, I wanted to find something that suited my style now; but still had to get me feeling “extra”. The totally bare arms and back nailed it. The flowy dress made me feel like, you guessed it, I was floating, so it was the perfect combo! And evening wear always calls for a clutch. Metallic is a neutral and the perfect pop against this colorful gown.
I always encourage my readers to find the part of their body they love, and feel confident showing off. Mine is my arms and shoulders, which is why a racer back or halter top is an easy choice. So I show that off, and only that, not the whole package. If you love to show off your toned legs, then balance all that skin but wearing something flowy and offers more coverage up top. Of course you look fab under there! The people who need to know….KNOW, believe me.
SUMMER DRESS ACCESSORIES
To complete the look for Vegas, I added a super long gold lariat worn backwards, so it would drape down my bare back, mixed in with the bow to tie the dress up. Plus I had my hair down and curled, so it was a bit of bling; but not in your face. The dress was the focal point with it’s bold pattern and super soft / shiny fabric.
My shoes are a fabulous consignment store find. Dubai has a great shop called Garderobe, and I love browsing there for some second hand designer goodies. That’s where these Valentino peep toe heels came from. The gold leather and super sparkly bow level up this dress big time. Again, subtle, not in your face; but added details!
The other important thing I wore with this was a stick on bra. I needed some support; but in a backless dress plus halter top, there’s no place for straps. So I got the sticky cups that clip together in the middle and was able to dance the night away without a care in the world.
MAKING THIS SUMMER DRESS MORE CASUAL
Another thing I really encourage you to do when looking at your clothes, is to not take them too literally. While I originally wore this dress for a dressy occasion, that doesn’t mean I can’t use my accessories and wardrobe to dress it down, and wear it out again!
ACCESSORIZE
My one summer dress worn two ways. For this more casual look that you could wear on vacation, browsing summer markets or just a lunch on a patio with friends or your partner, I added some casual extras. The straw fedora should be a summer hat in every woman’s wardrobe. It can make a bad hair day look REAL good in about 3 seconds. Then I grabbed my rose gold shades, a neutral cross body bag (which screams casual everyday style), and my white and grey sandals with silver studs. If I had a jean jacket I would have added it too and then you could wear this all day and into a chilly evening.
Accessories were a long gold and silver coin pendant and stacked leather and metal bracelets. I hope this example shows you how accessories, and the way you finish a look, can change the vibe of a bold patterned dress, with a few little changes.
ONE SUMMER DRESS WORN TWO WAYS
What better bang for your style dollars, than to find ways to wear your barely worn items, a little more frequently, with it being as easy as changing up your finishing touches! While I don’t want you wearing out your “good” clothes or investment pieces before their time, I do want you to get the most out of the pieces you love. And often when we have a piece we really like, and love wearing, it boosts our confidence. I believe when we look good we feel good, and when we feel good we do good!
I felt like a million dollars when we were in Vegas celebrating our friend. I love the fit and style of the dress. It was sexy because it showed off my arms and whole back; but since it was so loose and flowy, I could eat, drink, dance, and be merry without the slightest bit of discomfort. So I had the BEST time! I’m so over wearing clothes that feel constricting and like I can’t just be fully me, how about you? At least for this kind of event anyway.
WHO SAYS CASUAL CAN’T BE SEXY?
In the casual look, what better time to show off your arms and back than in summer? We are used to seeing tank tops or strapless, this absolutely fits in to the season, and with some casual, everyday style accessories to dress it down, why NOT wear it out? Even wearing this for date night on a patio sipping something delicious is a great option if you ask me. And I’m willing to bet your date might just appreciate it too. What?! I’m in my 40’s, not dead! Our hubby is the only guy we want to look at us with love in their eyes, so if we dress up for them once in a while, it’s keeping that spark alive!
Just whatever you do, or where ever you go, make sure confidence is the last thing you put on.
xoxo Taryn