I was slow to the dress and sandal train this year (since I’ve left LA actually) because April RAIN tricks you into thinking summer will never come, but then all of a sudden it was 90 degrees and I was wearing constricting jeans and full toed shoes and these baby sausages were hot. But I can’t with the constricting anymore, I need loose, comfort, which I know is a behavioral result from the “covid comfort years” and some weight fluctuation. So right now, my summer outfit game needs to be lightweight, comfortable, loose (in the places I want it to be loose) yet flattering. I don’t think any of these are going to get me laid, but there is some cleavage involved so, maybe? Ha.
I hate to start with the most expensive, but I wore this dress three times last week because it’s just so good and I feel so great wearing it. I bought it last spring (or the spring before, it’s all a blur) but it’s always available as a staple (and yes a gold-plated staple, she is expensive). It’s a perfectly cut, perfectly distressed layerable piece that can span all four seasons and handles all my fluctuations. I wish it were shorter, but once I tie something around the waste it creeps up and everyone is happy. That shirt is super cute (wearing it right now as I type), and while I’d wait for a sale (it’s $88 full price) I think it’s excellent (I’m wearing it over biker shorts currently).
Back to this. I have a lot of denim dresses, and this one is not the most flattering of them all, but it is the one I want to wear and do wear the most. It’s my favorite. Full stop. Besides, all you have to do is pair it with some tanning foam and Arizona Birkenstocks and you look like a stealth wealth lady of leisure. Please don’t look closely at those pedicure-less toes (although I love how the Birkenstocks mask my bunion – that should be a whole post – open-toe shoes even bunioned people can wear without shame! My dad could make a cameo).
Here she is ready to attend literally any daytime event that includes champagne, ladies, Jesus, or tea (it’s also the perfect wedding guest dress). So lightweight (poplin cotton), and busy enough with the alternating stripes to give all the guests eye enjoyment with no judgment and full modesty. I felt GREAT in this dress – she’s pretty and pulled together.
I bought this as a swimsuit coverup and yet I wore it on a really hot day to clean the house and again to run errands. It’s so lightweight (gauzy), flowy, and drapes perfectly with so much volume (but really short). We found it hilarious that I was trying to strip-tease a sexy shoulder as if I had some sort of “come hither” swimsuit underneath when it’s literally a gingham high-necked full but coverage one piece (hey felllllllaaasss!!!). The suit is GREAT though, (the new Andie Malibu in Gingham). The sandals are Reef and have a cork bottom that is super comfortable. If I’m being honest they are more comfortable than the Birkenstocks that take a while to form (what with the bunion and all). These babies really highlight my spray tan/orange toes.
I’m unsure if this dress is “sexy summer date night” or “Renaissance Faire”. Is it flattering? Yes. A little cheezy? I think so. I’m going to let Brian decide if this dress is a yes or no (not because he owns me, no need to be offended by the patriarchy this time, but I really like when Brian thinks I’m hot and this low coverage would be to specifically attract my own husband, not other guys. So if he’s not into this dress, then I’d rather not have, let’s say a waiter, trying to locate my areola while refilling my water).
Matching Set (Top + Shorts) | Sandals
All my lady friends freaked over this outfit when I debuted it. I think it looks like cute pajamas but I guess that’s in and the level of enthusiasm was high with my team who is all far younger and cooler than I am. So yes, this is an extremely comfortable, cute, and casual outfit that I will be wearing a LOT this summer. I would buy the top on its own TBH and wear it with Levi’s shorts which is more my jam, but obviously, these cotton boxer-looking things are far more comfortable and I guess more on trend so win/win. She’s comfortable and cool!!
Left: Dress + Purse (similar) + Slides | Right: Dress + Sandals
None of us are sure that a purple bubble dress should be a thing, yet all of us were into it! And as the person embodying this dress, I was very pleased with how free I felt. It’s short and voluminous, thus making your legs look long and tiny if you are into that. I actually thought I bought the white one, but this one arrived and I think maybe the statement is better. We all decided that if I lived in New York and had a job at a magazine (a la Devil Wears Prada – I would be Emily Blunt, not Meryl or Anne). I would wear this in the summer because it’s so cool and comfortable, but this has a lot of style and is kinda editorial (this girl isn’t basic). But since I live on a farm and I throw on lace dickies for Zoom calls methinks this isn’t for me. Those mules though, always and forever.
Now THAT’S ME. I hate to bookend this post with another splurge from the same company (and no, I have no affiliation and #ipaidforthis), but it’s the best short jumper I’ve tried yet (and I have a few more coming from other brands, stay tuned). This is flattering on any day and I always feel pulled together. I have a decent-sized beef with fashion designers for thinking that we want these jumpsuits to be fitted and all body con. We do not wear these to show off sexy curves. No, these are cool and utilitarian. We want jumpers to have a structured shoulder, be fitted in the armpits (to show our frame), but roomy around our waist. And then again more fitted in the inside of the crotch but then flair out in the leg. I know that sounds specific (and I’m giving away my future million-dollar fashion line), but all my favorite ones are expensive and have that all in common – the perfect flattering cut. I should probably start a fashion line but like many a lady before me, I’m sure I’d find that in order to get those cuts they have to cost what that one does. But I bought the linen version of this last year and I wore it 3-4 times a week all spring/summer and fall and already have worn it a ton this year. So I splurged on the denim one.
Thanks for coming and staying 🙂
*Photos by Kaitlin Green
The post 5 Flattering Dresses, 1 Cute Matching Set, And A Romper That’s Actually Comfortable: Emily’s Warm Weather Wardrobe Review appeared first on Emily Henderson.
from Emily Henderson https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/womens-comfortable-dresses-sandals-review-2023
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