Summer Dresses: Now & Later

Bows & Sequins wearing a Topshop moto jacket and black gingham Modcloth midi dress with a leather tote and strappy Mary Janes.

And just like that… We’re back to turtleneck weather in May. Womp, womp. It’s one freezing Friday in Chicago today… 41 degrees and raining. At least it makes staying inside and working a whole lot easier?

One of my favorite (and easiest!) ways to transition my summer dresses (both in the spring and the fall) is to layer a tissue-thin turtleneck underneath! I got this gingham dress last summer at Modcloth and I could have sworn I styled in on the blog, but I guess I never did. Kind of surprising for how much I wore it!

Fashion blogger Bows & Sequins wearing black and white sunglasses, a gingham dress, and black turtleneck top.

Some necklines are harder to layer than others, but it almost always works with a spaghetti strap style! The simpler, the better.

Chicago blogger Bows & Sequins wearing a Topshop moto jacket and a gingham midi dress from Modcloth with Zara patent strappy Mary Janes.

Here are a few more black and white gingham dresses available now…

Chicago fashion blogger Bows & Sequins wearing a Topshop moto jacket, black gingham Modcloth dress, and Zara patent Mary Janes.

I’ve been hunting for a simple black leather tote forever and finally found this one when I was in Amsterdam a few weeks ago! Besides my little evening bag and various black clutches, I didn’t have a black bag for daytime. Since I wear a lot of black, especially during the winter, this was kind of a must-have for me!

Bows & Sequins wearing a black gingham midi dress with a moto jacket, a leather tote, and strappy Mary Janes.

I got this black moto jacketย in the fall and can’t even count the number of times I’ve worn it since then… 50-something, if I had to guess. Traveling in Europe, nights out, and chilly spring days, too! It actually came with a removable fur collar (styled on the blog here!), but it’s unbelievably versatile without. You’d never believe it was only $100, would you?! It’s held up SO WELL, too.ย There’s one size left on Nordstrom (one size smaller than what I have) so scoop it up if it fits!

Kind of hard to find this time of year, but here are a few more moto styles I’m loving…

Jessica of Bows & Sequins styling a Modcloth gingham dress with a J.Crew tissue turtleneck and black & white Nordstrom sunglasses.

Get the Look…

Modcloth Gingham Dress (old; similar style hereย & here!)
J.Crew Tissue-Thin Turtleneck
Topshop Moto Jacket (similar here, here, &ย here, too!)
Zara Patent Strappy Mary-Janes (similar here, here, & here!)
Napsoe Leather Tote (bought in Amsterdam, similar here!)
Nordstrom BP Sunglasses (sold out; similar here & here!)
Kate Spade Black Leather Watch
Black & Gold Ring (bought in Hong Kong; similar steal & similar splurge!)

Lifestyle blogger Bows & Sequins wearing a Topshop moto jacket with a gingham midi dress, a leather tote, and Zara patent Mary Janes.

Chicago blogger Bows & Sequins wearing a Topshop moto jacket, Modcloth gingham dress, and Zara patent strappy Mary Janes with a leather tote and Nordstrom sunglasses.

Lifestyle blogger Bows & Sequins wearing a Modcloth gingham midi dress with a moto jacket, leather tote, and Nordstrom black & white sunglasses.

Bows & Sequins styling a Modcloth black gingham dress with a J.Crew tissue turtleneck and Nordstrom sunglasses.

Chicago lifestyle blogger Jessica Sturdy styling a Modcloth black gingham midi dress with a Topshop moto jacket and J.Crew tissue turtleneck with a leather tote, Nordstrom sunglasses, and Zara Mary Janes.

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10 Comments

  1. 5.19.17
    Kate said:

    Your shoes look adorable paired with that dress
    Kate || KATE KOUTURES

  2. 5.19.17
    MARTINA said:
  3. 5.19.17
    Ashleigh said:

    This is such a great look! It just started snowing again and all my winter clothes are totally packed so this is a great idea! The top and dress look perfect together!

    xx Ashleigh // Fashion in Flight

  4. 5.19.17
    Briana said:

    I love the gingham print! It is definitely not cold like that down here in Texas!

    Briana
    http://beyoutifulbrunette.blogspot.com/

  5. 5.20.17
    Natali said:

    This is one of the best monochromatic looks I’ve seen in a long time! Your look wonderful!

    http://lartoffashion.com

  6. 5.20.17
    Nicola said:

    You look gorgeous! I love the dress!
    xx Nicki
    http://www.morningelegance.de

  7. 5.21.17
    Minau said:

    Love this look a lot!

  8. 5.21.17

    Beautiful look
    xx
    The Pink Pineapple
    New post:
    http://thepinkpineappleblog.blogspot.com/