When I was shopping at Banana Republic a few weeks ago for the outfit you saw in Tuesday’s post, I couldn’t help but take home this navy eyelet dress, too! But when I got it home and was playing dress up in my closet, I couldn’t nail down the first way that I wanted to wear it on the blog. There were so many options! Too hard to pick just one, you know? I know I’ll be reaching for this dress over and over again this spring and summer, so I figured I’d show a handful of different ways I plan to wear it this season!
FYI: This dress is on sale and almost sold out online so I’ve linked to some very similar navy dresses that would work with all of these outfits, too! It’s also available in white and lavender, which would both be fabulous for summer.
Now, on to the outfits!
1. All-American
As soon as Memorial Day Weekend arrives, my wardrobe starts to strongly revolve around navy, red, and white. Americana everything, all summer long! While I’m always one to wear navy and white all year round, I can’t resist pops of red in the summertime. I think it’s so chic and looks timeless when it’s done right!
I recently got these platform pumps and instantly knew they’d be perfect for the summer season! I was a bit intimidated at first because the heel looks so high, but they are surprisingly so, so comfortable to walk in. Gotta love a platform! I can’t get over how fun they are with the navy and white basketweave and bright red strap. #InLove (PS: It’s also available in a wedge!)
Get the Look…
Banana Republic Dress c/o
Tommy Hilfiger Platform Sandals
J.Crew Striped Clutch
Red Sunglasses (old, similar here, here, here, here, & here!)
Lipstick: Lancome ‘Oui Monsieur’ Matte Lip Crayon
2. Stan Smith Sneakers
I mentioned my Stan Smith obsession a few weeks ago (read that post here!), and I can’t deny my love for a dress paired with sneakers. The juxtaposition of a feminine dress with masculine sneakers gets me every time. It’s just so cool! When I was in Paris a few weeks ago, I saw girls wearing Stan Smiths with absolutely everything, but my favorite outfits were when they paired their sneakers with skirts and dresses. So chic! If it’s a cooler day or you’re indoors, a denim jacket would be so cute tossed over the top!
Get the Look…
Banana Republic Dress c/o
Stan Smith Sneakers (also available here, here, & here!)
J.Crew Striped Clutch
Tom Ford Sunglasses (also available here!)
Lipstick: Lancome ‘Oui Monsieur’ Matte Lip Crayon
3. Belted with a Vest
I love the look of a belted vest over your dress this season! I’ve been all about the vests lately (this post, this post, this post) because they’re so versatile, especially in the spring. During this crazy up-and-down weather, it’s nice to be able to throw on a warmer layer that isn’t the same ol’ coat you’ve been wearing for months on end, you know? Plus, I never feel complete without a “third piece” so vests become my ultimate layering piece in the warmer months.
Another look I’ve been loving lately? Adding your own belt over vests and coats! It adds so much personality, especially when you remove the belt that your coat comes with and add one from your closet. This works for both wool coats and trench coats, too!
Get the Look…
Banana Republic Dress c/o
ASOS Vest
Madewell Belt
Ivanka Trump Heels (more colors available here & here!)
Kate Spade Handbag
Bauble Bar Pearl Stud Cuff
Celine Sunglasses
Lipstick: Lancome ‘Oui Monsieur’ Matte Lip Crayon
4. Perfect for a Picnic
There’s just something about eyelet that makes me dream of a sunny summer day on a picnic blanket! An eyelet dress is the perfect dress for summer weekends… Picnics, farmers markets, alfresco brunch, walks in the park, you name it. For this weekend look, I paired my dress with comfortable woven flats, a cute wicker bag, and my favorite packable hat to keep the sun off my face! I love this hat because it’s so easy to wear. It’s a packable (i.e. foldable) material so you can stick it in your handbag when you don’t feel like wearing it. It’s always kind of annoying to carry a hat when you pop indoors or when the wind picks up when you’re outside, so it’s nice to be able to stick it in your bag without worrying about the hat losing it’s shape. It’s also perfect for travel, too… I pack it in my suitcase regularly and it unfolds nicely without any damage each and every time!
This outfit with the hat and wicker basket would be so cute for a Kentucky Derby party, too! Depending on where you’re headed to watch the race, I’d maybe add a pair of espadrille wedges (I love this pair & this pair!) to dress it up a little bit more.
Get the Look…
Banana Republic Dress c/o
Sun Hat with Navy Bow
Rachel Zoe Woven Flats (similar styles here, here, & here!)
J.McLaughlin Wicker Bag
Celine Sunglasses
Michael Kors Watch (old, similar here, here, here, & here!)
Lele Sadoughi Pearl Cuff (also available here!)
Lipstick: Lancome ‘Oui Monsieur’ Matte Lip Crayon
5. A Pop of Print
You can never go wrong with a pop of leopard print! I love the look of navy and leopard print together, so I paired my dress with my go-to calf hair clutch. I kept the rest of my look simple with a pair of tortoise sunglasses and nude sandals. This look would be great for a casual wedding, a Mother’s Day brunch, or any of the bridal and baby showers you’re attending this spring!
Get the Look…
Banana Republic Dress c/o
Red Valentino Bow Wedges (old, similar here, here, & here!)
Clare V Leopard Clutch
Celine Sunglasses
Michael Kors Watch (old, similar here, here, here, & here!)
Lele Sadoughi Pearl Cuff (also available here!)
Lipstick: Lancome ‘Oui Monsieur’ Matte Lip Crayon
You are really creative! Love all the ways you are wearing your navy dress!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
Ok I’m officially OBSESSED with this dress! And of course they don’t sell talls in stores and only one size (not mine) is left online. Le sigh. Thanks for sharing all these ways to change up an outfit though!
Laura | Laura Aime Vous
Just a note to say your posts have been killin’ it lately! I love being able to wear pieces in my wardrobe multiples ways, opposed to the one and done. The pop of peplum on this dress is perfect. I love how you styled each of these 🙂 I still wish those bow heels weren’t old…might have to see if I can track them down on Poshmark!
I love that you styled it so many ways! I am sure this post took forever! This dress is so cute and looks like it fits so well! I would have never thought about the trench vest, it changes the look completely. (in the best way!)
emily
http://www.deltachic.com
Oh wow!! Absolutely amazing outfits and it’s not an easy task to style them equally interesting as you did!
Love the 1st one the most though. 🙂
http://lartoffashion.com
Love the different ways you styled it!
Liz @ ShoppingMyCloset.com
Absolutely love the outfit! It’s so versatile, and you’re so creative on how you put the different looks together. The look would be so cute with our Red & White Act Abstract bow http://bit.ly/bobbibowred. Check out the site to find inspiration and an array of accessories!
I love all of the ways that you are styling your navy blue dress. Best one is the platform high heel sandals-look #1 and the leopard look-look #5
I love this dress! I like how you styled different outfits around the one central piece. They all look great!
Emily
http://www.EmilyRiane.com
I love when people show how to style one item a bunch of different ways. This is great! Thanks for sharing!
Love, Lindsey
http://www.thenomisniche.com/
Love all your outfits
http://www.myhappynook.com
I honestly cannot decide which outfit is my favorite… They’re honestly all perfect. I secretly love pairing dresses with sneakers with dresses! They just add an unexpected element and make the look mode casual. And I can’t get enough of outfits that are red white and blue…they’re just so preppy! PS your bow shoes and hat are adorable!
-Kate
Katekoutures.blogspot.com
I love all the ways you styled this! My favorite is the All American because I like the blue dress with red shades and pumps!
Paula- www,livingpaula.com
Great outfits! We really like your pictures and style. Continue the great work. Best, MODENOVA
Love every outfit! So pretty!
xx
Mademoiselle Coconath
http://mllecoconath.com
Fantastic outfits! Looking forward to trying all these styles! It’s great to see how to mix the dressy and casual.
This might be my third comment ever, but just had to tell you that I really think you knocked it out of the park with this post! You put you heart and soul into this blog and it shows! It is SO much more than wearing clothes and getting your pictures taken like many people think. You are such a talented writer and always have been! I am currently kicking myself for not ordering that navy Kate Spade purse you have in the picture with the tan vest (this also happens to be my favorite look as for the different ways you styled the dress). On a totally different tangent… Aren’t you glad that you changed your mind and ditched the law school gig and followed your ❤️? I still kind of wish I’d gone, but then you might not be here! You’d be currently stuck behind a desk in a nice office dreaming of your next shopping trip to Nordstrom and your online cart would have 200+ items in it… and you’d have been miserable! Just picture your dad watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” EVERY Christmas Eve… and remember – you do have a wonderful life, my dear!
I absolutely love all of these outfits! I find that when I have a favourite piece of clothing I often wear it the same way but I’ve been inspired recently by my own Weekday Wardrobe posts to really shake things up & this is just more, fantastic inspiration! Thank you for sharing!
http://www.blushandbordeaux.com
So love this dress, Jess! All five of the ways you styled it are super cute and I think this was an awesome idea to show how versatile the dress truly is. I’m just sad it’s not available in my size anymore now!
xoxo, Jenna
Boston Chic Party
Such a perfect dress, I love it
Filipa xxx
PlayingWithApparel.com | Instagram
I was in London last week and I thought of you. Every girl from age 12-30 had on Stan Smiths! They were everywhere! lol
you look so cute! i love the belted look with the vest – that’s my fave! xo
http://dearserendipity.com/
I absolutely love this navy dress!! So classic and chic.