Photo: Tre Thomas
Photo: Tre Thomas
If you couldn’t already tell, this is the same dress in two different colors, and actually two different sizes. Which brings me to one of my many shopping rules: when it comes to building your wardrobe, if you come across a great piece, at a great price that fits you well, get at least two of them in different colors. Those items become your uniform pieces. Meaning these are the pieces you can pull out the back of your closet when you run smooth out of things to wear. They should go well with your existing wardrobe so that you can mix and match, and get the hell to work on time.
These two dresses have been my go to’s season after season. I stumbled upon them two years ago in Uniqlo (one of my favorite stores for basics) and it was on sale for a whopping $12.90. I’m pretty sure I shoved someone aside to grab the last two; hence, the different sizes. The beauty of owning basics in neutral colors is that they can be dressed up or down, and you can always add a pop of color via accessories. (This also gives you a good excuse to buy something random every now and again, because you have neutrals you can pair it with. See how I brought that full circle for you?) I wore the tan dress on New Year’s one year with dressy sandals, a statement necklace, and a red fox fur coat. I tried to replicate that look here, but my actual fur coat is inexplicably in Atlanta. Who tf needs a fur coat in Atlanta? But I digress.
Photo: Tre Thomas
On to my next rule of shopping. Outerwear should never be an afterthought, especially when you live in a cooler climate. A great coat can add so much to a look. It’s basically criminal to deny yourself the opportunity to look like Olivia Pope. While a coat that combines fashion and function can be pricey, I am a firm believer in buying off-season. No one should be clocking you like that anyway. From June to early July you can find some great coats online for the low.
About those shoes. The black strappy ones are a disaster to get off and on, but I love them so much that I endure that first world suffering. I got these from Steve Madden last year during a buy one get one some percent off sale, so they were offensively cheap. The nude sandal is a knock off of the Stuart Weitzman Nudist sandal, which I think is the perfect shoe by the way. It truly goes with everything, so it’s more than worth the investment. I, however; was not willing to make said investment, so I found these beauties at Banana Republic during their 40% off sale. Side note: is it me, or is banana republic ALWAYS having a 40% off sale? I’m not complaining though.
Photo: Tre Thomas
Great tips! & Yes banana republic comes through with that sale all the time lol
I am living for this new site! It!
Your fashion tips are just confirmation that no matter your figure or budget, you CAN be great!
Great read, Boohoo is another company for basics!!! I thought i was the only person to purchase the same item in different swatches!!
Great article and tips!! Love your site! Congrats!
Best advice you ever gave me oh and you can never have too many white shirts! Great read!
Loving the black look
What a smart idea! Love your style and outerwear ideas! You Rock
This is already so great and helpful.
Yes, come through winter tips! As soon as I saw your photos for this piece I said to myself “I hope she tells us where to get this.” There is nothing more aggravating than tips with zero direction. Like, we are good on the fantasy…so thank you!!! To answer your question “who needs a fur coat in Atlanta,” that would be me. Let this weather drop below 42 degrees…..warrants every piece of faux fur we can find lol Great read!
GIrl the nail salon gives me anxiety. There was a time when I had the money so I indulged but realized quickly it is not for me. I loath doing my own nails but everything about the salon manicure stresses me out. My solution? Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure polish. Two coats and it looks like a professional four coat masterpiece. And I’m boring, I only get the black cherry kind of color, a brick red or nude now. Too much thinking otherwise.