If you’re even remotely into fashion then you know that a good closet staple is essential! This can be anything from a simple tee to a great pair of jeans or a go-with-everything blouse. My聽current closet staples are my go-to chambrays.
The Dress for All Seasons: Chambray
Can you believe that I got this chambray dress from Costco?! It’s such a great find. What makes this dress so great is the versatile sleeves; you can wear them tabbed in the warmer months and full length in the fall and winter. I can already picture my cold weather outfit: fleece-lined tights, tall boots, and a chunky cardigan. I do have this other chambray option, but it’s a bit too small.
Why Chambray?
Chambray is a great neutral. You can literally wear it with any color. I styled mine with these metallic sandals by Nicole Shoes and added a pop of color with these turquoise fringe earrings. Another cute way to style your chambray would be with a scarf, hat, or even both!
Speaking of, have you heard of Nicole Shoes? If you’ve been reading this blog for a while you might know that I have issues with finding a comfortable shoe. Nicole Shoes are a great alternative for happy feet. Who knew that there was an entire brand dedicated to comfort and style. These sandals are amazing! No break in time needed, which must be from the cork sole. I love the color and am obsessed with the adorable tassel at the back. Be sure to check out their site for more stylish shoes. I’ll definitely be scouring their site come Fall.
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Dress: Costco (similar) | Purse: Old Navy (almost identical) | Sandals: Nicole Shoes c/o | Earrings: Baublebar SugarFix c/o | Bracelet: Charming Charlie (similar) c/0 | Ring: Stella & Dot (old) | Initial Necklace: (old) | Lipstick: Maybelline c/o
馃摲鈥檚 by 聽Luba Kochubey Portraits
How to Make the Drop Waist Dress Work For You
馃摲鈥檚 by Luba Kochubey Portraits
Dress: Loft (now on sale) | Jacket: Target聽Who What Wear | Necklace: Loft | Ring: Stella & Dot (sold out) | Bracelet: Nordstrom (similar) | Bag: Old Navy | Sandals: Cob Hill (similar) | Lipstick: Wet n Wild (Smokin Hot Pink)
Drop waist dresses are a favorite of mine. They are great for covering the midsection and are non-constricting. They do have the stigma of only working for聽certain body types, but with my tips, it can work for you.
I have never been one to follow fashion rules, but聽I do try to dress for my body type. I have an athletic build, broad shoulders, and just shy of 5’4″. I’m narrow through the hips with聽a large bust and聽midsection. I usually stick to聽fabrics that drape nicely, such as silk or chiffon. Sometimes I still wear items that are not the most flattering, just because I like them. The drop waist dress is one of those pieces. It’s just so girly. I can’t resist.
Tips for Wearing the Drop Waist Dress
Slender – the drop waist dress is ideal for those who are slender with a small bust and hips. This type of dress聽allows you to show off your toned arms, collarbone, and legs. You can wear yours fitted or loose, but if you’re petite, a loose cut will overwhelm your frame.
Apple Shape – if you carry weight in your midsection, this dress does a great job of minimizing this area. Be sure to avoid those that are more fitted through the waist. While a聽longer hemline may give you the appearance of a longer torso, it will also聽make your legs look shorter (stick to a short hemline).
Hourglass & Pear Shape – the drop waist dress places a strong emphasis on the hips. 聽Choose one that is slim through the waist and has strong details along the neckline. This will pull the attention away from your聽hips.
Plus size – if you carry your weight in the聽midsection or are straight up and down, this dress will flatter. Opt for one that is loose fitting with a聽waist that falls low in the hips.聽This will elongate your figure and show off your legs.
How I Wear the Drop Waist
I am wearing a chambray drop waist dress in a petite medium. I went with a smaller dress size than my norm (I usually wear a large) and chose petite instead of regular. If you’re on the shorter side, always check out the petite section, even if you’re curvy.
The jacket is another score from the Target Who What Wear Collection. See all my WWW looks from this past month. The bag was a major score from Old Navy. They seriously have the best handbag selection! Don’t take my word for it, check it out after you finish reading this post. My shoes are Cob Hill and the cute necklace is from Loft (my kryptonite).
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How to Wear a Chambray Shirt
馃摲鈥檚 by Luba Kochubey Portraits
Chambray shirt: Who What Wear | 聽Skirt: Who What Wear | 聽Shoes: Josef Seibel聽 |聽Earrings: Lucia K. Jewelry聽(use聽Laceandpearls20 to get 20% off your order)| Necklace: Kendra Scott (via Rocksbox) use code laceandpearlsblogxoxo聽at checkout to receive your first month free | Purse: Rebecca Minkoff (similar)| Lipstick: Wet n Wild (Pretty Persimmon)
One of the most recommended closet staples is the chambray shirt. Even though it “goes with everything”, I still struggle to build outfits with this material. I’m not the only one; search on Pinterest and there are endless how-to guides.
Not聽all chambray is聽created聽equal.聽I聽recommend purchasing yours in-store so you can feel the weight of the fabric and try it on.
One of my biggest hangups with the chambray shirt is the super thick material. I already have an athletic build, so I don’t need the extra bulk. That’s why I love this blouse. It’s the perfect weight聽and聽super soft like a worn in tee. Sleeveless works for all seasons. In the fall, I can wear it under a聽pullover sweater without bunchy sleeves.
Once you’ve mastered your fabric options, you’ll need to assess the color and聽fit. I once bought聽a chambray that was all wrong.聽It was super over-sized and boxy. I wore it a couple of times, and decided that it wasn’t going to work out. Lesson learned: buy a chambray that works with your frame. Be super careful with the length and fit and take note of the buttons. My shirt聽had contrasting white buttons, which was great for the聽warmer months but not so great for聽fall.
Wear Your Chambray…
- With white denim or a red pant. Such a classic look and it works for most occasions.聽馃嚭馃嚫
- Under a pullover sweater
- Over your favorite tee, cami, or dress
- Wrapped around your waist for a casual cool look
- Tucked into a skirt
- Un-tucked with a body con skirt
- With your favorite leggings
- Denim on denim聽馃嚚馃嚘
Both pieces in this look are from the Who What Wear (Target collection), which is super stylish and affordable. You can see the first WWW piece in聽last week’s look. The green pleated midi skirt is on-trend and perfect in length.
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Chambray Dress
Photos by Michelle Dorman Photography
Dress: (simlar)| 聽Shoes: Cobb Hill (similar) | Necklace: J.Crew Factory (similar) | Bracelet: J.Crew | Rings: Gorjana (simialar here & here) | Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs | Tote: Lauren RL (similar) | Lip聽gloss:聽M.A.C聽in color Sinnamon
This week I am collaborating with MaRae from The Always Fabulous.聽Check out her blog if you haven’t already. Not only does she have great style but she is so sweet and down to earth. For this partnership, we will both create two looks with similar items in our closet.
The first theme is chambray. I have been on the hunt for the perfect chambray dress. This is no small feat, given my short stature and broad shoulders. I found this dress on a thrifting trip with my friend Kelly. The fabric is made out of tencel (so flattering) and the length is perfect. I’ve聽been seeing a lot of tencel/chambray dresses and have linked some below.
The shoes are also thrifted. I was ecstatic when I found these Cobb Hill (comfort brand) sandals at the local Buffalo Exchange. They are in mint condition and look like they have never been used. I am obsessed with the tri-color scheme. To top off the look I added my trusty Lauren RL tote and this fire orange necklace.
Thanks so much for reading! Definitely swing back on Thursday for the second look.
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