Let’s talk about dresses.
Everyday, fun, useful, practical and pretty dresses.
I’ve always loved dresses. My Mother would take my sister and I to Best & Co. in Ardmore, Pa. a few times a year. In those days shopping was NOT a daily or even weekly way to pass the time. No, shopping was special. So off we went to Bests and, for me, it was heaven. Little girl dresses with lots of “petticoats” attached were my dress of choice. Hmmm. Not so for my Mother! So we would compromise. But I do remember my dress for my school picture in third grade: a sort of gauzy white with gold threads in horizontal stripes with, yes, petticoats attached! Between that and my chipped nail polish it must have been quite a sight; no, no picture available to show you!
Anyway, moving on in years. Lilly Pulitzer dresses came on the scene and I adored them. If only I still had them, right? And my early office years in New York, San Francisco and again New York saw me in dresses almost every day.
But then something happened. Dresses disappeared. Olive drab and khaki became the colors. Pants suits came in. While I liked them (the pantsuits),
I yearned for dresses. Well, then long, gauzy skirts came in and that was ok too.
But dresses are B A C K!
In a big way.
So let’s take a look at some I’ve chosen. Fair warning to all readers: these are NOT skimpy, low cut, clingy dresses. They are, for the most part, for women over fifty. Or at least that is my niche. If you’re younger than that and like these, WONDERFUL. I would be so happy to not see so much cleavage going around, no matter what your age.
Let’s start with this wonderfully colorful dress from Anthropologie. You know I love that store. The details say it falls 36″ from the shoulder. Well, this model must be very tall, because for me, at 5’4″, it would go to just below my knee.
Let’s go to The Loft for our next stop. They have a good selection, although not too exciting, they are (as always) reasonably priced.
Leafy Flare Dress. At $39.95 this is a good buy!
Another Loft dress:
Long sleeves are tricky for the summer. If you will be in air conditioning it’s possible to go this route. But, for me, there is nothing worse than being too warm. Henley Dress
Loving this from Banana Republic.
While it is a little dressier than others I’m showing, it simple and pretty.
While this is much more than I have ever spent or would ever spend on a dress, it is perfect. In so many ways. Sleeveless, and yet some shoulder coverage. High neckline. Flowing. Slimming. Lovely.
Moving on to my favorite source for so many home and fashion items,
Garnet Hill.
Perfect in so many ways. Linen. Coverage. Cool. Reasonable price. And I like the white. Linen Shirtdress.
Linen Cap Sleeve dress. Liking the melon color!
If you go to Garnet Hill/Dresses you will see the excellent reviews received for ALL these dresses. Look carefully at the age group: many are 55+. Yes!
For a hot humid summer day? How cool looking is this? Or pair it with a gauzy white shirt for a little coverage. Double Layer Dress
And, of course, Eileen Fisher hits the spot:
That’s it for the DRESSES round up today. What do you think? Would you buy any of these? Do you like/love dresses or not?
Yes, Libby, I love these dresses.
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Yes, love the dress. Also remember Best in White Plains NY. You got dressed up to go shopping for a dress. I also remember desperately shopping for a dress at Saks in 2002, when the only dresses they had were cocktail dresses. When the saleswoman asked if she could help me, I said, “Yes. Tell your buyer to get some dresses in here!”.
Robin: Yes, I can imagine you know Best & Co.! Oh, how I loved it. Those years with no dresses anywhere were hard on us and finally, that buyer has things to show you! Hope all is ok with you and that spring has arrived…..
I am more of a pants girl. However recently I have taken to dresses and have been trying some new styles and been bolder with colour. Unless it is very hot I tend to like sleeves and they must cover my knees (not my best feature)
I meant to make note of the “Bardot” look, in part because of your recent post! But I totally forgot. So many dresses are showing that look. I agree about the sleeves, or at least a cap sleeve. Ah, age! But if it’s really really hot I say forget how it looks, and just go for the coolest i.e. sleeveless thing I can find!
Since I live in Florida, I really like wearing dresses during the summer. They can’t be beat for keeping cool and comfortable, especially when made of linen and in a style that is loose and nonbinding. You have some great ones pictured here. I, too, remember when shopping was a treat, and since my mom made most of my clothes, buying a dress from one of the stores in our little downtown was extra special. Thanks for the reminder!
Paula
Hi Paula:
Thanks for commenting and yes, those were the days when shopping was really special. Dresses are mandatory in the heat, I agree.
Perfect choice for the summer vacantion!
I love your roundup of dresses – those simple tailored styles! Actually, I’m more of a pants person, when I buy dresses, they seem to hang unworn in my closet. It’s shaping up to be a very hot summer, so I might be temped to try the shirtdress or the layered tank dress, they seem be just my style.
Growing up, most of my clothes were homemade, either by my mom or grandmother, then eventually myself (I started sewing when I was 7), so a trip to the department store was really a treat. Nowadays, its hard to find the fabric to make fashionable styles. I haven’t sewn for myself in eons.
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I really like the first dress and the second one :) Great summer dresses :)
Lovely dresses! Want them all!