[Isla] of Dreams
This is the dress that fall has always dreamed of. I believe that Carmen Cortez is actually singing about this dress in Spy Kids 2. It's lightweight, but enough of a sweater to keep you warm on that hot date you have coming up..or game day. Any occasion, it's gonna work.
"Athleisure"
This is how I like to wear this dress on a daily basis. I know it isn't traditional athleisure, but I feel like Sporty Spice when I wear it, so let's consider it to be slightly athletic.
The shoe.
The shoe, to me, is what defines this look. I live in white Converse (sorry dad) and they're the same ones I wear on leg day (sorry mom). Converse, whether high top, low, or slip on, can be worn with this dress for every occasion. Dress is up with a scarf or a leather jacket or a puffer vest with a statement necklace and be the hottest girl at the party.
No one needs to know that you got dressed in less than 30 seconds but you.
Actual sneakers. I know it sounds crazy, but just trust me, or don't and try it on and fall in love. Your choice. I love wearing this look when I have second (or fourth) day curls tied back in a voluminous, dry-shampoo-crusted ponytail. Again..30 seconds or less. Consider it my gift to you. The pairing of the "what I should be wearing in the gym" shoes with the cutest dress of life will make every one around you think that you've got your life on track, and go to the gym regularly, even if you just walked in to the gym with them on when you signed up for your membership. Your secret's safe with me!
Baby, It's Cold Outside
Hot dates are what dresses are made for. Before you think the unthinkable, this dress isn’t the shortest thing in your closet. I could have worn this dress to school growing up as it goes past my finger tips. I love that you can be modest, but still show off a little bit of leg, because remember, hot date. Whether its going to dinner or sitting on the couch binge watching cooking shows, my go to date outfit goes a little something like this:
Flowy dress. Statement necklace. Statement jacket.
I didn't wear this exact dress, but I wore everything else for what I still consider to be the most important first date of my life..and let me tell you, he still thinks about that outfit frequently, and that was a year ago, like almost to the day. When I say statement, I don't mean in your face, but rather that #specialsauce moment that makes your outfit "you." For me, its a spike necklace I've had for years and an embroidered leather jacket. It doesn't matter what it is, as long as it adds a layer, and that layer is your personality. For you, it may be black textured tights and booties.
If its a more laid back night or a lunch date, strike all that I said above and wear a scarf and flats...or Converse. Add a little color or wear your favorite scarf. The most important thing is for you to be comfortable. When you feel comfortable, you feel confident, and you ultimately are your most authentic and beautiful you.
Put on your Game Face
My very favorite thing about this dress is the material. Even though this dress is lightweight, it is so incredibly warm. Where I live, going to a football game may mean 90 degrees or 30 degrees and sometimes both within the one game. Because this dress is gray, you can add your school's color with, you guessed it, a scarf or a necklace. I'm going to give you my #grungemovement way of doing things: flannel shirt.
Thrift stores and the men's section of any store have they best flannels for this and they have a million colors. For a warmer game, tie the sleeves around your natural waist. Throw on some booties...or converse...a long gold necklace and a choker and you're set. For a warmer game, actually wear the flannel. Depending on the size and fit of the shirt, you can wear it open or tie the corners around your waist. I'd personally wear it open and cuff the sleeves, but keep the long gold necklace and choker. For those extra cold games, try adding a puffer vest or leather jacket with the flannel cuffs peeking out at your wrists. Ditch the choker and wear an infinity scarf like a donut around your neck on top of the long gold necklace.
I love this dress with booties (with or without black tights), riding boots (with or without tights), combat boots (with or without tights..and yes, you read combat boots correctly), and of course Converse. Fall is all about layering and #grunge for me. This game day look can be as formal or as trendy as you'd like. Whatever your secret sauce is, you rock it like you've never rocked anything before.