This outfit mixes new Spring finds with trusty old favorites. The vintage-inspired crochet lace dress is not everyone’s cup of tea, but I loved it last year (sold out at full price) and was ecstatic that Ann Taylor brought it back to its Factory stores. The citrine belt is something I coveted from their ads earlier this year. When I saw a lone XS lingering at my local store, on sale, I knew it was meant to be.
Similar: (in-stores in regular sizing) (for casual) (pricier, w/ sleeves)
Yellow has been my accent color of choice for the past year. This belt may be out of some of your comfort zones, but trust me – if you pick it up, it will quickly become a closet workhorse.
Off the rack, the crochet dress fit tent-like on me. My tailors took it in along both sides (had to reattach side zip) but it still lacked shape definition. They then took it in more along the two back darts, and the dress came to life.
Retail price: $198, plus 40% off promo, plus a random coupon = around $100. Alterations cost: $40. This is pricier than any dress I’ve bought in a long time, but it’s one of those pieces that just make me happy!
Le tailors stressed that the non-stretch lining and delicate crocheted lace should NOT be tight or too fitted. I think they did a fantastic job. The dress now has a sultry silhouette, yet there’s still room for me to move, sit, and eat. See how this dress in 00P fits on Cee, who has a good 4 inches of height on me.
If you don’t have an Ann Taylor Factory near you, they’re pretty good about using “style finder” to track down an item and ship it to your home. Usually though, they will only do this if they don’t already have your size in-stock. If you have an Ann Taylor or LOFT card, shipping is free unless the item is on clearance.
the dress is so beautiful on you, Jen!! also, brunch looks freakin amazing! i would love to try something like that and you and your man are beyond adorable.
btw – thanks to you, i'm extremely hungry…omw to get oatmeal, womp womp — haha
You look so cute and I love your style 🙂
Seeing your food pictures makes me hungry Lol
awesome outfit! everyone needs a tailor like yours.
wheres this restaurant! this nyc chick will be visiting boston this weekend 😀
I just received the newest issue of Instyle and Kate Hudson is on the cover wearing a crocheted top! I don't know if it's a dress or not, but you are ahead of the trends!
Wow your tailors did a fantastic job! I love the final look on you!!! I love the pop of yellow : )
the dress looks stunning on you. It's perfect for spring especially since it's finally starting to warm up
I happened to stumbled upon your blog and I'm hooked. Hope to see more. I love the writing and your classy style! And what a hot b/f you have! What nationality are you and your b/f? Most of all I'm in love with your organization and clean look of everything from your clothes to your make up to this blog. Can you do a post showing us your closet and a tour of your place and how you keep everything organized? Oh do a post on your daily routine. Okay now I sound totally stalker-ish. LOL.
Lannie
where was this brunch place you went to? the food looks amazing! i also live in boston and this restaurant seems like a must-try.
looking fabulous as always.
Oh Jean, the belt and the dress look so pretty on you!!! You honestly made me want to invest in a yellow-tone accessory!!!
Wow! That lace dress is too gorgeous! Great outfit for a brunch! I want that lobster hash!
You and Nick chose some great picture spots! They came out lovely!
WOW, that dress is BEAUTIFUL! And I think it's so awesome that you and Jen got to hang out. Jealous! Especially because I love Boston! 🙂
the dress looks great on you! your tailors did a fab job. Where did you go to brunch??? the food looks so great! I live in Boston and besides shopping for myself and my home, I love good eats!
Its absolutely gorgeous and you're beautiful! =] The brunch looks so yummy. Did Jen bought similar patterns but in a skirt instead?
Your tailors did a great job altering that dress! And the hem is perfect, glad you kept it :))
you know i wasnt too crazy about that dress, but you seriously make everything look amazing! and how delicious does that lobster hash look! yum!
OMG Jean that dress is gorgeous and yum on the brunch!!! 🙂
jean i'm jealous of your amazing tailors. if i went to my grumpy old man, he would have charged me more than an arm and a leg.
oh and lobster hash? what a genious idea! anything lobster = om nom nom *drools*
Ahhh Jean, how funny that I just did a post on white dress + yellow accessories too. Different styles, but same context hehe. Yayyy for yellow (my fav color)!
Btw, I seriously had doubts about this dress when you first posted it. I love crochet/lace but I thought this design was too busy/matronly. Your post-alterations completely sold me though. You totally own the dress, and if it makes you happy then buy the skirt too haha. 😛
I'm really jealous that you have such fantastic tailors. I have given up hope on alterations altoghether 🙁
u look amazing in the dress. it's beautiful!!! i have been loving yellow too. it's one of those colours that scares people but is actually extremely versatile to work with.
I stumbled onto your blog about two weeks ago while searching for advice on shoes for small feet and I just finished reading every entry about two days ago. Your fashion tips and examples are fantastic, and are really helping me update my wardrobe to be more adult and more feminine! Not only that, but you also introduced me to several other fantastic petite fashion blogs, namely "Wendy's Lookbook", "Alterations Needed", and "From Head To Toe".
Thank you again, from a grateful Asian petite!
Oh Jean …this dress is definetely my cup of tea and you know. You look gorgeous and the post alterations job is amazing ^^ Now, did you end keeping the HM crochet dress? That brunch looks yummy indeed 🙂
OH my goodness…fashion and food indulgence. I loveeeee oysters. You're so lucky you live in an area where they're readily available. Love how you're smiling more and trying new poses (:
Navy and gold are classic color combinations but I liked how you chose the new IT color: citrine with the navy! It is a really nice color on you, who would have though olive tones can sport yellow colors so well?! I about how to wipe away some drool looking at your food pictures…especially the lobster and that poached egg…ahhh you tease. =0P
I'm such a sucker for lace and this dress looks amazing on you! I'm glad you kept it and got it tailored. I think it was worth it especially if it makes you feel fantastic! The navy coat with the pop of yellow peaking through is absolute perfection. Sigh…Jean why do you DO this to me? 😛
I've had oysters and I'm actually not a fan…I think the textures doesn't sit well!
Ohhhhhh, WOW! You look stunning! xoxo Kiki
Oh, Happy Patriot's Day!
$40 in this area is not bad for the alterations. Your tailors have great fit advice as well. I also love the yellow accents.
I like that you resisted the urge to wear jewelry… it would have overwhelmed the crochet. Less is definitely more here.
I tried on the bateau crochet lace dress in the regular store…regular sizes make me look so matronly. Weird how they offer the dress in regular and petites in the outlets but only in regular in the retail stores.
Where did you get lamb burgers???? I am always on the lookout.
Absolutely gorgeous! I think always say that when I comment, but really. I love everything you wear and style. And you and your boyfriend are a gorgeous, gorgeous couple!
Love this dress. Will be heading to the AT Factory store near me to look for it! Thanks for all the great ideas!
Elegant!! i like it
Jean, I'm thinking of returning my lace dress because you look 100x better in it than I do! And I have a feeling alterations would cost me a bundle. $40 actually sounds like a decent deal for alterations such as this one (I'm assuming this is pretty complicated given the crochet). Perhaps I'm getting ripped off, but I remember other non-complicated dress (imo) slimmings costing me $35 in the past.
Perfect choice of styling as always. So spring!
really you can pull off any outfit!! i love your style.:)
This outfit you put together with the lace dress and belt looks gorgeous, and you look beautiful Jean!
Goregous, gorgeous, gorgeous! I love this dress on you! I loved it at AT last year as well!
Ummm you could have paid double that and the dress would still have been worth every single penny! I'm hesitant to wear all-lace bc I'm afraid it'll look too childish on me, but in all seriousness, that dress is the most fantastic piece ever on you! It looks like it was made for you, fit and style! Thanks for the generous picture post, the food looks amazing.
Hi Jean,
I've been your follower for awhile now. Just want to share that being a petite myself (5' tall), I was unhappy with the fit of most ready-to-wear clothes in the market so I taught myself how to sew. And although I still shop from time to time, I sew most of my clothes now.
I think some sewing skills could come very useful for petite people like us, like knowing how to shorten pants/skirts/dresses, altering the side seams or bust area, etc. Sewing has helped me reduce my clothing expenses by a great deal. I now know how to alter the clothes I buy, which is great when I see something beautiful in the store that doesn't fit me.
Have you ever thought of sewing? I bet you'll have lots of fun doing it. Plus, you'll have greater knowledge and appreciation of good quality clothings.
Anyway, I just want to share that with you. Love your blog! Keep up the good work!
You're posts are always so timely! I picked up the citrine belt over the weekend and was hoping you'd do an outfit post on it. Can't wait to see what else you pair it with! And tailors did a fantastic job on the alteration.
Amazing! I've been really wanting a lace dress this season… hrm… haha tempting!
Oh I've noticed you're wearing peeptoe pumps in the picture… I'm not sure how light color peeptoe pumps like the ones you're wearing would look on a petite girl like me, especially with sorts in the summer…? I'm begging you to please do a summer outfits post with peep toe pumps! Haha!
ALL I SEE ARE OYSTERS.
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
hi: love your outfit, yellow is color of choice for spring.
a bit off topic, did you dye your hair? i love the color on you. what brand and color did you choose?
It looks fab after the alterations…you have shown how tailoring can bring a clothing item to the next level. I want a yellow belt too!
This dress looks absolutely gorgeous on you!! I'm going to have to resist pretty hard from buying this dress as I'm well over budget already this month. The citrine belt is perfect with it!!
dress looks great on you! You have really inspired me to get a tailor! I just need to find a good one now. I bought a Target dress tonight I had loved and it was 75% off, so I bought it big in hopes of getting it altered!
You smiled in some of these photos!! Hahaha just throwing that out there since you mentioned mine and Kileen's smiles.
P.s. You and your bf are adorable together.
Oops.. I meant Have a great week Jean 😛
Wow, that is a GORGEOUS dress Jean! White lace/crochet is perfect for summer and I don't know how it can't be anyone's cup of tea! The tailors did a great job and it fits amazingly. Love the yellow accents as well and the great casual grey sandals!
Have a great week Jen!
Jen
The dress looks amazing on u post alterations! Love it with the belt:-)
Pretty! Your tailors did a great job! I like how you paired it with the navy trench…navy and yellow are two of my favorite color pairings. 🙂
Ah! Oysters! I've never had them either, and the texture freaks me out. They look like they'd be the ickiest, slimiest things on earth. LOL.
Loooooove the post-altered dress on you! You got it back from the tailors so quickly too. I'm dying to get mine back to see how it fits. Also, I'm totally jealous of your citrine belt. I managed to find a green whip-snake belt but I'm still dying for a yellow. 😀
Thanks for taking me to my first oyster experience!