I got this maxi dress back from the tailor and have been determined to find more ways to wear it! Yes it is a statement dress, but layering and/or accessories can help tone it down a bit for more regular wear. When worn by itself it’s very soft and romantic, so I loved the sharpness that a moto jacket and jet black accessories adds.
For a casual Sunday getting donuts with friends, I also wore this with an easy denim jacket and comfy wedge sandals. Because the skirt of this dress is so flowy and voluminous, a cropped, shrunken-fit layer up top works best for balance. And to break up the continuous floral pattern, a waist-cinching belt (worn a little higher up for long torso’d ladies) does visual wonders.
On to the accessories front, Nordstrom asked me to share my favorite timepieces for spring. After trying on dozens of styles & brands (I was particularly intrigued by Shinola’s brand, but didn’t find a design yet that strongly resonated with me), this Kate Spade “Metro” watch (multiple colors) was the best fit for my daily style. The 34mm face was also good for my wrist size, and the strap did not require any extra holes punched in order to fit comfortably.
I love the feminine pairing of soft peach leather, gold hardware, and sleek mother-of-pearl dial which are all elements that’d be right up my alley individually. Kate Spade also makes a “tiny Metro” which piqued my interest, but boy it is truly tiny (10 mm in diameter) like a small coin, and I personally prefer a bolder face. The strap measures about 6 to 8 inches in length from the buckle to the closest and furthest prong holes, respectively, but keep in mind the actual fit around the wrist is narrower due to the thickness of the leather strap.
For anyone considering one of these watches, I noticed the beige/gold, black/gold, and also some fun “dot dial” 34mm Metro options on temporary sale for 25% off, ending tonight (Monday)! Thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring the watches portion of this post – as always, opinions are my own.
Jumping back to this Blank NYC moto jacket, I’m happy to see that all sizes have been re-stocked since the last time I blogged about it. If interested, please check out my old review because sizing runs small, and the shoulders are padded. I love and wear this little jacket year-round, even though strong shoulders are outside of my typical comfort zone. This season they also made this in a pale pink – see my friend Ping try on both colors. For reference, she’s approx. the same size as me but about 2 inches taller.
And for fit and sizing info on this dress, please also refer to my past review. Since that post, my tailor hemmed the dress approximately 2 inches for a length that hovers just above the ground. And instead of taking in the torso from both sides, he added a thin band of elastic gathering on the interior right along the waistline circle. The dress fabric is non-stretch so I thought this alteration was genius – the gathered elastic allows the waistline to look like a closer fit, but also stretch comfortably with my tummy after meals.
Here is the dress worn yet again (love getting a real bang for my buck!) simply with a contrasting colored belt for a dinner party:
Hi Jean, I don't understand what the tailor did with the elastic band. Would you be able explain and post a picture and explain again? Thanks!
Hi Jean! Is your Hermes belt a "mini" or regular Constance? I can't tell by the photos. I'm interested in getting one like it. Thanks!
What a beautiful dress. Love how you dressed it up and down!
gorgeous!!
http://www.glamdarling.com
Stunning look! Great colors on you
http://www.qustomquinns.com/blog
Stunning look! Great colors on you
http://www.qustomquinns.com/blog
ブランドバッグコピーLove everything you’re wearing – and I love those extra photos!
Thanks so much, Jean! 🙂
Beautiful dress!
bethanysbling.blogspot.com
That maxi dress is just gorgeous. I love the color of it. So lovely.
Diary of Elegance
http://diaryofelegance.blogspot.ca/
This dress is so beautiful! I love the idea of an elasticized waist.
Would you happen to have any recommendations for tailors in Boston, especially in the Chinatown/Downtown Crossing area? (I speak some Mandarin but not Cantonese) I have some dresses I've been meaning to get slimmed for a while but never knew where to go.
Your dress is so pretty, I love the print
xo
http://www.laurajaneatelier.com
i'm so in love with this dress! so pretty!!
http://www.vanitysalad.com
Grey stiff building that we see, carbon monoxide that we breath, and polluted water that we drink become our daily menu right now. Do we just stay still and enjoy those bitter menu everyday? Or we can do something small hoping to see green trees, breath fresh oxygen, and drink clear water once more Obat herbal diabetes
Thank you! My jacket is from H&M; but old…I did try on LOFT's petite one recently and liked the fit! It was actually a shrunken, cropped fit which I love for pairing with dresses.
Hi there! My how time has flown : ) I really don't think there's a rule to tucking! With high-waisted bottoms I generally tuck so the waistline is visible, and I generally leave shirts un-tucked for a more casual vibe either with skinny jeans, shorts, shorter skirts, etc. For the office I almost always tuck as well just for a neater look.
Here you go : ) https://flic.kr/p/rxDk68
I tried on LOFT's petite one and it was a nicely shrunken fit!
Was visiting in the Bahamas! Our host had a gorgeous home.
It's the pearl jam necklace from Accessory Concierge : )
Adore the print of this dress!
Kisses, Lidia
http://www.lidiasbag.blogspot.it
I love the various ways that you styled the maxi dress! Such a pretty dress, I absolutely adore how it flows!
xo, Suzie Q
StyleCueBySuzieQ.com
Beautiful dress, Jean! I especially like the casual pairing. Where is your denim jacket from? I usually wear xxs/xs petite and am trying to find a good denim jacket for Spring/Summer. Thanks!
Long time follower of yours since freshman year in college, now I'm a working professional, and you're getting married in 2 months!! Time has passed!
I was wondering if you can do a post on when to tuck or not tuck in button ups! I never know! That would be super helpful if you can do a post on it!!
Thank you and can't wait to see if you post about your wedding details 🙂
Gorgeous dress! Love how you styled it <3
Julie
http://juliesdresscode.de
Hi there my dear! I just want to ask if we can follow each other on Bloglovin, GFC or Facebook?
Please leave a comment on my blog and follow by blog!
http://kstylick.blogspot.com
You can also like my Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/Kstylick
I will follow you back! XOXO
Korean Fashion
Lovee this maxi dress (and those donuts..hehe) <3
Enclothed Cognition
Instagram
I like the pieces individually but I feel that pairing a belt along with such a busy pattern is distracting and breaks up the "flow" of the outfit. Sometimes I think that you default to wearing belts since it's supposed to raise the waistline visually on shorter women, but it really isn't necessary with certain silhouettes. Maxi dresses are already very elongating by themselves 😉
Dear All,
Watch station is having 25% off the whole website if you're interested in some cute marc jacobs or michael kors watches! Also 30% off hm.com 🙂
This dress is perfect and I love the floral print!
xx
http://www.mybeautrip.com
Adoring the print on this dress! Maxi dress season wahoo! … and those donuts are making me drool hehe
xx, Mel | http://melinspired.com
JEWELRY GIVEAWAY 🙂 http://melinspired.com/safari-dreaming-ft-alora-boutique-giveaway/
I love the way you paired a statement hermes belt with a low priced but gorgeous dress! 🙂
xoxo
http://www.theteafortwo.com
Love these both, Jean! Will you post a photo of what the dress looks like underneath the belt – I'm curious if your tailor made it smocked? I have a silk peplum blouse that is a bit too loose in the waist that this solution might be perfect for! Thanks so much!
I love these two looks! They look so different with just a few accessory changes.
The Peculiar Trouth
So pretty! This looks amazing on you.
Julia // Little Miss Haute Couture
I love your dress!! So pretty.
|| D I A N A ||
http://www.TheNeonFactor.com
Love this floral dress! I also love how you created 2 different looks by just changing your jacket (:
Amanda
http://www.blissfulgal.com
Two gorgeous ways to wear this lovely maxi!
http://www.tailoredandtrue.wordpress.com
Very elegant! I don't normally spend more than $100 on a dress, but I really considered buying that one.
Any recommendations for a denim jacket? I am having difficulty finding one that fits well
love the print on this maxi! I usually shy away from them b/c I'm so petite, but you've pulled it off so well, I may have to give them another try!
xoxo
Karen in London
http://kensingtonwest.me.uk
That dress is just great. So, it seems that maxi length suits us small women very well, too. 🙂 And what a beautiful room you are in, are you at home or visiting somewhere? 🙂 Best wishes –Anu from Finland.
That dress is GORGEOUS and you do such a great job of shouting out sponsors but showing that it's your opinion also. Some people's posts are completely sponsored and it's kind of a shoutout at the end but then it makes you wonder how much of it is really genuine. Really enjoying your posts!
coffeeslag
coffeeslag: lust, everything i need in my closet right now, thanks
You look great with both the outfits!
Both looks are so awesome and a super easy way to take the dress from day to night!
I featured you in my bloggers to watch post today if you want to check it out!
http://www.stylebydanika.com/bloggers-to-watch/
i love it styled with the denim jacket!
Glamour-Zine.com
Love your maxi dress! XO
Shall We Sasa
Really love this dress on you, maxi dresses can be so hard to find!
So pretty!!!
XoXo One Stiletto At A Time
The pearl-y necklace! Where can I get one like it?
I love the idea of an elasticized waist for this dress. That IS brilliant!