As far as your wardrobe goes, the fall, winter and spring seasons are fairly straightforward. Most of the pieces taking up residence in your closet can kick it both on- and off-duty with minor tweaking — which, for a lazy-girl style enthusiast, is kind of essential. Why spend time doing the whole mix-and-match thing when you can have a few extra minutes of shut-eye instead? Summer, on the other hand, is a totally different ball game. Sizzling temps call for barely there pieces that will keep you feeling fresh and fabulous in even the most unbearable conditions, with items like flirty off-the-shoulder dresses, open-back everything and cutoffs being particular favorites. Problem is, their slightly scandalous nature detracts from their versatility, or at least that’s what the fashion police (AKA HR, or your highly opinionated mother) would have you believe. With a little imagination, slinky dresses and jaw-dropping cutouts can easily move beyond off-duty hours, and straight into settings that require polish and sophistication. This week’s Style Resolutions is zeroing in on your favorite scandalous summer dress, showing you three rad ways to wear it no matter what’s on the agenda.
Don’t let the OMG-worthy hemline or come-hither appeal of this slip dress fool you — sneaking a racy number like this by HR can totally be done. Tap into those fine-tuned layering skills to give it a work-appropriate edge by styling your dress like a tunic over tailored wide-leg culottes. A classic blazer provides that little bit of extra coverage to keep the office authorities at bay, while patent pointed-toe loafers and a marble choker add a note of modern polish to your new go-to down-to-business getup.
Mango Lace Trim Dress ($60) + Warehouse Split Side Wide Leg Culottes ($80), Mango Contrasting Trims Blazer ($60), ASOS Montana Pointed Flat Mules ($30), Mansur Gavriel Lady Mini Leather Tote ($1,050), Need Supply Co. Florence Necklace ($32)
How to Wear a Scandalous Summer Dress for a Night Out
Step aside, timeless A-lines and feminine floral frocks — this sultry summer dress is what GNO dreams are made of. For a look that reads ready to party, toss it on with a playful pink (faux) leather jacket and metallic block heels to strike just the right balance of class and cool. Weave in elements of texture with your accessories for maximum impact, choosing pieces like a clutch with 3D detailing and rhodium statement earrings that aren’t messing around. Round out the ensemble with vibrant pink lips and a sleek ‘do.
Mango Lace Trim Dress ($60) + Zara Faux Leather Jacket ($70), KG by Kurt Geiger Dolly Silver Croc Mid Heeled Shoes ($178), Coach Tea Rose Appliqué Dinky Crossbody ($595), Kilian Lights & Reflections Rhodium-Plated Swarovski Crystal Earrings ($325), Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick Collection ($37)
How to Wear a Scandalous Summer Dress for the Weekend
Never one to blend into the crowd, you tend to stray from standard tanks and shorts when it comes to warm-weather wear. Be it a barbecue, boardwalk stroll or movie in the park, you like to set the style bar high, and best believe a sassy summer dress will live up to those haute expectations. Take your daring frock along for all your off-duty shenanigans, dressing it down with an oversized denim jacket that grounds the getup in laid-back territory. Effortless slide sandals speak to your fuss-free sensibilities, while a spiky cuff and saddle bag lend the look a refined-yet-RN edge.
Mango Lace Trim Dress ($60) + Zara Long Denim Jacket ($70), Forever 21 Woven Straw Fedora ($15), A.P.C. Leather Shoulder Bag ($500), House of Harlow 1960 Gold Three Stack Bangle in Black ($138), Dolce Vita Payce Sandals ($100), Tenoverten Nail Polish in Rivington ($18)
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