And it all starts with a dress!

Welcome to the first Whitney a la mode post!  I am relatively new to the world of personal style blogs.  I have been reading them regularly for about six months and have been thinking for some time about starting my own.  I am in no way, shape or form a fashion expert!  This blog is my own personal motivation to be more creative with what I have in my closet, to budget and choose new clothing more carefully in order to add to my creative closet, and to weed-out old clothes that don’t contribute to my overall goal…to look more fashionable and put together!  Over time, I hope to have readers that will feel inspired by my fashion journey and who will also give me tips and advice in choosing ensembles.

I have chosen to focus my first post on my favorite dress of the summer!  I purchased this dress to wear to my sister’s wedding rehearsal and dinner.  It fit my criteria for being church-appropriate as well as casual enough for a barbeque (and I think it’s pretty darn cute).  Now, old Whitney would have only worn this dress one way: with the included matching tie-belt, with one set of jewelry and with one pair of shoes.  It might seem really obvious to you that changing-up accessories is an easy way to rework a dress, but this wasn’t the way my brain functioned.  I would find an outfit that worked and I would stick to it…but no more!  Here are some fun ways that I’ve spiced-up this dress.

 

For my sister’s wedding rehearsal and dinner I went for a bit dressier of a look.  The event took place at the beginning of the summer and I was in the mood for some fun colors.  I added a mint belt, a bold mint necklace and some wedges for a monochromatic look.

   

Here is an everyday look for this dress.  The wide cognac belt and cognac sandals keep the dress casual while accentuating my amber necklace!

What is your favorite piece in your closet this summer?  What are some fun ways that you accessorize this item?

What I'm wearing:

• Dress: Loft (exact, similar, similar)
• Mint Necklace: Etsy- Lasting Impressions (exact)
• Mint Belt: Target (exact)
• Wedges: DSW (exact)
• Amber Necklace: Gift (similar, similar)
• Cognac Belt: Charming Charlie (similar, similar)
• Cognac Sandals: Target (exact)