What I Wore to Church - Antique Print Dress

Dress: Effie's Heart Elysses Dress in Antiquing (Similar to this MC dress on sale in 3X and 4X)

Tights: ModCloth Layer It On Tights in Light Grey

Shoes: ShoeDazzle Vannah (similar)

I have a confession to make. I have a bit of an obsession with novelty prints. I am a 30 year old woman who would wear them everyday if she could. I almost cried this week when I got a dinosaur dress in from ModCloth and it was too big. I've acquired quite of bit of them recently through swapping and through sales using the money I've gotten from my PoshMark sales. Today was only my second week in my new congregation at church and while I had the urge to wear something novelty, I didn't want to automatically be labeled as the weird lady wearing the Tigers Wearing Sunglasses print dress (the dress exists and it WILL be worn eventually). 

This antique print dress was my concession. Still a novelty print, yet subtle enough that I'm not Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus. I got this adorable Effie's Heart dress on sale for $25 a couple weeks ago. It's a super comfy stretchy material (as most of their dresses are) and the cut is really flattering. It hugs in the right places and flares in the places I'd rather it not hug. Plus the bow at the neckline made it surprisingly nursing-friendly. 

I went easy on the accessories because I wanted the dress to speak for itself. With the bow neckline, a necklace was even too much. The simple belt and tights added some interest and definition without overpowering the outfit. 

Over the past year or two, my style has transitioned a bit away from the higher platform pumps to lower retro-ish heels. I bought these oxford heels on super sale from ShoeDazzle right in the middle of that transition. At the time, they felt a little too vintagey for me, but now that I've come further in the transition, they were just perfect. When I unpacked them yesterday, I remembered how much I loved them and I was glad I took the leap to buy them. Honestly, I'm not fully sold on how they look with this outfit (they would look better with burgundy or green tights, but the grey was all I had), but I just love them so much that I have no regrets. 

That's quite the long explanation of how this outfit came together but occasionally I think it's good to talk about my style and how it came to be instead of just telling you where I bought all my clothes. Hopefully you get something out of reading it! Either way, I'll continue writing it. 

Happy Shopping!

What I Wore To Church - Blue Dress and Oxfords

Dress: Old Navy (last season)
Cardigan: ModCloth Charter School Cardigan in Magenta
Shoes: JustFab Hall

It's no mystery that I love stripes, and since I bought this dress last year from Old Navy, it has been one of my faves because it's crazy comfortable (I've never met a jersey dress I didn't like). Usually I save it for 4th of July weekend and pair it with a red belt and red shoes, but I have something else in mind for next week. So, I decided to wear it this weekend and change it up with this awesome magenta cardigan from ModCloth. The look still feels mildly patriotic without being outright red, white, and blue.

Pink and blue is not something that I usually pair together but I thought it worked well. I'm going to let you in on my secret of how I decide what colors look good together. Sometimes I know there's a color combination that's hot so I'll try and figure out what I have in my closet in those colors. Most of the time though, I decide on what dress, or skirt, or shirt I have that seems fun, and then I hold it up against the cardigan section of my closet until I find a cardigan in a color that I think works.  I have the luxury of a very extensive cardigan collection (most of them Charter School Cardigans) but it's really helped me put some color combinations together that have become my favorite (navy and mustard, pink and orchid, sage and yellow, etc.). I know there are all kinds of charts out there that tell you what color families compliment each other, but really I just keep trying until I find a combo I like.

I tried something new with the shoes today too. I love these crocheted oxfords from JustFab, and I kept trying to wear them with skirts and dresses, but I just never felt like they were quite the right look. Today, I took the leap and went with it. Not only were the flats super comfortable and I wasn't worried about tripping with the baby, but I thought they looked pretty cute. My husband isn't a fan of them. He thinks they look like something you'd find in a grandma's attic. I however, love the vintage feel of them. So he can deal.

If you’re interested in trying JustFab, use my link here and get your first pair for $20. They are also doing a site wide BOGO right now so it’s worth a look-see. Standard warning applies that it is a shoe club membership so be sure to read the terms and conditions.

Also Old Navy is doing 30% off online right now. Never hurts to look. You might find your next favorite dress.

Happy Shopping!