Dresses for All Occasions

I get lots of requests throughout the year (but especially during the spring and summer months) for dress recommendations.  However, since I don’t wear a lot of dresses, I don’t feature them very often.  Well, when Nordstrom reached out and asked me to highlight dresses, I was totally on board.  It was just the push I needed to try some dresses for y’all!

So here’s what I did.  I ordered 15 dresses.  YEP.  Fifteen.

8 of them immediately went back. Several of those 8 didn’t fit, and others I just didn’t like.

But I reallllllly liked 7 of them!  Do I need 7 dresses?  Um, no.  However, I am keeping two of them.  Two that I feel are closet staples that I will get a lot of use out of.  Still, I wanted to show y’all all of the ones I liked, because even though I don’t need them right now, one of you girls might!

First up we are looking at this gorgeous navy floral dress.  The pattern is so pretty and looks almost like a watercolor to me.  And the cut and shape of the dress is so pretty and feminine.  As you’ll see in the next picture, it’s actually a double layer, which makes it move so nicely.

For size reference, I’m wearing a 6, which is true to size for me.  Although I wear a 4 in pants, I most often wear a 6 in dresses.

floral dress (plus size dress)/ white earring option / similar clutch / nude patent sandals

On the picture on the left, you can see that I’m holding the top layer up to reveal the bottom layer with the extra little flounce.  LOVE.

And then I thought I would try it with pink heels and earrings (the first look was with neutral heels and earrings)!  I really liked both looks!

floral dress (plus size dress)/ similar earrings / similar clutch / similar sandals

Get The Look For Yourself Here:

 

I have several girlfriends that wear Eliza J dresses all the time.  I never have (they are typically a bit more fancy than the dresses I’m looking for), but now I see that they definitely have some dresses that are my style.  Here are some others that I can totally see myself wearing.  Just click on the dress you are interested in.  And I love that she has several plus size options!

 

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This next dress is one that I’m keeping.  In fact, I knew I was keeping it the second I put it on.  It’s simple, it’s chic, it’s flattering, and for $95 I knew I could justify having it in my closet.  It could be fancy enough for a wedding (if dressed up with the right jewelry, clutch, and heels), but it’s classic enough to be worn to a funeral.  It’s just a great little black dress.  I fell in love with the v neck, the shift shape, and the sweet little ruffle at the bottom.

For size reference, I’m wearing a medium, which is true to size for me in dresses.  This dress says a small is a 4 and the medium is a 6-8.  I rarely fit into 4s in dresses, so I typically go with the 6-8 medium option.  (FYI, if the medium references sizes 8-10, I usually go for the small.)

I went with classic and understated pieces for styling, but I could totally zhush it up for a wedding or date night with some bright and colorful accessories!  I think this could also be a great dress for the office!

little black dress / earrings / similar necklace / similar black heels

Get The Look For Yourself Here:

 

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I’m going to not only show you a different little black dress here (this one has ruffles down the sleeves and sides vs. the hem), but the picture also shows you a different way to style a little black dress.  How about some colorful earrings and a leopard clutch?  OH, YEAH. 😉

This dress is an amazing deal at only $69.  And because the small is 4-6, I’m wearing a petite small.  I’m almost 5’4″.

flutter sleeve shift dress / tassel earrings / leopard clutch / similar black heels

Get The Look For Yourself Here:

 

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This off the shoulder number is a great little dress.  It comes in 8 colors total, as well as in regular and petite!  I fell in love with this cobalt blue and thought it paired so nicely with the electric pink.   The shoulders stay off the shoulder (hooray!), and I like how the ruffle is substantial.  I felt great in this dress and feel like it would be a really good dress to have in your closet for many different types of occasions, especially for wedding season.

For size reference, I’m wearing a Medium Petite, which is true to size for me in dresses.  I’m almost 5’4″.

I posted this pic on facebook last night, and y’all were too sweet!  Everybody loved this dress!  One reader said this:  Best dress ever!! Bought it in black and want it in every color. – Carrie M.

off the shoulder dress / BEST STRAPLESS BRA EVER / earrings /  necklace / clutch c/o GiGi New York, but no longer available / nude patent heels

Here are most of the other colors available.  I love the vibrant pink and coral, and the classic black is of course so chic.

And get this!  When I posted me in the dress on facebook last night, several readers posted pictures of themselves in the dress as well!  One sweet reader named Natalie (Hi, Natalie!) posted a picture of her in the black dress on vacation!  Can we say VA-VA-VOOM?!?  Natalie!  You look absolutely GORGEOUS!  Thanks for taking the time to post the picture and for giving me permission to use it!

Natalie shared the following for size reference:  I wear a size 12-14, after three kids, and wearing a Large. The XL was too big on top for me.

Natalie, thank you so much for the picture and the sizing tips!

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So I know everybody talks about the “little black dress”, but last year I became a big believer in the LITTLE WHITE DRESS!  This one caught my eye online, and I grabbed it!  I love how crisp and white it is, but it’s not stiff at all.  It’s a very comfortable and relaxed fabric. You can see that it’s lined (hooray!), except for the bottom couple of inches of the dress.  I like the contrast it provides when the lining stops.  This dress would be great for brides for a shower or bachelorette party!

For size reference, I’m wearing a small, so it’s true to size.  When wearing a shift dress, sometimes I wear a small and sometimes I wear a medium.

white eyelet dress / similar turquoise earrings / cork clutch / similar cork wedges

Get The Look For Yourself Here:

 

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This dress is going in and out of stock, and right now, there just seems to be a small left.  For size reference, I’m wearing a small in this dress, and there is a little extra room, so I would say it runs big.  I’ll keep my fingers crossed for a restock and let you know if I see one.

It’s linen and rayon, but it came to me very wrinkled, and the wrinkles steamed out of it very easily.  One reviewer said it was “boxy”, but I don’t agree with that at all.  I thought it fit like a standard shift, and shift dresses are my go to.  I think they are usually comfy and flattering, and this dress definitely is both of those.

Oh, last thing….it has pockets.  #bam

embroidered off the shoulder dress /best strapless bra ever /  earrings / cork clutch / similar cork wedges

And here’s the last new dress for today!  This one is only $49!!!  I’m wearing a medium.  I do think this runs short, so if you are over 5’5″, I’m thinking it might not work for you.  The lace is very pretty, and I think like it looks much more expensive than it actually is.

The body is lined (YAY!), and the sleeves are not, which gives a nice delicate look.

lace off the shoulder dress /turquoise elle earrings / clutch from several years ago /  nude patent heels

Click HERE for  other dress options that are UNDER $100 dresses.  There are lots of great choices!

And here are some other LITTLE WHITE DRESS options:

 

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Before we go, I thought you might also like a review of other dresses I’ve posted about over the last couple of months.

Who doesn’t love a Mexican Dress.  #nobody #thatswho

I ordered the small for myself, but it was wayyyyyy too big.  The x-small fits me much better, but it is still a little roomy.  If you are a teeny tiny person, I’m guessing this dress is not going to work for you because you will be swimming in fabric.  Also, if you are over 5’6″, It will probably be too short on you (I’m 5’4″).  So sorry!  But just in case you love the dress, but you’re tall….you could wear it as a top with white jeans!

It comes in this absolutely fabulous red, but it also comes in white, light blue, ivory, and black as well.  And the embroidery work is gorgeous.

embroidered dress / earrings/ monogrammed clutch / similar wedges

This next dress has the prettiest colors and looks like the fabric was painted on.  I would love wearing this on a beach vacation somewhere, but it’s also conservative enough to wear to church.  And it’s actually pretty enough to be wedding worthy!

The sizing chart says the dress is true to size.  However, I’m wearing a small (and often wear a medium in dresses), so I think it probably runs a little on the large side.  If you are looking for a dress for an upcoming event, you can also click HERE for some other great options from the same maker.

earrings / dress / monogrammed clutch/ similar wedges / best strapless bra ever

All of my dress dreams came true with this dress.  #darling #comfy #roomfortacos #cheap

Sizing Tip:  This dress runs VERY large.  I’m almost 5’4″, and I’m wearing an XS Petite.  However, the XXS Petite actually fits me a bit better, it just wasn’t available at the time in black.  Y’all, I think we all know that I’m not an XXS Petite, so you definitely need to size down.  In fact, I would suggest sizing down 2 full sizes.

off the shoulder dress / best strapless bra ever / colorful clutch option / colorful clutch option/ bronze veined turquoise earrings/ cork wedge option

And this clutch is probably going to go lickity split, but the citron version was showing as available last night.

Finally, before I end the post, I want to draw your attention to THESE.  I have them in nude, and they are the most comfortable heels I own.  The heel isn’t too tall, and the simple design makes them not too fussy.  They pretty much go with all dresses!  Fo $59.95, they are a fantastic buy!  They come in other colors (in addition to the nude and the black) as well.

A HUGE thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post!

p.s.  I’m picking a winner for the instagram contest tomorrow night at 10:00 p.m. and will announce the winner on Wednesday morning’s Bachelorette post.  If you want to be in the running for the $250 gift card to Nordstrom, just post a pic of yourself on instagram in one (or more) of your Anniversary Sale scores!  Tag me @sheaffertoldmeto and hashtag #sheaffertoldmeto.  Easy as that!

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