The Dressy Summer Dress :: watercolor shift dress

How's this for the perfect spring/summer dress? 

Sundresses are fabulous but when I need (or want) to dress up a little bit more during these warmer months, I sometimes find it hard to find a fancier option that's still colorful and fun. That's why this is one of my favorite dresses in my closet. It's elegant yet exciting. It's also very bright and attention-grabbing, which for me, is an enticing quality for a summertime dress to have. 

Since my dress clearly speaks for itself, I wanted to go neutral with my shoes but I didn't want to be boring either. However, there's a fine line between muted and bland. I like how these mules don't overwhelm my dress and how they add a certain element of chicness and polish. 

Usually I paint my nails in some loud color like turquoise or hot pink. But for this look I thought subtlety was best. My mom actually bought this color for herself - it's such a 'mom' color, am I right? ;) But it clearly came in handy and I enjoyed wearing such a soft, dainty shade. 

This dress looks so different depending on the angle you're looking at it from. 

No necklace needed!

When I think of the perfect spring/summer dress, vivid color is the first thing that comes to mind. Next I think of shape, material, and neckline. I love that this dress has a silky feel and a slight sheen to it. It's a shift, which makes it fuss-free and airy, and the neckline is sophisticated and flattering. 

Photos by Brooke Faison 

[dress: Ann Taylor (old), heels: Sam Edelman, bangle: Michael Kors (similar here), earrings: Kate Spade, lipstick: vivd violet from Smashbox]

I truly think of this dress as a work of art. I loved it from the minute I saw it hanging in Ann Taylor three summers ago and it's still a closet favorite of mine. I can easily see it carrying me through many wedding seasons! 

On this particular day I wore it to my senior formal for my sorority. The weather was not ideal (to say the least). It was a ridiculously humid North Carolinian day accompanied by rain showers and scattered thunder - hence me being photographed in a tunnel. Also, please excuse my frizzy hair, it did not look this way when I left the house :) 

SHOP ::