Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Celestial Dots and Black Suede








      I wear this dress often when I don't know what to wear especially in the warm summer months.  I've worn it in all seasons with tall boots, short boots, a red coat, wrap sweaters and denim jackets.......(you get the picture, the list goes on.)

     This dress is probably 8 or 9 years old and it's pilling on the back side of the fabric. I didn't know knit jersey could pill? It seems so hard to find a dress that has sleeves or a hemline at the knee these days. I will keep it in rotation as long as possible because it's one of my most comfortable and favorite items.

     What's your go to item when you don't know what to wear? I'd love to hear about yours!

dress--tahari
shoes--sofft (consignment purchase)
bag--calvin klein
necklace--kenneth cole

location--the back door of a tiny stone church in Wisconsin


links
coffe beans and bobby pins
IFB#104
not dead yet style
plane pretty
dc in style
mingle monday
style elixir
still blonde
transatlantic blonde
the pleated poppy
my thrifty chic

46 comments:

  1. Ann, this dress is just breathtaking. A very flattering cut as is the way the dots travel up the dress. The shoes are perfect and continue the slight retro vibe of the dress. I love the blue necklace and can invisage a modern silver necklace as an alternative. I would say my go to outfit (it's winter where I am) would have to be skinny leg jeans/pants and an oversized top. I know it works, I can dress the look up or down, and it requires very little thought or effort if I am having one of "those" days.

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    1. I can see you (in my mind) wearing the slim pants and oversized top looking fabulous! Thanks for commenting Deborah.

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  2. I'm absolutely in love with that dress! If it were mine I'd be loath to give it up, too.

    I'm reinventing my "go-to's" but I love a dark wash jean and a low cut top. That combo just suits my body type. Oh, and quirky oxfords ;-)

    Alicia

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    1. I like your go to outfit especially the oxfords. You are inspiring me to get mine out of the closet again.

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  3. Perfect dress and perfect backdrop to enhance it.
    Always so artistic, dear Ann.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  4. Ann, you know how much I love your dress!
    Just a perfect fit and I agree, hemline and sleeve length are so important. I really like the length around the ellbow which covers up and is so easy to wear.
    I see so many dresses in various online shops that I'd love to order but they are all too short!

    Such a lovely scenery and your photos are great.

    Annette | Lady of Style

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    1. That's a great point, the back of the elbows, I didn't think about this. I have so many dresses with this arm length and I didn't put this together on why I like this length so much. Thanks Annette!

      blue hue wonderland

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  5. That dress is very cool. Love these beautiful photos.

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  6. Such a flattering dress...I can see why you wear it often. The style would actually flatter any figure! Love your photo shoot location!

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    1. I agree, this design would flatter any figure. I can't understand why more designers don't think of this. Maybe more clothing would sell before it ends up on the clearance rack if they did!

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  7. it's a fabulous dress, lovely design, very versatile, and it fits you like a dream, what else?, and your bag is absolutely covetable!
    when I'm not feeling inspired, I get sticked to the ol'good black&white (particularly polka dots!)
    besos

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    1. I'm with you, I should have mentioned black and white because it's so wearable isn't it? Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

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  8. I love the way the dots seem to radiate out from the center. It gives the dress so much movement and life! You look fabulous in it.

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  9. What an unusual dress. The design is beautiful and makes a beautiful silhouette. The pattern is great and attracts magically to look even longer on it.
    I also love the length of the sleeves, only problematic to pull a jacket or cardigan over it. The sleeve then slide up underneath.
    The bag ist gorgeous !

    Dana, Germany
    http://danalovesfashionandmusic.blogspot.de

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  10. I always wear a dress. I have so many of them!

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  11. Artistic impact with the red door. Great idea for shots blue pieces. I understand why you consist on this dress! You look beautyful.

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  12. I am loving the dots on this dress and if it were mine I'd wear it year round to. Cx

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  13. What a really beautiful dress! I totally agree with your comment about hem length and sleeves right now. I suppose that's a way of cutting costs in manufacturing. I'd hang onto this classic as long as I could.

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    1. I think you are right about cutting costs in manufacturing. I've also noticed the so many tops don't have collars. I'm finding once I find a dress with the collar, long enough and has sleeves my size is sold at full price!

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  14. Such a great dress - stunning pattern and style, and obviously comfortable. How great to have an old standby that has so much style!

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  15. What a great graphic pattern on your dress - I can see why it's your go to dress. The cut, color and pattern is perfect for adding different colors & textures. My go is probably a basic sheath dress that I can throw on a blazer/scarf/necklace to change it up.

    Alice
    www.happinessatmidlife.com

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  16. Black and white is a must have which should never lack in a closet! Your dress is beautiful indeed and you are right to wear it when you are at a lack of ideas! I don't know if I have a similar "ever wearable cloth" but I always try to keep two or three" ready to wear dresses" for those tremendous moments in which I simply think that I have nothing to wear!


    P.s. Wow for your bag!

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  17. The dress looks lovely on you and I'm in love with your Calvin purse!
    I have a few favorite skirt and an old pair of skinny jeans that I'm always taking out of my closet when I'm in a hurry and don't want to wear what I had already pick up to wear.
    Have a great weekend,

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  18. Va Va Va Voom. What a fantastic dress!

    Lea
    HighHeeledStyle

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  19. I agree--its so hard to find a dresss with sleeves and that isnt really LOW in the front! But i heard that sleeves are in for fall; hope springs eternal! Love this look! Xoxo

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  20. This is dress is beautiful on you and I can see why you love it so much. The back pattern makes my eyes go googly with wonder. Wonderful! My go to piece? There's no one thing but I lean towards long somewhat shapeless maxi dresses that I can belt.

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  21. Well, my go-to-dress isn't near as classy and exciting as this one. What a brilliant pattern. I agree 100% it's almost impossible to find a good dress with sleeves and knee length these days. It's also such a bonus when you can find a dress that all you need to do is pull it over your head and it does the rest of accessorizing for you. This is one great item and you are the perfect model for it.
    My go to dress this season is one I've had for a few years that I can wear with flat sandals and simple throw on.

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  22. Celestial is right! What a heavenly dress - I can understand why it's a favorite. Thanks for sharing your great look with Visible Monday.

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  23. You look amazing and what a gorgeous dress. Would've never guessed it was 8 years old! It's a fantastic dress and lucky you to have something so fashionable and easy that's your "go-to" item. Mine seems to be jeans and tees - isn't that terrible? But that's what makes me comfortable! I'm trying to dress them up with accessories that are more age appropriate and a little dressier though!!

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  24. It is actually a dress that you can where in summer and in winter. The graphic print is so cute and the shape very flattering. Again your pictures are a work of art and always a pleasure to look at.
    Sabine xxx

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  25. That is an amazing dress. Love the red door backdrop.

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  26. I'm lovin' both the dress and the location! I had a vintage dress that was my go-to piece...every time I put it on it felt wonderful, but I finally wore it out. I just bought a little polka dot dress in an effort to try new things...thanks for the encouragement!

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  27. The dress is fascinating! I can see why it is well loved. I have a few pieces that I will wear until they fall apart in shreds.

    I always look forward to your featured background, and in this case the red door is the perfect accessory to your beauty.

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  28. Beautiful patterned dress. I can see why it's your go-to dress because it looks comfy and chic.

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  29. Ann, I loved the dress and then you showed us the back...simply stunning couture look. It's giving me all kinds of sewing ideas. You look very pretty, as you always do.

    Sue xo

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  30. hi Ann, This location / background gives your dress such a dramatic contrast. That is what I love about your posts. I just use the backyard or my plain wall, that I have meant to place large photos on but since I have my blog now, I like it plain. Oh thank you for your nice comments. (hug)

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  31. Hi Ann! I'm so glad to have found another Minnesota blogger! I thought I was the only one! This dress is so unique, and looks beautiful on you. It almost has a hypnotizing pattern :). Also, I seriously thought you are in your mid-late thirties.. you look so young and vibrant. Thanks for stopping by my blog, I'm glad it lead me to yours! You have a new follower!

    Christy
    Sunnywithasideof...

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  32. That dress is so amazing! I don't know how you'll ever part with it. It's certainly not a piece that could easily be replaced.

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  33. Oh I love it, I have just purchased a vintage polka dot dress which I adore.. This really suits you..

    Jo from Memos In Stilettos whom hopped from My thrifty chic Blog Hop.

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  34. Who knew that tiny waist of your could look even tinier! Lovely vintage, and the sweet sandals seem 40's referential to me... I like the glamour they add. I'm learning about summer suede! Who knew?
    You're gorgeous.

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  35. I am loving the details on this dress! You are tiny and gorgeous. Thanks for inspiring me :)

    And thanks for linking up with Style Sessions!

    Lauren xx
    www.stylelixir.com

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  36. Sorry I'm running a bit late on catching up on blogposts. This is such a lovely dress Ann, and it looks stunning on you, so stylish!

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  37. I'll bet you are sad that this dress is pilling. You can't see it from the pictures. (the scenery where you are is GORGEOUS!) This is a dress that will weather the ages and still look divine. Hope you will join us this week for the Verizon Voices Fashionista style hop. We are over on Modly Chic this week. You can find us here: http://www.modlychic.com/2013/07/verizon-voices-fashionista-style-hop-july-23.html

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  38. I can definitely understand why you have kept this dress so long and that it's your go-to. It's very cool how the dots and seaming draw your eye in toward the narrowest part of your body. Don't I sound like Clinton Kelly now? LOL

    I'm having a grand time doing some backreading of your awesome blog. I appreciate how you vary your locations.

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