One Dress from Work to Play & Link Up On the Edge #109

August 31, 2018 / 73 Comments
This is not a sponsored post.

I rarely write strictly style posts these days because I feel like I have so much heavy stuff running through my brain all the time that I must purge it into written words to get some silence. But sometimes the heavy can get too heavy and I need to relax a bit and just talk about the clothes. Because the clothes are fun. I love the clothes. I have always loved the clothes. For as long as I can remember. I used to get embarrassed by this fact about myself thinking that it made me shallow and vain. But the older I get, the less care about what others may think. I am very driven by daily introspection, constantly pondering my purpose and the meaning of life and all that existential stuff that can make one’s head go spinning. So today, after a long and exhausting week of both mind and body running in circles, I am going to just talk about the clothes.

I only came up with this idea to style one dress to go from work to play as I was searching for photos of summer dresses to share for September’s Good Buy/Good-Bye Book. When I realized that I have not worn very many dresses at all this summer. My summer wardrobe consisted mainly of cut off denim shorts, tee shirts, and kimonos. So I used this opportunity to dig some summer dresses out of my closet and take photographs.

I found this blue and white striped maxi dress from Target hiding in the back of my closet where I tucked it away last summer.  I have only worn it one other time and I kind of didn’t like it all that much so I haven’t worn it again until now. I loved it on the hanger. And I had every intention of styling it with a tee shirt underneath because I am not a huge fan of the halter style top. This dress actually will appear as my bad buy in the September Good Buy/Good-Bye Book. There is a tremendous amount of fabric through the hips and waist and it is lined adding even more volume where no woman wants or needs extra volume added. It is unflattering, to say the least. Yet somehow, the pictures do not do me the injustice that I am describing. The dress actually photographed quite marvelously and hence became worthy of an entire style blog post.

So how do I take a casual maxi dress from work to play?

For Work

For my work look, I added a thin nude belt to help cinch in some of that extra volume around the middle. A pair of nude slide sandals and simple gold earrings complete the look. Of course, I added the white tee underneath to prevent the exposure of my undergarments. Nobody needs to see my bra straps whether I am work or at play. And the volume of the dress simply does not lend itself to adding a cardigan or any other layer on top.

For Play

For play, I switched out the belt for a chambray shirt tied around the waist, exchanged my sandals for white eyelet Converse, and the delicate earrings were replaced with blue leather tassels. Then I threw my hair into low pigtails because what is more playful than pigtails?

I think dresses are a super easy way to style something for work and play. Although there an infinite number of wardrobe possibilities that you can transition from day to night or work week to weekend with just a few minor changes of accessories. This one was super simple with minimal accessories required.  How do you take an outfit from work to play?

And now your featured favorites from last week.

Osy of Style Diary by Osy shared the cutest sheer dress in her post, Bump Style: Bright Embroidery Mesh Dress. Seriously, doesn’t this pretty dress scream “Shelbee”?!  But I couldn’t rock it the way Osy is with her baby bump and Vans! Fabulous, my friend, absolutely fabulous!

Osy of Style Diary by Osy

Lina of Sew Historically shared some fun decorating ideas for keeping your home cool in this atrocious summer heat in her post, Keep Your Home Cool In The Summer Heat – Edwardian Decor Ideas. I seriously always wonder how people survived brutally hot and humid summers before air conditioning!  You basically had to think cool in order to stay cool!  I love when Lina gives a glimpses into Edwardian times.  I am so fascinated!

Keep Your Home Cool In The Summer Heat – Edwardian Decor Ideas by Lina of Sew Historically

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

Linking up with these Fabulous Link Ups.

I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

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73 Comments

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      August 31, 2018 at 10:18 am Reply

      I hear you, Debbie! I don’t understand how that happens either. This dress seriously did not look good in the mirror. And even my husband was like, “That dress is not at all flattering.” But even he was surprised at how well it photographed. So funny!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Chrissy Rowden

    August 31, 2018 at 11:35 am Reply

    Nicely done Shelbee! I didn’t even realize that you styled the white tee underneath until i read the post. You look adorable in both styles and I’m with you on the fashion love. So glad you’re embracing it!

  • Kellyann Rohr

    August 31, 2018 at 12:07 pm Reply

    What a great idea to add that tee under the dress! I love it and will have to try that myself. That dress is perfect for hot summer days and you’ve styled it beautifully my friend as always!
    xo,
    Kellyann

  • Ann

    August 31, 2018 at 12:29 pm Reply

    Hello Shelbee! Thank you so much for our comment on my blog. I’m also wearing blue and white in my latest post (even though it’s only at the very end) so it’s only fitting that I join your link up. Thank you for hosting! It’s a pity you’re considering saying goodbye to your dress, as I think it’s a perfect summer dress, and it’s looking great with the white tee layered underneath. Nothing wrong with a strictly style post, either, and nothing shallow about fashion, especially if it can appease the stuff running through one’s brain! xxx

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      September 1, 2018 at 11:58 am Reply

      Ann, thank you so much! I agree with you on all of this…style is a nice fun break from the heavier things in life! And why not look and feel good in our clothes? We have to get dressed anyway. Now that this dress photographed as well as it did and I found a more flattering way to style it, I think I will hold on to it for a while longer and see what other styling ideas inspire me! I am so glad you stopped by and joined my link party, too. Please do come by and join again! Have a fantastic weekend.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      September 1, 2018 at 11:56 am Reply

      It’s funny how our styles can change from season to season, isn’t it, Nancy? Last year and the year before, I hated shorts! This summer I added about 12 new pairs of denim cut off shorts and they were my daily go-to. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a fabulous weekend.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Julie | This Main Line Life

    August 31, 2018 at 12:56 pm Reply

    Ha, I totally hear ya. One of the things that was hard for me to wrap my head around when I started the blog was that talking about fashion and outfits seemed kind of vacuous, but I love clothes too. We can like fashion and still be substantive people!!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      September 1, 2018 at 11:54 am Reply

      Julie, thank you so much! That kind of validation is super helpful! I wonder why “society” deems fashion loving people to be shallow and frivolous. The wonderful thing about human nature is that we can each be unique combinations of different interests that range from substantive to vain, right? And it’s my blog to share what I like! I hope you have a fabulous weekend, my friend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • jodie filogomo

    August 31, 2018 at 1:29 pm Reply

    I think the tee under the dress is absolutely perfect, Shelbee. in fact it looked like it was part of the dress. Sometimes those pieces we don’t “love” at first just need some creativity to make them our favorites.
    XOXO
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      September 1, 2018 at 11:51 am Reply

      Thanks so much, Jodie! I agree with you completely, we need to just think outside of the box to make these things work. The one other time I wore this dress (which I didn’t photograph), I wore a long sleeve white tee under it with the same white Converse. I didn’t belt it though and I think that was what I wasn’t loving about it and so I stuck it in the back of my closet completely forgotten about until now. So even though I am featuring it as a bad buy, I think I will hold onto it for a bit longer and see what inspires me! I hope you have the most wonderful weekend, my friend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Maria | passion fruit, paws and peonies

    August 31, 2018 at 1:30 pm Reply

    You know, I felt just the same when I started fashion and beauty on my blog. My blog started as a hobby, then I ventured into midlife issues as I tried to be more ‘helpful’ (but really I was stressing about saying the wrong thing!) and now I’m enjoying it so much more indulging my more ‘shallow’ side – it gives me a wonderful break from life’s stresses and following my real passions. Your blog can be anything you like Shelbee – you are unique and special and every side of you is worth sharing – if that’s what you chose! xx

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      September 1, 2018 at 11:47 am Reply

      Maria, thank you so much for that validation! You are absolutely correct, it is my blog to do what I please. And I love indulging my philosophical wonderings and sharing the deep and meaningful life journey. I want to share my story in an effort to help others, so I will continue to do that. But you are correct, I can do that on whatever schedule I choose. Then I can indulge in the shallow frivolities of fashion whenever I choose as well. It is the beauty of blogging, you can combine any unrelated topics that you wish. And it shows how we are all unique combinations of different likes and interests. That being said, you shouldn’t worry about “saying the wrong thing” and just say what you want…because it is your blog, after all! And many women seem to respond positively to us when we share our midlife issues. Have a wonderful weekend, my friend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Kim

    August 31, 2018 at 2:00 pm Reply

    Hey, Shelbee! I’m glad you were able to take a break from the voices in your head. I get it–I haven’t, yet, taken on personal issues on my blog, as for now, it’s my “happy place” to get away from unpleasant realities of the moment. Now, your dress–ha! How funny it photographed better than it looks in person. I agree with Debbie, above, that sometimes you think an outfit is “killer” and it photos horribly! Overall, I don’t think the style of the dress is “you”–you are more edgy–maybe the stripes are what put it into a more conservative territory? Have a great weekend!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      September 1, 2018 at 11:37 am Reply

      Kim, thanks so much for stopping by! I do love to process out all my crazy thoughts into writing. It is so very cathartic for me. But sometimes, I definitely need a break! So then I can focus on the fun stuff…like fashion! It’s funny that you say that the dress is not “me”…I have to agree with you…but only in this moment, this season of my life. Last summer I was all about the pretty, girly, feminine dresses. This summer I have gone way more toward edgier styles. Who knows what next year will bring?! But that is the beauty of fashion and personal style…we can be whomever we want to be on any given day! Conservative one day, edgy the next, casual than dressy, boss lady to mom gear, athletic to sassy. I view getting dressed as choosing my battle armor for the day…it’s like a costume and I can choose whatever I want each day! The options are endless. Have a fantastic weekend, my friend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      September 1, 2018 at 11:31 am Reply

      Emma, thank you so much! I am definitely more partial to layering a tee shirt under a spaghetti strap dress than allowing my bra straps to show. It is one of my favorite styling tricks and totally flashes me back to the 90’s!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Lana

    August 31, 2018 at 3:51 pm Reply

    It’s a really cute dress, and you styled it perfectly. Love it with the tshirt underneath – I’ll have to give that try with the halter style. Have a great weekend!

  • Mireille

    August 31, 2018 at 4:43 pm Reply

    Great job styling that dress! I love it with the tshirt uber and you would not know it was too voluminous if you had not mentioned it. Styling it with the belt and the shirt was perfect!

  • susan

    August 31, 2018 at 7:19 pm Reply

    Hiya Shelbee!
    After reading this post, I went digging in my own closet, because you reminded me of my own blue/white halter top summer dress that I purchased at target.com. Last year, end of season sale. Loved it on the hanger. Nightmare when I put it on. Sound familiar?

    What in hell was I thinking? By no means does my Good Bye dress look as good as yours, which I like, by the way. Mine is horribly, clingy, awfully, ill fitting, and gives me nightmares when I think of how I looked in it.

    Which is why, I will be featuring it on the hanger in my Good Bye/Good Buy submission.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      September 1, 2018 at 11:10 am Reply

      Oh my goodness, Susan! Is it really all that bad? I bet we could figure out a way to make it work with some kind of styling trick, no? Maybe. Maybe not. Some things just aren’t meant to be…like me and jumpsuits or rompers. So not good! Thanks for stopping by, my friend. Have a fantastic weekend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Maureen

    September 1, 2018 at 12:57 am Reply

    I can understand what you mean. Between my hubby and I, his mind keeps going about anything and everything! He really should blog but alas, you are stuck with me! Lol I love clothes too. I love looking at them to say the least even if I don’t purchase any. Something about clothes regardless of being vain and superficial that just makes me happy. Love how you styled your maxi dress for work and play! It’s amazing at the transformation with just the switch of accessories. I hope your Friday went well and wishing you a wonderful long weekend!

    Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      September 1, 2018 at 10:58 am Reply

      Maureen, I don’t mind being “stuck with you”! Thanks so much for your kind compliment! I was thinking about this last night…the issue of how much I love fashion…as I was scrolling through Pinterest. Seriously, I really just love the artistry behind the design of clothes and more especially shoes. The crazier the stuff looks, the more I love it. And I love the creativity involved in creating outfits that are fun and work in interesting ways. I just started my job in retail and I am realizing more than ever that I really do have a knack for styling things in unique ways that most people don’t think of, but coincidentally they love what I do! It is just so much fun and makes me feel happy. Plus we should feel great in our clothing! I hope you have a fantastic weekend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Laura

    September 1, 2018 at 3:15 am Reply

    It’s fun to see you in a dress! I didn’t realize you layered a white tee underneath until I saw the up close shots! It looks really cute that way!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      September 1, 2018 at 10:53 am Reply

      Thank you, Laura! I haven’t worn many dresses at all this summer so it was weird for me to style a dress. It’s funny because last year I was all about the pretty girly dresses then this summer I went for a much edgier look. I do like to change it up and keep everyone on their toes!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Nadine

    September 1, 2018 at 10:33 am Reply

    Dear Shebee! Your blue and white strped maxi dress suits you great! Especially I like the pairing with the nude belt and the nude sandals. The idea with the chambray shirt tied aoround the waist is amazing too. You look adorable!

    Thank you so much for your lovely comment on my blog. I will follow your geourgeous blog too and add my link.

    All the best from Vienna, Nadine

  • Anna at Muttonstyle

    September 4, 2018 at 6:58 am Reply

    I have a blue and white striped dress that I bought from Primark. I love your styling. It’s given me some ideas. I’ve linked a blog and a YouTube. My striped dress is the last one on the YouTube btw. Thanks for joining our Continetal drift linkup. Great to have a star like you there 🙂.

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