This year Mother Nature just can’t make up her mind. First the endless rain, a few days of sun, a short summer (a.k.a. HOT) preview then back to the rain and gloom.
Let’s pick a season and stick with it. Thanks!
Last week I went to grab lunch and see a movie with an old friend. It was a wonderful, sunny day close to 80 degrees – so I figured I was safe wearing my new sundress, sandals and going bare legged. I was wrong.
Dress, cami – Avenue
Cardigan – Kmart
Sandals – Teva
Bangles, belt – Torrid
After walking around, browsing for books and eating lunch we went into the movie. A few hours later… the lovely clear blue sky had been traded for gray skies with big rain clouds on the horizon. I had to run a few errands before heading home and it ended up raining on me. Just my luck!
This dress is from Avenue’s spring/summer line that I talked about before. If you know me or if you’ve been reading for a while, you’re probably tired of hearing about them but I figured I’d do a quick review on the fit. I own the sundresses from the last three years – insane, right? But they are worth all the praise.
This year, the dresses seem to run a little bigger than usual – especially in the bust. There is a lot of extra room. I bought one dress in a 26/28 and the other in a 30/32 to test how they shrink and there wasn’t much of a change. Last year I bought up a size because I was losing some length after washing but so far, these look okay. There is some really awkward construction going on in the neckline of the dress. It looks like they tried to stabilize it with some extra fabric (which seems to work okay, it doesn’t stretch) but it sometimes folds out in the wrong direction.
I really love this print and colorway – the brightly colored floral is right up my alley and all these bright colors are even “on trend”. I find it hilarious that when the bright, candy colors come into fashion – I’m obsessed with neutrals. Though I find myself gravitating back toward brighter colors as the weather improves.
When there is a possibility of walking a lot on a warm day, I start to default to my comfortable sandals. A friend of mine at school used to praise my outfits but would glance at my feet, usually in these or similar sandals and give me this epic look of disappointment. The “I can’t believe you’re actually wearing those.” look.
Don’t get me wrong. In the last year, I’ve cultivated my love of shoes – especially comfortable ones. But sometimes you just crave a flat, easy to wear sandal that can get dirty or go the distance. I’ve worn these to the beach, camping, school, exploring San Francisco – you name it. Hey, we’ve even fallen into the mud together.
Well, technically I made a bad decision but after I was sucked down into the mud, these puppies stayed on my feet. If I had been wearing something else, I’m pretty sure I would have lost them. I know some people take issue with sandals like these, flip flops, etc. when it comes to “fashion” but I’m usually one for function and comfort over form. Especially when it comes to shoes.
What about you? What is more important in a shoe? Do you sacrifice comfort for style or vice versa?
I LOVE THE DRESS AND CARDI!
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although i do have several pairs of shoes that cut up my feet, i’m really feeling over it and craving a little comfort. i really like those brown sandals. did you purchase them recently? were they expensive? i need something like that for summer.
i wish i could find more shoes that strike the comfort/fashionable balance. it’s hard with wide, blister-prone feet.
I’m so sorry I’m replying to this so late! Not sure what happened with my notifications.
I bought these second hand but recently bought a similar style pair but they are wedges.
Best. Shoes. Ever. No joke! I’m going to do a post on them – so since it is unlikely you will see this… I hope you see the post. Though I might tweet you the info – ha!
I bought this in the pink colorway and agree with you – they are sized bigger this year. I think I’m going to return it for a smaller size. I wear my one from last year (or was it two years ago) to DEATH, I love it so much. It’s the perfect length and cotton to boot. I love cotton dresses.
Yes, I love them too! I find that over time, all of these dresses tend to shrink on me so I don’t mind them a little big to start.
I have a minimum level of “comfort” that I absolutely require out of all of my shoes: no immediate blisters (means after they’re broken in, I can wear them for a reasonable amount of time without), no breaking of skin, no bleeding.
But I don’t expect my heels to feel the same as my everyday flat sandals or sneakers or hiking shoes. I wear them for a different reason and in different circumstances and when I want to make a different impression. I would no more wear my heels to explore a city on foot than I would my birkenstocks to a formal event.
So for the most part I don’t sacrifice either – I try to keep my expectations practical and realistic, and wear the right shoe for the right event.
I find myself gravitating towards a minimum comfort level as well. For a long time – 90% of my shoes were giving me blisters and I had to rotate shoes. One day, pinky toe blister. The next, my ankle. Then the side of my foot, etc, etc.
It was ridiculous! These days I only get mild blisters breaking shoes in and hopefully things will stay that way! *knock on wood*
You look divine – this color is gorgeous on you.
Shoes, shoes, shoes – I love them and am constantly trying to find cute shoes that love my feet, but it’s really a challenge especially as I’ve gotten older. I wear flat heel boots alot in the winter (ashamed to say that I have 8 pairs of boots) and spend alot of time in my red patent Naturalizer sandals when it’s hot enough. Many flat shoes just don’t have enough support! But I am a sucker for a low heel pump with a rubber soul…….
Basically, a “ditto” for Tropical Chrome’s comments!
Ashamed? Psh. Options are a good thing. It is just so you can keep them longer…
If I have 2-3 pairs of boots, I seem to kill two pairs a season. With 4-5, I’ve been able to make them last longer by rotating more.
Greeting the bright colors!
I love this dress on you! I went back to my local Avenue recently, to of course hop on this train, and they were still not in stock! I’ll have to try again this week!
I’ve been calling my local stores for some of the prints and it seems kind of hit or miss. Hope you have better luck than me!
Eee I love that dress. I never got to Avenue when I was in the US, must hit it up when I get back there.
I am unable to wear heels any more, well, other than a wee bit. So I have to go for comfort. It’s because I wore ridiculous stilettos in my youth, and screwed up my feet for good. But I can still find cute and flat and comfy.
You definitely should! I seem to do most of my shopping there these days. They have a lot of clothes I would consider basics with a twist? And it makes me want them more.
Plus the amazing sundresses and a decent collection of shoes/jewelery!