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Spring Color Crush: Navy

Greetings, and welcome back to 26 Days of Spring Fashion, a style challenge where I share a new spring outfit every day during the month of March!

Today I’m teaming up with JCPenney to style two dresses that are perfect for church services, a spring wedding, or other events you may have coming up this season. They both happen to be one of my favorite spring colors — navy blue — and best part is, they’re both under $50!

Spring Style with JCPenney: Jessica Howard Sleeveless Dots Fit & Flare Dress with Worthington Beckwith Heeled Sandals | Easter Dress | Spring Dress | Fashion for Women Over 40

I’m always a fan of navy, but I particularly love it in the springtime. It’s so classic and elegant, and every bit as versatile as black, but not as harsh. Some women have a hard time wearing black, but just about everyone looks good in navy.

I don’t think I’ve met a polkadot I don’t like, so as soon as I saw this sleeveless dots fit and flare dress, I knew it needed to come home with me. It’s so springy with the filmy chiffon and feminine fit-and-flare style.

Spring Style with JCPenney: Polkadot Chiffon Fit & Flare Dress with white ankle strap sandals | Easter Dress | Spring Dress | Fashion for Women Over 40

I love the pleated detail around the neckline and the way the sleeves are cut under the arms. A lot of sleeveless dresses are cut too deep and can expose your bra, but this one is perfect.

Spring Style with JCPenney: Polkadot Chiffon Fit & Flare Dress with white ankle strap sandals | Easter Dress | Spring Dress | Fashion for Women Over 40

I kept this look simple with white strappy sandals and a white clutch.

Spring Style with JCPenney: Polkadot Chiffon Fit & Flare Dress with white ankle strap sandals | Easter Dress | Spring Dress | Fashion for Women Over 40

Spring Style with JCPenney: Polkadot Chiffon Fit & Flare Dress with white clutch

This dress is perfect for Easter Sunday or other spring events that may be coming up. Throw on a white cardigan, or even a denim jacket if you want to dress it down, and you’re good to go!

Spring Style with JCPenney: Polkadot Chiffon Fit & Flare Dress with white ankle strap sandals | Easter Dress | Spring Dress | Fashion for Women Over 40

Outfit Details:

dress // shoes // bag // similar earrings

If you prefer sleeves, you’ll love this next look. This navy bell sleeve sheath is a little more tailored than the one above, and I can see it working well for the work place, church, or any dressy event that requires more conservative attire.

Spring Style with JCPenney: Liz Claiborne 3/4 Bell Sleeve Sheath Dress with lavender patent Worthington Bristol Pumps Strap Open Toe Stiletto Heels | Easter Dress | Spring Dress | Fashion for Women Over 40

I’m always a fan of a sheath, and this one is super flattering.

The bell sleeves are a nice detail too, and they’re the perfect length — not as likely as a longer sleeve to get dragged through my soup at lunch!

Navy 3/4 Bell Sleeve Sheath

I would typically wear white or nude shoes with navy, but I decided to go for something a little different this time.

These lavender patent sandals are a subtle color, but still more unexpected than the usual neutral suspects.

Spring Style with JCPenney: Liz Claiborne 3/4 Bell Sleeve Sheath Dress with lavender patent Worthington Bristol Pumps Strap Open Toe Stiletto Heels | Easter Dress | Spring Dress | Fashion for Women Over 40

You could add a necklace to glam it up, but I decided to keep the look simple and understated with gold drop earrings.

For size reference, I have an 8 in both dresses.

Spring Style with JCPenney: Liz Claiborne 3/4 Bell Sleeve Sheath Dress with lavender patent Worthington Bristol Pumps Strap Open Toe Stiletto Heels | Easter Dress | Spring Dress | Fashion for Women Over 40

Outfit Details:

dress // sandals // similar earrings

Be sure to visit Cyndi and see the spring outfit she’s styling today!

photos: Alison Cornell

Join The Conversation

33 Responses

  1. Both styles look so pretty on you! I also love navy anything…looking at navy sandals now and hoping the weather will start cooperating so I can wear them.
    Feel better, keep the gummies going 👍

  2. JoLynne—these dresses both look great on you.  I know you don’t usually shop at Penney’s and I haven’t in years, but I’m pleasantly surprised.  Usually with less expensive dresses you notice the difference in fabric, lining (or lack of), zippers and buttons, workmanship and sizing.  What’s your thoughts since we’re not seeing the dresses in person?  Are you keeping either one of these?  How’s the sizing compared to more expensive brands?  I’d consider ordering, but they don’t come in petites and of course shortening would be involved but I’m wondering what else would be off kilter.  

    1. I ask the same questions.  How is the finishing of these?  Loose threads, zippers not tacked or seams not even?  Things like that often distinguish clothing that will take me through several seasons rather than just one.

    2. I didn’t notice anything specifically. Both seem well made. I don’t expect a $40 dress to fit and feel like a $150 dress, but these are a really good value for the price point. Overall, I’m impressed.

  3. I love both of these dresses and they look darling on you! Good choices. My daughter has always found cute dresses at JC Penny.

  4. These two dresses look wonderful and I really like how you styled them, Jo-Lynne. Navy is my go-to-neutral as I don’t wear black. Thanks!

  5. WOW!!!  You look fabulous in both dresses, and they are so pretty.  I have no doubt that you will get a lot of wear out if them both.  How did the vertigo PT go yesterday?  I sure hope that your throat clears up immediately.  Take care!

    1. Well, he doesn’t think PT will help. And he ruled out the crystals too. So I’m supposed to make an appt with an ENT and see what they say. I saw an ENT a few years ago, and I believe they are the ones who referred me to PT at that time. But they also ordered an MRI that I never did, so that is probably next. Fortunately it’s mild this time so I think I can travel.

      1. Well dang!  After your weekend trip I would definitely follow up with the ENT and have the MRI done.  It will be worthwhile to find out if there is a particular culprit  of the vertigo, and if something more permanent can be done.  It took 3 months and a culture of my sinuses to find out I have pseudomonas and finally get on the right antibiotic for it.  Take care!

  6. These both look great on you! Thanks for including a style with sleeves. Love the navy paired with lavender sandals😊

  7. What gorgeous dresses from JCP! Love them both! Feel better and have a wonderful trip to Austin. Such a fun town! Enjoy a walk around Lady Bird lake. So pretty! Plus the food trucks and BBQ restaurants are awesome.

  8. Love navy, and polka dots, and bell sleeves – this post is a home run. You look great in both!! 🙂 I am wearing navy today with a pink, navy, grey and white striped sweater. I also wore a navy dress to my sons grad last year.

  9. Nice dresses that would be good for so many occasions. Of course I don’t have to tell you it’s going to take a while for me to get on the white shoe train. LOL. #change Those sandals look great though!

  10. These dresses both look amazing on you and what a great price too! Unfortunately I was never able to find a size 2 at JCP, and in dresses I’d need a 2 petite. Would have loved to get one or both of these..

  11. Both lovely dresses and they look great on you! Thanks for showing something from JCP, too…. they always have great sales!! 😀

  12. I love the way you styled both of these dresses, JoLynne. You look gorgeous, and so elegant. I have had luck finding a couple of dresses at JCP.  Last year I found a dress for my daughters college graduation. It was well made. I believe JCP has upped their style. 
    I hope you feel better soon! 

  13. Hard to believe that two outfits that look so out together are so reasonably priced.  Great job helping my budget.

  14. Hi Jo-Lynne, Just wondered what color and brand nail polish you had on your finger nails when wearing the Navy polka dot dress you posted today. It looks like a great neutral color for spring. All of your outfits are so pretty!

  15. so glad I clicked on your blog today! I love the arm coverage and the tailored fit of the bell sleeve sheath. Lucky me we have a JC Penny’s in our town and it was ship to store for free! 🙂 Score of a dress! Thank you for doing all the hard work for us! You look fab in both but the long sleeves were my favorite!

  16. The weather here in Austin is great! It was 84 degrees and partially sunny today. I hope you aren’t allergic to oak pollen because we are literally green with it (my poor car). I hope you and Paul are staying somewhere fun and have lots of plans. It’s a wonderful time of year to be here. 🙂

  17. Thanks for showing us these dresses – they look great on you!. Totally agree that black is a bit harsh for some of us while navy is perfect. These dresses are a great value for a couple of new spring dresses that will be suitable for a variety of occasions.

  18. I really enjoyed this post featuring 2 spring dresses (a welcome change of pace from the usual jeans and top combos). Both you and the dresses were simply beautiful! Oh, and I LOVED the lavender heels! Thank you so much!

  19. Beautiful! I love both of these and what a great idea to go with the lavender shoes. Thanks so much for all your work on the blog and for helping us all “fight the frump”! 🙂

  20. Good Morning,
    Glad you are feeling somewhat better.  In one of your March posts, possibly 3-26, you are staying two navy beautiful dresses.  The post shows a beautiful vase with spring flowers in your entry.  Do you have any idea where it was purchased?  It is just beautiful.  Thanks for your help.  I enjoy your posts and read them daily.  

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