I don’t usually gravitate towards fit-and-flare styles, but this one has a hint of glam that I absolutely love. The tank style top is bra-friendly, and I like how the tie defines the waist.

I actually styled this dress two ways, although they aren’t all that different. I wanted to show you how it looks with brown or white shoes and bag.

I think I prefer the brown, as shown here. I like the warm contrast to the cool navy and white color palette.

These slide sandals with the interlocking pattern on the strap have a feminine appeal that pairs perfectly with dresses. This color is called Tan Coffee.

I carried my brown woven leather basket bag with this look for a summer farmer’s market vibe… Although honestly, I would never dress up this much to go to the farmer’s market!

But aren’t the different shades of brown in this woven tote so gorgeous!?! I just love it.

For another option, I styled this same dress with white sandals and a white tote.

This look is every bit as polished as the one above, but a little more classic and maybe slightly dressier, although a smaller bag would elevate it even more.

stripe midi dress: LOFT (S) // slide sandals: Nordstrom // leather tote: Coach // rattan earrings: Amazon Fashion // necklace: Madewell // bracelet: c/o Victoria Emerson // sunglasses: Fendi

This Coach polished pebble leather day tote is exactly what it says it is. The pebble leather is so luxe, and the clean lines and brown accents keep it polished and classy.

And I thought these oversize rattan earrings were the perfect way to keep the look light and summery.

Here’s a better look at the bag, as well as the gold stacking bracelets I wore, although I wish I’d thought to change my rings to one with some gold in it.

The stars and red stones in the bracelets are a nice complement to the blue and white stripes in the dress, especially for any 4th of July festivities you may have coming up.

And these sandals are the same style as the tan pair above. I ordered both colors intending to return one, but I ended up keeping both. They’re a great price point for leather, and both have been nice to have in my spring/summer wardrobe.

They may look like they’d be hard to walk in, but the stay on my low-profile feet easily. They’re true to size, or size up if in between; I have the 8.

This stripe midi dress is soft and stretchy and very comfortable, and it runs true to size. It’s also 40% off today!

Next up, this navy slub sheath dress from White House Black Market is perfect for dressier events or those times when you want a little more va-va-voom!

sleeveless draped slub sheath dress: WHBM (6) // gold sandals: Sam Edelman (8) // pearl necklace: Baublebar // chain link necklace: Baublebar // shoulder bag: Coach

My birthday and wedding anniversary are both in the summertime, so I’m always on the lookout this time of year for a date night dress that makes me feel extra feminine and pretty. This one definitely fits the bill.

The draped design with matching tie-belt gives a nice shape to through the waist, and the soft knit slub makes it so comfortable, unlike the typical sheath style dresses made of more structured fabric.

This dress runs true to size, or size down if in between; I’m wearing the 6. It also comes in petite sizes, but those sizes are very limited.

This time I carried a smaller Coach bag, made of the same gorgeous pebbled leather in the Chalk. This bag is a modern take on an archival 1970s Coach design, and it’s finished with their Signature hardware for an iconic touch.

It comes with two detachable straps – a shorter strap with 7″ drop that you can carry in your hand, over your arm, or over your shoulder. And then there’s a longer crossbody strap with 21″ drop, but I’ve never once used it. I much prefer the shorter strap, as I tend to carry this bag for dinners out or when I’m more dressed-up.

I love how the brushed gold hardware on the bag coordinates with my gold leather sandals; I almost always pair these shoes with this bag.

STYLE TIP: Have a few go-to shoe & bag combinations in your closet, it cuts down on the number of decisions you have to make when you’re putting outfits together.

I always get asked about a wrap when I share sleeveless dresses, and honestly, I don’t have anything I would put with either of these. Around here, I don’t usually need anything in the summertime, but I know a lot of ladies do. What would you all suggest?

A denim jacket wouldn’t do much for either one, and I can’t really see a cardigan or blazer with either of these dresses either. Maybe a short cardigan like this or this or this with the LOFT stripe midi, but I would leave the WHBM sheath alone and be willing to freeze, lol!

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photos: Alison Cornell