Veda for the Women’s Prison Association “Thank You” tee (small)
Elizabeth Suzann linen Florence pants (medium, regular)
Birkenstock Arizona Sandals | secondhand
Since this is the place where I disclose my deepest, darkest secrets, I have a confession to make:
I’m sort of tired of wearing all black, white and grey
Yeah, I know. I say that now and then I get a color or a print, and never wear it.
I don’t want to wear more color necessarily, I want graphic prints, and patterns.
I have another confession to make now, one which follows from the first one. I didn’t actually realize (well, yes, it’s been a bug in my ear for a little while) that I was interested in incorporating more prints into my wardrobe until I was enjoying an AMAZING lunch yesterday ALONE at my favorite place and observed two women (in a sea of yoga pants UGH) who were wearing beautiful printed dresses. They looked radiant. And interesting. I wanted to tell them that I thought they looked beautiful, but they were with other people and I felt weird about it.
Anyway…
One of the ladies had platinum blonde hair, looked to be about my age, wasn’t wearing any makeup and had on this Ace & Jig dress. I DIED. I could not concentrate on anything else the rest of lunch (I was trying to spend that time writing). And then another woman walked in wearing a white peasant dress with multi-colored embroidery. Stunning, but still very casual. They both looked very casual, and like they were just out, nothing fancy. And there I was in my jeans and black linen shirt. Comfortable, but boring.
Ugh. So my other confession is that I have now literally spent the last 24 hours going down the internet rabbit hole searching for a long, flowy, cotton or linen dress with a print. Honestly, if I knew that the Ace & Jig dress wouldn’t be a million inches too long on me, I’d have ordered it and called it a day (this one is also good, but not long…and this one is long, but not a print, or with sleeves LOL). I am that obsessed. But, it will be too long, and I don’t like the idea of interrupting the pattern of dress and cutting at least half of that bottom panel off.
You might be thinking now, doesn’t she have that beautiful palm print Sunja Link dress? And yes, of course you’re right, but – please don’t kill me – I don’t like it as much now that it has a v-neck and side slits. *ducks* It’s more practical, in that I can walk in it, and sit in it without choking myself, but now the shape is just meh. I got an un-altered version of that dress in for slowre recently and wore it for an instagram stories and liked the shape of it so much better.
So, yes, I have it, and yes, I will probably wear it the weekend we’re in Charleston, but I also wanted something “pretty” and just really stunning to wear one day, and for our anniversary dinner. I have looked EVERYWHERE and at EVERYTHING and haven’t found the right dress yet. It must be midi-length and with short sleeves. I don’t want a cinched waist, but having the option to tie at the waist is okay. I’d prefer it to be linen, or lightweight cotton poplin. I thought about this one by Rachel Comey, but it might be too much?
Of course, this also has me wishing I’d bought the Georgia midi in linen (ivory) as I’d planned to this summer, for when I want a flowy dress with sleeves. No, I don’t really like the Georgia sleeves, but I might be able to handle them on a long dress.
If anyone has any other ideas, I’m open to them 🙂
I get so excited when I see “older” women (and by that I mean my age…) wearing interesting things; prints, cool shoes, an amazing bag, I saw a women at dinner the other night with long grey hair, wearing a simple white button down and slim black pants, carrying a slouchy tan Humanoid bag (yes, I recognize things immediately and know the brands, and usually when they were produced. It’s a sickness) and immediately started searching The Real Real for it.
Nothing wrong with that, but it’s the age-old problem I have of trying too hard to incorporate things in to my own wardrobe that I admire on others; it doesn’t always work for ME. I need to get better at admiring from afar, and not immediately getting sucked into trying to find the item for myself – as I have done since lunch yesterday – but that is still very hard 🙂
Are you better at admiring from afar? Or do you try and seek out things you love that you see on others??
In terms of dresses with a print, I LOVE this Samuji one…
https://www.rendez-vous-store.com/samuji-kamila-dress-dark-lilacbeige-xml-505_508-8400.html
And here it is on Garmentory 😉
https://www.garmentory.com/sale/samuji/dresses-day/351104-finnea-dress#sm.00000examxy50mezqqfmfws8gb154
AHHHHH!!! i just found this one : https://www.garmentory.com/sale/samuji/dresses-day/314946-samuji-beumont-dress#sm.0000154wtgdr77elny7ewuspuptql
Your taste is getting closer to mine, for a change. Usually it’s you influencing me! I have been drooooling over that very Ace and Jig that you linked to, all summer, but I just have so very many summer clothes……. I also smiled at the Rachel Comey red stripe more than once, but it seems quite formal/dressy to me, and I have so little need for that. At least I think it would look formal/dressy on ME.
haha! i love it 🙂
if i thought i could incorporate that RC dress into fall dressing or more “casual” wear, i might get it. i might still try it, it’s available for me to order and pick up at one of my local nordstrom stores, so i might just do it and get it out of my system. and post a picture or two 😉
If you want to dive into prints, try http://www.shopzuri.com You’d probably be a size small. I have one of their bolder prints, and get zillions of complements when I wear it. I sometimes wonder if the dress is wearing me, rather than the other way around.
When you did a big Slowre model on the blog several weeks (maybe months) ago, and wore a lot of color, you looked absolutely beautiful. Maybe this is a case of trying and testing until you find the right formula, and not beating yourself up because it didn’t work previously.
First of all. Are you aware that they make a midi version of the Daze dress? In the ambrosia textile, which basically looks like a white peasant dress? It’s beautiful, I think it’s a shopbop exclusive.
Second, I know I said ON THIS VERY SITE that I didn’t get the A&J hype but I’m a hypocrite and a convert. Their fabrics are so beautiful and interesting, I started craving more color in my wardrobe as well. I think also a colorful print dress is so easy to wear that these summer pieces are super tempting.
But if our tastes didn’t change and new things didn’t catch our eye you would probably be out of a job so embrace the fiesta LOL! I have the fiesta poncho and it is so wonderful and soft to wrap up in.
I love all samuji! I don’t really know why, but it really appeals to me: the quality fabrics, the quirky but soft prints. It)s one of the few brands (and I include artisinal brands) that seems to have it’s own really unique style, and yet adapts and evolves.
I’ve been thinking about buying an Ace & Jig top to start with. I’ve definitely seen something on someone and thought about buying it, but I think it’s the idea of the thing I like, rather than the actual piece, if that makes sense. I bet that woman would look just as stunning in yoga pants. 🙂 And you aren’t boring for wearing what you want, either.
Yes for the occasional need for print! In fact, one day this week I wore a t-shirt I normally reserved for exercise to work. It’s gray but it has a bit of a graphic design on it. And I do keep a print DVF wrap dress in my closet that is predominately dark purple (with black and white).
That said, I’m wearing my (black) ES Mara jumpsuit today and continue to get compliments every time I wear it. In fact, what I heard today was one of those compliments I never know how to reply to. A co-worker said, “I love it on you but I could never wear it.” What do I say? “Thank you and do you want to?” Maybe I’m overthinking…
Yes I love that dress, and the price is certainly right. In case you haven’t sized Samuji before, I find that a standard US6 translates to a medium.
I think she just means “it was MADE for you perfectly” or “I’m sadly not the right shape/don’t have the right colouring”. Just genuine admiration and envy!
I’ve been obsessed with Ace & Jig recently, too, but have been trying to find similar prints in vintage clothing instead of splurging. And I totally get that issue of liking something on someone else and not realizing that it’s not right for me. I always love boho stuff on other people, but once I try it on, I feel like I just look frumpy.
Yes…of course I remember you said that!!! 😉 i saw that midi daze dress on Shopbop but it keeps going in and out of stock. I might try it if I can snag the small. Although I’m confused by ace and jig sizing – I’ve only tried what’s come in through slowre, but it seems to run all over the place?
Final confession – I did order the heights jumpsuit in fiesta 😉 in small and medium to see which one fits…
I grabbed this StarkX one last year on Poshmark and I LOVE it even though it’s so not “my” color. Cooling in the heat but enough coverage to handle night temperature drops. I’m short and it’s short so it doesn’t look like too much fabric on me like some regular maxi/caftan dresses do
https://www.starkxclothing.com/product-page/wide-sleeve-dress-in-coral-stripe
It has also held up well being machine washed/line dry.
One thing that’s getting easier as I get older is recognizing I can love something on someone else that is not for me. Because of my personal style or shape or whatever. I spent my 20s wanting to look like Helen Hunt in jeans – that ain’t EVER gonna happen. Even if I were the same weight she is, she’s taller and her body shape is TOTALLY different from mine. I love your clothing – ON YOU. Some of the minimalist styles are growing on me (I love the Oak maxi dress I got because I saw it on you.) I love that we’re all willing to try new things now/still….I might decide in the end “not for me” but there’s no harm in checking out something different!
I wear scarves a LOT. So I get much of the color & pattern in my wardrobe that way…..
Yeah, seems like you need to know your measurements so you don’t get caught off guard by a particular style. I’m def not an expert in their sizing though.
Longtime reader, first time comment. Your blog is part of what started me thinking on simple, chic, not-frumpy, high-quality clothes. I’ve started following “slow fashion” accounts on IG, and there is a tendency toward very neutral palettes. While I’m working to simplify my wardrobe, I do love patterns and bold colors and I want to honor that in my own palette. I have to be careful that seeing what looks so beautiful on others, you included and both online and IRL, doesn’t send me into a kind of desperate search to copy the style. I’m very susceptible to this. I feel like it’s related to FOMO. I’m trying to remember to know my own style and to see how I can get the “feeling” of what I see on others when I am struck by a certain look.
All that said, I loooooove this Thank You shirt and think it actually does fit into what I’m trying to do with my wardrobe!
Jennifer. I am not kidding but I was just looking at those dresses a couple days ago!! What is the sizing like? Do you have one with sleeves or sleeveless?
If you are really enamored of that a&j dress and nothing else seems right, my suggestion would be to change the length by shortening each of the 4 bottom panels the same amount. Probably would be a good idea to edit the picture to get an idea if this would work or would throw off the proportions too much.
I’m pretty good at admiring from afar for the most part. I also buy all of my clothes second hand, which means I have to search harder in order to try new styles (cuts down on the impulsiveness) and if they don’t work out, it’s no big deal because they were inexpensive.
I’m also a total sucker for long printed dresses. They are just the easiest to throw and and go. My favorite is one that I thrifted around five years ago that has managed to fit me through tons of weight change and has pockets.
Pavlovian response, starts searching for printed dresses….
I love those long caftans from Emerson Fry.
I am a primarily black/gray wardrobe person, but I would totally wear that Ace and Jig dress (it’s AMAZING)! Have you ever taken a look at Pyne & Smith (pyneandsmith.com)? She does mostly linen dresses and they’re pretty fabulous. I had looked at the site a while ago and thought they weren’t really my style but finally ordered one and I’ve been living in it. She’s got some midi length styles that have sleeves that sound like they could be similar to what you’re looking for…
Grechen, this print reminds me of scattered poop, I think you can find something better! 🙂
I have morphed into a black/navy/olive/ivory/charcoal/tan wardrobe with accessories in red if I am in the mood. Everything goes with everything and I’m perfectly OK with that. Don’t like patterns on me, but love them on others. I have a large jewelry collection, so my creativity gets expressed through that….and shoes of course LOL.
Don’t like midi or maxi lengths on me, midi lengths are OK on others, think maxi length looks like pajamas. But that’s just my opinion…thank goodness we’re not all clones of each other!!
I am curious about Pyne & Smith and would love to read an honest review. I almost bought a secondhand dress from an Instagram account, but I was worried that the shape might not work for me. If you ever try the brand, Grechen, please let us know!
I have had quite a few dresses come through slowre and just haven’t ever been intrigued enough to try them on! Mostly I don’t like the empire waist on shorter dresses, and not even generally on longer ones, but not that I’ve been considering that ace & jig dress I might rethink it next time one comes through. They seem like they’re very well made, just not really my style?
This might be too casual? But I like it and it shouldn’t be too overwhelming on a petite (says maxi but isn’t floor length). Hemp. €80
There’s a neat-almost-rainbow stripe one that ties at the waist, too, that’s quite pretty if you want more color!
https://komodo.online/collections/womens-dresses/products/kaso-organic-hemp-stripe-maxi-dress?variant=41466332115
Dear G-
So funny , I was thinking the same thing, ‘I’m so sick of black and grey- I’ll never tire of wearing white in the Summer-
I just bought 2 print silk dresses to take with me to Italy – by Tolani and two jumpsuits by Aqua- one has a bandana print (dark turquoise, white) and one is a faded denim color. I tried on Eileen’s spaghetti strap, long dress, (black of course) that she styles w a white tee, and passed because Im so sick of black. Walk down Broadway in Soho and that is all you will see.
Happy Trails, Love, GenaNYC
My take: you need to be patient with your prints, keep an open eye, and look out for them in secondhand/vintage/consignment stores, and while travelling. My sister went to Nepal two years ago, and she got absolutely lovely, colorful clothes. She brought me a pair of what I call MCHammer pants in bright colors that I never thought I would wear, but now they are some of my favourite summer lounging pants. In the Monday Jordaan market in Amsterdam I found a wonderful green and blue coat (one that reminded of the fitted coats my great aunts wore) for 40 euros. The point is, prints tend to find you but some places are better to look than in others, and it does help when you can actually try it on and see how it looks on you. Do not get desperate if you do not find your unicorn shirt, dress, shawl online right now, you have to be patient. Or I have an idea….how about a story where you publish your prints and color combos for inspiration, and ask readers for advice, and perhaps do a clothes/accesory swap when you find something you love?
I feel like I came to a similar realization a few months ago. I like my clothes but I didn’t have many striking colors and I hadn’t been buying much pattern in a few years. I looked at a lot of older Ace & Jig styles and ended up buying 2 tops and a dress from a few seasons ago. They are a bit delicate but I LOVE wearing them. They get complimented a lot more than the rest of my wardrobe too. I hope you find a few pieces you like!
I have one with sleeves. The sizing is pretty well explained on their website. I’m a small — I have broad shoulders, thin arms, a small bust. I’m also a small in Tradlands and a small or extra small in Kowtow. Usually a 4 or 6 in dresses. Zuri dresses are not very fitted, even in the sleeves, and certainly not at the waist or hips. I have a colleague who is much shorter and has a much fuller figure, and she also wears these dresses and looks lovely, although I don’t know which size. she takes. I think you’d be a small, as well. The dresses are great, even in the DC summer, which is not quite as hot as Dallas, but so humid. And, they don’t wrinkle, so easy to pack & wash. And mine hasn’t faded at all. On me, it hits above the knee — I’m 5’7″ . I wish it were a little longer.
Seasons & Salt did a review of Pyne & Smith in the last couple of months. She really liked them & styled them very nicely. Like Grechen, I don’t love the high waist. If they dropped the waist to the typical waist area, I’d definitely have purchased one by now.
I too have been obsessed with finding the right printed dress. I think it’s in the zeitgeist rn. Found one at No. 6, so pretty, but not quite right. Then I found one on MyTheresa, Dries van Noten marked down 40%…
The prints are so good right now, so are the embellishments, I think fashion is havinit?g an art moment and who am I to ignore
Hi Catherine, I have two Pyne & Smith dresses. #17 in cardinal red and #19 in cocoa/black stripe. I took a medium in both (I’m 5’1″, 36DD, 148 lbs with a belly). I like both dresses but the #17 is my favorite of the two. I would buy that style again in a different fabric. I had to hem the #17 as it was ankle length on me and I wanted it to be more of a midi length. The dresses just fit me in the chest (I have a 38″ chest) and are not too empire (the seam under the bust is not too high). For my bust size and the fact that I’m built with my chest hanging a little lower, this is a common issue for me. The dresses are also very flattering and hang well, doesn’t pop out like other empire waist but still give ample room for the tummy. I always get compliments on either of these dresses. How you style these dresses make all the difference. I would follow the size charts and the maker/designer is also very helpful with questions. There are also several facebook groups and an IG tag where the Pyne & Smith fans are very helpful with questions on fit and share pics. I’d say it’s not my normal style. I do wear natural fabrics but in more oversized lantern or kimono shapes.