Little white dress dressed up for fall

OUTFIT DETAILS:
Activity: meeting for worship

Jacket: Michael Kors via ebay (similar)
Dress: Old Navy (similar)
Sandals: Tod's, thrifted (similar)
Bag: thrifted (similar)
Earrings: Robin Undira boutique in Sonoma, CA (similar)
Lip: NYX soft matte lip cream in Sao Paulo (exact)

This outfit basically came about when I was trying to purge my closet (by which I mean I was attempting to get rid of things, but making excuses why I should keep them - clothes hoarder much?) and came across this dress.  I hadn't worn it at all this summer after having it altered at the end of last summer, and I wondered if I should donate it.  Of course, in true clothing hoarder fashion, I leaned toward keeping it, and with a reminder of the existence of the dress, decided to wear it the next day.  Adding the cognac leather jacket felt right (fashion wise as well as temperature wise, as it was cold here that day, as usual!).  

Do you have one of these jackets?  I highly recommend it for versatility and making that "casual-cute" outfit look easy.  Just toss on the jacket, over a dress, pants, jeans, and you have an outfit (see another outfit created with this jacket here.  There were a lot more, but apparently I didn't blog them!).  

Here are some purchase options for you, if you're ready to "fallify" your summer outfits: (autumnize? fallification? too much, I know - my spellcheck is going insane...) 

Jacket (various price points included):

Dress:

Sandals:

Bag:

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The head that wears the crown...

Isn't this the cutest invitation?

Here's a closer look at my DIY flower crown, made from 2 clearance flower stems from a craft/fabric store for a total of about $4:

OUTFIT DETAILS:
Occasion: Mexican-fiesta theme bachelorette party (actually a lingerie bridal shower)

Top: Old Navy swim coverup (similar)
"Camisole" underneath: Brooks Maia sports bra via Title Nine (exact) (NOTE: I love this bra, not only as a sports bra - which it is, and a good one - but also as a "camisole" layer under low-neck tops.  I plan on buying another in black soon. I've had this one for ages and it still looks great.)
Jeans: Merona, thrifted (similar)
Sandals: Boden, thrfited (similar)
Earrings: via ebay (similar)
Flower crown: DIY by me (similar)
Bag: thrifted (similar)

Can I tell you a secret?  I have always wanted to wear a floral crown...  However, I'm not exactly a Coachella girl.... plus I heard that flower crowns were so 2016 (lol).  But there's something about my inner 5 year old that has always thought it would be the coolest thing ever to a) wear a crown that is b) made of flowers. Both good things, in my opinion.

Fast forward to receiving this adorable invitation for a friend's lingerie bridal shower.  The additional card enclosed said to wear Mexican clothing, flowers and lots of love (appropriate since the bride's husband to be is Mayan).  On my bucket list of clothing items to buy someday is an embroidered Mexican/Central American top or dress, but since I haven't found it yet, nor would I have time to look for it before the shower, I thought this embroidered gauze swimsuit cover-up that I already own might fit the bill.  For flowers, I'd have to look elsewhere, but that's where my DIY flower crown idea came into being.  

This is the simplest floral crown ever - simply one wire-stemmed stem wrapped into a circle, with 3 flower tops plucked off a second stem and gorilla glued into place.  I mean, seriously, how much abuse is a floral crown going to take, right?  And who knows if I'll get another legitimate chance to wear it again?  

All I can say is, if I do get a chance to wear a crown again (of any type), I'm in.  

As a bonus, here's my favorite picture from the party itself:

Wine country ready

OUTFIT DETAILS:
Activity: Driving to and visiting wineries in Sonoma, CA

Dress: Old Navy (similar)
Sweater: LOFT, thrifted (similar)
Bag: thrifted (similar)
Shoes: Dolce Vita, thrifted (similar)
Earrings: Ann Taylor (similar)
Bracelet: Magnolia Farms store, Waco, TX (similar)
Sunglasses: LOFT (exact)

Can you tell the weather in SF and Sonoma are radically different? I tried to grab some quick outfit photos as we were getting ready to leave, but I definitely needed my top layer at that point!

A casual summer dress is my favorite Sonoma wine-tasting outfit.  Comfortable, cute and ready for some warmth!  I wore this same dress last year, but since I rarely get to wear summer dresses in SF, it was ready and waiting for me again this year, freshened up with some new accessories - my basket bag, metallic flat sandals and fringe earrings.  After heading to Sonoma for wine-tasting a few times now, I feel like I have a handle on the "dress code".  (There isn't one, you'll see all different outfits, and they are all fine!  It's pretty casual there.)  But I love to find something that fits my slightly dressier style (after all, grown-up outings are kind of a big deal for me), but also completely fits in where I'm going.  This outfit seems to fit the bill.  

I also highly recommend flats for the daytime tastings, as certain wineries (like one of my favorites, Buena Vista Winery in the city of Sonoma) are set a bit back from the parking area, so there'll be a little walking involved, sometimes on cobblestone-like surfaces, as well.  Plus, it's easier to carry out your wine purchases in flats! ;)  More seriously, you might want to do a winery tour, especially if it's your first time in Sonoma, and heels are a bit ridiculous in the vineyard area...  The wineries all close between 4-6 pm, so you can wear your non-walking shoes for going to a restaurant later that night, if you so desire.  I wore my kimono robe (seen in this outfit) and platform wedges with skinny jeans for our dinner out, and felt fancy(ish), yet appropriate.  (Forgot to grab a photo of that outfit, though, sorry!)

Have you gone to a wine tasting?  What did you wear? Do share!

Here are some similar items if you're looking for an outfit like this:

Dress:

Cardigan:

Bag:

Earrings:

Bracelet:

Sandals:

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Bright pleats

OUTFIT DETAILS:
Activity: Meeting for worship

Blazer: Ann Taylor (similar - on sale!)
Dress: Banana Republic, thrifted (similar)
Shoes: BCBG "Parade", via ebay (exact style in current colors, similar color)
Bag: thrifted (similar)
Watch: Apple, gift (exact - on sale right now!)
Earrings: Renegade Craft Fair, Chicago (similar)

After a few neutral posts, here's a bright one!  We had a week or more of gray weather here in San Francisco, so it was time to pull out the bright dress.  It's amazing how color can cheer you up!  (It also doesn't hurt when said dress is as comfortable as a nightgown, but looks better...)

Here are some similar options, if you like this look:  
(If you like anything, act fast, as many things are only available in limited sizes now due to the change of season sales, I had to search to find these items!)

Dress:

Jacket:

Bag:

Shoes:

Summer simple

OUTFIT DETAILS:
Activity: Meeting for worship

Top: Merona, thrifted (similar)
Skirt: thrifted (similar)
Shoes: Mossimo, thrifted (similar, similar)
Bag: thrifted (similar)
Necklace: sterling silver collar, thrifted (similar) chunky beaded necklace (I made it) (similar)
Bracelet: gift (similar)
Watch: Apple, gift (exact)
Lip: ColourPop ultra matte lip, Mars (exact)

I was recently looking over some of my old blog posts, and I'm amazed how much less color I'm using lately.  But, somehow it just seems right.  In any case, I've always liked the idea of basic summer items (like a simple crewneck top and eyelet skirt) in neutrals.  It's such a classic look that never looks dated.  Adding the bright lip added just enough interest to this neutral look.

Don't worry, though, I haven't gotten rid of all my bright clothing, it's just waiting for the right day...  Maybe tomorrow!

How do you feel about color these days?  All neutral or all color, or some of each?

My friend said I should blog this outfit... ;)

OUTFIT DETAILS:

Occasion (worn as shown in first photo): Volunteer ministry work (involving walking, hence the flats and cross-body bag)

Dress: via eBay (similar)
Jacket: Old Navy (similar)
Belt: Gap (similar)
Sandals: Tod's, thrifted (similar)
Flats: Crown Vintage via DSW (similar)
Basket bag: thrifted (similar)
Crossbody bag: Linea Pelle, thrifted (similar)
Watch: Michael Kors via ebay (similar)
Earrings: Ann Taylor (exact in red, similar in black)
Lipstick: NYX soft matte lip cream in Milan (exact)

Some of my California friends have recently discovered that I have a blog via my blog Instagram account (@joannasdesign - I haven't figured out how to link it directly from my blog home page yet...).  I find this slightly embarrassing, because I always feel a little vain taking and posting photos of myself, something I have always avoided in my personal social media accounts - and, being honest, since I'm way older than social media, something I've avoided since well, forever.  I just never took pictures of myself, or at least, very rarely.  I was famous for complaining about people who always had to stand in front of the famous tourist attractions and take a photo.  To me, the photo should be about the attraction, not about me.  My artistic integrity was offended.  (Yes, I was super fun to be around in my late teens). 

I once went on a 3000 mile road trip with 3 other girls across at least 5 states, and I was the main photographer.  We passed through all kinds of picturesque sights, things that none of us had ever seen before, and in some cases, haven't seen again. We took enough pictures that it took $60 each to develop and print each person's set of photos (yes, again, I am older than dinosaurs).  I suppose it was about 6 rolls of film? maybe more? I only remember the amount we paid, not the number of rolls we developed - but guess how many pictures had people in them? Maybe 10.  Out of like 200 prints.  I'm pretty sure my friends were a little miffed that they paid all that money for prints of mostly scenery (not that I forced them too, they wanted them - remember this was back in the day when you couldn't see your photos until they were printed, so they had no idea what pictures I had taken).  But not me.  I was thrilled that I had so many scenic shots, shots not ruined by people standing in front of them.  

More than twenty years later, the pictures from that trip that I enjoy looking at most are primarily those few shots with people in them.  Live and learn, right? (I am also much more fun to be around now, I promise you.)  Although I don't think a world of only selfies is a good one, it's all about the balance.

So a reeeeeally long story later, here's the point.  My friend has discovered my blog, and this morning told me I should blog the outfit I was wearing.  (I love you, Evy!) I had considered it, but since I blogged a similar outfit using this dress in the past (here), I was going to skip it this time.  But, although I don't blog every outfit I wear in life here (mostly because I just don't get a chance to take photos), I do like the idea of being more true to life with OOTD-type photos, versus planned outfits taken only for blog photos, which so many fashion blogs seem to be becoming.  They are still beautiful (far more so than my blog will ever be), but really seem fake to me.  It's also really not useful to me in my daily struggle to get dressed, which was the initial reason I even started reading fashion blogs in the first place.  So, if you like this outfit post, thank my friend Evy.  

By the way, since most of you probably don't live in a place where you need a coat layer in August, I added the additional photos of the dress unlayered, with sandals, as would be appropriate for the season.  I was also thinking that the differences in these outfits show 2 possibilities: 1) how to transition this dress to fall, and 2) how versatile a dress like this can be when traveling.  Change out the flats and cross-body bag after sightseeing all day and you're ready for an evening out!

Out of curiosity, why do you read fashion blogs?  I'd love to hear!

Here are some similar outfit options for you:

Dress:

Bag:

Belt:

Sandals:

Jacket:

Combining old and new

OUTFIT DETAILS:
Activity: Worn all day for errands, swim lesson dropoff, working at home (in fact, this was taken after all of that, hence the shirt wrinkles... #reallife)

Top: Forever 21 (similar)
Jeans: LOFT, DIY cropped and frayed hem (similar in sizes 1-12, similar in sizes above 12)
Sandals: Dolce Vita, thrifted (similar)
Bag: thrifted (similar)
Earrings: ebay (similar)
Watch: Apple, gift (exact)

This isn't the type of outfit I usually feel is "worthy" of photographing, but then I decided it was a good representation of a real life outfit that was comfortable and versatile, but also one where I tried (at least a little).  You know what I mean, right?  It's so easy to save tops like this for a somewhat special occasion - going to lunch, a summer day in the city, a weekend away - but then cute, on-trend items like this only get worn once or twice before their time in the sun has passed.  

So, I decided to try wearing this top on a "regular" summer weekday, where I had to grocery shop, take my kid to swimming lessons, run errands, do my regular crapload of dishes and cook 3 meals.  My only complaint?  I don't have a strapless bra that I can wear for more than a couple of hours, so having to check and pull my bra straps back under the elastic of the shoulder was annoying, to say the least. But, it wasn't as bad as I expected, and I'm happy to start using the "good china", fashion wise (see this blogger's post on why you should just wear your "nice" clothes daily instead of saving them for a special occasion.  Since most of my clothes, especially tops, cost under $30 (heck, most of them are under $10, since they almost all come from Goodwill), it's silly for me to save them for some opportunity which may never materialize.  Plus, in reality, most of my clothes are purged from my closet, not for wear, but because I've moved on, style-wise.  I hardly ever wear out my clothes- and I'll bet you don't either!  (None of us are 6-year-old boys, who somehow manage to rip every single pair of pants almost instantaneously.)  So why am I guarding these thrifted items as if it'll be the end of the world if they get stained or worn out?  If I don't wear them out, they're just going to get donated in a while anyway.  I still have to remind myself of this regularly, as I get usually get home and instantly change into my "house clothes" so I don't ruin my "good clothes", but I'm trying!

Here are some more options you can try, as you wear the "good stuff":

Top:

Jeans:

Sandals:

Bag:

Earrings:

Trying a kimono robe layer...

OUTFIT DETAILS:
Activity: Meeting for worship

Kimono: Josie by Natori via ebay (similar)
Tank: Nordstrom Rack (similar)
Skirt: thrifted (similar)
Shoes: Merona, thrifted (similar)
Bracelet: gift (similar)
Earrings: similar sterling silver hoops
Bag: Ann Taylor, thrifted (similar)

Hair: On its own cycle of craziness - I tried to rein it in and failed...

Here's my shameful secret: I got this robe to use as a robe.  But, with the long kimono sleeves (which I didn't realize it possessed, based on the limited listing photos), it's pretty impractical, at least for someone like me who drags even small robe sleeves in the gas stovetop flame while making eggs in the morning. Flaming sleeves, regardless how cute, really don't appeal to me, so I thought I might be brave enough to try to wear it as a summer layer.  It seems like the "robe layer" styles being worn now are primary florals, and mostly longer, but this seemed to have potential, since it does have some flowers, and seeing as how at my height, I will probably never wear a long robe length layer.  Shorter length would have to do.

It took a while to get up the nerve.  I had initially seen myself wearing it with jeans and sandals, as a fun, casual going-out outfit, but well, I don't go out that much, and it just sat in the closet.  (Large sleeves aren't really practical playing at the park with a six year old, nor partaking in most other small-child- friendly activities.)  So, one Sunday, I decided to see if I could make it appropriate for a dressier, decidedly non-sexy occasion.  

As I attempted this outfit (which I still haven't yet decided is a pass or fail - it's definitely not my favorite outfit ever), I learned several things.  First, with a layer this bold, everything else has to be really simple.  So I went with really minimalist, simple silver jewelry and a sleek satchel bag.  And kept the skirt and top just basic black and white and more fitted to offset the crazy large robe and sleeves.  I thought of wearing my emerald green skirt, but it was just too much color, at least for that occasion.  I also stayed away from stiletto heels, as possibly adding too much sensuality for the occasion.  I thought these wedges toned that element down (plus they're so much more comfortable than stilettos!).  When you are literally wearing a bedtime item for a dressy, daytime event, you don't want anything else in your outfit to reflect the bedroom.

So there you have it.  My big, bold (ha - only for me!) foray into the fashion world of trying a robe as a top layer.  

I'd love to see if you've tried it!  Leave a photo or blog post link below!

Here are some similar outfit items you can try for summer:

And here are a few interesting options for fall: