Spring Break Style: Shirt Dress Three Ways
I recently took a spring break road trip to Duck, North Carolina with my family. I knew the four-day trip was going to be uber-casual: lots of bathing suits, t-shirts and flip flops.
Having an organized and streamlined closet makes packing less complicated and stressful. I use the same strategy I use with my clients — more tops, fewer bottoms, maybe a dress or two. Every piece in my closet can be paired with at least five other pieces so creating a little four-day capsule wardrobe was super-easy. I shared a small suitcase with my husband and brought:
- a pair of jersey drop-crotch slouchy pants
- a pair of ripped, comfy boyfriend jeans
- bathing suit
- five tops/tees
- one hoodie (chilly this time of year at the beach)
- one jacket
- sneakers
- flip-flops
- a pair of sandal heels for one nice dinner out
- and, finally, a cotton shirt dress
I chose to pack this 1 by O’2nd pinstripe sleeveless shirt dress (similar here) because the shift silhouette and fabric would make it perfect for a beach dinner out AND days at the beach. People often opt for jersey at the beach (maxis, halter dresses, etc.), but I love how this dress feels laid back yet fun, cute and pulled together. I folded the dress and it did get a little rumpled, but a little wrinkle at the beach never hurt anyone!
Look 1: I wore it the 2nd night we were there when we went to a family dinner at a nicer restaurant. To dress it up, I paired with a linen Ann Taylor moto jacket and comfy melon-color block heels for a pop of color. My kids loved this outfit!
Look 2: I wore the shirt dress as a beach coverup the next day. With flip-flops and my Everlane backpack filled with waters and snacks, I was ready for a fun day at the beach with my family. The dress, unbuttoned a couple of buttons down, easily slipped on and off. I did go for a very, very, very cold quick dip in the water. We spent the rest of our time, playing paddle ball, creating sandcastles, flying kites and collecting seashells. Check out my bottle full of seashell booty!
Look 3: I wore the dress for a third time to grab breakfast on our third morning in Duck. We drove into town to get donuts at one of the more sinful and glorious spots in the area — Duck Donuts. My trusty Everlane backpack never left my side and this time, I wore the dress with my new favorite kicks — a pair of Bucketfeet slip-ons from The Shoe Hive in Alexandria.
For more spring style ideas, check out my latest post on Alexandria Stylebook! Happy spring!