Last week, I took mini to Tisch Children’s Zoo in Central Park and — though I felt stylish in one of my SZ Blockprint caftans — felt a touch bored with my look after observing a chic pea wearing this Zimmerman dress with these Gucci sneakers as she steered her son through the petting zoo. The entire ensemble wasn’t exactly me (those Guccis are a little loud, but they are fierce!), but I liked the frivolity of a floral dress with sneakers and thought: “Well, now. Let’s dust off those Golden Goose kicks and get to work.” I’ll be taking cues from Simply Jules above.
(Aside: try as I might, I cannot get behind the t-shirt-under-a-strappy-dress trend. Too Rachel Green.)
I’d like to recreate the look with…
THIS DELICATELY PATTERNED BLUE AND WHITE FLOUNCE DRESS (GET THE LOOK FOR LESS WITH THIS — $65!)
THIS INEXPENSIVE, PUNCHY ZARA STEAL
THIS FLUTTER SLEEVED PRINTED GORGEOUS CONFECTION (ON SALE!)
AN ULTRA-COVETABLE HVN (I THINK IT’S THE BRAND WORN ON THE CHIC PEA IN THE SECOND PHOTO ABOVE; A SUPER CHIC STAR PRINT ONE IS ON SALE HERE!)
And, OK, not floral, but I adore this dotted Faithfull style and this Veronica Beard-esque sophisticated lovely (both under $150!)
I’d wear any of these dresses with my Golden Goose sneaks, but if those are too pricey, consider a pair of chic Vejas, a French label with mounting popularity that cost a fraction of the price. (You can see them on the second chic pea above.)
Also “out on a limb” for me: I am loving the boxy neckline and puffed sleeves on this look from Arielle Charnas’ new collection for Something Navy (due to be released soon). It feels simultaneously Victorian and modern and I love it — feminine, fashion-forward, yet easy to wear. In anticipation of the line’s launch, I’m gravitating towards similar styles, like this elegant linen blouse, this floral Amanda Uprichard (very into the smocking), and this dramatic Reformation style.
I’m also teetering dangerously on the edge of ordering a pair of Birks if you can believe it. These in the metallic copper are incredible. Imagine with this muu muu. WHAT. It’d be like a whole new (boho-chic) me. I need to sleep on the look for a day or two before I take the plunge, as its so wildly out of my comfort zone! (More on the modern muu muu look here.)
P.S. How to look like a million bucks for under $100.
P.P.S. The absolute best cosmetics.
P.P.P.S. An epic $8 fashion buy.
Love this idea (floral dress + chic sneaks). I’ve had the Veja V-10s on my to-buy list for months, but have heard tons of reviews that say they are super stiff and inflexible. :-\ Will let you know if I change my mind!
I will have to respectfully disagree with Cynthia’s comment re: Birkenstocks 🙂 I absolutely see where she’s coming from, but for me, it’s all in the styling — and you are young and chic enough that you can CERTAINLY make them stylish. I have a pair of optic white Birks that I love, and a pair of hot pink EVA ones that I wear around the house. Haha! I even have a pair in taupe suede that I found in Tokyo and couldn’t pass up. I’ve owned various pairs of Birks since 1995, though, so I’m definitely biased!
Yes, I’ve definitely seen them rocked stylishly! You go on with your bad self. Cynthia actually emailed me after writing that comment to say she felt she was too harsh — sweet thing! — but I assured her that I’d not taken any offense and that she could rest assured I’d continue to listen to my internal fashion whims with disregard for anyone else’s opinion…HA
Interesting about the V10s. I also think the GGs are kind of stiff and heavy — like a bowling shoe — but they’re still comfortable at the end of the day.
Haha, that’s too funny! I didn’t take offense at all, and I thought her comment was humorous in tone. All in good fun! 🙂
I realllllly want the Vejas, still, so I’ll keep you posted about them if I do end up going for them!
I’ve been contemplating buying Birks too. I’ve never owned a pair but would love to hear your thoughts if they end up in your closet!
Will keep you posted 🙂
YESSS on the Birks! I just got mine out again after you mentioned them…so comfortable and they are a dark gray patent leather, so they are a little dressier. I say go for it!
I’m not really sure why I’m OK with Birkenstocks, but I haven’t been able to get on board with the sneakers-outside-of-the-gym trend. I have some Vans slip-ons – and even some Keds!- but rarely bust them out. I’m sure my feet would thank me if I was!
I like the idea of a dark gray patent leather! Super versatile and unusual…
I hear you, there are some trends that I want to wear so badly but just never quite make them work. xo
Ok girlfriend! I’m loving all the sneakers with you and even the tumbler leather ones are a good option. However, I must remind you of your post dated August 10 (3 days ago!) titled Dressing My Age! So like I reigned you in on the safety pin earrings, I’m going to have to pull you back into reality regarding those Birks. Are you serious? Do you actually think you would walk by someone wearing those and stop dead in your tracks? I’m afraid I have yet to have that happen to me. If they were all that, they’d be on the runways, right? I personally look at people wearing them and think how ugly their shoes look and wish they would move into this century. Sorry, I’m not trying to be so harsh, but as you can see, they have no fashion measure in them! With lots of love for all your other picks (especially your Gucci tie flats-I die!). 😉
Haha! I can see these are highly polarizing. I’ve seen them pulled off with aplomb, but I can also see how they can look super frumpy and stubby! Thanks for saying it straight 🙂 xo
I love this post, and I love your picks! I admittedly have an obsession with white sneakers, and don’t plan to abandon it come fall. I envision it with lots of saturated camel and burgundy tones (so many heart eyes). I love the way the ladies above are so put together, yet super comfortable. This is the type of athleisure that really appeals to me. When deciding on my casual sneakers for the season, I chose classic tumbled leather Keds slip ons, and get more compliments when I wear them with a floral number than any of my other shoes combined. I will ride this sneaker train as long as it’s in fashion, that’s for sure!
PS. I agree about the tee under the dress, that should be left safely in 1995.
Yes!!! Sounds like we are on the same page 🙂 Super chic — I’d not seen those tumbled leather Keds! So classic.