The tonal grey color of the print on this wrap dress makes it more subtle than the typical animal print. With wrap dresses, I usually switch out the flimsy cloth belt for something more substantial. This dress would look chic with a matching grey belt, but you could also choose a bold cobalt blue or bright yellow.
Have a big day ahead? Major hearing? Big trial? The presentation of your life? Gonna be at a conference with that ex? Whatever it happens to be, these are the fashion weapons that get me to the confidence level that I need to be at.
Without question, the most worn item in my wardrobe is a black-and-white striped tee. I wear it in winter under sweaters, in spring with white jeans, in summer with black shorts. I’ve been wearing the same one for years (it’s the best). But they don’t make it anymore. So here are some options for replacement.
When I started this blog, influencers still re-wore clothes. There were no haul videos filled with the latest from Shein before it winds up in a beach in Ghana poisoning the planet. There were no sponsored campaigns delivering fresh wardrobes each month. The content machine doesn’t like reruns.
Have a big day ahead? Major hearing? Big trial? The presentation of your life? Gonna be at a conference with that ex? Whatever it happens to be, these are the fashion weapons that get me to the confidence level that I need to be at.
Without question, the most worn item in my wardrobe is a black-and-white striped tee. I wear it in winter under sweaters, in spring with white jeans, in summer with black shorts. I’ve been wearing the same one for years (it’s the best). But they don’t make it anymore. So here are some options for replacement.
When I started this blog, influencers still re-wore clothes. There were no haul videos filled with the latest from Shein before it winds up in a beach in Ghana poisoning the planet. There were no sponsored campaigns delivering fresh wardrobes each month. The content machine doesn’t like reruns.
When I was young, my Mother used to bring me along when she would go shopping for fabric. As a result, I spent a lot of time, killing time, flipping through pattern books. So when I spotted this dress, I was instantly transported to the pattern table at a Jo-Ann Fabrics.
Love your blog but I noticed when clicking over to the Gap dress that it got almost entirely negative reviews. Apparently the fabric is really cheap looking/faded out, and not in a way that seems intentional. Do you pay any attention to reviews when you're recommending items, or do you consider them too subjective to be trusted? I ask because I won't buy something if I see most of the reviews are negative, and I always leave accurate reviews of things I either really love, or really hated, when I shop online, just to warn/encourage other shoppers.
Belle, how do you manage to switch out the belt on a wrap dress when at least part of that belt is critical in creating the right “wrap” tension for the top portion of the dress?
Jenny: I find that people who dislike an item are much more likely to leave a comment than someone who loves it. I purchased a bag years ago that was a 1 star on Nordstrom after five reviews. Everyone complained the strap was too short. Bought the bag…the strap was adjustable. After that, I started ignoring most reviews.
Joey: I own a belt sizer. It helps you punch holes in your belts cleanly so they fit at any size. I'm on the road, or else I'd post the link, but if you search for Belt Tutorial in the search bar, you should find it.
@ Joey – I take all my wrap dresses to a seamstress to be altered to include a couple snaps (I'm sure I could do this on my own but the last time I did any sewing I was 10) – so she puts in a snap at each end of where the fabric overlaps then, even if I don't switch out the sash, there's no worry of it coming undone.
I've always wondered the same thing Joey thanks Leigh! I wonder if a seamstress could sew snaps in a button down to avoid that horrendous boob gaping effect? Seems easy, but I've never heard anyone do it other than the shirt desinger for The Shirt, which is a laughable $100 a pop.
I'm still confused about how a belt can be switched out on a wrap dress. On all of my true wrap dresses, the “belt” part of the dress is, well, a part of the dress. It's what wraps around and ties on the side; it can't be taken off and wearing a different belt over it would look strange because you would still have the bow where the belt portion of the dress ties. Is this dress a faux wrap?
Kaylee: I wrap the belt part around so it lays flat. Then I safety pin it in place. If you're careful to make sure that the belt's not twisted, it will lay flat and not be too bulky. Then, I wear a medium to wide belt over it. You can't see the cloth belt, just the leather.
Ah, thank you for coming back and explaining, Belle! I just was not seeing it for some reason, but now I think I get what you're saying. I love that you're so active in the comments section!