Choosing the Perfect Dress for Spring

Welcome to Dressed for My Day! Today Susanne and I are wrapping up our spring collaboration. I hope you’ve taken the opportunity to visit Susanne’s blog this week to see how she is Styling Spring. You know, I live in Arizona, where we’re experiencing spring-like weather. But, like many of you, Susanne is still dealing with cold temperatures and precipitation in West Virginia. I don’t think it was easy for her to take photos in spring clothes!

Today I’m sharing what I consider to be a perfect dress for spring.

What makes this a perfect dress?

And, better yet, how do you go about choosing the perfect dress for yourself this spring?

Choose a dress…

1. …with 3/4 length sleeves – the perfect and most flattering sleeve length for most women. And this is the time of year when it’s most appropriate.
2. …that flatters your body.
3. …with forgiving fabric that has a nice drape.
4. …that is versatile and suitable for most any occasion for which you’d need a dress – funeral, wedding, church, retirement celebration, graduation, etc.
5. …that works well with a jacket, cardigan or trench coat, since the weather is unpredictable.
6. …that’s easy to care for and that packs well.
7. …in your neutral or signature colors.
8. …that you feel beautiful in.

This side-tie swirl print sheath dress checks all the boxes for me. I especially love that the substantial nylon/spandex fabric is so forgiving and easy to wear. It feels as good on as it looks.

Under the Perfect Dress

The dress is not lined, as the website mistakenly states, but the fabric is thick enough that you don’t have to wear a slip with it if you prefer. I simply wore my Spanx Power Shorts and felt confident and comfortable. The power shorts just prevent panty lines, smooth out the lumps (ahem!) and add a minimal amount of shaping.

If you feel you need more support under your dress, you could go with the Spanx Higher Power Short, which provides more coverage and control. I own and wear this piece, too. Or you could select the Spanx Bodysuit. I’m considering buying this one. Both of these have an opening for optional use when going to the restroom.

Over the Perfect Dress

For spring I think it’s especially smart to choose a dress that can be worn beautifully by itself, but that also looks lovely under either a cardigan, blazer or trench coat. After all, you’ll probably need to wear an outer garment on chilly mornings or evenings.

I styled this sheath dress with my pink pique knit blazer here. This is a great look for the office, too. I’m wearing a size 8, so I’d say it’s TTS.

I have the blazer in rose quartz, but it’s also available in a deeper rose, poppy red, navy, ivory, powder blue and black.

I also styled the dress with my rose quartz trench coat. I have the small in this coat and, since I normally wear mediums in jackets and coats, you might want to size down if you waffle between sizes. Remember, this coat also comes in a beautiful gold ochre, and the price is slightly reduced on that color.

You can see me style the trench coat with a more casual outfit here.

Because this dress has a lot going on visually, I kept my accessories to a minimum. I carried my structured satchel handbag (similar) and wore my nude slingback pumps (similar). Remember, you can wear nude shoes (whatever nude is for your skin color) with most any dress, and thus create a long leg and a taller silhouette.

Do you need a new spring dress? Maybe you have an event or two for which you want a versatile dress that is both lovely and easy to care for? I’ve selected a few other options to help you begin your search in the shopping widget below.

Shop My Look Here:

You can shop my look here. Thanks so much for shopping through my links. When you purchase something through my links, I potentially earn a commission.

Don’t forget to stop by Thompson Hill to visit Susanne and see what she’s styled for today. And if Susanne has sent you this way, welcome! I hope you’ll look around a bit. You could:

• learn more about me here.
• check out how I’ve styled more fashions here.
• subscribe to my email list here.
• start with my home page.
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I hope you have a beautiful day. And I hope someone else is blessed by being in your presence today.

Blessed for My Day

I don’t much like going to the dentist. It’s not because it’s especially painful. No, my fear of the dentist has more to do with what the hygienist or the dentist may find wrong with my teeth or gums once they examine my mouth and my x-rays. I don’t like to be examined. Do you?

But we can trust God to examine our hearts, our thoughts and our actions. Even if that sounds scary, we know that we have a loving God who will examine us rightly but will also be gentle with us. I’ve found that while examination is a bit intimidating, it always leads to growth and positive steps. Today let’s trust God to examine our hearts and our ways. Let’s allow Him to point out anything we need to repent from. And let’s commit to heeding His warnings and instruction.

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! ~ Psalm 139:23-24