I just can’t deny a floral dress. In another life, a Vespa is my primary mode of transportation, a slender baguette protruding from my tote at all times. It’s truly my dream to live a life where I can — and do — wear a dress for every occasion. So when I initially shopped the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and came up short on dresses last week, I was kinda bummed. Like, excuse me, but how can I live out my quaint European dreams without the quintessential wardrobe item? Never fear, I hopped online in search of the flirty dresses I knew I must have missed and styled up five of my favorites from the Anniversary Sale (OK, four of my favorites and one kinda questionable jumpsuit) for A) Night (a little more edge); B) Play (think kiddo errands, or even a casual day at the office); and C) Day (chic but comfy-casj.).
5 Fab Day-To-Night Dresses In The 2019 #NSale
Throughout this post, I kept the styling super simple so you could see the versatility of each piece, so each dress is styled with three different toppers and two pairs of shoes. (Except for the navy Gal Meets Glam dress, because — spoiler alert — it’s so good, I couldn’t leave well enough alone.)
Sizing
Since we’re still getting to know each other, for sizing reference: I’m just over 5′ 5″ tall with a somewhat athletic build and typically wear between an XS-S or a 0-2. I’ve noted the sizes on all these items, below.
1 // White Floral Midi Dress
White Floral Midi Dress worn with:
L: Topshop Moto Jacket / Blush Mules
M: Mustard Cardigan / Slip-On Oxfords / Tote
R: Topshop Oatmeal Cardigan / Blush Mules
This White Floral Midi Dress was the first dress that I gravitated to online. It fits into my Vespa daydream just about perfectly. I love that it’s got a very similar shape to one of my fave floral dresses I already own (which made an appearance in my last NSale post) — and for under $40, it didn’t disappoint. The weight and movement is more than I would expect from something so affordably priced, and the colors are sweet and airy but would totally be at home against a chunky fall knit. Wearing a S (the smallest size available, and I would say it fits like an XS).
2 // Black Floral Midi Dress
Black Floral Midi Dress worn with:
L: Topshop Moto Jacket / Blush Mules
M: Mustard Cardigan / Slip-On Oxfords
R: Topshop Oatmeal Cardigan / Blush Mules
This Black Floral Midi Dress reminds me so much of something I would find raiding my mom’s closet, in the best way. The hem, the drapey, billowy sleeves, the gathering at the bust — it’s all very 70’s, but the darker print makes it feel romantic and modern. I love how chic and DGAF it looks with the flat oxfords, but I think my fave way to style it would be with a pair of chunky Frye or cowboy boots. Note that this runs pretty dang small. I fit into the XS, but barely. Would definitely size up.
3 // Yellow Floral Sleeveless Midi Dress
Yellow Floral Midi Dress worn with:
L: Topshop Moto Jacket / Blush Mules
M: Mustard Cardigan / Slip-On Oxfords
R: Topshop Oatmeal Cardigan / Blush Mules
OK, ok, not my favorite of the bunch, but this Yellow Floral Midi Dress is far better than it looks online, where it frankly just comes off a bit like a matronly housedress. I’m actually liking it a fair bit. The print, in person, feels more vintage and less…Middle-American luau? (No shade to Middle America or luaus, mind you. I’ve got a soft spot for both…) Despite the fact that the dark tones in the dress are, in fact, navy, I still paired it with the black moto jacket and ended up liking that look the best. Wearing an XS.
4 // Navy Gal Meets Glam Flutter Sleeve Wrap Dress
Navy Flutter Sleeve Wrap Dress worn with:
L: Topshop Moto Jacket / Blush Mules
M: Mustard Cardigan / Slip-On Oxfords
R: Topshop Oatmeal Cardigan / Blush Mules
OK, so technically, this is not a floral dress, but the extra details are so sweet and well-executed that they make up for the seemingly plain color. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS DRESS, you guys. Like, shouting-level excited. First off, it’s worth noting it’s a true wrap dress, which I so appreciate. Second, the pintucks at the shoulders have this quasi-graduation gown vibe going on that shouldn’t work, but instead they just lend almost an architectural flair to a piece that is otherwise completely feminine. And third. POCKETS! I’ve been wanting to try on a Gal Meets Glam number for a while now because I know how thoughtfully designed they claim to be, and after this one, I’m super duper sold. I’m wearing a 0, and it fits like a glove. (Also worth noting, I’m 34Cish and there’s even a little extra room in the bust for fuller chested mamas.)
Navy Flutter Sleeve Wrap Dress worn with:
L: Madewell Striped Sweater / Slip-On Oxfords
R: ALLSAINTS Trench / Slip-OnOxfords / Tote
I was so sold on all three of the looks above (I mean, even the black jacket with the navy just looked friggin’ cool), I even pulled out some of my other NSale picks. Love love love the retro look of the striped Madewell striped sweater over the top. And you didn’t think I was going to get through an entire 2019 NSale post without mentioning that holy grail ALLSAINTS Trench again, did ya? (If you’re digging that one, see my previous NSale posts here and here.)
5 // Navy Floral Jumpsuit
Navy Floral Jumpsuit worn with:
L: Blush Mules
M: Mustard Cardigan / Slip-On Oxfords / Tote
R: Topshop Oatmeal Cardigan / Blush Mules
Feeling a bit iffy here. This Navy Floral Jumpsuit wasn’t my fave, but I do want to point out that the Day look (i.e. the middle one with the epic Resting You-Know-What Face), is giving me all the Zoe Kravitz in Big Little Lies vibes and it’s maybe the one look that will convince me to keep this one. In terms of quality, it seemed well made — and it actually fit quite well. Just was’t the most flattering on my bod. (Maybe if it were just a bit more cropped in the leg?) Wearing an XS and it’s JUST long enough in the torso (but the shoulder straps are adjustable).
Featured Toppers Throughout This Post
Topshop Black Moto Jacket // Love the weight, structure and versatility of this piece. While it doesn’t feel like leather, it doesn’t feel overly platic-y, either. More than I would expect from a jacket that’s running $62 in the sale. True to size if not slightly small. Wearing a S.
Mustard Cardigan // The chunky knit just screams fall and the mustard is so much more wearable than you’d think. Available in a few other colors, too. Not a luxury piece, but definitely an easy piece to mix into your wardrobe. Wearing an XS.
Topshop Oatmeal Open Front Cardigan // You’ve seen plenty of this from me by now, but it continues to be a fave from the sale. I’m super partial to the proportions. It’s big and billowy and cozy and lends a subtly boho vibe to just about everything. (Definitely going to be pulling it over jammies for weekend breakfasts, too.) Wearing an XS.
Featured Shoes Throughout This Post
Pikolinos Laceless Oxford // Definitely pretty smitten with these babes. They’re sweet and schoolgirly and at the same time they could be styled up with wideleg trousers and a blazer, very Annie Hall. Love the brandy color (the little striping on the back is a sweet detail, easier to see in the pictures online) and they’re SUPER comfy. Available in full sizes only; wearing an 8/38W.
Blush Faux Suede Mules // I’m not usually into micro-fiber shoes, especially in lighter colors where it can look a little cheap, but there’s something about the shade of nude/blush that makes me ok with the faux suede situation here. It’s got more depth than an ivory or nude without reading truly pink. Super pretty. The chunkier profile is also what allows it to pair so well with the faux leather moto jacket, even though one is light and the other is dark. Wearing an 8 (TTS).
What About The Bag?
So glad you asked! Totally into the size and shape of this Madewell Small Crossbody Tote. Not as big as my other “mom bags” but still roomy enough to hold plenty of daily essentials, and the dual textures makes it feel so rich and perfect for fall. Will definitely be wearing it with all my usual graphic T’s/distressed jeans, too.
Shop All The Dresses, Outfits & Accessories In This Post
I’m off to unwind from today’s shopping spree (who’da thunk I’d ever need to decompress from shopping!?) with a glass of wine and movie night with my little. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll fire up the scooter tomorrow (yep, we’ve actually got one — just haven’t ridden it in, ohhh, 4 years or so) and wear that navy number to the farmer’s market to snag a baguette. Big dreams, baby.
Happy weekend!
Em
P.S. Don’t forget to check out the rest of the team’s faves and our full NSale coverage here!
Guys! Follow me on Instagram for more peeks into our life on the Northern California coast. And if you feel so inclined, pop over to my personal food + lifestyle blog, The Pig & Quill, where I share salty scribblings from my kitchen and home life. Byeeeeee!
This one’s for the pinners!
