Category: midi dress

Fringe Benefits: My Favorite Fringed Pieces for a Boho Update to Any Wardrobe (12 Items under $100!)

Post author By Jess Ross Creative
Post date July 16, 2015
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You know those trends that come and go (mom jeans, Birkenstocks, dr. martans, etc) but you can’t let go of? They always hold a special place in your heart and your wardrobe, and no matter how “in” or “out” your beloved trend may become, you cling stubbornly to it and refuse to let die.

Fringe is that for me. Well, one of many in a long list of fashion faux pas I commit every time I get dressed.

But no matter how ridiculous I may end up looking I pass up a good ole fringed clothing item without picturing myself twirling gaily in the wind wearing said fringed clothing item, ala Buddy the Elf…

Usually these daydreams involve meadows and music and ponies….but that’s a story for another day.

I stumbled upon my new favorite fringed clothing unexpectedly while browsing the boutiques on a mini vacation to Traverse City. I almost passed it up because even for me, I was worried it might be a” bit much” (and for me that’s really saying something) but the imagined twirling I was doing while wearing that skirt was too glorious to pass up.

my outfit details:Sam Edelman Women’s Faux Suede Fringe Skirt, $53.30, Scoop Neck Woven Camisole, $13.00,

So I was inspired to compile an extensive list of some of favorited fringed wardrobe items for even the most conservative of wardrobes:

BCBGMAXAZRIA Women’s Maddie Drape-Front Cocktail Dress (53.00)

Top Shop Sleeveless Fringe Dress, available at Nordstroms ($58.00)

Free People’s Nomad Cotton Fringe Shawl ($329)

Also from Free People (the leading authority on boho chic) Free People’s Sedona Leather Skirt, ($329)

Asos’ Glamorous Wrap Cami Dress ($69.00)

Minnetonka Women’s Classic Fringe Hardsole Boot $43.00 on Amazon

Forever 21’s Fringe Bib Necklace(22.90)

Brentwood Fringe Heels ($150)

Asos’ Fashion Union Crepe Wrap Top($44)

H&M’s Black Fringe Bag ($29.90)

French Connection Women’s Spotlight Fringe, $90.00 via Amazon

Topshop Fringe Maxi Slip Dress($90) available at Nordstroms

Asos’ Mini Suede Fringed Bag ($60.00)

Forever 21’s Fringed Midi Skirt ($29.00)

Sam Edelman Women’s Faux Suede Fringe Skirt ($61.55)

And just in case you thought I was kidding about the swirling and twirling, a picture that should never see the light of day…

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Easy, Breezy, Beautiful, Summer Maxi Dresses: Ten of My Favorites for Every Occasion

Post author By Jess Ross Creative
Post date June 14, 2015
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It’s finally summer (hooray!) But of course, I can’t just enjoy the weather I’ve been waiting for all year long and instead I have to find something to stress over.

The summer weather poses a few problems for me:

1) Blindingly white, pastey legs.

2) Lots of uncomfortable sweating in areas best left unacknowledged.

3) And Shaving, lots of shaving…hours and hours of shaving…

Solution to this very first world problem:

Maxi dresses!

1) Complete coverage of said sunless legs.

2) Comfortable breeze to sweating nether regions.

3) Coverage of lazily shaved legs.

The above maxi dress is from Forever 21 although it looks like it’s not available anymore I found a similar dress also from Forever21 that I think I like even more than the one I purchased:

love21 white lace paneled dress — Love 21 Lace-Paneled Maxi Dress, $34.90

My Sandals are Enzo Angiolini Women’s Jeat Sandal, $84.80 available on Amazon:

Now in no particular order ten of my favorite maxi dresses that I day dreaming of buying to cover up my pastey legs with this summer:

1. In a Dream Maxi Dress from Free People ($350.00):

2. Serilida Maxi Dress from Anthropologie, $198.00

3. Maybe Lady Dress from Free People, $118.00:

4. Motel Wrap Front Maxi Dress with Thigh Split in Floral Print from ASOS, $95.00:

5. Chloe Silk Full Length Draped Dress, for *cough* *cough*, $3,660.74 from Far Fetched:

6. All Tied Down Maxi Dress from NastyGal, $68.00

7. Lisbon Dress from Need Supply Co., $98.00

8. Tribal Print Maxi Dress from Forever 21, $27.90:

9. Faded Floral Flutter Sleeve Maxi Dress from ASOS, $98.00:

10. Summer Solid Lady Maxi Dress from Free People, $148.00:

and one more that doesn’t do much to cover up the pastey leg problem but I am day-dreaming of none the less…..

11. For Love and Lemons Marina Maxi Dress available at Free People, $202.00:

Any “must have” maxis for this summer that you think I missed??

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My First Official Spring OOTD:Look Ma No Pants!

Post author By Jess Ross Creative
Post date April 3, 2015
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Today when I stepped outside, I smelt spring and was about as happy as this baby and her camel:

I was outside in a dress, with bare legs and I was starting to believe this day would never come. I swear if I see a single snowflake before Christmas next year, I will walk all the way back to California.

Anyways, after a few hours doing this:

I was excited to bust out all the spring/summer clothes I’ve been daydreaming about and this is what I came up with:

This blue dress is MINKPINK Women’s Tiger Trail Dress, might be my new favorite dress for spring. Surprisingly, I found it on Amazon for $57.00.

Also another of my favorites for mild April Weather is my Life in Progress Denim Jacket from Forever 21 ($32.50).

And saving the best for last is my 18″ Genuine Leather Retro Rucksack Backpack College Bag,school Picnic Bag Travel also found on Amazon and bought specifically for all the outdoor activities I told myself I would be doing this summer:

What are your spring time essentials?

Tags anthropologie, blog, booties, fall fashion, Fashion, Forever21, J.Crew, leather bag, OOTD, personal style, spring fashion, Spring Style, street style, style, style blogger, trendy, wardrobe

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OOTD: An Ode to Spring, All the Bright Colors, J.Crew, & My New Style Idol, Monling Lee

Post author By Jess Ross Creative
Post date March 12, 2015
2 Comments on OOTD: An Ode to Spring, All the Bright Colors, J.Crew, & My New Style Idol, Monling Lee

Her name is Monling Lee and she is my everything.

She is an architect and urban designer with a passion for vibrant colors and a sense of style that is one of a kind. I first discovered her via Instagram @monlinglee fell instantly in love with every single one of her photos. She combines her unique and brilliantly colored personal style in perfectly coordinated urban environments.

By following her instagram account, I found out that she was teaming up with J. Crew to “Test-drive” Their new spring accessories on their blog: hello.jcrew.com. And was inspired to try to create my own color blocked outfit with my skirt I bought for a penny at Nordstroms Rack. JCrew and Monling Lee are having an instagram contest on how where you wear (and pair, and pile on) your J.Crew accessories with the hashtags #ACCESSORYFIX and #JCREWCONTEST for a chance to win one of three $1,500 shopping sprees. And although I don’t have a new spring accessory to actually join in…here are my outfits:

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OOTD: Playing with Prints

Post author By Jess Ross Creative
Post date February 22, 2015
No Comments on OOTD: Playing with Prints

it’s that time of the year when I begin to feel even more crazy than usual.I like winter but, a Midwest winter is a different kind of beast. There has been snow on the ground basically since Thanksgiving and by Mid-February the temperatures average below freezing and that doesn’t even include the windchill.

Going outside means putting on every single warm-ish item I can find in my closet and looking like Joey from the Friends episode where he puts on all of Chandler’s clothes:

and then on top of that, there’s the robber face masks, scarves, gloves and beanies to cover any exposed extremities, like kitty:

I like hunkering down and having an excuse to do nothing, and a snow storm is the ultimate laziness excuse but even that is has gotten old by now and I’ve developed a serious case of cabin fever, going nuts, shuffling around the house, pacing in circles, starting out at the snow for long periods of time, and murmuring unhappily to myself (even more than usual). My boyfriend took a picture of me while I was peeking in on him just yesterday:

har. har.

all that just to say that my already questionable fashion taste is even more questionable than usual, given the previously stated circumstances. But, this led me to mixing prints and layering in a way that I otherwise wouldn’t have out of boredom, coldness, or craziness….

Details: Floral Print Lace Slip from Dailylook.com, $22.95, Ryan Crewneck Pullover from Free People, $98.00, Stripped Long Sleeve Top, Forever21, $14.90, Bettye by Bettye Zap Booties, Nordstroms, $141.95

oh and here it is with jeans:

Floral Print Lace Slip from Dailylook.com, $22.95:

Ryan Crewneck Pullover in Cranberry from Free People, $98.00:

Stripped Long Sleeve Top, Forever21, $14.90:

Bettye by Bettye Zap Booties, Nordstroms, $141.95:

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Style Tutorial: Three Ways to Wear White Denim in Winter

Post author By Jess Ross Creative
Post date January 8, 2015
4 Comments on Style Tutorial: Three Ways to Wear White Denim in Winter

I don’t wear white often because of a few reasons (like being unable to go more than 10 minutes without spilling something) but the after Labor Day rule isn’t one of them . But, I’ve seen a lot of cool styling this winter with white denim or trousers and I don’t know if it’s becoming more fashionably acceptable to wear white after the designated time. I kind of think wearing white is perfect in the winter, especially when I am getting sick of all the black I wear in mourning for the summer.

so here are three different ways to casually style white denim jeans for winter wear….

How do you guys feel about white denim during winter? Yay or nay??

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#OOTD: Double Side Split Top & Knee High Stockings

Post author By Jess Ross Creative
Post date December 16, 2014
No Comments on #OOTD: Double Side Split Top & Knee High Stockings

I’m trying out something different and just going to post more simple, short OOTD (outfit of the day) posts with the outfit details…bc sometimes I can’t think of anything really interesting to write about the outfit…unless you guys think of something.

overside baggy cardigan, tights and knee high stockings

deep, double side split top, tights and knee high stockings

outfit details and prices:

skirt: ZARA knit tube skirt, blush color, $79.90,

cardigan: Zara TWO-TONED wrap jacket, $79.95,

Socks: Commando Up All Night Thigh High Socks, $34.00, Nordstroms

Tights: Nordstrom’s ‘Love’ Sweater Tights, charcoal color, $28.00

or these American Apparel Above the Knee Socks available on Amazon for only $13.00

Boots: Madden Girl “Mistley” Combat Boots $34.99 available on 6PM.com

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My Midi Dress Dilemma: 4 Tips for Wearing a Midi for the Body Conscious Woman

Post author By Jess Ross Creative
Post date December 5, 2014
No Comments on My Midi Dress Dilemma: 4 Tips for Wearing a Midi for the Body Conscious Woman

(all 6 dresses available on asos top left: ASOS RED CARPET Premium Embellished Midi Dress With Plunge Front $227.40, top middle: Asos Midi Wiggle Dress in Paisley Print $113.17, top right: ASOS Baroque Embellished Midi Shift Dress $161.08, bottom left: Self Portrait Lucille Midi Dress $473.75, bottom middle: ASOS Petite Wiggle Dress with Wrap Back $85.28, bottom right: ASOS Gray Floral Drape Back Midi $94.75)

I really, really love the midi dress look and I emphasis the word look because the way a midi dress looks on a model (stunning) is not how a midi LOOKS on me. The models’ curves (or lack of them) are perfectly highlighted in the form fitting style of a midi and the length accentuates their slim legs. I don’t know if I really thought that I would look the same as the 100 pound 5ft 9 model did in the same midi.

Here is the midi dress I purchased:

Asos Midi Cami Body Conscious Dress

but…SURPRISE! I didn’t look anything like the model. It accentuated my curves alright, every friggin nook and cranny was on display. It probably didn’t help that the midi I bought was thin jersey fabric, which is probably one of the least forgiving fabrics there is. So I buried the dress in the back of my closet and tried to forget I ever thought I could pull the look off.

The thing is…I’ve never liked my body, but I also think most women in America have struggled with loving and accepting their bodies at some point. I’ve been working up to writing about the journey I am on to loving myself and it’s been a long, bloody battle for me but….(and I swear all this has to it has to do with the midi dress!)

But since I turning 30 this year, it really hit me how much of life I have wasted and how many experiences I missed out on because I’ve been to busy disliking myself and caring to much what people think.Doing these self-absorbed, materialistic Personal Style posts was a coconscious decision of mine to do what makes me happy and to (try) not to worry about whether or not people like it. Also, it’s nice to actually start caring about myself again 🙂

So, when cleaning up my closet, I stumbling on the crumpled up midi dress of disappointment and gave it another go (outfitted in my spanx body armor) and decided to give it another try and I came up with a few different ways to wear a form fitting midi with more confidence.

#1 Oversized Cardigans like this one from Revolve Clothing, are your friends.

Wearing a big, drapey cardigan helps me feel like I have a layer of protection and it keeps all my lumpy areas that I am self-conscious about covered. But the open front still shows off the cute length and style of the midi.

#2 Wearing shoes with heels (booties are my favorite for winter) add much needed length to your frame.

Here are a few pair of booties that give me the warm fuzzies and that I think would look good with a a casual style midi dress:

above: Joe’s ‘Abby’ Cutout Leather Booties available at Nordstroms for $119.37 (40% off from original price of $198.95)

Above: Circus by Sam Edelman “Talon” Booties available on sale at Nordstroms for $87.06 (originally $129.95)

Above: Naughty Monkey ‘Angle Tangle’ Toe Wedge Bootie also at Nordstroms for $129.95

For a dressier look here are a few heels I am currently drooling over:

above: Gucci’ ‘Coline’ T-Strap Cap Toe Heels at Nordstroms for $398.98

above: Joe’s ‘Ali’ Ankle Strap Pump, on sale at Nordstroms for $72.95

above: Louise et Cie ‘Sarmienta’ Pump at Nordstroms for only $79.95 (50% off)

Most midis cut off at around calf-level (depending on height) which I love but also has the tendency to make legs look shorter and bulkier.

#3 Layer it up to create different looks.

A midi is fun to play around with different looks and is a versatile dress that can be simple and classic or fun and trendy. Adding colorful layers, like my favorite crazy plaid pants, creates lines, and helps to “distract” the eye from those worry areas.

A split sided basic top is perfect to throw over a midi because it covers my least favorite areas (my tummy and the booty) and I like the look it creates.

#4: Spanx is also your friend.

Good ole trusty spanx, instilling confidence into the self-conscious since the dawning of time.