Spring and Summer Dresses From Illinois to the California Coast…

FTF is excited to be collaborating on this blog with Ask Suzanne Bell.  We met Suzanne during the first Fierce 50 Campaign!  We love following her and think you will as well!

Meet Suzanne:

Stein Mart:

If you’re an avid FTF follower, you know I’m a huge fan of Stein Mart for multiple reasons!  First, they have unique, trendy pieces.  I can always find bold, interesting jewelry and accessories.  Their prices can’t be beat!  Stein Mart’s current dress selection is vast!  I was able to grab a hand full of dresses and off to the fitting room I went!

Do you notice a trend?  Apparently, I was drawn to floral and stripes!  Both of which are trending…two of the floral dresses were embroidered.  A continuing trend!

Excuse my laziness in not wanting to take off my pants and my polka dot shoes!  Although the whole look actually works together!  I’m admittedly terrible at pattern mixing but think this is a mix I could actually pull off…stripes, floral and polka dots for the win!  This dress was very comfortable!  It wasn’t for me due to my long body torso and large chest.  I would have liked it better if it sat slightly lower on my waist and not so high.  This is a typical issue for me with this cut of dress!

How cute is this dress?!  I love everything about this dress!! It was so comfortable.  The only drawback in my mind was that it was really short especially if needing to bend over or sit down.  I wished it was a smidge longer!

Statement sleeves, pearls, stripes, bare shoulders, comfort and cute…this is an all around win in my book!  The length was good!  It hit just above my knee!  I also think this dress could be dressed up or down and worn to many various occasions!  Where would you wear this dress?

This embroidered floral, long sleeve dress is far more gorgeous in person than it photographs!  The length was great!  The fact that it has long sleeves is great for Illinois as our spring is almost nonexistent; and I’m almost always cold. It’s also great if you’re trying to camouflage any arm flaws.  Unfortunately, the chest was much tighter than I like, which caused me to be uncomfortable.  Sizing up wasn’t an option as then it was too big all over.

This Tahari dress was a huge hit in my book!  I feel as though it’s figure flattering. The material was soft and comfortable.  I loved the large, bright floral on the rich blue color!  It gapped slightly in the arm pit area, which might require some alterations.

The best part about all of these dresses is that every single one was UNDER $50!  At those prices, you can purchase multiple dresses, afford alterations, purchases shoes and amazing accessories and not break the bank!!!  So which one is your favorite?  Which do you think I purchased?

I was on my way out the door when I discovered these dresses necessitating me to go back into the fitting room!  Do you ever do that?  This is why I don’t like to shop with my husband as he hates when I do that…I can’t help myself!  Shopping alone or with girlfriends is always so much more fun!

The brightly colored, embroidered floral sleeves caught my eye as well as the fringe detailing on the hem of the sleeves and the dress!  The navy dress was made of t-shirt material so soft and the sleeves were so cute!  These two dresses had a more casual vibe perfect for a day out or a date night!

I finally made it out of the store and on to my next stop!

Dress Barn:

I recently purchased my first little black dress at Dress Barn for a fundraiser/fashion show.  As previously mentioned, Dress Barn typically has a vast selection of dresses and the prices are also very reasonable.  They carry petite through plus sizes.

More floral and stripes!  I couldn’t help myself!  It’s what is in the stores and I like BOLD!

Loved that this striped dress had fun sleeves and embroidery!  This was the most expensive dress that I tried on at Dress Barn.  It costs $54.00 but they always have sales and coupons so I’m sure you could score it for less.  I didn’t like where the waistline hit my body.  It’s similar to the dress at Stein Mart regarding my long torso and hitting me to high.

This blue floral dress had many pluses…comfort, length, bell sleeves and interesting detail at the neck!  It’s figure flattering and non-clinging!

This maxi dress was a big win in my book!  Love the slit on one side, the criss cross detail, the banding around the waist and the comfort!  I must admit I was truly enjoying these try on sessions mainly because of my weight loss (Weight Watching Wednesdays)!  It felt good to like almost every dress and feel confident in each!  This could also be dangerous as I could have walked away with everything I tried on – HA!

This chiffon split sleeve floral dress was very comfortable and figure flattering.  The length was just right. You could style this as a tunic over leggings or even jeans!  When making a purchase, always try to think of at least three ways you could style it to get more wear!

This lemon print fit and flare dress was darling!  Lemon print seems to be on trend for this summer.  I would have liked the wrap tie to sit lower on my waist and would have loved some pockets.

There’s my picks from Dress Barn.  Which was your favorite?  Which do you think I purchased?  One additional piece of advice I might offer if going to do a dress try on would be to bring your body shapewear with or wear it.  Some of the dresses might have looked even better or fit better had I had on my Ruby Ribbon Cami!

Suzanne’s Fitting Room Reviews:  Anthropologie, Tory Burch & J Crew

For today’s post, I visited 3 of my  go-to mall stores; my favorite being Tory Burch on this particular visit. On my way out of the mall I took a peek into Ann Taylor and  I have to say, if you are in the market for a dress- perhaps START there. I would also add Nordstrom to the list for dresses. I found Anthropologie to have unique, but not all wearable easy pieces.  J Crew had a few cute dresses, but I think they are having some fit issues with the departure of our friend Jenna Lyons, so I recommend trying on any J Crew pieces in store if possible. Tory Burch had some gorgeous new arrivals in not only dresses but shoes!  What do you say we take a look?

ANTHROPOLOGIE

Striped Utility Midi Dress by Eva Franco

https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/striped-utility-midi-dress?category=SEARCHRESULTS&color=015

If you can get your right size in this easy to wear summer dress, lucky you! Designed in my opinion for an hourglass shape (which I am not), this dress runs about 2 sizes too small.  I had to go up to a size 10 from my regular size 4/6 just to get the waist to fit and the top was then too big. Goes to show, know your body type and don’t take size tags at face value. Bummer for me because I think this is the perfect summer look. Layer a tee under it or a cardigan or denim jacket as a topper and off to the farmers market you go!

Available in regular and petite | $168.00 | runs at least 2 sizes small.

Renata Dress by Mara Hoffman 

I loved so much about this bold printed midi dress! Dress her up or down. This ran a bit large in my opinion; some reviews say perhaps to size down, I am wearing an XS vs. my regular size small.  A statement dress that can be worn with or without the belt for different looks.

https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/mara-hoffman-renata-dress?category=SEARCHRESULTS&color=018

XS-XL | $450 | I am doing the sale dance on this one!

Daytripper Jumpsuit by Cloth and Stone 

https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/cloth-stone-daytripper-jumpsuit?category=SEARCHRESULTS&color=030

Y’all know I love a jumpsuit and if it is a halter, even better. Another piece that can be dressed up or down, I love the brand Cloth and Stone for everyday/effortless chic style.   I would say this ran a bit big; I am wearing a small here. There was not a XS for me to try on, but I would at least like to try it to know for sure. The cardigan I am wearing is the Michael Stars, Knit Cardigan, available in black or neutral. A easy piece to throw on over summer dresses, jumpsuits and sleeveless tops ($158.00 | HERE) https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/michael-stars-knit-cardigan?category=SEARCHRESULTS&color=001

XXS-XL | $138.00 | runs a tad big

TORY BURCH

Grotto Wrap Dress 

This free-flowing wrap dress is an ode to legendary designer David Hicks’s interiors and gardens.  For my body type, a banana, a V-neck, wrap style is my BFF. Worn alone or with a denim jacket or cardigan, I would love to add this floral beauty to my closet some day!

https://www.toryburch.com/grotto-wrap-dress/46758.html?cgid=clothing-dresses&dwvar_46758_color=962

0-14 | $448 | TTS

J CREW

Resume Dress 

The Resume dress is one I have always been curious about.  A J Crew best seller, one was available in black for me to try on in the store. Fit is TTS on this ready-for work flattering sheath. What I love about this sheath is the cap sleeve – I find it to be super flattering and covers all bra strap issues.

000-20 | $188.00 | TTS

https://www.jcrew.com/p/womens_category/dresses/weartowork/rsum-dress/C9102?color_name=black

Sleeveless Tie-Waist Peplum Top and Side-Button Skirt in Tahlia Stripe

Yes, this is not a dress, but some of us prefer separates, right? I wanted to share this peplum top because I think it is so flattering and a great piece to wear with springtime skirts. It has really mixed reviews stating it is difficult to tie, I didn’t have a problem tying it, and it is reversible! Now on sale in black, white and stripe! The skirt is supposed to be worn to the side, whoops! The styling is cute, but I thought the fabric was cheep for the price. I would not buy the skirt at regular price. Also available in denim.  Reviews state it runs big, but I am wearing my regular J Crew size 4 and would not be able to size down. If you are an hourglass or pear shape though, you may need to size down.

Top – https://www.jcrew.com/p/H7205

Skirt -https://www.jcrew.com/p/womens_category/skirts/alinemidi/sidebutton-skirt-in-tahlia-stripe/H6137?color_name=tahlia-stripe

There you have it friends!  Phew…that’s a lot of dresses and lots of choices!  Which were your favorites?