Wednesday Wishlist: Cozy Tunics

Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away, holiday lights are going up, red cups are brimming with peppermint lattes and cocoa.  It's the perfect time for cozy knits -- specifically, a great knit tunic. Sweater dresses can be tricky. If they're too thick, or too clingy, or too bunchy you're going to feel lumpy and bumpy and spend all day fidgeting. But a looser tunic style is kind of perfect -- all of the coziness, much better fit. And great news: there are a slew of them in stores right now. Too bad it has been 90 degrees in Orlando for days.

But! Cooler temperatures must be on their way (please tell me that's true), so here are the snuggly knit dresses that I'll be wearing as soon as we're back to those chilly 70 degree temps.

Anthropologie Sparrow Cowled Sweater Dress ($158) -- there's something quite angelic about this one. I would wear it with black tights and flat black boots for a great chilly weekend look.

Shoshanna Lee Ombre Cable-Knit Sweater Dress ($395) -- it's hard to find a sweater dress with much color, so the little pop of mermaid-y blue and green is nice and quite flattering around the face.

Zara Long Sweater ($50) -- "What's wrong with being/what's wrong with being/what's wrong with being confident?" This model is feeling this sweater. It's styled to perfection with these leather leggings, and I can only assume that wearing it will make me look as effortlessly fabulous.

SET Turtleneck Sweater Dress ($425) -- a great shape in a very wearable color. It's an investment piece, but it's so classic you'll wear it for a decade or more.

Steven Alan Delevan Sweater Dress ($285) -- the short sleeves on this dress are interesting. It's counterintuitive for a cold-weather dress, but most of the offices I've worked in have been absolute saunas (NYC steam heat is no joke) so a little ventilation can be nice.

Gap Cable Knit Sweater Dress ($70) -- this looks like a nice little dress for the price. Reviews are mixed, but mostly because it seems like the original product photo included a zipper detail that isn't actually part of the dress.

Colorblock Tunic Dress ($138) -- an easy and chic work look. The colorblocking isn't too dramatic but still creates a nice shape.

Fall Wishlist Part VIII

7. Crisp White Blazer

Unless you're my college roommate, you know that wearing white after Labor Day ain't no thang. So don't be afraid to do it. And a white blazer can be a really useful piece, a great way to pull toghether your look.

J. Crew Regent Blazer -- the lines are super sharp, and slightly longer length and single button create a really nice lean line.

H&M Peplum Jacket -- peplum was everywhere last year, but if it is a flattering silhouette on you, don't worry about whether it's trendy or not. This soft peplum would look great with pants or skirts.

Modcloth I Glam Hardly Believe It Blazer -- I love the military inspired buttons, and the sexy feminine cut.

Topshop 'Poppy' Collarless Blazer -- a cool, modern shape that's perfect for work or play.

The beauty of this blazer is that you can throw it over just about anything. For example...

For an easy weekend look, I'd throw this blazer on top of my favorite new tee and jeans. Some chunky, heavy accessories keep it from looking too summery. The same blazer would also be perfect over a simple, tailored dress. You'll look crisp and polished, and everyone will notice your amazing bag and shoes.

8. Wes-Inspired

I've never been a huge Wes Anderson fan, but the fashion world is perpetually enamored with his very specific quirky-misfit style. There were a number of fall collections that seemed to draw inspiration from Anderson's oddball characters (including, quite surprisingly, Gucci), and I have seen that influence in pieces that are in stores right now. If you're game, consider adding a bit of retro, off-beat inspiration to your look.

H&M Lace Dress -- great vintage looking skater dress. Your mom probably wore something really similar in the 70s.

Modcloth Home on the Driving Range Top -- with baby barrettes and a shit ton of eyeliner, you could be Margot Tenenbaum's long lost sister.

Boden Panel Vintage Tunic Dress -- this dress is sporty and playful, and you'd probably find a million excuses to wear it.

Tory Burch Sport Performance Merino V-Neck Sweater -- I can't help but be drawn to this sporty, preppy sweater -- did I tell you I was captain of my high school tennis team?

So assuming you're not just shopping for your Halloween costume, how do you wear these pieces? Let's play...

If you want to embrace your quirky side, you can experiment with pattern mixing and introducing a pop or two of color. You could layer a printed shirt underneath dress and have fun with some bright Mary Jane heels. It's a lot of look, but mixing shades of blue and brown makes it very possible. If you're not ready to go quite that far, a pretty color block cardigan creates a more demure look. I'd throw on a cool necklace and d'orsay flats for a cool mod work look.

Fall Wishlist: Part V

1. Go-To Dress

Dresses have always been a staple of my work wardrobe, and I'm always ready to add another to my closet. For fall, I looking for a dress with a great print, bold color, amazing shape: a go-to dress. The kind that makes you look amazing with little to no effort (a life saver on a busy morning). If this sounds good to you, here are my favorite from this season:

Paul and Joe Sister Iphigenie Collar Dress -- I love this dress. A very grown-up way to live out my private school uniform fantasies.

Zara Faux Leather Dress -- all of the comfort and convenience of wearing your favorite striped t-shirt.

Boden Printed Shirt Dress -- the dress shape is classic and tailored, the print is bananas. Perfect combination.

Anthropologie Gallica Silk Shirtdress -- the ultra feminine floral print and traditional shape are very Betty Draper, but with the right accessories I think it would be sweet, not costume-y.

I really want all of these dresses, but I'm really loving the Boden shirt dress. It looks like grandma's couch, in the coolest possible way.

The nice thing about a go-to dress is that you really don't need to fuss with it. This isn't the dress that you're going to radically transform each time you wear it -- everyone will remember it, so keep it simple. For early fall I'd wear just a few cool rings, a little messenger bag, and simple, neutral shoes. When it gets cold, throw on a cozy coat and some tights and let that dress do it's thang.

2. Something Lavender

There are some colors that evoke happy memories of rustling leaves blah, blah, blah... And then there's a crazy bright shade of purple that doesn't scream fall at all, but somehow seems perfect. This bright, incredibly flattering shade seems to be everywhere this season, and why not. It's great on its own, but think about how perfectly it pairs with navy, gray, green, burgundy, and all of those classic fall colors. When you're building your fall wardrobe, consider picking up something in this unexpected but happy shade:

Boden Betty Ottoman Dress -- this super ladylike dress comes in a rainbow of colors (the green is amazing), but I'd be willing to bet you don't own anything in this lovely dusty lavender shade. Really unique, really pretty.

Boden Sophia Knitted Top -- the shape and texture of this sweater is really interesting, and this brighter purple shade makes me happy.

Botkier Trigger Small Satchel -- a cool bold bag, and you can pretty much guarantee that you'll be the only one in the room carrying it.

J. Crew Collection Cashmere T-Shirt -- a great, fresh layering piece.

Here are some ideas for working this shade into your look over the next few months:

I'm not really great at putting together casual weekend looks. I tend to live in my beloved athleisure wear, running around town in spandex and other sweat-wicking material. But if I did get my act together to put on real clothes, this sweater would be perfect with some relaxed olive cargo pants and sparkly flats for my usual Saturday Target run/Chipotle feast (a glamorous life, for sure). I also love it with cooler shades like navy and gray for a cold weather outfit -- wide leg pants, a great coat, and some fun shoes to pull it all together.

Fall Wishlist: Not-So Basics

Hey, we made it through the first half of my Fall Wishlist -- whew! I originally thought I'd post every day, but you know what? That's a lot of damn work. I need more hours in the day. (If you missed anything, you can head back to the start of the series, or catch up with any of the other posts here, here, here, and here.)

Last week I looked at some of those traditional pieces that you typically associate with fall and probably have been buying every year since you started shopping for yourself: cashmere, denim, deep rich color. And classic pieces are awesome (sometimes you feel like a nut). But I also have a list of things that are a little less expected (sometimes you don't). They're not the pieces that immediately scream fall, but they're still great buys this season. These are fun to mix and match with those classic pieces and the rest of your wardrobe to help you create some amazing fall looks that are just really...you.

I'm kicking things off with two of my FAVORITE categories on this list, so check back tomorrow (spoiler alert: you'll probably want everything).

Fall Wishlist: Part IV

7. Deep Dark Oxblood

More than any other season, fall is defined by a color palette. There are some colors, like oxblood, that evoke happy, cozy feelings of rustling leaves, warm fires, spiced cider. It is hot and muggy in Florida today, so I'm going to try to jumpstart fall with a few pieces in this deep, rich shade.

J. Crew Factory Wool Dress Coat -- the perfect coat when you need to have a bit of a princess moment -- so very Kate Middleton.

Forever 21 Faux Suede Strappy Sandals -- a bold Miu Miu-inspired chunky sandal. I can imagine these with fun, textured tights in a rainbow of colors.

Modcloth Paris Cafe Cardigan -- I love a cardigan that looks just as good (maybe better) when buttoned as it does when left open. This piece from Modcloth's new in-house line is a little bit sweet, a little bit sexy.

Topshop Leather Duffel Crossbody -- your new everyday bag in a very sophisticated shade.

This rich color looks good on so many different skin tones, so any of these pieces would be great closet workhorses. I really love that coat, so let's take it for a spin...

I'm rarely home for my high school's homecoming weekend, but I might be this year and this is exactly what I'd wear. This coat perfectly ties together a fun sweater and pale, relaxed jeans. The accessories are practical and a nod to my school's colors (blue and gold) -- go Eagles! And this coat brings the perfect amount of fancy for holiday activities later in the year. It compliments, but doesn't compete with, a great party dress.

8. A Great Bag (or Two)

Investing in a good bag each season is an easy way to freshen up your look. It's a smart buy, especially if you're looking to stretch your budget. If you find the right one, your cost per wear will be tiny. Here are some of my favorites right now:

Zara Holdall -- I talked about the qualities of my ideal bag here: (looks like) leather, roomy but not bulky, easy to carry. This is a winner, and I love the deep bottle green color.

Yoins Snakeprint Backpack -- an interesting shape and pattern, but still neutral enough to play nicely with the rest of your look.

Boden Berkeley Zip Bag -- this is one of my favorite bag shapes, and I love the punchy tomato red. 

Old Navy Faux-Leather Bucket Bag -- classic, great looking bag for a teeny price. 

Would it be wrong to buy all of these? I think the Zara bag is my favorite, so let's play with that one:

A perfect bag to take to work, especially on those surprisingly sticky September days. I love this striped shirt dress -- I'd add a couple of bracelets, some not-boring shoes, and not much else. This bag is also perfect for a chilly night out -- people may not see the sleek sweater and pants under your big cocoon coat, but everyone will notice the great bag on your arm.

Three Ways: Sexy Strappy Heels

I fell in love with these shoes the moment I saw them. Ultimately I passed on them (I'm working on not just blindly satisfying every whim and desire -- it's not the most fun thing ever), but I did spend some time contemplating them and dreaming up lots of great ways to wear them:

Late Dinner Out

This was really my first instinct. I just love the idea of that sexy peep-toe platform peeking out from under a pair of super long, super slim flared jeans. These MiH Marrakesh flares are my absolute favorite denim silhouette ever. Legs. For. Days. I'd keep everything else simple -- a pretty white blouse, a classic bag, a cool necklace, and this funky tortoise ring.

Dancing All Night

I am always drawn to things with a sexy 70's Halston vibe. This wide-leg jump suit is perfect -- not too costume-y, super flattering. You don't really need too much else: great earrings and a little clutch with a touch of gold. Add a quick swipe of sheer red lipstick and you're ready to go.

(Very) Casual Friday

I don't think I would wear these shoes to work, but could you? Yes, I think so. You just want to shift the vibe from sexy to kind of mod, and a graphic shirt dress like this one from Boden is fantastic. Add some layers -- opaque tights and a good blazer. Finally, some office-friendly jewelry. I love this delicate necklace and a pretty rose gold watch. A sheer pink gloss like NARS Turkish Delight keeps it all very soft and sweet.

Wishlist Wednesday: The Perfect Silhouette

The wrap dress gets a lot of love. It's simple, it's versatile, it has a nice feminine shape, and everyone loves the woman most associated with the wrap dress, Diane von Furstenberg (can I get a "YASSS Queen"?). But here's what I think: the wrap dress is overrated.

Go on, clutch those pearls.

If you're looking for a flattering, feminine dress silhouette, I'd like to make a case for the shirt dress. A classic shirt dress is super flattering. It can be demure or sexy, subtle or incredibly bold. The belted version, my personal favorite, instantly creates that sleek, feminine silhouette, but without the fit issues that a wrap dress is prone to. How many of us spend time trying to figure out how to prevent the gaping and shifting that inevitably happens with our favorite wrap dresses? Maybe you wear a camisole, maybe you add a hook or snap, maybe you just safety pin that bad boy and call it a day. If you're standing still, a wrap dress looks great. But if you need to move and bend and generally behave like a normal human being, a wrap dress can be a real bitch.

The shirt dress is a fall staple, and one of the few fall fashions that can be enjoyed in just about any climate (like, for example, sweltering Florida!). Here are some of the versions that I'm loving this season:

1. Mango Cotton Shirt Dress ($43) -- a very streamlined version available in several traditional colors, and also this pretty pale pink. This isn't the color that comes to mind when you think fall, but how great and fresh would it look with all of those autumnal shades like plum, oxblood, forest green, and navy?

2. Boden Silk Shirt Dress ($198) -- I am in LOVE with the mod feel of this print. I want to layer it up with tights, a blazer, and chunky heels for cool days, but it works just as well with bare legs and sandals if you just need to wear it right away (no judgement!).

3. Alexa Chung for AG Jeans Denim Mini Shirt Dress ($325) -- this is how the downtown girl does a shirt dress: very slim, pretty short, all denim. One of my favorites, for sure. 

4. Samantha Sung Audrey Forest Stretch Cotton Dress ($585) -- I love this print, because it is almost identical to the wallpaper I had in my childhood bedroom. If that's not enough to sell you, think about how flattering a bright, pretty print is around your face. 

5. A.P.C Shirt Dress ($325) -- the very chic, very French way to do a shirtdress. Fit is so important in this style, and you know the tailoring on this one will be impeccable. 

6. River Island Gray Check Shirt Dress ($70) -- I'll be honest, I'm not a huge fan of Buffalo check, but this gray and white version is kind of intriguing. Add a long, chunky cable knit cardigan and ankle boots for a super cozy fall look. (*linking to Polyvore because River Island's site seems to be down)

7. River Island Beige Color Block Shirt Dress ($100) -- the color blocking is cool, and the black ribbon belt gives you a very teeny waist.

8. Dorothy Perkins Black D-Ring Shirt Dress ($59) -- my favorite of the bunch. A perfectly fitted black dress is heaven, and you can't beat the price.


A few fit tips...

*I think the belted version is most flattering (particularly if you are curvy), but the boxier/drapier cuts look great if you want help creating a shape
*Watch the length -- people should not wonder if you just, in fact, belted some old button-down shirt
*A fabric with a little weight is best -- a light fabric can get too floaty and reveal the lumps and bumps, but a fabric with some heft will make sure the dress lays perfectly

Wednesday Wishlist: Going, Going, Gone

Right now your favorite stores are desperately trying to move old merch out to make room for all of the fall goodies. This is a great time to snap up super deals on some cute summer-y pieces. Maybe you still have a vacation coming up (me), maybe you still have a few weeks/months of warm weather (me), maybe you just want to have a few new things to pull out next year (sure, why not?) -- sizes are limited but most items ring in at $50 or less, so get them before they're gone.

clockwise from l to r:
J. Crew Factory Racerback Stripe Maxi ($18) -- a classic that would be perfect for layering well into the fall.

H&M Round Earrings ($5) -- simple, versatile, sparkly.

J. Crew Factory Striped Photo Collector Tee ($10) -- I love the slim cut and cool graphic -- perfect with white jeans for a casual chic summer look.

Rock, Flower, Paper Lobster Jute Tote ($20) -- the quintessential summer tote

Anthropologie Pilcro Linen Trousers ($50) -- super flattering, and quite a range of pretty watercolor shades to choose from (I'd pick up white for sure).

Boden Espadrille ($62) -- happy shoes for your warm weather adventures.

J. Crew Factory Drapey Shorts ($9) -- easy pull on shorts with a sporty vibe.

Zara Printed Camisole ($20) -- love the cheery print and drapey fit.

Wednesday Wishlist: A Scoop of Sherbet

Last week I found the cutest summer sneakers ever, and they made me realize how much I'm craving bright, fresh summery shades right now...in particular, icy cool shades of pink and orange (preferably together -- it's my favorite color combo!). Here are a few perfect pieces that are just as refreshing and tasty as a scoop of sherbet...

clockwise from l to r:

Joe Fresh Varsity Pullover Sweater ($35) -- I don't have a Joe Fresh store near me, but I stumbled across this bold, preppy sweater on a rare walk through my local JC Penney (tip: I like to check out the mini Sephora boutiques that are located inside most JCP stores -- I find that when I redeem my VIB points there, they don't always get deducted from my account. Shhh, don't tell anyone!). Apparently JCP carries the Joe Fresh line, and the pink/orange color combo immediately caught my eye. This one is about half the price of a similar sweater that J. Crew Factory carried this spring...the only reason I didn't pull the trigger is that we are FAR from sweater season in Florida. But I'm thinking about it...

Tracy Reese Beaded Striped Shell ($398) -- I'm not sure I'm brave enough to pair this pretty top with the matching skirt (that's a whole lotta look right there), but I love the idea of it with wide leg jeans or bright colored skinny ankle pants.

Giorgio Armani Bright Ribbon Sheer Lipstick ($34) -- Giorgio Armani makes some of the best makeup on the market. The color of this lipstick is so bold, but you just know that it will be sheer and incredibly wearable.

Bar III Hematite Tone Orange and Pink Drop Earrings ($30) I don't know about you, but I'm getting kind of tired of statement necklaces -- these statement earrings would be an interesting way to perk up a simple summer look.

J. Crew 4" Chino Shorts ($45) -- J. Crew does crisp but relaxed shorts better than just about anyone, and they have lots of delicious sherbet-y sweet shades.

Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm, Mischievous ($9) -- I have never worn orange lipstick, but this sheer lip pencil seems like a safe way to give it a try.

Jasper and Jeera Azille Slides ($98) -- I love these simple, sparkly flat sandals. They'd be perfect to throw in your suitcase for your fancy European vacation, or just to dress up your summer basics for a late night ice cream run.

Boden Dip Dye Cashmere Sweater ($104) -- I always get compliments when I wear pink (especially near my face), and these soft pink shades would be flattering on a lot of different skin tones. It also just looks incredibly soft and cozy.

H&M Platform Sandals ($30) -- these are from H&M's Coachella collection, but don't hold that against them. Cute, comfy, practical -- kind of the perfect summer shoe, great for throwing on with your favorite little black or white dress.

Three Ways: Striped Dress

A great striped cotton dress is a wardrobe staple for me. I seem to have one or two in constant rotation in my closet, and I'm always on the lookout for another great one.

I like this one from J. Crew with thick navy stripes (left), but you can find lots of variations at tons of different price points: Uniqlo/NLST/H&M/Petit Bateau/Iris & Ink. I kind of want them all. Watch for me on the next episode of Hoarders: Breton Stripe Edition.

In addition to being totally cute, a striped dress is hugely versatile. Here are some of the ways I'll be wearing mine over the next few months:

I love this look for celebrating a holiday with my family. Sometimes they don't "get" my sartorial choices, but this sweet, ladylike outfit feels like me and won't garner too many questioning looks from well-meaning relatives.

I have a particular striped dress/floral coat combo that I've been wearing for a few years and I love it. I found my coat for a steal years ago at an Ann Taylor Loft outlet, but this one from Dorothy Perkins is a great buy (you'll keep it for years and find a million unexpected ways to wear it). Besides the dress and the coat, you don't need to give people much more to look at -- a pair of dangly earrings and pretty, pale heels should do it.

It's super easy to make this dress work-appropriate. I have my eye on a chambray blazer right now (maybe this one or this one), and I love the way it immediately dresses up a relatively casual piece. A big necklace and a great ring (love this one so much!) add some sparkle. In my office, I can get away with these great leopard pumps -- they also come in a more subdued black.

Sometimes you just want to revel in the comfy glory of a simple summer dress. On a hot day, it doesn't get easier than throwing on what is essentially a t-shirt and then adding your favorite accessories of the moment. A pretty scarf adds just a little color, this cuff is cool and unfussy, and these slides are the chicest/cheapest summer shoe ever (they come in and out of stock, but keep watching!). And don't forget some shades.