Keep Calm and Wear Denim!

Hello my lovelies!

If there’s one piece of clothing that every girl should have in her closet, it is a denim shirtdress. Denim is a blank canvas, waiting to be styled. Short-sleeved or long-sleeved, light or dark wash, pockets or stitching, each dress is unique, similar to its wearer.

Here are four different ways to style a simple dark wash shirtdress! I’ve linked a couple cute options here and here.

#1- No Additions!

This Merona dress (a Target brand) was a hand-me-down from my sister. It looks adorable on its own! I love the feminine cut of the dress, with puffed sleeves, chest pockets, box pleats and a matching denim belt. It is a great option for teachers who just want a “Grab and Go” outfit. It can also be paired with any color or style of shoe. I chose a nice white sandal with gold and silver accents, purchased in the children’s department for $5/200 pesos. (A woman’s size 7.5/8 is a child’s 5/6.)

#2- Add a Statement Necklace!

My first addition is a coral and gold “bubble” necklace from Claires. I’ve featured it on this blog before, but it’s a great spring color, and it goes well with so many different outfits! I prefer to keep my necklaces shorter on collared shirts, but you could wear layered or longer necklaces! Bauble Bar has some amazing options and US orders get free shipping and free returns if it’s not EXACTLY what you wanted! (Sorry, Manila friends, they only offer free shipping on international orders over $150/7000 pesos :( ) If you sign up for their mailing list, you also get 20% off your order! They’re a little pricey, but the quality is very good!

#3- Add a Scarf!

In the Philippines it can be too hot to wear a jacket, but it’s nice to add a little somethin- somethin to a simple outfit. J I like to wear a light cotton scarf around my neck or a pashmina around my shoulders when I want a pop of color. This taupe and pink floral one is from Forever 21, purchased for 50% off around the 2014 Christmas season for around $5/200 pesos. If you’re Manila based, you can find adorable scarves at the tiangge (flea market) for only 100 pesos ($3). Thrift stores or vintage shops are your best bet for finding cheaper scarves in the U.S.

#4- Add a Sweater!

If you’re one of the lucky ones who are in air-conditioning all the time during the Spring/Summer, throwing on a sweater helps make a short sleeved or sleeveless shirtdress classroom and office appropriate. I bought this cherry red H&M cardigan at a Salvation Army this summer for around $6/250 pesos. Its oversize “Grandpa” sweater shape makes it super comfortable, and I love how it looks next to the dark washed denim

There are many other ways you can change the look for your shirtdress, from adding a different belt to wearing a pair of huge chandelier earrings to wearing leopard-print stilettos. Use the versatility of the dress to showcase your personality!

Let me know your favorite way to style a shirtdress in the comments below!

XOXO

Heidi Joy

“Consider it pure joy…..” –James 1:2a, NIV