ONE DRESS, TWO WAYS

The longer I work on building a great wardrobe, the more I gravitate toward pieces that I really love and that are really versatile. I used to buy things because I felt like they filled gaps in my wardrobe, not because I really loved them. I also restricted myself with certain purchases because I felt like I already had too much of a certain style or color, so I couldn't buy anymore. Now I've learned that as long as I'm not buy the exact same item, similar pieces are totally okay, and are often helpful for me when styling my closet.  It's okay to have a ton of different black pumps, because sometimes an outfit really works with a wedge shoe, or an ankle strap shoe, or a stiletto, or a pointed toe pump. So having the versatility is really great.

This striped dress from Lulu*s is a great example. I almost overlooked it because my closet is already overloaded with stripes. I even have a striped dress very similar to this, but my other one is maternity (although it can still work for non-maternity), has short sleeves, and is navy and white instead of black and white. These slight differences in the two dresses make for almost endless remixing options in my closet, so I picked it out and haven't regretted it a bit. 

My favorite thing about stripes is that they're so easily dressed up and down. So I teamed up with Lulu*s today to show you two ways I'm wearing this dress, both casual and dressy and join in on their Fashion Face Off contest! Check out the details below to win $500 to their store!

photos by jylare smith

outfit 1:

lulu*s dress, c/o (similar, similar)

chicwish jacket, c/o

lulu*s sandals, c/o

lily + jade bag, c/o

old navy sunglasses, similar

outfit 2:

lulu*s dress, c/o (similar, similar)

similar jacket

similar clutch

lulu*s wedges, c/o

lulu*s sunglasses, c/o

This week Lulu*s is talking about Florals vs. Stripes, two of this springs hottest trends. Which one are you loving the most this season? Make sure you're following along on instagram (mine and lulu*s) for a chance to be featured and win $500! Check out more details here, and follow along with hashtags #teamstripes and #lulusfashionfaceoff.

Happy Tuesday!