We all get stuck in fashion ruts every now and then because when we find a style that works, we want to embrace it. Today I realized that I am caught in the trap of trying to make everything versatile. It's cold here in Chicago and I decided that instead of wrapping myself in layers of down and fleece, I would go out and and find a new pair of jeans. Shopping for jeans is one of my least favorite activities, but I prepped ahead of time by scouting out the options online since I was trying to break my habit of buying the same jeans from LOFT (which are a little too short in the petite sizes, but way too long in the regular sizes). A few styles on the Levi's website looked promising so I walked into Levi's on Michigan Avenue...and immediately got distracted by an adorable printed sweatshirt. It wasn't part of my jean-buying mission, but I added it to my try-on pile anyway so I would have something uplifting if the jeans didn't fit well. They didn't, but the sweatshirt looked great! 

As I was standing in front of the mirror feeling a bit bummed about the unflattering denim I had gotten my hopes up about, I found myself wishing that the sweatshirt was more versatile so I could justify buying it. But here's the thing: I wasn't at a loss for occasions I would be able to wear it. Actually I was thinking that this would be perfect for hanging out with friends on the weekend, a section of my wardrobe that is severely lacking. The problem I was getting hung up on was that I would only be able to wear it casually. It is not a piece that can be dressed up for a day at the office or dinner at a nice restaurant and as a result I was ready to skip it. 

Although I write a lot about versatility here on the blog, I feel like I need to temper my enthusiasm for that topic with another sentiment. It's okay to have single-use clothes. In fact, to have a truly well-rounded wardrobe you will probably need to have a couple. Maybe it's a patterned sweatshirt that you can throw on with jeans and boots for a casual look to wear to the coffee shop or maybe it's a sequin top to wear to your friends' birthday dinners. Clothes don't have to be versatile in order to be useful. Just because I can wear a cardigan in every outfit, no matter the dress code, doesn't mean that I should or that I will enjoy doing so. 

The motto of this blog is "love what you wear everyday." Somewhere along the way I got distracted from that. Luckily I had a pile of coupons burning a hole in my pocket so I got the sweatshirt from Levi's and another one (in a floral print) from LOFT. I might only get to wear them on the weekends, but that's okay. Not everything in your wardrobe has to be versatile as long as everything has a purpose. 

When the weather gets warm, the easy clothing option often wins out over the stylish one.  Dresses are a great all-in-one outfit and shirt dresses can be a great casual option. However, not all shirt dresses are created equal, so before you start ordering them online from the comfort of your air conditioned home, beware of these pitfalls of tunic style shirt dresses:

For a tunic style shirt dress to fit properly through the shoulders and butt, it will often become quite baggy in the midsection, looking at best like a sack and at worst like lumpy sausage. This is because they are cut to fit loosely through the body, but the arm measurements do not increase proportionately. In a size that fits your arms comfortably, you are drowning in fabric  everywhere else, and if you size down to create a cleaner line through the body, then your arms may feel squeezed which is especially uncomfortable during the hot and sticky summer months. Another issue is that tunic style dresses are generally very straight which leaves no room to accommodate any curves. The result is a tight fit through the shoulders and arms, billowing fabric through the upper body and then more tightness through the butt and upper thigh area. This highlights your widest part without taking advantage of the smallness of your waist, which is the opposite of the silhouette you should be aiming for. 

You are probably wondering why I don't just suggest adding a belt around the waist to add some definition and easily solve the issue. This is a viable solution, but only if the dress is already a bit long. When you add the belt, you will lose length because fabric will have to be pulled in so far to reach your actual body. Depending on how a specific dress fits you, there is the possibility of losing a couple inches. The other downside is that the fabric will bunch around the waist, creating unwanted gathering that not only requires repeated adjustments, but will wrinkle the fabric. 

When you are looking for a flattering shirt dress, I suggest looking for one that is designed with a belt in mind (although you should feel free to swap out the fabric belt they sell with the dress for a a skinny patent or metallic one) and that has a skirt that is slightly wider than the bodice. This will help reduce the extra fabric that is widening your midsection and give extra room to prevent unattractive pulling across your butt. 

Chambray shirts seem to be everywhere these days, but they can be an intimidating piece to style. Although it often looks like denim, chambray is a much lighter fabric and is a great weight for spring and summer. Even when the piece is tailored, a chambray button-up shirt feels more relaxed than a traditional oxford shirt, partly because we associate denim with casual wear. 

Serious fashionistas like to pair their chambray tops with denim bottoms, but I steer clear of that combo for fear of looking like I'm wearing a "Texas tuxedo" (denim jacket with matching denim jeans). However, there are plenty of outfits that look fantastic with a chambray shirt, as well as many style and pattern options so that you can find the perfect chambray to match your personality.

1. Wear a chambray shirt to break up two competing patterns in your outfit. For example, pair a navy skirt with white polka dots with a white sweater with navy stripes. Layer a chambray shirt under the sweater and wear untucked with the chambray cuffs exposed.

2. Substitute your classic white oxford with a chambray shirt to help dress down another piece. This works especially well when you are trying to get extra mileage out of the skirts you normally reserve for the office. If your office dress code is on the more relaxed side, add a blazer in a contrasting color to the skirt and chambray shirt combo for a fresh twist on a skirt suit. 

3. Tuck into a pair of brightly colored cropped pants and accessorize with a skinny belt and a statement necklace. It will look polished, but not overdressed for everyday casual wear. Throw on a pair of sandals or flats for day and then transition the look into evening with a pair of heels.

4. Layer a chambray shirt over a knit dress. Button only the middle two buttons of the shirt and then knot the ends, creating a tie-front shirt. This is a fun way to add coverage to the arms without a cardigan and create the look of a skirt and shirt combo, which increases the versatility of the dress. 

Last week the New York Times ran a Room for Debate discussion titled "The Casual Couture of the Average American." Six voices discussed the topic from a variety of angles including the belief that casual attire can promote creativity and idea that clothing can change our feelings. I have written a response from the practically stylish perspective so I hope you will join the discussion in the comments and take a moment to vote in the poll at the bottom of this post: