Emily asked,
"Do you have any suggestions of casual, summery dresses out right now that could be dressed up for work? And are there any cute blazers that you could recommend that might go with them?"
 LE Canvas Linen Slit Neck Dress in Aubergine $98 |  Gao Neon Stripe Ponte Academy Blazer $49.99  Ann Taylor Seersucker Jacket $138 | Solidly Bold: Pair your solid colored dresses with a fun blazer. I love a striped blazer because it is an easy pattern to find and to wear and a solid dress can coordinate with lots of styles. A patterned blazer can be as bold or as classic as you want. The two options I have shown here are on opposite ends of the spectrum. The neon stripe blazer is an edgy statement piece that will move between seasons. The coral stripe keeps it fresh and bright for spring and summer, but the darker background grounds it for your fall and winter wardrobe. A classic seersucker blazer is a great summer piece if you don't want a bright, bold stripe. It won't transition through the seasons, but it is good investment because it will not go out of style. By changing your shoes and jewelry, your dress can pull double duty for date night and for casual wear try pairing your blazers back to denim and shorts! |
| Add Some Sleeves: Not every summer dress needs to be sleeveless. In the heat of the season, it can actually be cooler to wear a dress with sleeves than to layer a blazer or cardigan over a sleeveless dress. This half-sleeve striped dress is very easy to accessorize. I chose to add a wide belt to break up the stripes and to balance the strong shoulder. I love the pop of cobalt in the belt because it will work with both your navy and your black stripes. To keep in the nautical theme, the necklace has stones that are reminiscent of sea glass. Another simpler work option would be to wear this dress with a summer-weight or silk scarf and a pair of nude heels. A brightly colored cuff bracelet (I love orange and yellow paired back to navy) will also give a nice pop! For casual wear, you can skip the accessories and pair this with sandals (as shown in the photo). |  LOFT Long Chunky Stones Necklace $39.50  Ann Taylor Perforated Stretch Belt $58 |  Vineyard Vines Portside Stripe Dress $69.99 |
 LOFT Exotic Ikat Cotton Dress $49.50 |  Gap Piped Ponte Academy Blazer $59.99  Nine West Aloha Peep Toe Flat $79 | Fun & Flirty: For a softer look, choose a subtly patterned dress and layer with light neutrals and pastels. This dress is great because the tone on tone pattern adds texture without being a loud, statement piece. The pastel pink belt (sold separately) matches the piping in the dove grey blazer and creates a greater sense of matching. Leave the blazer unbuttoned to show off the belt. To keep the soft edge of this outfit, I chose a nude peeptoe flat, but a fun gold sandal would be a nice substitution for post-work. You will get use out of a grey blazer all year long so if you are only looking to invest in one, choose a lighter grey. This will coordinate with both your black and navy separates while also feeling light enough for the spring and summer. Additional accessorizing is not necessary for the office and for casual wear try wearing the dress without the belt and instead adding in long, chunky necklace. |
| Summer Colors: Nothing screams summer like a fresh white blazer paired with navy and coral. I like the very narrow, vertical stripe on this dress because it adds texture without screaming "nautical!" On nearly any dress with a horizontal seam near the waist, I will add a belt. I generally prefer patent belts because they are clean and modern, but any bold and bright belt will do. This dress is the most "sundress-y" of all the ones I've shown so this outfit really requires the blazer for work. A white blazer is most appropriate because of the fact this dress is so summery. A dark blazer will feel out of sorts with the rest of the outfit. After work, take off the blazer and slip into your favorite sandals and this dress will transform into an easy, casual summer look. |  Express Studio Stretch Jacket $98  LOFT Mid Width Glossy Belt in Coral Breeze $29.50 |  Banana Republic Striped Ponte Full-Skirt Dress $130 |
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