These are the dresses I seriously live in once it gets really hot out, because the fabric is typically so fabulously light, and they just sort of flow nicely in the summer breeze. This pretty perfect specimen from Emerson Fry is in my shopping cart even as I type.
A square neck dress usually strikes me as kind of frumpy somehow, but I do think this one is pretty lovely. And the shoulders are just ever-so-slightly puffy, for those of you who go in for that type of thing.
I included this dress because I think the V-neck is nicely unexpected and also because as you know, I dig yellow these days. But I also included it because it comes from this Etsy shop, where you can find a ton of block print dresses at very reasonable prices. I ordered two from them last summer, and must forewarn you that the fit is rather boxy, but is also nothing a trip to the tailor couldn’t solve.
A hippie girl shirtdress? Be still my beating heart.
As you may or not know, I am not a fan of the maxi dress, as I feel it’s not the most flattering silhouette. But I think the print mixing here is just aces.
If hippie girls (or at least those who dress as if they were one) didn’t have to be tall, I’d have bought the EF dress eons ago and the Faherty would be en route right now. This one is just short (poor pun intended) of “hippie,” but it fits so I am wearing the heck out of it in XS: https://www.target.com/p/women-s-sleeveless-button-front-tiered-dress-universal-thread/-/A-81966753?preselect=81645022#lnk=sametab
I may have to order the emerson fry even though, as Eloise has pointed out, it will be too long. I may just wear it on my daily walk down the driveway to the mailbox and I may have to hold it up so the hem doesn’t drag the ground, but I will look so chic in that two minute stroll there and back. As a side note: I am continually impressed with the quality of Universal Thread at Target. I purchased several of their 100% cotton tees––super soft cotton and throw in the washer and throw in the dryer. Ergo, the dress Eloise posted about is probably pretty great.
CW, I am a big Universal Thread fan, too. In addition to the dress (which IS pretty great), I – in sheer desperation – bought a pair of their jeans. Which fit perfectly. Which NEVER happens. Ever. Ever. Ever. They are a Madewell dobbleganger, except that Madewell don’t fit. Did I mention that the UT jeans FIT short ol’ no longer particularly skinny me? Never happens.
That is amazing, Eloise – what good fashion fortune! I’ll have to look. It is sad to admit, but in the past I have gotten confused in the Target jeans section. (Well, this happens in other stores too … I really only want to know which ones are bootcut or flare, and the rise – why is that hard??? I don’t know but it is …) … … … Also, I looked at the dress and it is partly made of recycled cotton, which seems like a good thing. Thanks for the mentioning.
CW, you always have the best recommendations. Butting in to agree and mention my niece works in women’s at Target. She says that the Universal Thread merch is a consistent best seller.
My go-to in the heat wave currently plaguing my part of the country — and which I am wearing now — is the dress version of the Universal Thread t-shirt: https://www.target.com/p/women–39-s-sleeveless-knit-dress—universal-thread–8482–brown-s/-/A-81408911 It shrinks about half a size in the wash, FYI, and in my case looked the better for it. I have four of these…
Really tempted by the JCrew boho shirtdress. And the fact that it’s JCrew is surprising! Don’t they have another new design director? I’ve completely forgotten how to dress. The weather is bonkers. Although I’m in Los Angeles, we are having east coast muggy/hot.
Hi Kim,
Have read your blog since the beginning, but have never commented. I love your recommendations, but have never tried Emerson Fry – what size in that dress did you order?
Thanks!
Lo
Lol! That dress is in my cart as well. So pretty.
Yet another dress that my husband suggests I wear a sash with…
FYI, Emerson fry hippy dresses are super roomy.
I went for the M/L.
Love a hippie dress. Remindsme of being in high scholl and we all shopped at the local head shop for clothes. I am also a girl of a certain age!
YES, head shop clothes! And they all smelled of incense!
Yes! I loved the late 80s/early 90s head shop clothes. At one point there was even a RI mall store that sold handmade Deadhead girl dresses and those tops with the single banded strap across the back on consignment. Foreign Affair Warehouse on Thayer St in Providence used to sell all those India Imports clothes super cheap, and you can find them on Etsy now for $300. I wish I’d saved all my clothes from back then. I’ve been basically living in my one block print wrap skirt that I managed to score for under $100. They’re a great pants alternative.
Hi, Liz! I’m from RI originally, too. Did you go to Spectrum India on Thayer Street, as well? I think it’s still there, actually, I just looked it up.
Spectrum India was my favorite store in high school; I still have my fabric purse ( made in India) purchased there in 1975!
I agree about square neck dresses – usually they’re a mistake. Just not often flattering.