Aliology

Shirt dresses are a very cool way to strike a balance between easy-casual and put-together chic.

Often based on the construction of a men’s dress shirt, shirt dresses usually have enough structure and detail – like a button-down front or collar – to make a statement on their own without much accessorizing. A well-placed belt if your dress has a little too much volume, one bold piece of jewelry and a great pair of boots for fall, and you’re good to go.

{ This Need Supply Co. dress (above) is similar to this T by Alexander Wang }

I’ve also seen a lot of variations on the traditional shirt dress, like henley, baseball, safari, polo and chambray shirt versions. These two aren’t really “shirt dresses,” but I just had to include these cute trench “coat dresses.” They’re really a sweet twist on the same idea.

Did you know I love shoes?

Everything from quirky and sweet…

… to saucy…

… to spunky…

… to sexy…

… to chunky…

… to crazy…

… and bright.

Anyone you want to bring to the party tonight? *wink*

Share the pair you’re currently obsessing over with me in the comments below!

UPDATE

I made some fun finds last night and couldn’t resist sharing today!

There is something about the color red that completely changes the attitude of lace.

Last year, Erdem came out with this Margot dress (top) – a true show-stopper that, understandably, inspired much envy (at $3,360) and a lot of more affordable offshoots. This fall, Michael Kors was one of many designers who kept red lace alive with his gorgeously tailored crimson lace dress (above).

Lace will always be soft and romantic, but red dye injects it with richness and maturity that I love for autumn.

(This Loren Lace Janelle Dress by Shoshanna is available now at Piperlime, Bloomingdale’s and Lord & Taylor.)

I would love to layer these intricate lace dresses with other textural pieces, like thick knits, tweeds, and furs. I think a red lace dress can look very modern paired with tone-on-tone neutrals and reds, like ivory, chestnut, burgundy and ox blood. And, I especially love them with leathers and suedes in natural browns (like above).

(I found this maxi dress first at Nasty Gal, but it seems to be on sale at Foreign Exchange.)

UPDATE

Just stumbled upon this adorable, affordable, little red lace dress. I just had to share it!

Horizontal stripes are everywhere right now. Graphic, black-and-white horizontal stripes are getting the most attention – I’ve already blogged about them twice, once as a form of high contrast and again on their own – but they aren’t the only style on my mind. I really love a good horizontal with a little Southwestern flair.

I love all these pieces because they mimic and modernize the texture and pattern of woven rugs and textiles. From the dynamic outerwear Rag & Bone showed on the runway this Fall to these brightly colored dresses and bags I’ve collected, you can see the inspiration of horizontal Native American weaves and Mexican serapes.

(I should also mention that this Cooperative dress is on sale for $19.99 and all sizes (XS-L) of this dress are available online!)