There is one style of dress that I gravitate to each spring and summer, regardless of my age or my size. A fit and flare dress in a crisp fabric with pockets is a summer essential. The crisp fabric allows for airflow, the fit and flare style flatters while remaining comfortable, a print helps hide sweat, and pockets because all clothing should have them. Talbots sent me a link a few weeks ago to their upcoming summer collections and this dress caught my eye. Talbots was kind enough to send it to me as a gift and it's even better in person!
dress | bag | earrings | sandals 
Dress: Scenic Rome Fit and Flare Dress c/o Talbots (14 petite) | Shoes: Capri Multi-strap Mini Wedges c/o Talbots (available in regular and wide widths) | Earrings: Zara | Bracelet: Caviar Icon Bracelet c/o LAGOS | Bag: old; similar Shop the Look:
The fabric is a bit heavier with a textured pique-like finish. I appreciate this because unlike regular cotton, it doesn't wrinkle as soon as you have a seat. I love that the belt is the same print; it makes it virtually invisible but still adds polish and waist definition. And I'm all for a dress that lets me wear a normal bra! This dress comes in regular, petite, and plus sizes.
Shop My Picks for Fit and Flare Dresses:
This day, I wore the dress with fun earrings and low wedge sandals so I could dash around town running errands, go to the doctor's, visit my daughter's school. Later in the week I wore the dress again for my daughter's recital; I switched out the sandals for nude pumps and the statement earrings for classic small hoops. For a dressier occasion, I'd consider a nude or soft metallic heeled sandal and pearls.
Both times I wore this dress with my straw clutch (you've seen it in this post, this post, and many others). A straw or wicker bag is such a great neutral for summer. It goes with most anything, and a clutch style instantly dresses up any look. Such bags go in and out of vogue but this season they're a hot trend and you can find them at many retailers in a variety of pricepoints. I've found a few great ones and have them linked below:
Shop Straw Clutch Bags:
As for what is going on underneath, I'm a huge fan of slipshorts which offer modesty and prevent the dreaded chub rub. I know many love using products like Megababe or Monistat. They are great, but I find they often need to be reapplied. I have them, I use them, but especially when wearing a dress like this, I prefer my slipshorts. I have these from Jockey, I've tried and like the ones by Thigh Society, and many love these from Soma because they're very thin and silky (I find if in doubt size up with these). In this post I share how to prevent and heal chub rub.
