BEAUTY MUST-HAVES

SUMMER WHITE DRESS

Summer white dress by Old Navy on Belle Meets World blog

Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend! We spent ours in Charleston at the Spoleto festival seeing a bunch of awesome improv shows and hanging with friends. It was a blast!

Charleston is one of those places I know I’ve got to dress light for – it’s just so hot and humid there and hard to stay cool and stylish. Nothing says red hot summer to me like a little white dress. So that’s what I packed for our trip!

White dresses can be tough to pull off when you’re curvy, though. White attracts light and therefore can make you look wider. To minimize that effect, try choosing one with a vertical stripe in a dark color that gives the illusion of length. I also paired it with a vertical striped clutch to keep that lengthening effect going with the look.

Since we were walking around a lot, I thought these little geometric beaded sandals would keep me comfy while matching the pattern and colors of the dress and clutch. But next time I wear this look, I’m going to choose a sandal with a heel. I definitely needed a little more height to slim me a bit more, especially since the dress came down to my knees. This length can cut you off if you’re shorter. Plus, I have muscular calves and flat sandals can sometimes accentuate them and make me look stumpy.

I’m not saying this to call out my flaws or be self-deprecating. Instead, I’m finding power in knowing my body and working to dress it in its most flattering light! A summer white dress isn’t off-limits to me, but I’m learning how to pull it off in a way that makes me feel confident and look my best.

Summer white dress by Old Navy worn by Elise Giannasi

Summer white dress by Old Navy worn by Elise Giannasi of Belle Meets World blog

Old Navy Striped clutch on Belle Meets World

Old Navy summer White dress on Belle Meets World blog

Old Navy summer White dress on Belle Meets World blog

Old Navy Sunglasses on Belle Meets World blog

Old Navy summer white dress on Belle Meets World blog

All products c/o Old Navy: Dress // Clutch // Sandals // Earrings // Sunglasses

Old Navy summer white dress on Belle Meets World blog

 

Thank you to Old Navy for partnering on this post. All opinions are 100% my own.