Happy Monday my awesome blogger fam, how the heck are you? This heat wave has been no joke and I have been struggling with the changes in barometric pressure, the humidity and headaches. You know it’s funny how much this can make a difference. It was really hot in Miami but they don’t always have a lot of humidity like we get so most days there was a bit of a breeze and the heat was so much more manageable. So much for living in the great white north lol.
Today’s post is in partnership with Catherines as I share some of my must have summer dresses and how they are perfect for beating this summer heat. So while this post is sponsored, all opinions are my own and always will be.
One of the great things about July is not only that summer is finally in full swing but for the fashion world it is clearance season and there are so many amazing deals to be had. It’s the perfect time to invest in that special piece you have had your eye on or to stock up on basics and essentials. And if you are on a budget it’s the perfect time to stretch your dollar. And if you still have an upcoming event or wedding you need an outfit for then you will likely score a home run in the deal department.
I love dresses for combatting the heat because they give you good airflow, especially if they are a looser style and shape; most styles allow me to bare my arms and shoulders and they tend to be made of lightweight fabrics that don’t weigh you down. And last but certainly not least they are an automatic look which for this non morning person is a god send lol. The less thinking required early in the morning, the better!
What I love about Catherines selection of dresses is that I truly think they offer something for everyone and for every situation. When I browse their dress section on the website I always find several that catch my attention. They don’t shy away from offering bold colours and prints but if you prefer something neutral they also have you covered. And if you are looking to be more modest they have those options too.
So I chose two looks to share with you here, each is very different from the other but I love both of them equally. Let’s take a closer look at why I chose them.
This first look immediately caught my attention because of the contrast between the print on the dress and the jacket. If you look closely you will see that it is the same print but that the colour ways have been reversed. For the dress, black is the primary colour and for the jacket, turquoise is the primary colour. I thought this was such a unique and fun way to change things up for a coordinating set.
This two piece set is the perfect office look because it combines a classic sheath dress with a lightweight jacket that isn’t bulky and doesn’t take away from the dress. It is also made up of two pieces that could easily be worn with other pieces in your wardrobe to create a totally different look.
For the dress I think it would look really cute with a white denim jacket over top or a solid colour shrug or cardigan. And you could easily add some tights and boots for an early fall transition look. For the jacket it would look great paired with capris and a cami or a sleek trouser and booties for early fall.
This set is made of a very soft and lightweight fabric that doesn’t wrinkle and is perfect for the summer heat. The dress defines your shape but isn’t too clingy and the scoop neckline is a nice alternative to my traditional favourite, the v-neck. It has darts at the bust which help emphasize your shape. I am wearing the 4x or 30/32 which is my standard Catherines size.
To pull this look together I paired it with my go to white summer sandals and these beautiful earrings and bracelets that are also from Catherines. I have been wearing these sandals since spring and they are one of my favourite pairs. Finally I couldn’t resist adding this new bag from my collection to give the look a wow factor.
This second dress is a quintessential summer look with its off the shoulder ruffle neckline, rich vibrant print and maxi style. It has a definite boho vibe. And here’s a bonus for all my shorter babes – this also comes in petites!
While I love the look and feel of an off the shoulder dress sometimes I just don’t feel like wearing a strapless bra so I really liked that you can wear this dress both on and off the shoulder. This also allows me to wear it to the office which gives me more bang for my buck. Probably one of my favourite things about this dress is that it is made of a knit fabric which is my go to for comfort during the summer. I am also wearing the 4x or 30/32 in this. I did find that the length was a little shorter than I expected so if you are on the tall side you might find it to be too short.
I wanted to style this as an easy laid back weekend look so I choose these flat neutral sandals, simple gold bangles and a pop of pink with these Catherines earrings. My Mom and I both love these sandals from Catherines and they are on massive clearance right now. A straw bag like this is all the rage this summer and the perfect finishing touch.
I love when I find looks that are completely different but still represent me and my style perfectly. I appreciate having brands like Catherines that carry such an inclusive size range of cute and stylish looks that don’t break the bank. Leave me a comment below and tell me which one is your fave!
Special thanks to Rebecca of Rebecca Northcott Photography for capturing these images.
Shop Look #1 here:
Dress Set by CATHERINES | Earrings by CATHERINES | Bracelets by CATHERINES | Sandals by CATHERINES |Bag by ALDO |
Shop Look #2 here:
Dress by CATHERINES | Earrings by CATHERINES | Sandals by CATHERINES |
