Thursday, July 1, 2010

Striped. And Shoed.

I don't know about you, but I am ready for the weekend.  How is it that this week seems to be moving at a snail's pace?  Perhaps because there is an extra day off just waiting at the end.  Sigh

In any event, although it was not planned I guess this outfit could be a little throwdown in celebration (and anticipation) of the 4th of July.  So let's get to it.  How do you feel about stripes?  Yes?  No?  Sometimes?  I have to say that although I am really drawn to stripes, I tend to stop myself from buying too many because they could really fill up my closet and take over - I like 'em that much.  However, with my love for nautical-inspired looks, I do keep a few navy and white striped staples on hand for their fresh, clean appeal.



This Brandy & Melville dress is one of my all-time faves.  Probably because it is so easy to work with and made from a very soft, yet sturdy, cotton.  This past weekend we made a valiant attempt to go to the beach on Saturday (if you keep saying it's summer maybe it will show up?) The weather was actually semi-warm that day and we got a good couple hours of sun, although you would never know it from my still white legs. When we strolled off the beach I threw this dress on to go catch the sunset from a better spot and later grab a bite.


I gotta tell ya that finding a comfortable place to sit on rocks is not easy (as you can imagine).   What I realized from this exercise is the dress was a great investment.  It gives in all the right places, the stripes are very forgiving, and the fact that there is more navy than white means it won't show dirt in all the wrong places (the derriere in this case).  It made me think that perhaps a few more stripes wouldn't hurt - especially for looser tops and particularly if we're eating out (think Mexican food) and I want to eat a lot without worrying about the tummy area! hehe


You know what else?  The 4th of July aside, I'm really feeling this red, white and blue combo.  When I first threw it all in the bag I thought it might be questionable, but once on it actually looked quite cute.  I paired the dress with my Bensimon sneakers which are basically irresistible.  Do you own a pair?  They're inexpensive, come in a ton of colors and are so, so comfortable.  Piperlime has several colors on sale that could easily take you from summer into fall, if you're interested.  They're perfect for just scuffing around and are a great casual alternative to a ballet flat.  Here's a close up:


I realize it's bad behavior, but one of the best things about these is the flexible fabric - I can just step on the backs with zero guilt!  Ever since I saw A Lot Like Love, and Amanda Peet was rolling around in that adorable red skirt with the Chucks she just stomped the backs on, those squished back shoes have been frozen in my mind.  The Bensimon's have been a dream come true :)  What can I say?  It's the simple things, right?


Here's the wonderful sunset we caught that night.  This one's for you Bumpkin - have you checked out her blog?  She lives on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and does an outstanding job of updating her readers on the goings on with the oil spill - her husband, The Captain, works at sea so he gets a firsthand look and shares with us.  It sure is tough to read, and the pictures are very sad, but it's great to be able to get the truth and lend support.  Please check out her blog if you get the chance.

Oh!  And if you're looking to add a striped dress or two to your life why not consider one of these little numbers:  Ella Moss's Sundance Halter Dress, Splendid's Charcoal Rugby Stripe Dress, Gap's Belted Nautical Stripe Tank Dress, or Anthropologie's Sunwashed Dots Shirtdress (personal fave - gorgeous).

Outfit details:  Tom Ford Sunglasses, Brandy & Melville Dress, Bensimon Sneakers, Marc by Marc Jacobs Tote

50 comments:

Anonymous said...

That dress is stylish AND it looks so comfy so what more could you want?! Navy and white stripes are perfect for summer! Great modelling - you look like you could chill out on those rocks for hours :-)

Lori said...

What a great outfit Carrie ~ loving the sneakers ~ wish I had them to wear today! I will have some cake for you today and toast my new friend tonight while watching our little fireworks display. Happy Canada Day to you!

Anonymous said...

You always look amazing! And I love your hair up! I love your blog it's fun. I can just picture you and Chef strolling around Southern CA snapping pics. and laughing. (at the risk of sounding cheesy and like a Christian freak I said a little prayer that the new restaurant would work out for you both). xo

erica said...

Your outfit makes me want to hit the seas! Your hair looks absolutely fabulous and I love the dress! You always look so gorgeous and chic!

xo

k said...

Yah that dress is sooo cute and the shoes are perfect for it! I dont even know if I would have paired it but it's awesomer than anything I can think of!

Jess said...

I LOVE that dress! I am so obsessed with blue and white strips right now. And I like how you paired it with red shoes - never would have thought to do that but it looks fabulous!

xoxo

Unknown said...

love love love that dress xxxx

Laetitia said...

Thank U for everything!!!! nice outfit! love it

xoxoxoxoxox

Closet Fashionista said...

Oh I agree! I love that dress!! The sunset is gorgeous!! :D
http://aclosetfashionista.blogspot.com

Anna Walker said...

Wow! I love that dress! I have always loved stripes (When they are done the right way) and this just took them to a new level! That is amazing! Very cute!

http://annawalker1992.blogspot.com/

Rachel @ The Haute Notes said...

I love your nautical-inspired look! The striped dress looks perfect on you!

Couture Carrie said...

Gorgeous, darling!
Love your dress!

xoxox,
CC

Marcie said...

I love stripes! Navy stripped shirts are so in right now. This dress and the shoes are perfect for the 4th!

xo Marcie

alli/hooray said...

This dress looks like a win-win. So pretty and it looks like the comfy kind I could live in. Same for the shoes!

Alicia Lund said...

Love your striped dress and red shoes! Perfect for the 4th of July weekend! ;) And my closet could just as easily fill up with stripes if I let myself go crazy!!!

Diana Mieczan said...

I adore every single thing about your outfit...The dress is so adorable and the shoes cute:) Ahhh you look so fantastic:)
Kisses and happy Thursday, darling

La Société de Mode | The Fashion Society said...

love the simple elegance of the striped dress. I lived in france for the past year and thats all the french ever wore, so i associate anything with stripes to france!

Unknown said...

What a lil' firecracker you are! Love it. Have a great 4th.

xx,
Anna Jane

http://seejaneworkplaylive.blogspot.com/

Bring Pretty Back said...

You look amazing in this dress!!! I would wear stripes daily if I looked that good in them!

Lilacandgrey said...

cute outfit :)
<33

BrooklynBlonde said...

I'm also a huge, huge fan of stripes and nautical looks! I love it with the red sneakers!

Have a wonderful 4th weekend!

Valerie said...

I adore stripes too and am a huge fan of all navy and white. I do love the red you threw into the mix this time as well (for more than just the holiday weekend). You look super cute and very relaxed in this outfit, Carrie! I'm laughing picturing you, trying to get comfortable on those rocks! I only think it's funny because I've done it myself a few times and it's anything but comfy. I agree that this week will never end and I'm already in "vacation mode". Sigh. One more day...

xo
Valerie

PS
I was about to order the white lace dress (#1) that I posted today and OF COURSE they no longer have my size. And in my usual fashion, that just makes me obsess over it even more. So now I'm searching for the perfect white lace dress. I'll let you know how that goes.

PhotoPuddle said...

You look great in that dress. And I love stripes. For some reason it appears to be my default setting when it comes to clothes. I have just soooo many stripy clothes in my wardrobe.

Bumpkin on a Swing said...

This has to the potential to be really interesting this weekend.
I will email you the link!

this free bird said...

BUMPKIN!! - YES!!

Poppies and Sunshine said...

Navy and white stripes with red shoes...LOVE it! And the setting of the pictures near the water is perfect! Great outfit for this holiday weekend too!

Kerri said...

i'm down with the stripes! and it looks so patriotic with the cute red sneaks!

grayce said...

First of all those sneakers are great, never heard of the brand. Stripes, shreds, studs all three please!!! Love the 3SSS blogs!!!

Iva Messy said...

you are looking super fabulous!! those sneakers are darling!!

Unknown said...

LOVE this dress! I'm just like you, I love stripes so much! That dress is perfect, I would love to have it. You look fabulous, my dear!

She Wore It Well said...

Fantastic outfit Carrie! I adore stripes (I blog about my love often enough. No long weekend here but the week has also felt like it's dragged. But my lil bro is here for the weekend, so it's going to be filled with lots of fun activities! Enjoy the break xoxo

Chloë, Wardrobe Quarry said...

I love the blue stripes with the red accessories.

Stephanie said...

The sneakers are way to cute! I love the color, so bold.

Unknown said...

Uh! I love those shoes! Too bad Piperlime doesn't have bright colors like that, I suppose a grey will have to do ;) Although I'd love yellow. And now I can't picture wearing them with anything but stripes!

X Cristina

this free bird said...

Cristina - just found a place that ships internationally and sent you the details. Anyone else overseas (or US and Canada) who might want the red:

http://www.footnotesonline.com/Bensimon---Lacet---Red-Canvas-Sneaker/Bensimon-Lacet-Red/product?ad_id=froogle&key_id=BensimonLacetRedCanvasSneaker

Anonymous said...

Hi Carrie-
I love your blog too! Love the red shoes...so parisian..
Do come check out my store, EL Vintage:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/styleforlife
The bracelets are a new line....I hope you shop.
xx Emily

this free bird said...

Emily - I'm going to sit down this weekend and do a serious inventory at some point so I will most def stop by and take a look and a little shop! Looking forward to it. - xo - Carrie

Unknown said...

I adore stripes. And that dress is adorable on you!
Ah and I love the red-white-blue combo of July 4th as well!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the sneaker info and I also thank you for putting the blog information on here about oil spill...The whole thing is killing me.
xxxxxx Emily

CHECKS AND SPOTS said...

Am mad for your outfit! Love the stripes and bright pop of red...
Perfection!
x

J. said...

hahaha your comments always make me laugh too! And, I literally woke up yesterday thinking it was saturday, so your not alone lol.

PS - I'm lovin the red, white, and blue - you remind me of audrey hepburn in these pictures - so pretty!

Holly Freeburg said...

you look very nautical

Josie said...

You look SO cute! I love the nautical-inspired dress; it's super pretty on you! And those red sneakers are too cute. I love stripes right now -- they feel so clean and fresh.
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

Jesa said...

Oh! I love this, very well style. Your such a beauty :)

Cheers, Jesa

Caitlin @ Candyfloss & Persie said...

that nautical dress most certainly IS awesome, especially on you and with those views!!! I adore this. Those kicks are swoon-worthy too. And yes! 3-day weekend come faster!

Rand T said...

lovelovelovelovelovelovelovelove!!
really nice:):)
xx

Leia said...

love your dress!
Leia's Delights

m.fay said...

yes, red shoes are my favorite. so cute.

happy to find your blog...it's darling. hope you stop by mine and say hello.

m.fay
http://www.amateurcouture.com

Anonymous said...

love the red shoes with the stripes x

Nina said...

great photo's!
thanks for your comment on my blog, tomorrow is coming part 2 from lille maybe you like to see the other pics :)

xoxo

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