Gone Western//Free People’s Garden Party Maxi Dress

The hubs and I went to Tucson in November and I wore this outfit – I love a good theme when getting dressed! We drove so much that day that we just didn’t have it in us to do a photo shoot, but I got so many compliments on this look that I had to recreate it for the blog.

This dress (on sale through multiple ebay sellers in various colors – you can also get the black version here) is so nice, it works just as well in the spring as it does in the colder months. Well, in a temperate climate like San Diego at least. The top can be a little tricky if you’re busty because the sides are so open, but you can remedy this by either tying the straps tighter/higher, wearing an adhesive bra (this one has great reviews), or wearing a bralette (my fav) underneath. I’ve also worn it without a bra and it worked surprisingly well! Do you ever go braless? It’s oddly freeing!

For this outfit I threw on my go-to denim jacket, which I still love after 3+ years. Kut from the Kloth makes the BEST denim jackets. Here are some additional versions by this brand: plus size, lighter wash, black, and white. I want the black one next!

This dress also looks fab layered under a slouchy/oversized sweater. I love getting more milage out of my dresses by turning a dress into what looks like a skirt. It hasn’t really gotten cold enough for that yet, but it’s coming! When it does this is what I’ll pair it with. It would also look good with this ivory turtleneck.

I am so into hats lately. They can change up the feel of an outfit so easily and they’re the perfect “completer piece.” I bought this hat on a whim after seeing it was on sale and reading the stellar reviews and I’m glad I did. It’s more western than I normally go for, but it’s fun to try new things. It’s also super packable as it’s “crushable.” The Nordies website made the “khaki” seem more of a grey color, but it was more green than I expected IRL. Here it looks brown somehow. *shrug*

Doesn’t it have a totally different feel without the hat?

When I first started wearing hats it felt a little weird, but I’ve found that trying anything new feels a little weird at first. Hats can be super practical – think of how many generations relied on hats before the advent of sunglasses. Now I almost feel like something’s missing if I don’t have some head adornment! Blogger problems…

I love a dress that moves when I walk and this one is great for that. It makes a girl want to sashay a bit 😉

Thanks so much for visiting! XO, Kate

Photo credit: Leo Amar