What to wear with a tiered dress

 Two truly miraculous things have happened in the last week. One is that I was able to get my hair colored. Our hair salons in San Francisco are technically still closed, but it had been six months since my last appointment and I was starting to feel really depressed—call me vain, but, yes, my physical appearance does affect my mood. I cheated on my regular stylist with a friend of a friend (my color is not 100% right, but it's close enough) and I don't regret it for a second. (Sorry, Richard!) I feel like myself again and I realize the irony in that it involves artificial hair color, but whatever, I contain multitudes. Anyway, the other miraculous thing is that I went into H&M to kill time before my chiropractor appointment, and not only do they have a ton of dresses on sale (plus a bunch that are sold out on their website), but after over a year of searching, I finally found the perfect tiered dress. The best part? It was on sale.

Last summer when I was in Copenhagen (remember when we could travel to Europe?!), all of the women were wearing these floaty tiered dresses, and while I tried on a bunch, I couldn't find one that really suited me. The silhouette is back this summer (I featured it in my summer dress guide), and, again, I've tried multiple styles that all swallowed me in fabric. I've had my eye on this H&M dress for awhile, but for whatever reason, I'd been wary of shopping online (for like the first time in my life, and for no good reason at that). Lo and behold, I spotted a lone XS on the sale rack last week, and since H&M's fitting rooms are closed at the moment, I took a chance and bought it. It fits beautifully—the key is getting it right through the shoulders and bust, because if it's too big up top, it's just going to get worse from there. (I am normally a small at H&M, so, yes, you should size down in this style.) The balloon sleeves are voluminous but not too crazy, and the tiered shape floats away from the body in a dreamy—not drowny—way. I think it helps that the fabric is so light too; amazingly, it's cotton, not rayon or polyester, so it's not at all bulky. This dress is shorter than what I normally wear, but the volume balances out the length, plus I think it will be super cute later in the year with knee-high boots. I wore this dress two days in a row last week, and I'm totally going to wear it again this weekend—can't wait!



Speaking of the weekend, it was actually warm enough for me to get away with a light jacket and bare legs on Saturday, so out came my trusty denim jacket, last seen with my favorite maxi dress. The waist-length cut of this jacket really works with this dress because it hits right at where the dress starts to flare out—it lets the dress do its thing and doesn't get in the way. As I note every time I feature this jacket, I've had it for ages (probably close to 20 years by now) and am wearing a medium; it's Gap's Icon jacket and they've been making it forever, wisely. 




My poor handbags have been languishing in my closet (as have my fancy shoes), so I decided to take my Balenciaga bag out for a spin (you last saw it back in February with a sweater tunic). Dear god, I love this bag—I've had it for a gazillion years and it just gets better with age. I'm glad Balenciaga still makes it, and I'm even more glad that I've never sold it. It actually holds quite a bit, and it's so lightweight and soft. Note to self: carry it more often.




And while most of my days are spent in slippers and Birkenstocks (with the occasional sneaker thrown in), I've been trying to wear a heel now and then, because I'm hopeful that at some point in the future, I'll have occasion to wear them again. These Jambu wedges barely count because they're so comfy, but they give enough lift to your legs, which is especially good when you're wearing a short dress like this one. I feel like these sandals would be perfect on a vacation where you're doing a lot of walking (like in Europe), so let's hope I'll be able to take them somewhere fabulous next summer. 




OUTFIT DETAILS: H&M dress | Gap Icon jacket | Balenciaga bag | Jambu Modena sandals (c/o) 



12 comments

Darlene said...

Cheryl, I love everything about this look! I wouldn't have chosen that dress from the H & M Site, but you make it look amazing! Cute sandals, too. I must try Jambu!

xx Darlene

Laura B said...

I finally have a hair appointment coming up too! I can't wait! This dress is beautiful on you! So glad you finally found it!

Nancy 's Fashion Style said...

I have been to the hairdresser last Friday, not for the first time in months though. But I am always happy to go! Lovely dress and perfect with a denim jacket!

Grace said...

Lovvve this dress!! I would wear this entire outfit in a heartbeat! And I think it's totally fair that getting your hair done makes you feel more confident, regardless of vanity. I mean, who wouldn't feel great after a fresh 'do?!
Hope you're having a great day!

Miles of smiles,
Grace

gracefulrags.com

Lovely said...

Your style is so chic, love it!

xoxo
Lovely

http://mynameislovely.com

The Invisible Insomniac said...

I really like this cool summery outfit, I have been throwing my denim jacket on over alot of colourful flowery dresses recently and this print is a lovely change, and the looser the better in this heat we are having in South of England.

Jessica Jannenga said...

This is such a fun floaty dress, love the design and the Jambu sandals with it I have a few tiered dresses, just bought one too from H&M and it is so cute and comfy! I was just thinking about what I would wear with it for Fall. Looks great with denim
thanks for linking!
jess xx
www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

highlatitudestyle said...

These sandals look pretty stylish, but still comfy. Great look. The black and white dress looks perfect with the denim jacket. Great summer style.

Avec Amber said...

I completely understand the need to get your hair done - it makes you feel like a whole new person! =) Love this dress on you, it's adorable and can transition right into fall.

I hope you are having a great week!

Amber

Visit AvecAmber.com

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stylesplash@live.co.uk said...

Such a fabulous dress! I've seen some lovely floaty dresses from H&M lately. I love the Jambu sandals, they look super comfortable. Thanks for linking up!

Emma xxx
www.style-splash.com

Mica said...

What a cute dress! it looks so good with the denim jacket and you know I love the Balenciaga first bag! :)

It's nice you were able to get your hair done - I think we need to embrace the things that make us feel more normal in these crazy times! I'm lucky I've been regrowing my hair so it hasn't suffered from not having a trim in months, haha!

Thank you for joining the #weekdaywearlinkup! Hope that you had a lovely weekend :) We managed to attend two birthday parties, even though the new restrictions made things a little different!

Away From Blue

Elegance and Mommyhood said...

Not all tiered dresses are made the same so I am glad you found one that works and it is fabulous since it is leopard. H&M does it again. I must say I love your sandals and bag, too. WELL STYLED AS ALWAYS MY FRIEND!

I featured this look on THURSDAY MODA yesterday so come take a peak. Also, I am going to e-mail you about something. =)

https://eleganceandmommyhood.blogspot.com/2020/09/thursday-moda-225-asymmetric-neon.html

P.S. ENJOY THE REST OF THE SUMMER, MY FRIEND!