how to style a t-shirt dress | 5 ways

Hey guys,

So I know I've been a little MIA of late thanks to college applications, but I wanted to let you in on  big life update -- I started a youtube channel!

I've always had a passion for film, so I figured why not create more engaging content for you guys whilst exploring cinematography? Below is my first video showing y'all how I style a t-shirt dress in five different ways.

Please feel free to head on over and check out my channel and subscribe, it would mean the world to me!

Outfit 1:

Dress: Brandy Melville Hilary Dress (http://goo.gl/kJE8uT)

Sneakers: American Eagle (http://goo.gl/t0LmL2)

Outfit 2:

Dress: Brandy Melville Hilary Dress (http://goo.gl/kJE8uT)

Leather jacket: Hollister (on sale http://goo.gl/EKnyU0)

Slip-ons: American Eagle (similar http://goo.gl/iqYzyP)

Outfit 3:

Dress: Brandy Melville Hilary Dress (http://goo.gl/kJE8uT)

Blazer: H&M (http://goo.gl/9oFh0L)

Button-up: Target (similar http://goo.gl/yWeUli)

Flats: BP by Nordstrom (similar http://goo.gl/LVTQQe)

Outfit 4:

Dress: Brandy Melville Hilary Dress (http://goo.gl/kJE8uT)

Shirt: Forever 21 (similar http://goo.gl/iYXMBe)

Loafers: H&M (similar http://goo.gl/aeWJIU)

Outfit 5:

Dress: Brandy Melville (similar http://goo.gl/1F63wR)

Loafers: H&M (similar http://goo.gl/aeWJIU)

cute as a button

Shirt: American Eagle

Skirt: Forever 21 (similar here)

Boots: Forever 21 (similar here)

casual summer & guide to buying basics

I've always hated buying basics. My thought process is always something along the lines of: why bother buying this plain white tee when I could get this faB PRINTED ROMPER?

Damn fab printed rompers. Always getting in the way.

Anyway, I finally settled in and purchased some basics. And you know what? It wasn't too painful at all. I think that my problem before was that I was looking at basics that were just too... basic. I didn't want to buy them because I could only really wear them with extremely bold, statement pieces, and not just with simple jeans, for example, lest I emerge with a plain and boring outfit.

The key to buying basics, I've found, is seeking details that add dimension to a simple piece. This basic white tank top, for example, with its pleating and ruffles, or these sandals in a neutral color with lace up details.

And most of all, and I cannot stress this enough, fit is vital! Fit is about finding not only the right size, but also a flattering silhouette and cut. For example, I've found that high rise bottoms work much better on my figure and can make an outfit look put together even when paired with basic tops, such as this tank, which is the perfect cropped-but-not-too-cropped length.

Hope these breif tips help and that y'all are having a lovely summer thus far!

Top: American Eagle

Shorts: American Eagle

Cardigan: American Eagle

Shoes: Forever 21 (similar here)

(note: This post is not sponsored by American Eagle. Quite on the contrary, I am enslaved the company as the person who writes names on fitting room doors for $8.25/hr.)

a hint of retro

Top: Nordstrom (similar here)

Shorts: American Eagle

Ballet flats: Rocket Dog (similar here)

gridded

Top: H&M (similar here)

Skirt: gift (similar here)

Cardigan: Mossimo Supply Co. -- thrifted (similar here)

Ballet flats: Aldo (similar here)

in which this bathroom is far nicer than my room

Please excuse the mirror selfies once again. Though I usually, and in this instance, still do, find them more abominable than the snowman, this bathroom was quite gorgeous and far less obnoxiously colored than my room and the canary yellow wall with which I usually take my blog photos. Still no excuse, I promise the next post will be mirror selfie-less.

Cami: Aeropostale 

Shorts (yes they are indeed shorts) : Aeropostale 

Blazer: H&M 

Boots: Express (similar here)

on the job -- retail outfits of the week

For those of you wondering why quite so much of wardrobe comes from American Eagle Outfitters, today is the day that that burning wonder will be put to rest.

The main reason is that I work there as a sales associate. And let me tell you, being surrounded by clothes on which you receive a very generous employee discount lends itself quite nicely to an AE filled wardrobe (and a less money filled bank account). To a lesser extent, American Eagle also had the honor of being the first store that preteen me walked into to try on jeans, and has been privy to my denim business ever since, largely because I'm too lazy to find my size and fit in jeans at any other store.

Anyways, here are a few snapshots (excuse the mirror selfies, I couldn't whip out my DSLR at work) of my work outfits from the week. You may note a common theme of jeans and sneakers emerging; one of the downsides of retail is that even though your wardrobe is full of cute clothes, you have to wear something practical that you can not only run around the store in, but also that has sufficient pocket and belt space for a walkie talkie, keys, and a company iPod.

So even though some/most of y'all might not work in retail, hopefully these outfits serve as inspiration for whenever you need to look put together but still be comfortable and über mobile (think sight seeing, walking across campus, hardcore shopping sprees).

Outfit 1:

Top: Haute Society via Nordstrom

Jeans: American Eagle

Sneakers: Vans

Outfit 2:

Top: J. Crew

Jeans: American Eagle (similar here)

Sneakers: Vans

Outfit 3:

Dress: American Eagle (similar here)

Cardigan: Mossimo Supply Co. - thrifted (similar here)

Belt: Abercrombie & Fitch - thrifted (similar here)

Sneakers: Vans

Outfit 4:

Top: French Connection - thrifted (similar here)

Jeans: American Eagle (similar here)

Boots: Aldo (similar here)

Outfit 5:

Top: Mossimo Supply Co.

Jeans: American Eagle

Sneakers: Converse