Wardrobe | Home

The J McLaughlin "Deborah" shirtdress is the perfect mixture of ladylike and cool. Mad Men meets fashion editor.*

I wanted a dress I could wear all spring and summer to different types of events. I'm showing you here how to wear a shirtdress multiple ways.

Broken record here, I realize, but just a little reminder that you always tie a sash in a half bow to the side. You never want a big bow on your belly.

Oh the wonders of a white denim jacket. I pull mine out every March and start wearing it with everything, including over dresses.

A white (or blue, for that matter) denim jacket is a great alternative to a cardigan (a bit less prissy) or a suit blazer when you can be more casual. I also replaced the sash with a leather belt to make the dress more street style and less girly. This whole look would be just as chic with the black and white version of the dress.

I rarely match my shoes to my clothes when there's a primary color involved, but I couldn't resist. Could you?? If you got your Roger Vivier's in Paris on the day you met Ines de la Fressange?

You've heard, right? That leather and suede, especially light color suede, is year-round? And quite appropriate for early spring.

I love the yin yang of something pretty with something kinda tough. Like this pretty floral shirtdress with a beat-up leather jacket and turquoise jewelry.

Style Vault members, make sure you pay special attention to the camel suede moto jacket featured in the March Style Vault. It's selling fast. 

I took this belt I bought a few seasons ago and wrapped it around my waist. It's really a belt for jeans around your hips, so I just tucked the excess part through the other side. Try this trick with some of your belts! Vault members, I hunted down the same belt and added it to the March Style Notes (limited availability, so I added another option, too.)

Last spring I had so many luncheons and events to attend that I ended up wearing my trench coat all the time. They're not just for rain, ya know.

A pretty trench coat, as opposed to an ill-fitting and boring ol' trench, is the difference between a sack dress and a shirtdress. (I know I'll get questions about this amazing lace trench - it was featured in the Style Vault last Spring and sold out quickly. You can find it on eBay, but sorry it looks like it's even more pricey now that it's out of stock. Search lace trench coat and it's the Free People one.)