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      Colorful Closet: Why I'll Be Wearing Lots Of Colorful Dresses This Summer

      Colorful Closet: Why I'll Be Wearing Lots Of Colorful Dresses This Summer

      I'll be wearing lots of dresses this Summer. It's not a fashion statement or a trend alert, my dear friends.

      Let me explain.

      One unseasonably warm day a couple of months ago, I was inspired to get a head start on changing over my thick, loungy, Lou & Gray sweatpant set-heavy wardrobe to my lighter, J. Crew t-shirt, shorts and Old Navy swing dress outfits. I went deep into my closet abyss and what I found was unsettling.

      image above: Juliet in J. Crew Brocade Sheath Dress (no longer available but adore this similar one) Shoes: vintage Nine West (only available in Tan in very limited sizes)

      Way in the back on a long forgotten rack were tons of brightly colored dresses. From dressy to casual, it was all there. Dresses I'd bought years ago, some dated back to 2010. And there was one thing they all had in common.

      The price tags were still attached.

      Juliet's Spring Dresses with Price Tags

      Finding one or two items each season may be acceptable but the haul I found could fill a small boutique. These "vintage" (my definition = items older than 10 years) finds were still in fantastic shape - no fading or moth holes. They were all in the same condition they were when I bought them.

      I toyed with the idea of actually opening a virtual dress shop (Atelier Juliet?) but what I quickly realized is that I still loved almost every dress I found, they were all quite wearable and remarkably, most were still in very much in style.

      Since we seem to be headed in the direction of our lives returning to some sort of normalcy, as vaccines for COVID become more available and some restrictions are being eased, my hope is that as the weather gets warmer, I will be more comfortable getting back to doing the types of activities that used to mean dressing up for the occasion. Or just dressing.

      Juliet in vintage Spring dresses from her closet

      (left) Juliet in Polka Dot Tunic Dress by Ann Taylor (no longer available but here's a style I LOVE, Bag: Gifted (similar style here), Shoes: vintage Nine West (no longer sold), (right) Sweater Dress by Ann Taylor (no longer being sold but I love with the print on this one), Shoes: vintage Nine West (only available in Tan in very limited sizes)

      So while I won't be shopping for new clothes anytime soon, perhaps you will be. Maybe you already have weddings to attend, in-person meetings or dinner parties on your calendar. Or perhaps you'll be like me and take any opportunity I can find to put on something other than the wide leg pants I've come to adore and the long sleeve stretch t-shirts that have become my daily uniform.

       

      I hope you love the products I recommend! This blog post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!

       

      Elizabeth Arden Free 6 Piece Gift with any $37.50 Arden Purchase! $91 Value! Valid 6/16-7/6

       

      I've collected some of the prettiest, brightly colored dresses (available in lots of sizes and price points) in vibrant solids and fabulous prints that I could find to give you some options for whatever chance you may have, casual or formal, to show a little or a lot leg! Shop my finds below!

       

       

       

       

      1.  Kobi Halperin Sophie Printed A Line Dress

      2.  Johnny Was Cabot Mixed Print Silk Dress - out of stock but this one and this one are lovely as well

      3.  MICHAEL Michael Kors Chain-Print Fit & Flare Dress - sold out but here's a cute one.

      4.  Lauren Ralph Laren Ruffled Georgette Dress

      5.  Ramy Brook Olsen Rainbow Cable Knit Maxi Dress

      6.  Tadashi Shoji Cap Sleeve Lace Gown

      7.  Tommy Hilfiger Cotton Polo Dress - almost sold out of most sizes. Here's an alternative.

      8.  Kasper Sleeveless Sheath Dress - sold out but this one's a goodie! 

      9.  Calvin Klein Cotton Chambray Maxi Dress - no longer available but I love this one too.

      10.  A.L.C. Mischa Cotton Printed Midi Dress

       

      I hope you have fun shopping for Summer looks this year and until next time....

      May your life be filled with COLOR!

       

      Love, Juliet

       

       

        

       

        

       

      Hanes.com

      Colorful Closet: Seasonless Slip Dresses

      Color Craze: Seasonless Slip Dresses - JulRe Designs LLC

      I love a good slip dress. Whenever I see a really special one, I grab it. They are so easy to wear, figure flattering and widely size inclusive. Almost every womenswear brand has at least 1 or 2 in their offerings because they have become a classic fashion staple. I think designer Carly Cushnie did them the best so when I was late to the budget-priced and hyper colorful Cushnie x Target collab last Summer, I panicked. Fortunately, I was able to snag 2 lovely slip dresses, that have now become my absolute favorites, before they sold out. I wear both all year-long so instead of packing them away until the next warm weather season like you may be inclined to do, I work them into my wardrobe planning year-round. Scroll down to see all of the ways I make them work for almost every season!

      I hope you love the products I recommend! This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!

      Cushnie x Target Slip Dress | The Color Lab Blog

      left: Dress: Cushnie x Target (no longer being sold but a similar dress here) | Earrings: JulRe Designs Studio | Necklace: JulRe Designs Studio | Shoes: Nine West | Hair: Shakeria at NJnaturalstyles Hair Studio

      right: Sweater: Lou & Grey (from a few years ago) | Boots: Nine West (available in black only, limited sizes)

       

      The MET

       

      Cushnie x Target Slip Dress | The Color Lab Blog

      left: Dress: Cushnie x Target (no longer available but lots of great styles available here) | Earrings: JulRe Designs Studio

      right: Sweater: Lou & Grey (no longer available) | Earrings: JulRe Designs Studio 

       

      Lou and Gray Slip Dress, Uniqlo Cropped Hoodie, Nine West Booties | The Color Lab Blog

      left: Dress: Lou & Grey (gone but here's a goodie!) | Earrings: JulRe Designs Studio | Shoes: Nine West

      right: Hoodie: Uniqlo (currently not available but this one is fabulous!) | Earrings: JulRe Designs Studio | Booties: Nine West

       

      Mother's Day Sale! Extra 25% Off With Code MOM! Shop now at Macys.com! Valid 5/4 through 5/9

       

       

      Here are a few more slip dresses I adore:

      TED BAKER Printed Midi Slip Dress

       

      TED BAKER Printed Midi Slip Dress

       

       

      TORY BURCH Embroidered Sheath Midi Dress 

      TORY BURCH Embroidered Sheath Midi Dress

       

      VINCE Satin Midi Slip Dress 

      VINCE Satin Midi Slip Dress - Nordstrom

       

      BCBGMAXAZRIA Asymmetrical Slip Dress - Macy's

       

      BCBGMAXAZRIA Asymmetrical Slip Dress 

       

      MICHAEL MICHAEL KORS Tie-Dyed Maxi Slip Dress - Macy's

       

      MICHAEL MICHAEL KORS Tie-Dyed Maxi Slip Dress

       

      Until next time, may your life be filled with an endless stream of COLOR!

      Love, Juliet

       

       

      Bloomingdale's

      Color Collective: 10 Links to News & Hues, Vol. 9

      Color Collective: 10 Links to News & Hues, Vol. 9

      I missed posting your links last week but I'm trying to make up for it with this week's really special ones. Enjoy!

      • Which major fashion brand do you think is at the forefront of using plant-based materials for some of its products? The answer may surprise you. (DesignTaxi)
      • These exercises DO help strengthen your core and if a flatter tummy is a side benefit, I'll take it! (Prime Women)
      • I recently did some Spring dress shopping - in my closet! I'm just a bit embarrassed by what I found. (The Color Lab Blog)
      • As a Marvel fan, this interview with the creator and showrunner for the newest Avengers action series on Disney+, was revealing and very relevant in our current times. (Polygon)
      • Reading glasses are a necessity for many of us and the search for colorful and fashionable ones is over. I'm head-over-heels in LOVE with these. (CADDIS)
      • A toast to these 10 Black women who are successfully distilling spirits in the male dominated industry. (Thrillist)
      • Get 20% OFF my favorite glow-inducing body oil with code 'GLOWROSE' until 3/21/2021! (Gem Luxe Beauty)

       

      Until next time, may your life be filled with COLOR!

       

      Love, Juliet

       

       

       

       FROM OUR PARTNERS

      CADDIS: Reading glasses that don't suck. For people who own their age. FREE U.S. shipping. Get older. Own it. See stuff. caddislife.com

       

       

      I hope you love the products I recommend! This blog post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!

       

       

      Colorful Closet: Activewear in Pulse-Racing Neon

      Color Craze: Activewear in Pulse-Racing Neon - JulRe Designs LLC

      Juliet in NIKE Swoosh Sports Bra (a newer version here), FILA SPORT High Waisted Leggings (similar ones here), RYKA Influence Cross Training Shoe (available here)

       

      I hope you love the products I recommend! This blog post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!

       

      There isn't a color palette more exciting than Neon. Punchy, supersaturated hues never go out of style. From Brilliant Blue to Lime Punch to Super Pink, Neons were created to excite. I'm a child of the 70s and 80s who remembers having fluorescent neon posters and black lights that turned my outrageously loudly colored bedroom into my own personal disco complete with strobe lights and Donna Summer and Chic blasting on my record player. Back then, Neon was on trend and fashion statements in these megawatt colors were made daily. So are you already saying, "There's no way I can wear these hues"? I get it. Today, they get trotted out on the fashion runways every few seasons and as a lover of bright, bold colors, I appreciate that. But my commitment to this palette has been long lasting and I don't fear pushing the color envelope with all of that vibrance.

      Pantone Neon Colors

      Pantone Neon Colors

      If you dare, start with a little pop of neon with your basic neutrals for everyday. A belt or a purse. Maybe a cute sandal. Or better yet, go all in during your workouts like I do which is a great way to see that there is no need to fear the brightest of brights. There's a Neon shade(s) for everyone!

       

      My Color Mood at the Color Lab Shop

       

      To help you dabble in the this pa-POW palette, I've assembled some of my favorite activewear that will not only help to elevate your heart rate, wearing Neons may even give you an extra boost of happiness to help you enjoy your workouts as you power through. Shop my 8 activewear finds in hot colors below!

      Color Craze: Activewear in Pulse-Racing Neon

       

      1.  ALEADER Women's Running Shoes - Amazon

      2.  GLOBAL BANK Slim Fit Workout Jacket - Amazon

      3.  SWEATY BETTY Stamina Longline Sports Bra - Nordstrom (no longer available but here's another good one!

      4.  EPIC MMA Gear Yoga Shorts - Amazon

      5.  SPIRITUAL GANGSTER Self Love Leggings - Nordstrom (SOLD OUT but LOVE these!)

      6.  247 VIZ The Reflective Vest - Amazon

      7.  ADIDAS ORIGINALS Tinted Belt Bag - Amazon

      8.  CHAMPION Women's Essential Double Dry V-Neck Tee

       

      Until next time, may your life be filled with joy and color!

      Love, Juliet

       

       

      Hanes.com

       

       

      Color Craze: Fun Sneakers in Cool Colorways

      Color Craze: Fun Sneakers in Cool Colorways - JulRe Designs LLC

      You can call me "old school" when it comes to my sneaker collection. Though I prefer the term "classic". I love lace up low tops with minimal soles in luscious suedes or textured walkabouts in brilliant prints and palettes.

      And yes, I may be on the borderline of having an intense obsession (these images show about 40% of my entire sneaker cache) but the reason I'm in so deep is because this comfy shoe trend and I go way back and I'm nothing if I'm not loyal.

      In the 80's, I wore sneakers as my commuter shoes for work. Thick soles and huge white laces were part of the corporate uniform for getting to the office comfortably. Then in the 90's I moved away from the somewhat orthopedic styling many sneakers had to what the cool kids were wearing - athletic shoe styling with brand identifying features like trademark swishes or a large felines.

      Today, the comfort of the 80's shoes meshed with the sleek styling of the 90's sneakers is where I'm happiest. But as with everything else in my life, there must be color involved!

       

      I hope you love the products I recommend! While this blog post was not sponsored, it may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!

       

      PUMA Womens Suede Embroidered Floral Sneaker

      PUMA Womens Suede Embroidered Floral Sneaker

      There's nothing like a cute pair of sneakers to contrast with a pretty sundress or flowy, wide leg pants. My favorite way to wear sneakers is with t-shirt dresses for working in my studio and I'll slide them on with cropped pants and a tube top for cocktails on my porch (the new  "dinner club").  But more important than their trendiness, they must be COMFORTABLE. 



      Juliet's Colorful Sneaker Collection

      The brands I've worn for years have eliminated the need for me to make the choice between style and fit. I am particularly fond of Keds, adidas and Puma sneakers for their vast array of styles and colors. The adidas Originals Women's Campus and the Puma Suede Classic sneakers are fashionable throwbacks that come in major colorways. They're your go to shoes when you want to keep it casual. 

      My best-in-sneakers award in the category of prints and colorful palettes that will put a smile on your face goes to the Keds x Rifle Paper Co. collaboration - it's a color and sneaker lover's dream come true. There's so much detail and artisanship with each collection, you won't be sure if you should actually wear them or display them. 



      Keds x Rifle Paper Co. Anchor Happy Stripe Sneakers

      Keds x Rifle Paper Co. Anchor Happy Stripe Sneakers

      Sneakers aren't typically thought of when looking to make a statement but I'd like to change that. If you haven't connected with these versatile accessories other than the pair you wear to the gym, give them a fashionable chance! I've rounded up a few more of my faves in cool colorways for you to shop below:

      Chuck Taylor All Star Tie Dye Low Top Sneakers - Nordstrom

       This style is SOLD OUT. These are as equally as cute.

       

      Puma Suede Classic Sneakers in Fuchsia Purple/Nasturtium - Amazon

       Color combo is SOLD OUT but lots of colors here.

       

       

      Keds x Rifle Paper Co. Champion Low Top Sneakers - Nordstrom

      SOLD OUT - similar style here.

       

       

      Until next time, may your life be filled with joy and color!

      Love, Juliet

       

       

       

       

      Hanes.com