as tourist: dressing up abit?

[blue_angel]

What you perceive as "dressed up" might be somebody else's supremely relaxed and casual. In the summer I prefer to wear dresses because they're light, no fuss, and comfortable. Does that mean I'm being fancy? Hardly! The dresses I buy are typically no-wrinkle, wicking fabrics that can be worn multiple times before washing, like this one, which I'm wearing right now. Comfort and ease don't mean you have to look like a slob or have no style.

[zoom-zoom]

The dresses I buy are typically no-wrinkle, wicking fabrics that can be worn multiple times before washing, like this one, which I'm wearing right now. Comfort and ease don't mean you have to look like a slob or have no style.

I have that dress...and LOVE it! So easy to dress up or down. I bought it last year for my hubby's 20 year class reunion and it's one of my favorite wardrobe staples. I don't iron anything or buy things that can't be machine washed--that dress totally fits the bill. It's just as easy to throw a dress like that on with cute sandals as it would be to wear a t-shirt and shorts.

[blue_angel]

I have that dress...and LOVE it! So easy to dress up or down. I bought it last year for my hubby's 20 year class reunion and it's one of my favorite wardrobe staples. I don't iron anything or buy things that can't be machine washed--that dress totally fits the bill. It's just as easy to throw a dress like that on with cute sandals as it would be to wear a t-shirt and shorts.

I love this dress so much I bought a second one in blue! Seriously, it's hard to get myself to wear anything else when it's over 85 degrees outside. Personally, I dislike wearing t-shirts and shorts, so dresses like this are the perfect solution.

[KnottedYet]

That is a great dress! And it comes in tall sizes! I've got a few skirts from Athleta, but haven't bought any dresses from them yet.

I've got a burnin' yearnin' for this one: http://athleta.gap.com/browse/produc...d=1&pid=841249

[OakLeaf]

it comes in tall sizes!

And petite!

But I wonder what it would look like on someone with no waist. Some styles just look horrible on my body.

I never wear makeup, but there are plenty of places I wouldn't go in my day-to-day attire of cheap jeans and a ratty T-shirt, and that's especially true in Europe where people generally dress nicer than they do in the USA. There's casual and then there's sloppy.

It's shoes that drive me absolutely up the wall. Especially as someone who doesn't like to go more than a couple of days without a workout ... I HATE having to bring four pairs of shoes on a three-day trip, but I really find it unavoidable. Nice heels, kicking around shoes which are usually a pair of worn-out running shoes, casual flats, running shoes. Then potentially another pair of nice shoes if for some reason I have to bring outfits that don't match. Then potentially a pair of gym shoes. Ugh. It's easier in summertime when I can wear the same nice-ish sandals for kicking around and casual wear. Plus summer clothes generally take a lot less volume than winter...

[blue_angel]

I ordered the dress in petite, as I'm on the short side. I also have almost no waist (I'm big around the middle and very narrow-hipped). The way the dress is gathered, it actually helps create the impression of a waist. It's a very flattering dress for non-normative body shapes. Plus I think Athleta has a very accommodating return policy. It's worth giving it a shot, since it's on sale now.

[bmccasland]

Y'all are evil. I just ordered the dress. Here's hoping it fits, as the reviews gave mixed results.

And I'm in the prefer dresses crowd, especially on hot days. As for travel, ease of wearing is important, but it helps to blend in with the local crowd. I found I could peg Americans (Norte Americanos) when I was in Europe because they tended to dress down.