Hi, friends! Yay! It’s Monday, which means it’s the first day of my Spring 10×10 Challenge! If you don’t know what I’m talking about, head on over to this post to hear what the challenge is all about!
Alright, let’s get right into it then, shall we? My first look of the challenge is a sweet teal dotted dress with simple accessories and a creamy cardigan for added warmth at the office.
Today’s agenda includes 2 classes, a research meeting with my advisor, and a full day of work (14 hours in total…yikes!). While my research position as a graduate student doesn’t typically require me to dress in professional attire on a day-to-day basis, I do like to dress up a little nicer on those days I have meetings with my advisor. So it only made sense to wear this dotted dress today, as it is the perfect way to look polished and put together while still being spring-y and comfy for a full day of work. Don’t you just love how bright and punchy the pattern is?!
As a styling note, I thought about adding a black belt around the waist of the dress to make it more form fitting. But I ended up opting to keep it free form and flowy for today. I also love how the ruffle hem of the dress moves as I walk…it’s so dreamy! And the neckline can be buttoned (as is done here), or left undone for a more casual v-neck shape.
As a general note for accessories, I’m keeping things nice and simple as a part of the 10×10 challenge–letting the pieces and their styling be the main events. And to be honest, that is actually more realistic for my life anyways! (I’m usually rushing to get out the door and make the first bus by 7am.) So for mornings like these, I usually just throw on a simple gold necklace and maybe a bracelet if I’m lucky.
While I typically don’t bring a purse to work (hello giant backpack! #thisismylife), I would style this dress with a black fringe crossbody if I were meeting friends or Allen for dinner later in the evening. The black is a classic color that pairs well with the dressier vibe of the outfit, while the fringe detail adds a fun, playful vibe.
And just in case it gets a little chilly in the office, I always bring along an easy cotton cardigan to throw over my outfit. I love that this one comes in a beautiful natural beige color that can look either more white or tan depending on what you pair it with. Plus, it’s a little less fussy than a pure white cardigan. (Who else is terrified of wearing white for fear of getting it dirty the minute you put it on?!)
And that’s my first outfit of the Spring 10×10 Challenge. While today was warm and sunny, tomorrow is supposed to be a little cooler (and rainy in the evening). So I’ll definitely be taking full advantage of some of the warmer layers in my Spring 10×10 line up, like this sweater or this chambray button up.
What about you? Want to join in on the challenge with me?! Let me know below!
You might also like…Casual Friday Vibes and Wearing Stripes At Work.
Photos by Allen Ream
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Get the Look…
Dress: 1. State (similar) | Cardigan: J. Crew Factory | Shoes: Old Navy (similar here, here) | Purse: Fossil | Bracelet: J. Crew Factory (similar here, here)
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