Gingham Maxi Dress

Thanks eShakti for sponsoring this post!

I don't normally traipse around Philadelphia like I just popped out of Little House on the Prairie but since it's the end of summer, I decided that I should probably depart from my norm and try something new. After all, it'll be winter before you know it and all of these pretty dresses are going to be hopelessly hung in the back of the closet, patiently waiting for Spring. While I'll always be a big fan of the black band tee + jeans look, sometimes you have to go full-on "Paris in the Summer." This faux wrap dress got the job done.

Ever since we worked together when I was just getting into the style side of my blog, (once in the redhead days and another time when I didn't quite have the whole "eyebrow" thing figured out.) eShakti has been one of my favorite brands. You find a dress you like, then they customize it for you! You can either choose from a normal list of sizes or send in your exact measurements so you won't have to go out and get it tailored. (Huge plus.) I started with this little number. I decided to go all out and lengthen it to a full maxi dress, then added some elbow-length sleeves so the dress could work on its own in any season. It's such a statement itself that I wanted to keep it simple, you know? It also would have been cute as a sleeveless midi dress-- the possibilities are endless!

I wore my wedding shoes and my favorite simple black bag. (Can't go wrong with Prada, no?) Then to give it those Anne of Green Gables vibes, I added a straw hat. I've seen ladies on blogger forums talk smack about these hats but I kinda can't get enough of them. (Heck, I've been wearing the same once since at least 2012.) 

Isn't it just so darling? I can't wait for the weather to get a little colder so I can pair this dress with a chunky-knit sweater and some ankle boots.

Thanks again to my friends at eShakti! For my readers, if you're not already, make sure you follow them on Instagram.

xo,
e.m.


***Photos by Brenden Shaver.