As a bride-to-be, I’ve slowly but surely been adding more white to my wardrobe. But as someone prone to spills and stains, I’ve had to be careful about how much I spend on said silhouettes. I can’t purchase a $200 dress only to destroy it with a glass of wine or waterproof makeup. I’m no stranger to the aisles of brands like Old Navy, and I always make it my mission to find affordable but stylish pieces to elevate my wardrobe — and yours.
My latest and greatest discovery: the Cami Maxi Swing Dress ($42, originally $45, plus 30 percent off with code HURRY). It boasts a flowing A-line shape that looks equal parts effortless and elegant, making it easy to dress up with heels or down with flats. In pursuit of an engagement-shoot dress, I scooped it up in Calla Lily White. Instead of going with my usual medium size, I opted for small in hopes that it would fit snugly at the waist. This was a risk, but I personally prefer a more fitted style to a loose one.
The dress arrived on my doorstep looking quite wrinkled (which isn’t a complete surprise, given that it’s made of 100 percent cotton), so I had to spend a little time ironing it before I could slip it on. Once I’d done so, I adjusted the shoulder straps so that the front and back of the dress landed where I wanted, then finally gave the silhouette a good look in the mirror. The verdict: it’s lovely and exactly what I’d hoped for in terms of how it hugged my body.
I’m also pleased that this dress isn’t see-through — like, at all. I had a feeling it wouldn’t be, since the product description says it’s fully lined, but you never know for sure until you try it on. That, teamed with the fact that it has pockets (deep ones!), makes this an extremely solid contender for your summer wardrobe.
As much as I love this dress, I have yet to decide if it’s *the one* for my engagement shoot. But if not, I’m optimistic that it will make several appearances this summer, assuming I don’t accidentally destroy it with vino before then. If you’re also prone to messy situations, the Classic Camel color might be a safer bet. I might get it as a backup — just in case.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Marisa Petrarca
