Playing with lines

Outfit: Dress - Anthropologie ($78 originally sale $30), Jacket - Old Navy ($35), Bag - Vintage ($15) Shoes - Target ($15), Belt - H&M ($15)

It happened. I admit it. I am a complete sucker for maxi dresses now. I don't know how it happened or when it happened but in 2 short months my collection of maxi's has grown by four. I think I have now discovered what type of maxi dresses I like so I know what I am looking for.

While I still love my blue paisley maxi dress I wore earlier, what I look for now are thinner, simpler dresses that I can play up and make casual with sweaters, jackets and accessories.  Also, I tend to be more attracted to maxi's that are more straight from top to bottom, with a slight A-line forming at the calf. 

I picked up this dress at Anthropologie recently and I was initially attracted to the colors. Then I noticed the amazing way the stripes are laid out on this dress. Horizontal stripes can be intimidating for a lot of people because they tend to make you look wide. However, on this dress, starting on the hip there is added material with stripes going vertical creating a slimming, lean look. The result is so flattering and quite beautiful the way it falls. I am completely taken with this dress. Additionally it has long sleeves which is great for the coming cool season. You may also notice that my favorite jacket to wear with maxi's is my jean one. I think it is because wearing a long dress can make you feel formal, but adding jean to the mix also make something more casual.

PS - Happy Halloween! I hope you all had an amazing weekend and a great safe night tonight! One of my great friends and I were Wayne and Garth from Wayne's World. What do you think?