Step aside, LBD — when it comes to summer style, little white dresses rule supreme — and this past season saw no shortage of Insta-worthy options. Summer might be coming to a close, but your favorite free-spirited frock has serious style potential for fall. Forget everything you’ve been taught about fashion faux pas: Styled alongside fall’s biggest style trends and must-have accessories, your LWD will keep those glorious warm-weather vibes alive long after lazy beach days have come and gone. This week’s Style Resolutions is bringing you three unexpected ways to wear your favorite white dress well beyond Labor Day, whether you’re getting your girlboss on at the office or keepin’ it real on the weekend.
How to Wear a LWD for Work
Pinstripes and pencil skirts aren’t the only way to nail that on-duty dress code. It’s all about keepin’ it classy, and your LWD won’t disappoint. Tap into those fine-tuned layering skills to achieve an on-the-job #OOTD that strikes the ultimate balance of effortlessly elegant and It-girl edge, styling your LWD alongside an earthy turtleneck tee and sophisticated sock boots. No working-girl getup is complete without a bit of a bling, and a sleek gold collar is just the thing. Round out the look with statement spectacles, a don’t-mess military coat that’s girlboss approved and a boxy backpack that boasts plenty of room for your on-the-go swag.
Farrow Marina Dress ($108) + J.Crew Tissue Turtleneck T-Shirt ($35), Mango Patent Sock Boots ($100), Zara Long Crossover Coat ($199), Lady Grey Division Collar in Gold With Abalone ($298), Prism Istanbul Acetate Optical Glasses ($270), COS Square Leather Backpack ($290)
How to Wear a LWD for a Night Out
Girllll. For a GNO ensemble that’ll go down in history, enlist the help of your little white dress. Skip the blazer — your standard after-hours coverup — and cozy up in a silk pajama top that’s straight-up chic. Channel your inner street-style star by going all out with extras, jazzing up your getup with velvet heels, Renaissance-inspired baubles and shimmery socks that scream cool-girl in training. A perfectly painted pout isn’t required, but strongly encouraged.
Farrow Marina Dress ($108) + Drake’s for J.Crew Pajama Top in Midnight Unicorn ($198), Christie Nicolaides Cornelia Earrings ($259), Topshop JoJo Multi Buckle Shoes ($85), Nasty Gal Gotta Hand It to You Knuckle Duster Clutch ($58), NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Damned ($26), Jonathan Aston Luminosity Socks ($9)
How to Wear a LWD for the Weekend
Dress over pants? Just do it. Consider this laid-back ensemble your new off-duty go-to when your inner lazy girl starts to kick in. Leather leggings and a statement sweatshirt will keep you crazy comfy while sending your LWD’s style factor through the roof. The celeb-approved style strategy gets even more effortless when metallic Converse and a rib knit beanie are thrown into the mix. For a pop of playful color, toss on a vibrant cross-body bag and silk scarf that you can rock a hundred different ways.
Farrow Marina Dress ($108) + Mother of Pearl Edith Bonded Jersey Sweatshirt ($151), Wilfred Free Daria Pant — Ankle ($135), Drake’s for J.Crew Long Silk Scarf ($60), Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Metallic Canvas High Top Sneaker ($65), Madewell x Marlow Goods Mini Britten Bag ($310), Urban Outfitters Classic Knit Beanie ($15)
Follow us on Pinterest for more style inspo!
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.