Dress: American Eagle //  Earrings: Neiman Marcus Last Call On Sale // Sandals: Zappos // Purse: Amazon

The Dress: 

I don’t think I’ve shopped at American Eagle Outfitters since high school, but a fellow blogger introduced me to this gorgeous cut-out dress, and I’m loving it! I bought it in both the green and black (yeah, that’s what I do) and I love both!! The black is versatile as black usually is, but the forest green is pretty against your skin. It has a stretchy smocked back so it’s not constricting and you can wear a strapless bra if you’d like. It’s lined with a slip for no show through. The cutout, which is all the rage this season, is perfectly situated as to not cut into you when you sit down to that fabulous brunch and take down that chicken and waffles and fourteen mimosas on Clearwater Beach. Oh wait. Was that just me?

The Shoes:

If there is one thing I’ve learned in my thirties, it’s that uncomfortable, cheap shoes are simply not worth it. I used to have TONS of shoes that were made of synthetic material because they were cute, trendy, and cheap. I even used to carry bandaids in my clubbing purse because I knew I’d need them throughout the night. It’s SO not worth it! So, even though these shoes could totally be matronly, this was a walking vacation. Clearwater Beach has miles and miles of shops, restaurants, and activities along the beach. Since I’m drinking and eating my way around town, I’m happy to get in as much walking as possible. The sandals in this brand are honestly my very favorite for the ultimate comfort in sandals that are actually still really cute. These Sofft Verdi sandals are SO comfortable. They have buttery soft leather and an adjustable velcro front. I know, I know. I’ve mentioned this before about velcro. You feel like you’re six. But nobody can tell they have velcro, and they can adjust perfectly to your foot as you see fit! No more rubbing on the outside of your pinkie toe, no more blisters. They come in regular and wide width, and gray, black, luggage (a cognac color), or mango leather. The mango is calling my name!

The Bag:

The Cult Gaia Ark Bamboo Bag is without a doubt this season’s “it” bag.  But with prices as high in some variants as $300, I am thrilled to share this awesome dupe for just $42.99!! With Amazon prime, I got it shipped for free in one day!  If you don’t have Amazon Prime, they’re running a special right now to try it out for $5.99 a month.  I use Amazon Prime for SO many things, and it’s totally worth it for me.  I would advise you to compare prices of the things you would usually pay shipping for and see if you would come out on top.  If so,  Try Prime Discounted Monthly Offering with the preceding link.

Fit Tips for it All:

• The Dress: This dress is the perfect length for a person of my height at 5’4″ when wanting to wear flats. It could be a fantastic midi for someone taller than that, though. I read through reviews and the size chart and chose a medium in both colors, and it fits perfectly. I could have gone smaller for the midsection, but the bust would have been too tight. If you have any specific questions about fit and measurements, feel free to contact me! I’m happy to help you avoid having to return and exchange for fit purposes.
• The Shoes:  I am wearing my normal size in the “wide” width option.  They feel magnificent!