Chambray + Stripes for Fall

Top: J. Crew Factory Two Pocket Chambray Shirt // Dress: Vineyard Vines Stripe Bow Dress (Similar: J.Crew Factory Stripe Ponte Dress) // Necklace: Kendra Scott Rayne Necklace in Neon Pink // Sunglasses: Ray Ban Aviator Sunglasses // Shoes: Sperry Topsider Original Metallic 2-Eye Boat Shoe

My Vineyard Vines Stripe Bow dress was purchased in a moment of “Good job, Lauren. Here’s a retail pat on the back.” It was on sale, it was my size, it was fate. And then I never took it off again. That’s a bit of an overstatement but if I could live in this dress, I would. Over the summer, I wore it constantly (the proof is here) because it’s just too easy to pull it on and I knew I’d be comfy all day long in it. Like pajamas but ones you can wear in public without shame and judgement.

I’m not proud of it but I’d even figure out who I had seen that day to determine if I could get away with wearing it two days in a row. I normally am good about the laundry cycle but I wanted to get my wear out of it while I could! That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it.

DC isn’t having as much of an Indian summer as I expected and temperatures have been a bit cooler than I’d like. I had to retrain myself to check the weather and grab a jacket before leaving the house in the morning. When I woke up early on Sunday for brunch at the Argonaut on H Street NE, I wanted to wear something loose (because I knew I’d overindulge on breakfast foods) but also warm enough to hold its own against the morning chill.

I breathed new life with my favorite summer dress by layering my J.Crew chambray shirt over it and tying a knot in the front. I slipped into my Sperrys and added a funky neon pink Kendra Scott necklace to break up the blues.

I’m still not quite ready to say sayonara to this dress so hopefully in a couple of weeks I can swap the Sperrys for riding boots (have you checked out my top picks under $200?) and layer over a puffer vest to make it extra snuggly. Long story short: you will have to rip this dress from me because, to paraphrase Rick Astley, I’m never gonna give this dress up.

And in case you’re wondering, Argonaut was wonderful for brunch: They had a solid bottomless mimosa deal and a “build-your-own-Bloody” bar complete with hot sauces and garnishes that I made a mental note to check out later. I ordered the fish tacos and I’m not kidding when I said I felt full for the entire day. Great (read: strong) mimosas and generous portions make me a happy bruncher (as evidenced here)! I really need to explore H Street more during the day, any suggestions?

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