I Heart Houndstooth

Several weeks ago while perusing the J.Crew online store, an oversized houndstooth-print dress with a pleated flounce hem at the header of the tall section caught my eye. As I scrolled down the page, the dress was no where to be found. A quick tweet to @j.crew_help and I got the item’s official name and confirmed that it came in tall. An email exchange later and the dress was preordered, complete with complementary overnight shipping.

I ordered the dress on a Monday and I was hoping to wear it for my engagement photos the Saturday immediately after; however I was advised by the Very Personal Stylist that the dress wouldn’t be available for shipping until the Tuesday after my session. I was pleasantly surprised when I got a notice that my order was shipped two days after I placed the preorder. I was even more thrilled when I slipped it on and it fit perfectly.

The dress is just as stunning in person as online. If anything, I would say that the print looks softer in person and while I love a bold print, that is a good thing. From the photo in the tall header (since the item was not posted in the online store, the item description was unavailable), I thought I would be getting a black and white dress. The dress was actually ivory and shades of deep brown, charcoal, and black, making it super versatile in terms of pairing with a coat, shoes, and accessories. Additionally, J.Crew also offers an elastic-waist pant in this print.

The dress is marketed on the J.Crew website as a “30-second (holiday) outfit.” I can attest to the ease of it, as I have worn it twice more since my engagement photos, to work and to Crate & Barrel, for putting together the wedding registry with my fiance. The latter of which occasion, I married it with a faux fur vest, d’orsay heels, Wayfarer sunglasses,  multistrand pearl necklace and bracelet, and my everyday jewelry: engagement ring, pearl cuff, and quatrefoil ring. I tend to wait for an item to go on promotion or markdown before purchasing, but my confidence has soared every time I have worn this dress and that is priceless.