Sometimes there is nothing better than having a quick and easy dress in your wardrobe to pop on for those days you just need to get up and go.

Last year I purchased this dress from Ann Taylor Loft--I loved the Mod Design, heavy fabric, and geometric print. I knew I would get more use out of this dress during Fall/Winter, but it has remained untouched in my tiny closet. To brighten up the look for this season I paired it with a jacket I scored from our last clothing swap (thanks, Megan). It was just enough structure and color to compete with the printed dress and something I will be repeating.

Are you missing that go to dress in your wardrobe? The mod shift dress can be a great starter dress because of its forgiving and comfortable silhouette that works across different body types.

Stay Stylish,

K&M

What To Look For In A Great Work Dress

Choose A Fabric That Is Forgiving

The key to a great mod dress is structure. Thicker fabric will achieve this while helping to smooth out curves, resist wrinkles, and add warmth to a Winter/Spring work dress. Weight, retention (think bounce back), and fiber content all contribute to fabric quality. Look for a great Ponte (double knit), boiled wool, or thick cotton blend.

A Versatile Print Or Color

If adding a print to your wardrobe is terrifying, start small. From an investment perspective, a geometric based design is one of the most trend-resistant patterns.

The more basic the print, the longer the life (i.e. stripes and polka dots). The navy, orange, and red shades in the print of my dress give flexibility to seasonality. Depending on the season you can pull out a different shade.

When you are considering a print or shade, stop and ask yourself "Can I make at least three different outfits with this piece?" For example, this dress can layer well with a white oxford, paired with a denim jacket or polished up with a black jacket like I did last Valentines Day.

A Simple Silhouette That Is Easy To Move In

Whether you are sitting in front of a panel of executives or three-year-olds, having a dress that is stylish and modest is golden. You never know what a day could throw at you and you don't want your ensemble to hold you back.

A shift dress, which is the style of my Mod dress, can luckily hold up to most of life's adventures. For taller gals, the length may be an issue since these dresses are designed to hit above the knee. If you are feeling self-conscious, try pairing a shift with tights and tall boots for a true mod expression á la Mary Quant.

If you are interested in learning more about Mod style and what made it so popular in the 1960's, see this blog from ModCloth for more information.