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It's good to have a few versatile dresses in your closet at the ready for all sorts of situations. This dress from Universal Standard has been worn many times yet this is its debut on the blog. I love that it's a classic style with an edge thanks to a modern cut and mixed media (the majority of the dress is nubby matte crepe and the bottom is silky).
dress | earrings | bag | boots | lipstick
Dress: Petite Avenir Dress c/o Universal Standard (XS Petite) | Bag: KARA (on sale!) | Earrings: Cober Hoops c/o Jenny Bird | Booties: ASOS (old; similar, lower heeled option) | Lipstick: RMS Beauty in “Rebound”
In the winter, I wore this dress with opaque tights, a leather moto jacket and booties to a blogger event. I wore it with tights, heels, and statement earrings for a date night. It's been styled with strappy heels and sparkly earrings for a dressy event, and the other week I wore it with a pair of trendy sneakers. I love that it's loose, no need for special underpinnings and it's chic without being uncomfortable.
Now that it's spring, I'm wearing it with bare legs. I like the look of an ankle bootie to keep the look modern. However, this is the kind of dress that works with pointed toe flats, with pumps, with strappy heels or low wedges, with sneakers, even throw it on with a pair of Birkenstocks. The Universal Standard Petite Avenir dress only comes in black, but the regular also comes in teal and red. This dress is available in sizes 6-32.
And if you follow me on Instagram Stories (seriously, why aren't you?) you know I got my hair cut yesterday (which is the day of these photos). I wanted to find a way to make my hair more wash-and-go especially with summer coming. My stylist Billy at Scissor & Comb Salon in Takoma Park took my current cut, made the bangs thicker, trimmed the sides and bottom so it wasn't so square/heavy. As for the color, he added a chocolate brown at the roots and a gold glaze on the tips so it almost looks like it has been highlighted. For product, he added a bit of conditioner after the hair was cleaned and then a small bit of anti-frizz serum (this one specifically from Virtue). On Instagram, several of you DMed me asking about anti-frizz serums; below are the ones I have used and liked. My tip for such serums is use less than you think you need and then learn from that day. Too much can make your hair look greasy and be heavy and I think is why a lot of people don't like this kind of product.
Shop My Picks for Anti-Frizz Serums:
I would normally air-dry it, but he put me under the dryer hood since we wanted to see how it looked like before I left. I then came home and fluffed it more and added some dry texturizing spray (this specific one which I wrote about here) to give it a bit more oomph. I'm ready for you Summer, me and my tresses!
Shop the Look:
Hi Allison, you are fabulouse as usual. Will you be showing us some fun color outfits for spring? You of course look amazing in everything you wear, the reason I’m asking is because color is my favorite but I also find it the most challenging to pick for myself.
Oh yes I will! I’m trying to rewear what is in my closet and honestly, a lot of the things that survive season to season are more neutral. But there will be plenty of color coming down the pike!
Your hair looks fantastic! Makes me consider getting bangs with my curly-ish hair.
Thank you! And curly bangs are back, if you have the hair texture you should consider it! https://www.huffpost.com/entry/curly-bangs-hairstyles-2019_l_5cabad2ae4b01b34503a5293
Noticed your hair right away, so cute! I wish mine could be curlier. It’s long with with a below chin layer that always manages to look frizzy unless curled/straightened. Getting curlier the more grey I get. The way you have the dress styled with that bag and boots, so mod, I love it!
I find the cut makes all the difference. When I had more of a bob/lob my hair was curly in places, wavy in others, some was straight and all of it was frizzy. I’m thrilled that hair trends now seem to be embracing natural texture far more! And thanks, this dress is so easy to style in many ways!
Hi Alison. I’m new to your site and I’m really enjoying it. Thank you for often sharing the size of clothing you are wearing. Would you be willing to share your height? First time purchasing from universal standard. I’m 5’4” and busty (38DDD) and think I will be a Small.
Thank you
Oh sure! I am 5’3″ and I am a 36 F and across the board am an XS at Universal Standard, better off when it’s available in petite. Welcome to Wardrobe Oxygen, I’m so glad you like it!
Perfect! Thank you again
That’s a lovely dress! This is embarrassing but I actually don’t own an LBD so this might be a good choice for a casual dress that can be dressed up.
Oh don’t be embarrassed I know many are the same! But this is a great option!
Ohhh! I love your haircut! So cute and hopefully easier to take care of.
Thanks Tracie!
This is such a cool and badass outfit ! It’s a modern-day 1960’s cool. I love it !
Thanks Marie!
This dress looks great on you (like way better than it does on any of the models on the Universal Standard site)! How do you think it would be for travel? With the silky bottom, would I need a steamer to keep it wrinkle-free?
When it arrived from Universal Standard the entire dress was quite wrinkled but it all came out with a quick swipe of the steamer. I’d recommend steaming after travel, the bottom part since it’s sort of like matte satin does show wrinkles easily though it doesn’t get super wrinkled. These photos are after a second wear.