I’m a major fan of Tracy Reese. She designed a few of my all-time favorite pieces, including this colorblock coat, print pencil skirt, blouse, and shirtdress. She creates gorgeous, feminine, powerful pieces with a cultural richness to them. Her signature prints seem to tell a story I want to hear.
As one of just a few black designers to achieve great success in the industry, Reese taps into her experiences to keep her designs fresh. Her Fall 2016 collection, for example, A Detroit Love Song, draws inspiration from the history and present circumstances of her hometown Detroit. I’ve already wish-listed about 5 items from that collection.
Dress: Plenty by Tracy Reese (thrifted)
Sandals: J.Crew (old, similar)
Hat: H&M (similar, similar)
Tote: Tory Burch
Earrings: Kendra Scott
Bracelet: J.Crew (old, Kendra Scott option)
Rings: Kendra Scott, Kendra Scott (on sale)
Lip: Mac Versicolour “Forever Darling” stain, Mac “Kiss Me Quick” lip pencil
I’ve purchased most of my Tracy Reese pieces via Anthropologie. I’m currently waiting for markdowns on a couple of her dresses there—the Dropwaist Silk Dress and the Olea Swing Dress. Today’s featured dress was a special surprise I stumbled upon in a local thrift store. It was $14, y’all!
It was the standout, Tracy Reese print that initially caught my attention. When I first picked up the dress, though, I wasn’t immediately attracted to the top. I thought that its peasant blouse style coupled with its midi length would make the dress look frumpy on me. I’m so glad I took a chance and tried it on because once I had it on, I realized I could easily wear it as an off-the-shoulder dress. That’s it! Baring the shoulders is what made the dress work for me.
Shop Off-The-Shoulder Dresses:
