My freshman year of college I was walking across campus wearing a flirty spring dress, carrying my giant backpack on my back. Upon returning to my room I realized that my backpack had pulled up the back of my dress, and I had been walking around my college campus with half my backside exposed. Yup. True story. So. Embarrassing.
These days I don’t have to worry about an overloaded backpack unknowingly hiking up my dress. I do however have to worry about an extremely active toddler who likes to run up to me and lift it up herself. Oh the joys of parenting! Which is why the last two years I haven’t really worn very many dresses. However, this spring I am determined to change that. I miss wearing them – casual spring and summer dresses are an easy way to look stylish, even when parenting a toddler! At this stage of the game I am all about easy. Just keeping my fingers crossed that my tiny one will keep her hands off my dresses this season…
V-Neck Denim, Striped Tie Front, Yellow Floral, Jersey Swing Dress
Old Navy Yellow Floral Spring Dress
As the mom of a toddler I also don’t want to buy dresses that cost an arm and a leg. Especially if it is something I am buying for every day wear. Despite my best efforts, she will ultimately smear peanut butter on me, her shoes will get dirt all over my clothes when I pick her up, and at some point when we start potty training, she will pee on me. So, nothing too fancy!
While shopping for a few spring break items for my kids this weekend I popped into Old Navy to look for dresses. Thought I’d share a few of my favorite finds with you in case you are on the hunt for a new spring dress as well! On a side note, I did have my two year old with me, but for the most part she was actually pretty easy while I tried things on. Win for the day! Sometimes she is NOT so easy to shop with, which you can read more about in my post on shopping with toddlers.
Recently I shared some of my favorite spring clothing pieces I’ve found this season. If you read that you know I have not always been a fan of florals. Florals are everywhere this spring though, so I was happily surprised to find that this yellow floral number was my favorite spring dress of the bunch. Maybe it is the sunny color (warm weather can’t come fast enough!), or the bright pink flowers, but I fell in love with it immediately.
You can see my little one’s reflection in the door. Anytime I take her into a dressing room it is usually overrun with snacks, toys, and the stroller. Whatever keeps her happy! Since I was trying to help keep her occupied AND try on clothes, this is the only dress I took a picture of. Guess it is better than none!
Lace Up Dress
Another one of my favorite finds was this navy and white striped lace up dress. Right now Old Navy has two versions that are slightly different. The one I purchased you can see hanging on my stroller above. The material is a little thinner and the sleeves are three-quarter. The lace-up neckline is smaller and doesn’t go down as far as the next one I will share. It also comes in solid navy, below.
The second navy striped dress is made of thicker material and has sweatshirt cuffs on the sleeves. The laces on this one are thicker, and hit father down on my chest. I did like the fabric a little bit better, but the sleeves were too short on me.
Swing Dress and V-Neck Denim Dress
I actually purchased this swing dress last year in black. It is super comfortable and just an all-around easy piece to dress up or down. If I wear it now I’ll probably pair it with my jean jacket until the weather gets a little warmer. This fun little sleeveless dress also comes in stripes and additional solid colors.
Last summer I bought a similar version of this v-neck denim dress and wore it a ton once the weather turned warmer. I received lots of compliments on it which honestly, you always love recieving! The only thing about it that drives me slightly nuts is that I sometimes have to iron the trim on the v-neck in order for it to lay correctly. Ironing is one of those chores that I pretty much could do without!
Striped Tank Dress
Finally, this navy and white striped tank dress is adorable! I found it online after I got home, so haven’t tried it on yet. Looks like it will be a great casual option for days I am running around with the kids. Which is pretty much every day!
Would love to hear about any great dresses you have found for spring! It is never too early to start shopping for warmer weather. My oldest daughter just said today, “Mom, by the time summer actually gets here, stores will be selling sweaters for fall…” I wish that weren’t the case, but it is so true! Pretty much every year by the time summer rolls around I can never seem to find shorts or dresses that I like in my size because things sell out early. Retailers all too quickly move onto the next season!
Enjoy your Tuesday!
Very cute. Thanks for sharing💐
Thank you Judy! It is so fun to shop for spring!
I used to wear dresses a lot. Now I don’t wear them as often. Maybe I’ll find the perfect Spring dress this year.
I did too until my third child came along. They are so easy to throw on that I am trying to add a few more to my wardrobe this spring!
I absolutely love Old Navy and their spring dresses are absolutely adorable! Sadly, I’m a Mormon with tall legs…so their dresses are barely an inch too short to completely cover my Mormon garments! =(
Right now Old Navy does not have a lot of options in terms of longer dresses! I found this cute one at Nordstrom that might work for you. https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/caslon-drawstring-v-neck-jersey-maxi-dress-regular-petite/4118806?origin=category-personalizedsort&fashioncolor=NAVY-%20WHITE%20BUOY%20STRIPE
Nordstrom has a lot of cute maxi dresses. The Loft just recently started carrying clothing for you ladies blessed with long legs! It looks like they only have short dresses right now, but might be worth periodically checking in on!
These dresses are perfect for spring! I love the midi dress and yellow is such a great color for spring. Sierra~Beautifully Candid
I agree! I see yellow and I immediately think of sunnier weather and spring! Now if it would only get here…
That yellow dress is gorgeous on you, and I love the lace up trend! Dresses are my preferred way to dress : )
Oh thank you so much Lindsay! I do love yellow and don’t think to buy it as often as I probably should. Just makes things brighter! I am determined to be better about wearing dresses this season!
These dresses are so cute and best of all they’re so easy to wear! I love the striped tank dress the best!
Hi Brandi! I love how easy dresses are to throw on. Add a pair of cute sandals and earrings and you are good to go! I need to go back and try on that tank dress!
Aww, those dresses are all so cute! I’m more of a maxi-skirt kind of gal than a dress gal, but those all look so comfy and perfect for spring!
Hi Flossie! I love maxi dresses too! I am a shorty and they always end up being too long for me. I’m lazy about getting them hemmed! 😉
I’m in love with the denim V-neck dress! Like you, I haven’t worn dress the past few years because of chasing toddlers! However, I think I’ve reached a point where I can start putting them back into the rotation! Thanks for the great dress suggestions. You have me excited for Spring shopping!
Yay! I am so happy you enjoyed the dresses. The V-neck dress I have is so comfy and easy to wear. Now I just need some warmer weather to pull it back out of my closet!
I stopped wearing dresses so much after having two very active boys, but these are adorable. I didn’t even know Old Navy had cute dresses like that adorable yellow one. I definitely have to check that out!
Oh I hear you! I did the same with my son, but my youngest daughter is just as busy as he was, so it has been hard to wear them with her too. I feel like Old Navy has had some really cute pieces lately. Have fun shopping!
Love all of these! I am super into florals right now so I am digging that yellow Old Navy dress.
Hi Amanda! Florals are everywhere this season. So many fun options to try out! I noticed online that they also have a couple of tops and a long sleeved dress in the same pattern, as well as a toddler swimsuit!
I LOVED this post! I am not much of a fashion forward thinker but I do love spring and summer dresses and these look perfect! You read my mind 🙂
Thank you Lesly – so glad that you loved it! Hope you find some dresses that work for you!
These are adorable for Spring and Summer, I love the yellow!
Hi Meg! That yellow was what immediately caught my eye about that dress!
I love that yellow dress from Old Navy! I love finally wearing all the bright and vibrant colors in the spring (now I just wish that it’d warm up!).
Amber, I wish it would warm up too! Keeping my fingers crossed it happens very soon! 😉