Cheryl Shops

I'm going to make a bold statement: 2020 the year of the housedress. True, 2020 is not yet over (although maybe it should be) but it is already September (September!!), and while it hasn't been a big year for fashion trends, the one I've most readily embraced is the housedress. Debuting during the postwar years when housewives needed something to wear whilst cooking and doing chores, housedresses evolved into a slightly more fabulous version in the '70s, when they were geared more toward entertaining at home. Then in the '80s, women went to work in offices, and they'v been pretty much dormant ever since. Now, however, two major factors have collided to create the perfect conditions for the return of the housedress. One is that big, floaty dresses are in fashion. The other is that, obviously, we're all staying home waaaaaaay more than we have in years. And while wearing sweatpants was fun for awhile, one doesn't always feel the most pulled-together in them. Hence, the housedress. It's comfy yet pretty, functional yet feminine. I've been living in them this summer, and last week I bought my best one yet. 

I picked up a tiered dress at H&M last month—also a house dress—but when I saw Johanna Grange in a black maxi version, I hightailed it back to the store to buy hers. Long story short, they didn't have the dress in my size (even though the website said they did, grr), but I managed to find one I love even more. Now, considering this dress has a high neckline, long balloon sleeves, and an oversized shape, one would think it would be rather man-repelling. But Sean told me multiple times—unsolicited—how sexy I looked in it, and while I don't necessarily dress to please him, I think that speaks volumes about how alluring you can feel in the right dress. In other words, it's not necessarily about showing skin or your shape—neither of which you can see in this big old sack. That said, there are little details that make it work: the sleeves end just above the wrists, the length shows just enough ankle, and it has pockets! I am wearing a small, and I'm glad I didn't go down to an XS, because I think it would have been too tight around the neck. It appears this style is long gone from their website (mine was on sale for $10.99 in the store), but I've linked to similar versions below. 

I can't believe it's leather jacket weather already, but the temperatures have been in the 50s here lately, and in order to venture outside for a drink or a bite to eat, a more substantial jacket is required. With a voluminous dress like this one, you want to stick with something on the more fitted and cropped side, so my Banana Republic moto jacket was the perfect choice. You last saw it with a zebra-print dress so obviously contrasting it with a prettier dress or skirt is one of my favorite styling tricks. And as I've said multiple times before, this jacket is one of the best items Banana Republic makes—it's lambskin, it fits like a glove, and if you can score one on sale, even better. 

I meant to grab a more exciting bag for this shoot, but if I'm being real, my Keebos case is what I actually carry 90% of the time. The back pocket holds any cards I might need, and the crossbody strap keeps things nice and effortless. 2020 might also be the year of the crossbody iPhone case too. 

I was planning on wearing sandals with this outfit, but I gave myself a pedicure earlier in the day and didn't have time to clean up my cuticles, so I had to hide the evidence with sneakers. Side note: are nail salons open where you live? They are still closed in San Francisco and when I am finally able to get a foot massage and a good callus scrubbing, I think I just might cry tears of joy. Back to my sneakers, you last saw them in Paris, also with a skirt (albeit a shorter one); I was never a big fan of Vans until I moved to California, and now they just feel right. 

OUTFIT DETAILS: H&M dress (similar here or here) | Banana Republic moto jacket | Keebos iPhone case | Vans Sk8 Hi sneakers