The Closet Coach

I like to think I have a consistent personal style. I favor clean lines, fitted garments, classic cuts and minimalist design. There’s a reason why I love Calvin Klein so much :)

So I was surprised when Fresh Produce asked me if I’d like to review an item of their clothing. At first glance, their aesthetic is quite different: simple, loose silhouettes in soft knits and bright colors.

Unsure what to choose for a review, I looked through the site. That’s when I found the Effortless Dress. As soon as I saw it, visions of the beach danced in my head.

I chose the color Reef, which is a vibrant lime green. I liked that it had the feeling of the very current neon trend without being so bright that it would be instantly out of style next week.

(Two other things I like: most of Fresh Produce’s clothing is made in the USA and founder and designer Mary Ellen Vernon is a female entrepreneur.)

When the dress arrived, I was surprised to discover that it wasn’t just an ordinary cotton knit. The little bit of added Lycra gives the fabric a smoother feel, heavier weight and much more fluid drape than a typical cotton dress.

When I put it on, it fit perfectly and felt great; it really is comfortable, especially in its normal unbelted state. (I’m wearing a size Small, which the size chart says is the equivalent of a 6-8.)

Although I’d originally imagined it as an easy-to-pack option for summer beach travel–and I still think I’ll get most of my wear from it in a casual setting–here I’ve dressed it up to wear to meet friends at the movies.

Silver seemed a perfect companion for a bright, cool color so I went all silver in my accessories: necklace, belt and shoes.

If this kind of simple, casual everyday clothing speaks to your personal style, Fresh Produce might be a great option for you, too.

[Disclosure: All reviews are my honest and unbiased opinion regardless of product source. I do not write paid reviews. The Effortless Dress was provided to me courtesy of Fresh Produce.]

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I call Level 4 of the 5 Levels of Working Mom Outfits “Client Meeting” because it instantly communicates a specific kind of dressed-up-for-the-office. No matter how casual the workplace, we tend to dress better when we’re going to be meeting with our clients and customers.

That’s exactly what this outfit was for. It doesn’t get much career dressier than a DVF wrap dress, does it?

Once again, I was looking for ways to make this sleeveless wrap more office appropriate. In the winter I put a turtleneck underneath; for spring, a T-shirt did the trick.

It was neither warm enough nor the appropriate situation to skip hose, so I opted for these tights in a lighter taupe rather than the chocolate brown ones I wore in colder weather.

Because the dress is a pattern of black and brown, I went with contrasting black shoes. I love the shape of these!

The perfect jacket to go with the dress was this cream-colored faux leather one from the Limited. It almost looks like the jacket and dress were made to go together!

T-shirt: Gap (similar, $15, American Apparel).
Dress: Diane Von Furstenberg (similar, $218, Bluefly).
Jacket: The Limited (similar, $50 on sale)
Necklace: Stella & Dot (similar, $54 on sale)
Shoes: Indigo by Clarks Plush Weave ($109.99, Zappos).

Working Mom Outfit Level: 4/Client Meeting

[Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links.]

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Or: The dress that made me buy Spanx.

I bought this cute little dress at H&M a couple of summers ago. Maybe it was my recently developed “Mad Men” fixation, but I liked the mod ‘60s look of it.

One wear convinced me, however, that it would require equally vintage undergarments. Or the modern version thereof. (Yes, ladies, Spanx are just a more technologically advanced girdle!)

I don’t usually wear this dress belted, but on this day I thought I’d try out my new red Target belt.

The grey in the dress made me think of my Nine West gladiator sandals, which are not only grey but embellished with circular beading, echoing the pattern.

By the way, as you can tell from my non-shorter haircut, I’m using up the outfit photos I shot pre-style update!

• Do you think this dress works with a belt?
• What about the shoes?
• What’s the garment that first sent you shopping for Spanx?

Dress: H&M (no longer available; similar,
Tahari, $128 from Zappos)
Belt: Target (similar, $25 from Kohl’s)
Shoes: Nine West (no longer available; similar, Cynthia Vincent, on sale for $118)
Tote: Kate Spade Shady Side tote (I got it on sale; similar, $325 from Zappos Couture)
Outfit Level: 3.

[Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links.]

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(Want to get more shopping tips and fun insider stuff? Join The Style List. It’s like a secret club in your email inbox! And when you join, you’ll get my free email series, 7 Days to Better Shopping. It’s my gift to you!)