Summer Dresses at Vineyards!

For the longest of time, celebrating my birthday by having a picnic at a vineyard has been on my to-do list. This became a reality this past weekend, as I celebrated my 28th birthday. And what made my trip extra special was that the weather was perfect for my "something summery" theme. This 2022/2023 summer season has brought back the Slip Dresses in both silk and pleather materials, while the Midi Dresses and Wrap Dresses continue to grow in popularity. And not forgetting the Tunic Dress which has always been around and is suitable for women of all ages and sizes. While all these dresses are beautiful in their own right, I got to wear one of my favourite dresses which is the Cross-back, floral print maxi dress.

View the Summer Dress at https://za.pinterest.com/pin/366128644721990244/

With more and more women wearing the beautiful Slip Dresses, dresses that are shorter in length are becoming prominent which is understandable, considering that our summers keep getting hotter. However, the maxi dress continues to be a go-to dress for me as I find that it fits well with my body shape. Moreover, maxi dresses have evolved as there are different designs that make it more suitable for the hot summer months. The first design is the high slit above the left knee where some dresses and skirts have a middle slit. The high slit has become my favourite feature because it gives off a feminine and playful look, and enables you to keep cool on hot days. And if you are like me with 'thunder thighs', you can show one of them off in a comfortable manner. The second design is the round neck that continues into a cross-back, which I absolutely love. I am not much of a cleavage gal so I prefer dresses that show off my shoulders or my back. The extra material on the chest area adds to the summer vibe as it does a little 'shimmy' when the wind blows. The final thing I love about this dress is the navy-blue colour which I believe looks amazing on black women.

View the Summer Dress at https://za.pinterest.com/pin/366128644721700493/

A great addition to the outfit was the Ladies Weave Straw Bag, which has been a go-to bag for many women for at least the past two summer seasons. I must admit that I have been late to this party as this weave straw bag has been in the house unused for many years. I had never pictured myself rocking an outfit with this bag, and I did not think that this style would suit me until now. The straw bag in the typical tan colour is kept closed with a draw string, making it easy to access my belongings. This bag is unique in that it is woven with gold coated string which is illuminated in the sunlight. After my vineyard trip, I definitely will be keeping the straw bag in mind for future summer outfits.

View the Ladies Straw Bag at https://za.pinterest.com/pin/366128644723471640/

I am an avid wearer of gold or gold coated accessories which extends to the sandals I wear. I have found that brown or tan coloured sandals pair well with my feet when wearing summer outfits. And if you ever feel subconscious about wearing sandals or exposing your feet, try wearing accessorised sandals as they will make your feet look cute.

View the Sandals at https://za.pinterest.com/pin/366128644723471668/

Jewellery always adds to any outfit however in Summer, some people shy away from wearing it due to the heat. I have also found that wearing bulky necklaces in the heat may be more annoying when you are sweating. One thing you can consider is wearing simplistic jewellery which will not cause you to feel hot. Not to mention how hints of gold complement black women in any outfit (not to knock wearers of silver jewellery).

With new designs of dresses coming into season, it has become enjoyable when searching for summer dresses that best suit me. During my exploration, I got to see the colours that complement me, the types of dresses that sit well on me, and the dresses that I will be comfortable wearing. I look forward to experimenting with the Slip Dresses in the near future, and I hope you ladies are enjoying your summer days with your favourite dresses!

akoss.