With the July heat closing in on us, now is the perfect time to test out the runway’s latest dress trends. In Giambattista Valli’s resort 2016 collection, the designer brings a more serious edge to florals. Forget bright pink, yellow and orange flowers because, regardless of what the show says, orange is not the new black. Valli sidesteps traditional summer trends, opting for a more simplistic look. My favorite piece in his 2016 collection is a white shift dress adorned with black silhouettes of flowers. What is unique about this piece is how the dark flowers seem to spill from the dress’s neck, creating a floral waterfall.
For my translation of his collection, I took Valli’s modern shift dress and put a personal spin on it. My solid gray shift dress gives a nod to Valli’s simplistic color palette and showcases a common trend in his line. To create a similar dramatic neckline, I chose a chunky, bold statement necklace to layer over the dress. For shoes, I once again looked to Valli’s collection for inspiration. I chose a pair of strappy black heals that mirror the gladiator sandals that Valli featured. For added convenience in the summer, I added my favorite pair of light brown sunglasses.
A shift dress is perfect for any occasion. Dress it down and wear it to the mall or a casual restaurant. For a night on the town or other more formal event, accessorize your dress with a bold necklace or colorful shoes.
Get My Look: 1. A solid colored shift dress. 2. Black, strappy heels. 3. A bold statement necklace.
