Sweet Spring Dresses, All Spiced Up

Few days of the year feel as teeming with possibility as the first one when you leave your apartment with bare legs. You swear you can feel the Vitamin D soaking into your bloodstream, and wonder if breezes have always felt this good. The combination of good vibes and good rays soothe in a way that you almost forgot was possible. No regular outfit can live up to this amount of awesome. Typically, your celebratory ensemble comes in the form of a spring sundress. But, everyone's going to be wearing sundresses on this most special of days, so you have to put your own spin on things. You were never about overdoing it on preciousness — you like a little spice and saltiness with your sweet — and we’ve got a few good styling tips for celebrating bare-legged moments your way.

Supply Chain — Your first inclination might be to pair your floral frocks with a statement necklace, but resist the temptation this summer. Instead, choose a crossbody bag with a chain strap; it gives the same effect as jewelry, but is a bit more effortless looking.

First-Day 'Fit — Backpacks and dresses might make you think of the first day of school, but there's a way to wear them now while still looking like the grown-ass woman you are. Choose a backpack in a structured, minimalist shape, and a dress that's slightly fancier than what you normally wear. Pair a flat shoe, and voila — you've got a day-to-evening look that's comprised of just three pieces.

Crop Rotation — For shorter shift dresses, a pair of slim-fit cropped denim is a quick way to make your pretty dresses not quite so pretty. Treat the dress like a tunic, and go easy easy-breezy with the rest of your accessories, too.

Flat Feet — There's a big trend right now of chunkier oxfords that have gotten the princess treatment through gem embellishments. Pair yours with flowier dresses for that Cinderella-gone-Siouxsie Sioux mix.

Leather Weather — Take advantage of the swinging temps and always bring along your leather jacket. There are few things that a moto-style topper doesn't go with, but it goes especially well with a dress. The prettier and more stark a difference in style, the better.

No Straps? No Problem — Not a strapless girl, but love that strapless look? Wear a pretty T-shirt underneath your dresses and roll up the sleeves. It's a time-honored styling tip that lets you wear your more formal frocks any time.

So Waisted — A wide workman's belt is always a great option to give a pretty dress some bite, but we think you should take it one step further and go into fanny-pack territory. Wrap both a belt-bag and a belt-belt around your waist for maximum impact.

Sneak Attack — A clean white sneaker is the quickest way to achieve that "I know what's going on" vibe with your outfit. Wear it with your mini- to midi-length dresses to toughen up a pretty shape.