The Item I Wear to Death: My LoveShackFancy Dress

In our biweekly series, editors share "the item they wear to death," whether it be a basic white tee or a super-trendy jumpsuit. Prepare yourself (and your credit card) for some guilt-free shopping.

Peek inside my closet and you'll be able to tell right away that I don't wear a lot of color. In the fall, you can catch me in jeans and a neutral-colored sweater seven days out of the week. Usually, in the summer, I gravitate towards creams and browns. But recently, I did a 180 and started wearing floral print. My current favorite: this LoveShackFancy dress. It's become my summer uniform.

This particular piece is more than just a cute prairie dress—it is the dress that opened my eyes to color, florals, and the maxi length, which I once regarded as annoying to wear. (Tripping on your hem as you walk down, or up, the stairs? No thanks.) I decided to give the LoveShackFancy maxi a try, though, because 1) maxis are super popular right now and I'm a fashion editor committed to trying the latest trends and 2) I wanted to see what the big deal was with prairie dresses.

As soon as I slipped this dress on, everything felt right. The hem rests just above my ankles, so it doesn't drag or pick up dirt on the ground as I walk. The cap sleeves puff up for a very Disney princess-like feel, while the neckline shows off my collar bones. With it, I wear layers of dainty gold necklaces, which neatly fill in the empty space. I also love the vintage-style shirred bust and the fitted waistband that highlights my midsection. It is extremely flattering and comfortable.

I have been wearing this dress to death—literally—this summer (there is a minor rip at the hem...oops?). When the season first began and the weather was above 50 degrees, I paired it with a bootie and a cardigan. Once the heatwave (and humidity) arrived, I swapped the boots for a pair of kitten heel sandals. And, you can bet on me wearing this right up until the first few weeks of fall. The dress will be my last hurrah in breezy summer clothes before I wrap myself up in winter puffer coats.

I couldn't resist taking a selfie in the maxi at work, and I've worn this dress on dates with bae and for walks around Madison Square Park, too. It's the perfect-for-all-occasions romantic dress. PSA: Does anyone know a good tailor who can fix the hem? I'd like to wear this floral dress again next summer.

Though my exact style is sold out, shop similar options below:

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