Layering 101--According to Merce

We live in the midwest, and had this AMAZING idea to create Fall pairings today.....and shoot them outside in the 97 degree heat. In our defense, it was cloudy up until we stepped outside. And then the clouds cleared and sun shone something fierce....and of course the wind decided to try to cool us off by blowing something fierce. So just ignore the wind blown hair. 😒

Vierra Rose Sweater
Nelly Madison Clothing Co Blushing Lilac Hannah dress
Joyfolie gray stripe socks
Old Soles Buckle Up Mumba Booties from Just Shoes for Kids

For us, layering just about everything is more about layering OVER instead of under. Yes, long sleeve icing shirts have a purpose, just a very limited purpose for in our house.  We love that we can take a dress, throw a sweater or a cardigan over it, and it looks just like a skirt. And Merce would much rather have a sweater on over something, than a layering shirt underneath. The Hannah style dresses from Nelly Madison Clothing Co are absolutely amazing for this! They retail from the mid to high $50s to the mid $60s, and worth every single penny.  She's 49", 52# and wearing a size 5 dress. Layering like this re-purposes the dress, giving it endless looks.  This can work for any dress, even long sleeve dresses. If it were a long sleeve we'd probably throw a short sleeve sweater over it.

We put this together and I asked Merce why she liked it together. She said "I like the dark with the light because it makes it look lighter and pretty," which is exactly why I like it! The contrast is amazing. Taking something that was once light and delicate looking and pairing with something of a different genre just transforms it. 

Vierra Rose Sweater
Nelly Madison Clothing Co Blushing Lilac Hannah dress
Joyfolie gray stripe socks
Old Soles Buckle Up Mumba Booties from Just Shoes for Kids

I look forward to nixing the socks and replacing them with some 'destroyed' skinnies, probably from H&M...they have the best fit.  Or Old Navy Ballerina jeggings and I'll destroy them myself. But I couldn't torture her with tight jeans and a sweater in the sauna outside. Of course I'll keep the same boots with the skinnies. Those boots.  Man I love shoes. SO MUCH.  These booties are Old Soles. I purchased them online from Just Shoes for Kids. I have their website bookmarked because they have shoes I don't see anywhere else! And there always seems to be a sale going on. These Old Soles were regularly $84 but I got them on sale for $49.

Vierra Rose Sweater
Nelly Madison Clothing Co Blushing Lilac Hannah dress
Joyfolie gray stripe socks
Old Soles Buckle Up Mumba Booties from Just Shoes for Kids

The sweater we purchased from someone on BST. I'm not sure where they got it, but it's nice and thick and very well made.  It's also an 8y, so I'm guessing it runs small. The socks though, those are nice, soft, and thin.  They are also very tall! They are all sorts of scrunched up in her boots to get them the height we wanted. Otherwise they would have gone up to her hips. They are from Joyfolie and of course we bought those on sale too, last season.  I love a good sale, we buy lots at end of season sales, and always find a use for everything! It helps keep costs way down, and her accessory options endless.

Vierra Rose Sweater
Nelly Madison Clothing Co Blushing Lilac Hannah dress
Joyfolie gray stripe socks
Old Soles Buckle Up Mumba Booties from Just Shoes for Kids

Layering over is a new thing for us.  We've done it with a few other dresses as well. Here's a couple examples....and with Nelly's Hannah Bonanza we have lots of Hannah ammunition for layering already, and some to come still.

These are all from last year. Look how young she looks. 😭 You can see several of the pieces used multiple times, but in very different ways giving everything a unique look.

Matilda Jane Reese Sweater and socks
Nelly Madison Clothing Co Magical Summer dress
Gymboree boots

Old Navy cardigan and skinnies
Nelly Madison Clothing Co Riverside Shade dress
Melissa shoes
Joyfolie aviators

Matilda Jane Reese sweater
Nelly Madison Blue Belle Katie dress
H&M skinnies & guitar purse
Bear Paws chukkas

Old Navy cardigan Nelly Madison Clothing Co Blue Belle Katie dress
Unknown pants....it was over a year ago, give me a break.
Target shoes

Old Navy cardigan and boys chinos
Nelly Madison Clothing Co Riverside Shade dress
Doc Marten boots
Joyfolie aviators

I don't believe dresses can only be worn in the summer. There's a place for them in Fall and Winter as well! 💗