Finding the Perfect Dress: the Power of Versatility

Posted by Chelsea Lankford on Feb 27th 2025

For a long time, I avoided dresses. My personal style tended to lean more androgynous in my early twenties. When presented with an upscale event that required an “Outfit,” my preference was always a suit and heels—I felt it made more of an impact. It took me years to embrace the femininity that I felt I needed to wear dresses and realize that dresses make a statement all their own. The sheer number of options available on the dress market was what finally swayed me.

Chelsea stands smiling brightly as she leans against a wall, dressed in a blue-and-white striped romper. She holds a green jacket in one arm and carries a round brown bag on the other arm.

Dress styles can range from daytime to evening, mini to maxi, pencil to trapeze, and the list goes on. Factors like length and fabric tend to provide the most versatility when considering ways to make dresses feel like they can serve different occasions. For example, a cotton or poly-blend maxi dress can work for a day at the beach, a casual outing, or even an evening event paired with heels and statement jewelry. Meanwhile, a short and fun form-fitting bodycon dress makes for an effortless date night look, but can also work for a day out shopping and lunching paired with a denim jacket and your favorite sneakers. Style Encore is a great place to shop in-store or online for dresses that suit every occasion, offering a variety of styles, lengths and fabrics to match your personal taste and needs.

Chelsea stands on the sandy shoreline near the water, wearing a long, flowing off-white dress with blue accents. Her hair blows gently in the wind, capturing a serene, coastal moment.

Chelsea stands surrounded by lush greenery, with trees full of leaves and blooming flowers around her. She’s wearing a black and white horizontal striped knee-length dress, a denim jacket, and a black crossbody handbag. Smiling, she adjusts the sunglasses on her face with one hand.

Personally, my favorite style of dress has become a short-sleeve, mid-length dress that fits essentially like your favorite t-shirt, but in a silk or poly-blend material. It’s a casual enough silhouette to wear with a comfy flat or sandal, but the texture is elevated enough that it works flawlessly with a pair of heels and a more formal clutch for an evening dinner or event. With a handful of these hanging in my closet in colors ranging from solid, soft pastels to jazzy, multicolor prints, it’s safe to say my relationship with dresses has blossomed from avoidance to acceptance—and just in time for sundress season.

Chelsea leans against a stone wall with water and boats in the background. She’s wearing a green dress with white floral prints and black sunglasses, smiling as she gazes off into the distance.

Blog By: Chelsea Lankford | @truelane