hard-working shirtdresses!

Vintage Black striped shirtdress, J Crew Traversa cardigan, UO belt, Indigo booties

Jess recently ran a few posts asking people to nominate some of their hardest-working garments for a little blog-love.  One of my standby's for the last few years have been classic cotton 50's shirtdresses, once found on ebay for a song, sometimes with tags still attached, but a bit more of a challenge since the arrival of the Mad Men era!

This simple black shirtdress is such an unassuming, quietly-striped number that I guess it hasn't ever been featured on this blog.  However it's such an easy standby that when I travel it's often a first choice for its versatility.  Last year I traveled to Frankfurt and Venice for 2 weeks with only carry-on to get me through (2 dresses, a pair of cords, a skirt, 2 t-shirts and a cardigan, plus a smattering of coloured scarves) and so this baby was a perfect selection- able to dress up or down, neither too light or heavy.  

I was cracking up while going through the vacation photos- it actually just looks like my BF was stalking me through my favourite city from a safe distance (when I really wish he would have just asked me to straighten my scarf)!! 

We really do have several pictures with us together in this gloriously beautiful city!  I think my dream job is to drop everything and be a chauffeur in Venice (motor boats chugging slowly through the canals, my own secret garden off the water...sigh...)