DRESS: ARoss Girl x Soler (additional lilac dresses HERE and HERE)  |  SANDALS: Old, similar option HERE and HERE  |  SUNGLASSES: Le Specs x Adam Selman (similar affordable option HERE)  |  EARRINGS: BaubleBar  |  BAG: Prada (affordable alternative HERE)  | LIP: Neutrogena (Plum Perfect, my fave!!)

“Trendy” colors are tricky because calling a color a trend immediately starts the clock on its shelf life.  What if I want to wear a color longer than its trend status holds out?  Will the fashion gods be merciless?  I love this lilac (or lavender, if you prefer) hue, and obviously it feels the most traditionally seasonal in spring and early summer.  But honestly, the prevalence of lilac over the last year has made a strong case for building the color into your wardrobe year-round.  It’s a pretty big accomplishment for the color when you think about it–breaking free of its trendy reputation and joining the ranks of the essentials.  Nice work lilac, I’m proud of you.

The look I’m wearing here is a lilac puff-sleeve dress that has feminine effortlessness written all over it.  For continuity and freshness I kept my accessories game simple, with a neutral rose lip (in color Plum Perfect) to top things off.  A bold red lip would be too much here, lavender can go the way of the cartoonishly colorful if we’re not careful, so best to keep the rest of your look in the muted or neutral zone.

There’s definitely a summery sweetness to this look, but as the weather cools off (whenever that is… hopefully never?), pay attention to the lightweight sweaters and layering pieces that start popping up for fall–you’re going to see more lilac than you have in previous years.  I wonder if that’s because this color was never a “trend,” it was just a color we weren’t paying enough attention to.  So, when we remembered that lilac exists, we were quick to toss it in the trend category, because we hadn’t dabbled in the light purple arts for awhile.  I’m so glad lavender is back where it belongs–in my closet (like this stunning sweater… swoooon!).

When you think about it, lavender is kind of the iced coffee of the fashion world. Typically only enjoyed in warm weather, but hey–it’s yours any time you want it. Keep an eye here and on instagram for lavender-hued ideas, this season and beyond.

DRESS: ARoss Girl x Soler (additional lilac dresses HERE and HERE)  |  SANDALS: Old, similar option HERE and HERE  |  SUNGLASSES: Le Specs x Adam Selman (similar affordable option HERE)  |  EARRINGS: BaubleBar  |  BAG: Prada (affordable alternative HERE)  | LIP: Neutrogena (Plum Perfect, my fave!!)