After a long day at work, a nice, relaxing cinq à sept was in order. I quickly called the Darling Husband to see if he’d like to meet up after work for a glass of champagne at one of our favourite restaurants on the water. He was free. It was a miracle.
I packed up my things and left the office in a hurry, praying that the sun was still shining. Nothing like sipping pink champagne on a bustling patio, taking in the views of the Ottawa River in the late afternoon sun.
THE DETAILS
Timeless Dress – Sympli | Stecie Heels – Steve Madden | Obi Belt – Vacation Find! Similar here | Initial Necklace – The Right Hand Gal | Solstice Hoop Earrings – Mejuri (no longer available)
We are both sun worshippers and we try to make the best of our short summers. There is no shortage of fabulous patios and restaurants in our city too, so “patio-ing” is something we try to indulge in as much as possible.
Happy hour looks always leave me stumped. I’m always in a hurry in the morning in a vain attempt to leave for the office on time. Harried and tired, I often end up reaching for the same old boring outfits day after day. Without fail, my girlfriends will message me midday to make cinq à sept plans and I will look hopelessly at my boring work duds, berating myself for not putting more effort into my look. “Some fashion blogger…” is what I always end up muttering to myself in these situations.
About a year ago, I was asked to walk in a fashion show for one of my favourite stores, Shepherd’s Fashions. One of the featured lines in the show was Sympli, specifically, the Sympli Timeless Dress that I’m wearing in these shots. I fell in love with it and made a mental note to add it to the shopping list. With a little patience, this popular dress was soon mine.
Made of thick jersey material, it’s extremely flattering. The v-neck silhouette, the twisted detail at the bust, and the way that the fabric moves when I walk made me fall in love with it quickly.
It was the perfect outfit to wear for our little cinq à sept meet up too. A real eye-catcher, it’s perfect for the office and transitions well into cocktail hour. I took a lambskin obi belt that I found at a cute boutique in Paris and tied it around my waist. My delicate ankle strap shoes that I store at the office for these very sorts of outings looked great with the Sympli Timeless Dress, and finished off this look nicely. I looked “elegant and beautiful”, according to my dapper husband. *swoooon*
Summer is my favourite time of year – I don’t want it to end at all. I am looking forward to transitioning this gorgeous dress to the fall season though. That’s what I love about Sympli. It’s so easy to wear their versatile pieces at any time of year for all occasions.
In the meantime, you can catch me on a sunny patio during the hours of cinq à sept, taking in the summer warmth. Cheers to you all!
*Thank you to Sympli for providing this dress in exchange for my honest opinion.
Photography courtesy of lovely Styled by Tara
Dominique is a Canadian-based fashion and beauty influencer with a strong voice in Ottawa’s black community. Since launching her blog Style Domination in 2015, she has amassed a global fanbase. Dominique shares her life through beautiful imagery and compelling story-telling that speaks to her fans on a personal level. She’s been featured in The Guardian, Flare, The Kit and Cityline. She also hosts events for Dress for Success, the Gem Conference, and has been named a United Way Person 2 Know for the past three years.
I love this dress on you. It looks amazing.
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Thank you, Carmen! This dress is a new favourite! Hope you are well – miss you loads! xoxox
That dress looks fabulous on you! You look stunning, dear!
Belle | One Awesome Momma
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Thank you so much, Belle!
Beautiful Dress! It looks amazing on you!
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You’re the best, Carissa! Thank you!
I love a dress or skirt that has movement. A little black dress is so classic but it always makes me feel so amazing.
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Me too! I felt very swishy that day. Hahaha!
I love your style I feel like it shows your personality in every way possible !!! Classy but yet very veyyyy vey sophisticated! Am I right ?
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Haha, Kenya. You’re too much. Thanks, babe!
you look so nice! Love the dress on you
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Thanks, Chrystal!
You really can never go wrong with a gorgeous little black dress especially with such a timeless silhouette! You look lovely!
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Exactly! Thank you!
You look so feminine! Love this dress on you!
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Thank you kindly!
I absolutely love this look! The combination of soft and flowing with the toughness of the leather belt . . . perfection! This is a little black dress we should all own.
I am loving this dress! This is a great dress for any woman!
I love the entire look. Simple and classy!