Story by Ashley White of Le Stylo Rouge | Photos by Sabrina Osborn
We’re all seeing fall sweaters and tall boots in shop windows and our inboxes, but any true KC native knows fall weather doesn’t kick in until October. Comfort is key during these last steamy weeks of summer temps in Kansas City, and I’m embracing that here in a white cotton prairie dress.
The prairie dress is the center of the cottegecore trend: think calm, cozy pieces reminiscent of life on a rural farm. KC knows this vibe quite well — we are anchored in it!
This dress is super country chic with a feminine floral print and puffy sleeves. Tiered ruffles and peekaboo lace add more unapologetic girly details, so I leaned into that aesthetic with a strappy wedge sandal and a baby pink barrette.
The sweeping scoop neckline is demure enough to take anywhere, and everything stays in place thanks to the smocked bodice. Smocking is such a nice throwback touch — and is also much cooler, temperature-wise, than something more structured. We do what we can to stay minimally sweaty this time of the year in Kansas City, am I right?
When the weather does begin to change, style this dress for early fall by pairing it with a neutral leather jacket and a pair of tall, slouchy boots. No worries about the old no-white-after-Labor-Day adage; that fashion rule was meant to be broken! You can — and should — stretch your summery pieces into the first part of fall by swapping out the accessories.
Until then, enjoy these last golden moments of summer, Kansas City!
You can find Ashley at lestylorouge.com or on Instagram as @ashrockchalk
