The Second Contender for the Dinner Cruise

Yesterday, I mentioned a few contenders for my upcoming dinner cruise outfit — and this tank midi dress is high on the list. I absolutely love love love it! The detailing is so stunning, and it's perfectly styled with a simple black ankle sandal. The sporty stripe down the side gives it a relaxed, nautical vibe — think chic sailboat outing meets elevated resort wear. It instantly transports me to that dreamy moment on the deck, cocktail in hand.

This dress ticks all the boxes for casual elegance. It’s easy, effortless, and totally cruise-ready. Lately, I’ve been very much obsessed with Anthropologie — they are delivering when it comes to beach-to-dinner resort wear. This look feels just fancy enough without being overdone. I styled it with a compact crossbody bag to keep things practical but polished.

Style tip: For an extra pop, you could add a pair of oversized sunglasses and some minimal gold jewelry — like a dainty layered necklace or small hoops. And if it gets breezy on the water, a lightweight white linen blazer would look amazing thrown over the shoulders.

My introspective note on fashion and styling..

The other day, I was listening to an actor talk about how she’s “not actually stylish” because she prefers sweatpants and comfy clothes — and I gasped. What?! Sweatpants aren’t stylish? My initial reaction surprised me. I mean… traditionally, no, sweatpants haven’t exactly screamed high fashion. But still — why not? Why did that comment make me pause?

It got me thinking about how deeply conditioned we are by the fashion and beauty industries to define what’s considered “stylish.” I wasn’t annoyed at the actor or even the comment itself — it made total sense. But I dug a little deeper into why it rubbed me the wrong way, and I realized: I’m just tired. Tired of an industry telling women (its target audience!) how we should look, what’s fashionable, and ultimately, what’s acceptable.

Don’t get me wrong — I love fashion. I love trends. I love being inspired. But there’s a big difference between inspiration and instruction. There’s something unsettling about convincing women they have a problem with how they look, just to sell them a solution. That’s why it’s become so important to me to find clothes and brands that inspire — not dictate. Brands that deliver elevated, beautiful pieces that feel grounded and wearable for real women.

I’m learning to build a wardrobe that supports the pace of my life — one that feels just as good on the inside as it looks on the outside. Fashion should move with us, not ask us to change. I want to be inspired, but I also want to feel seen in what I wear — not squeezed into someone else’s idea of style.

This midi dress makes me feel seen, beautiful, and completely at ease in my body. It even makes my tummy pouch feel like part of the charm — not something to hide. It fits me exactly where I am in life, and honestly, that’s what style should be about. Clothing should help us embrace who we are, not who we’re told to be. This dress reminds me to love myself as I am, right now — not 10 pounds from now, not more polished, just as I show up today.

What would you wear on a dinner cruise? Or more importantly — what makes you feel stylish these days? Drop your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to hear how you're embracing ease, beauty, and a style that actually fits your life.