this is how often you should really deadhead petunias for healthier blooms, according to gardeners

Gardening

This Is How Often You Should Really Deadhead Petunias for Healthier Blooms, According to Gardeners

Drescription

Petunias are known for their vibrant, trumpet-shaped blooms and long flowering season, making them a staple in many home gardens. But to keep these colorful plants looking their best, regular maintenance is key, especially when it comes to deadheading. Removing spent flowers not only improves the plant’s appearance but also encourages more blooms throughout the season.

So, how often do you really need to deadhead your petunias? We turned to gardening pros for the answer.

Meet the Expert

Julia Omelchenko is the resident botany expert at Plantum, a plant care and gardening app that helps identify plants and improve plant care.

Kelly Funk is an experienced gardening expert and the President of Jackson & Perkins, an online plant nursery specializing in roses and other garden plants.

Why Is Deadheading Important?

When a plant’s flowers start to fade, it signals to the plant that it’s time to direct its energy into producing seeds.

Deadheading disrupts this process and naturally extends the blooming season by removing the spent flower altogether, thereby redirecting the plant’s energy from seed production to producing more flowers.

Not all flowering plants require deadheading, but many benefit from it, especially annuals like petunias. If you want your petunias to bloom all summer, deadheading is the way to do it.

How Often Should You Deadhead Petunias?

According to gardening pros, it’s best to deadhead petunias regularly to encourage more blooms and prevent them from going to seed. The frequency will vary slightly depending on your climate and the cultivar you have, but in general, you can expect to be deadheading your petunias at least once a week.

“Ideally, petunias should be deadheaded at least once a week, but checking on them a few times a week is better, especially during peak bloom periods," says Kelly Funk, President of Jackson & Perkins. "I recommend making it part of your routine when watering or doing other tasks."

Some petunia cultivars, such as Wave petunias and Supertunias, are bred to be self-cleaning, meaning they don’t require deadheading to encourage more blooms.

Still, according to Julia Omelchenko, resident botany expert at Plantum, it’s best to prune these varieties occasionally to maintain their shape and stimulate vigorous growth.

If deadheading your petunias multiple times a week sounds like a lot of work, we have good news for you: deadheading is super easy to do, and will only take you a couple of minutes to complete. The key is to ensure you’re doing it properly.

How to Deadhead Petunias

Deadheading involves removing the entire flower head once it starts to wilt. This includes the petals, the peduncle, and the receptacle. Basically, you want to remove the entire trumpet-shaped flower, including the green base that attaches it to the stem. This can be done by hand, or using sterilized scissors or pruning shears.

“It’s important to deadhead properly by removing not just the petals but also the green base of the flower," Omelchenko says. "If you only pull off the petals, the plant will continue to produce seeds in the ovary."

Additional Petunia Care Tips for Continuous Blooms

Besides regular deadheading, there are a few other ways you can encourage your petunias to bloom all summer.

Ensuring they have adequate light (full sun) and water (soil shouldn’t dry out completely) is the first step. Funk also recommends fertilizing your petunias every two weeks to help support vigorous growth.

Finally, our experts say it’s common for petunias to start looking leggy by mid-summer, even if you’re deadheading regularly. To facilitate bushy growth, they recommend a light pruning to help tidy the plant. Not only will you be rewarded with fresh, compact growth, but you’ll also get a flush of new blooms.

6 Things You Really Don't Need for a Short Trip—Plus, How to Pack More Efficiently

Packing for a short trip can be more challenging than packing for a long vacation. If you have a lot of activities planned for just a few days—packing light is crucial, especially if you don’t want to carry around heavy bags or pay those expensive luggage fees. While you probably know what you need to bring on your next weekend jaunt or business trip, knowing what you don’t need can help simplify the packing process even more. Here’s what you should never bring on a short trip. Adeela Hussain Johnson, president of BÈIS Valerie Batrice, vice president of consumer marketing at Travelpro Too Much of Anything Adeela Hussain Johnson, president of BÈIS, tells me packing too much of anything is a bad idea. “Packing light is key,” she says. Whether you’re taking a carry-on-sized bag or a weekender, start by accepting the fact that there is limited space and think logically from there. For example, it’s a smart idea to bring an extra dress shirt if you’re going on a business trip. But you probably don’t need to bring more than one bathing suit if you plan on swimming in the hotel pool. Clothing You Can’t Mix and Match Bringing items you can’t mix and match will only weigh your bag down. “Make sure you have mix-and-match options for your clothing, shoes, and bags so you can switch things up while maximizing space,” says Johnson. “Neutral bottoms work so well because then you can add your pop of color with shirts, which are smaller and easier to pack so you can bring a few extra." Lots of Toiletries If you have a ten-step skincare routine, you might need to par down slightly when you’re on the go. Johnson suggests using a BÉIS Dopp Kit for beauty and skincare products and limiting your selection to only what you can fit in that. “You can put your toiletries in the top section and your makeup below,” she says. In terms of cosmetics, try to bring multitaskers, such as foundation with sunscreen, or a hair product you can use for both de-frizzing and finishing. Handbags and Shoes That Aren’t Versatile Handbags and shoes can take up a lot of space and get heavy. While you might be tempted to pack those super-high heels for one night out, you’re better off opting for something more practical that you can wear for the entire trip. Keep color in mind, too. Black or tan shoes pretty much go with anything. The same goes for bags, explains Johnson. “Bags that can be versatile are perfect," she says. "The convertible weekender works so well because it’s the perfect size when packing for a short trip. When you arrive, you can unzip the bottom and leave that behind while the top of the bag converts into your day-to-day tote.” She also advises bringing along a crossbody or sling bag. “Crossbody or slings are so perfect for any kind of trip but, for a short trip, they can serve as the essentials bags for travel documents and your day-to-day carry bag," she says. "These bags also make a great snack carrier, as that’s always needed.” Full-Size Toiletries Valerie Batrice, vice president of consumer marketing at Travelpro, avoids packing full-size toiletries that she can purchase locally. "You can purchase trial-sized hygiene products once you arrive at your destination, which also allows you to try products that are made by local artisans," explains Batrice. By shopping locally, you can support small businesses and bring back travel-sized toiletry souvenirs from your trip. "During my trip to Portugal, I discovered the most amazing soaps and facial hydrating cream made with honey from France—a win, win!" Batrice says. One Outfit a Day Think less is more when it comes to your capsule wardrobe for a quick trip. "Avoid packing one outfit a day at all costs. Instead, follow the rule of three's: one pair of pants, one skirt, and one dress," explains Batrice. These clothing staples are easy ways to create lots of outfits without overflowing your suitcase. As an added bonus, this gives you extra room in your suitcase for you to shop during an international vacation. "This packing method leaves room in your luggage for souvenirs or new clothes if you decide to shop in a different country," says Batrice.

Emily Buys The Team Her 3 Of Her All-Time Favorite Products To Try… And They Give Their Honest Reviews

Itry to not actually force other people to choose the products that I swear by – but every now and again, as we brainstorm posts based on our own grievances certain things come up. Once again we were discussing the frustration around comfortable and affordable underwear, beauty products, and tanning and I was like “CAN YOU NOT HEAR ME?? I HAVE THE SOLUTION THAT I’VE TOLD YOU ABOUT A MILLION TIMES!!!”. Now there are many things that I don’t have the answers for (best non-stick pan, really comfortable underwire bra for larger boobs, or good concealer). But when it comes to underwear, face masks, and tanning lotions I have tried so many, so I KNOW THE BEST. I think the hesitancy of my team to actually use these products was 1. maybe it’s just for you (me) and not for everyone’s body or skin and sure, that is definitely a good argument, and 2. they aren’t the cheapest on the market. So I begged them to let me buy them for them, put it on mommy’s card – virtually no risk!! So that’s today – my team honestly reviewing the products that I swear by. Jockey Underwear Em Explains Why They Are The Best: I DESPISE a bad pair of underwear – one that cuts in, feels super uncomfortable, and frankly makes me feel bad and sad with the line it creates. So when I found this pair (totally randomly) I want to never go back. I get so bummed when I can’t find one pair and will often hand wash one rather than wearing a backup. Where do I start – this fabric is stretchy enough so they stay in place, but they do NOT cut in – like even if I’m bloated or gain some fun “summer/beer” lbs, they are still so comfortable (it’s nice to not feel shamed by your panties). There isn’t a “band” or seam at the top or bottom in which to cut in. They are SO THIN and soft, but so far (after 5 months) are still in great shape and have held their shape. I can NOT feel they are there, at all – both the thong and the normal underwear. They don’t ride up, they stay put, and they are so soft that I’d even say they make me feel sexy – despite being so simple. Jess This actually might be the lightest and softest fabric I have put on my body. I completely get Emily’s obsession. I love that the tank top doesn’t scoop too low but I still feel kinda sexy in it. Then the hipster underwear truly doesn’t cut in at all, is a fuller coverage (my preference…especially for sleeping), but I feel really cute too! It really is such a “cute/secretly sexy in a not trying kinda way” set that I would happily (and will happily) wear to bed. I have already ordered more. O and I really really like the thong which is a pretty big deal for me. Historically, I hate thongs. But these are thin, seamless, and have just the right amount of fabric between the buns;) I think they sit a little higher than in the model photo but that might just be because of my body type. Rating: 10/10 Caitlin Rating: TMI time: I’m wearing underwear like…25% of the time, maybe? I have a butt that eats fabric like NOBODY’S business, I’m not super crazy about thongs, and I got really tired of being like “hey can you block me while I fix my wedgie in the middle of this store/park/public place?” so I just kinda stopped wearing it. All that said, HECK YEAH – these will 100% be my new period week underwear. I got the XL-2XL and kind of wish I had sized down because I had a bit of an issue with the waist band slipping down (though I can’t imagine myself wearing underwear that would also fit Mallory, hah), but I can imagine that I’ll LOVE that stretch/flexibility when I’m dying of cramps and just want my underwear to be pulled up to my boobs. (Anyone else just want to feel totally swaddled when they’re on their period?) I also really do love the fabric – it’s different from all the other silky/stretchy underwear I had – and after reading Jess’ note, I have to say that I totally agree that the top + bottom combo ARE very cute in the “I’m not trying, I’m just naturally put together” way. I paid $45 for 5 pairs + 2 tanks and think that was a super fair price – would recommend. AD Rating: 7/10 (but am I really qualified to judge? Unclear. I’m curious what you’d think about these!!) Mallory Everyone on the team keeps raving about these, and after trying them out I have A LOT to say. First let me start with this: Emily has never steered me wrong on a product recommendation, but Jockey is the one thing I just can’t get behind and for weirdly specific reasons a lot of people just won’t relate to. 1. I have a problem with seams. Always have, always will. Let me tell you what I mean by this…when I was a young girl (like 3 years old young) I would FREAK out if my socks were on the wrong way or if I was wearing 2 different unmatching socks where the seams felt different and didn’t perfectly align with the top of my foot. It’s a weird flaw, but everyone’s got their thing and this one’s mine. So when I tried on these “magical” jockey panties (we all hate that word btw) I noticed an unseeming seam riding horizontally across the butt (but like low on the butt, like where the crotch line meets the underwear in the back if that makes sense) and it just drove me insane. I also exclusively wear thongs because wearing regular underwear feels like a diaper to me – especially in pants (I KNOW ALL MY WEIRD QUIRKS ARE COMING OUT IN THIS POST AND IM SORRY YOU ALL HAVE TO WITNESS THIS). So, I tried the jockey thong also, and it’s nice, but I didn’t think it was anything super special (my team so disagrees with all of this btw). The fabric is really soft and nice, so they got a point in that department, but all in all, I didn’t freak out over it like everyone else did (and continues to do) when they first put them on. Also, the tank top is very soft, but if you have broad shoulders and a long torso (like me) the straps might feel a little short (Jess and Emily said they both didn’t have that issue at all). Rating: To Jockey, Emily, & the team: I’m sorry but this is a 2/10 (1 point for the soft fabric, 1 point for the stretchiness of the fabric) Em Explains Why It’s The Best: Like any mom/lady trying stupidly to chase youth, I’ve tried a lot of face masks. Almost all of them make me feel good, like I’m taking care of myself but very few do enough to make a visual change. I’ve been using this one, one or twice a month for probably 6 years. They call it the Hollywood’s 2-minute facial. It’s green and you can FEEL IT working (yes it kinda burns and buzzes). It is indeed intensive and not for all skin types – but listen, people say these types of intensive exfoliators aren’t for my skin type and yet every time I use it I glow, have far less visible fine lines and my skin is just tight and shiny for at least a day. I have thin skin so I need to be careful, but I also have dry skin so I have a lot to shlub off. There are many times where I’ve left it on for 15-20 minutes (NOT recommended) and it just WORKS. My kids, however, are very scared by it because it is bright green … Jess In fear of being disowned, I wasn’t as taken with this treatment as I thought I would be. Look, it felt totally good. I felt very clean and it smells so great. But I guess I thought I was going to be transformed in some way. A “new Jess” if you will which is my fault for thinking any product could do that. Perhaps though because I already have a pretty involved regiment and do a chemical exfoliation about once a week, that’s also why it didn’t feel like a “new face”. Had this been Jess in 2019 maybe it would have been a different experience since that girl did not have any kind of routine. Regardless, I loved trying it and will for sure keep using the bottle I have. AD Rating: 8/10 Caitlin Oh my, this threw me for a loop. I have super sensitive skin and maybe didn’t read the description – you’re only supposed to leave it on for a minute if you’re tender, like me – and was like “AM I DYING???” about 90 seconds in…but yeah, this thing works. I have super dry skin (and a nice little flaky patch on my right cheek! Cool!) so I usually use more abrasive cleansers to get everything all smoothed out and ready for moisturizer. This was my first-ever chemical exfoliant, so I was SHOCKED that this sloughed off all my dead skin and left a super-smooth canvas without me having to do any rubbing and scrubbing. My real test for exfoliating products is when I put on my tinted moisturizer afterwards – dry friends know the struggle of seeing little flakes start to pop up as soon as foundation goes on! – and this just left a nice, hydrated, baby-soft surface for me to work with. Good call, boss!!! Rating: 10/10 Mallory I’m not a skin guru, in fact, I find it difficult to wash my face every morning because I just forget about it (gross I know, I do my best). Because of that, I was reluctant to try another “holy grail” beauty product that sat in my medicine cabinet and MAYBE got used once a year. So, I apprehensively tried the ExfoliKate, which the bottle says is “Hollywood’s 2-minute facial” and I kinda liked that branding, so I tried to be a little more open-minded because I do live in Hollywood after all and I rarely spend the time or money on real facials, so this seemed more approachable to me. Immediate reaction was: Woah this stuff is GREEN, then I rubbed it on my freshly washed face (see I wash sometimes) and then started to rub it around in circles on my cheeks, chin, forehead & nose. Then something unexpected happened…IS THIS SUPPOSED TO BURN? I’m panicked and grab the back of the bottle to see if I should immediately rub this off my face and then I read “might cause skin tickling and light flushness” and I was like PHEW. Then it kinda turned into a good burn, dare I say, a light skin tickle. I waited the 2 minutes so I could get the full results out of my 2-minute Hollywood facial and then WOW. My skin felt like a baby’s butt. I was shook. I’m still shook. This thing actually works!! I will be using this more than once a year unlike my other face products (it recommends 1-2 times a week which seems manageable to me). Rating: 10/10 St. Tropez Self Tan Classic Bronzing Mousse Em Explains Why It’s The Best: I was called an albino in high school. I was asked if I was related to Powder. My level of pale is far beyond what you think it is, and while nothing is wrong with it, I’m really self-conscious about it. So I’ve been dabbling in the self-tanner front since the industry was first discovered in the ’90s. We joke that I’d rather be orange than pale, which is not something I’m proud of, but I think from years of being made fun of it’s just my thing. I also get sun rash if I’m in the sun and have zero melanin in which to tan, so there is no way of me doing this naturally. I know how beautiful naturally fair skin can be, but I prefer some tone and I think I look healthier with some help. That’s all to say, again, I’ve tried them all and every time I try something new I’m like “nope”, this is better. A bunch of you recommended the one Goop recommended because it doesn’t get on sheets and ladies. I tried it and sure it’s fine but maybe if you already have a tone to start with. I also like Coco and Eve but it can go way too orange on my skin. Very few products can take you from stark white to California tan in 8 hours. You HAVE to use the mitt to make it even and you have to rub evenly and a lot over your entire body to ensure an even color. And yes it will get on your sheets and while technically it washes off, after like 10 sessions on your sheets (even washing in between) you’ll see some staining. So if you want to avoid it just sleep in PJs or a nightgown. While I used to get a weekly spray tan, Covid and living in the mountains took that option away from me and I fell back in love with what I think is the best self-tanner on the market. It instantly makes me feel better, healthier, and yes even in the winter (especially in the winter, but I just don’t use as much). Listen, do I wish that the world and myself were not conditioned to loved tan skin more, YES, but if you are like me and are self-conscious about how see-through your skin is then at least there is a very easy solution. Jess I am now VERY into this self-tanner and despite Emily recommending it…forever, I was just too nervous that it would look bad or I would do it wrong (and actually my feet were ummm, not good in the morning but a shower and a little scrubbing fixed them right up). It was super easy to apply, comes out very even AND now my pale legs match my tan arms. I actually only applied it to my legs because I just needed to even out my body tone. My skin (especially my arms) typically tans pretty easily without “trying”. But my legs are another story. First off, I only just the past couple of months really started to wear shorts outside regularly so that’s strike one against my legs getting sun exposure. Strike two (and a healthy strike at that) is that I don’t want to lay out anymore. I want to go to the beach, I want to be in a pool, and I want to just generally be outside, but gone are the days I want to just sit and bake. So with this tanning mousse, my arms and legs can look like they belong to the same body without playing fire with skin cancer. THANK YOU EM!! Rating: 10/10!! Caitlin Like Em, I am VERY VERY pale. Unlike Em, I have a crippling addiction to the spray tan from Sugared & Bronzed (see if they have a chain near you – it’s SO good, once you get over the whole “standing naked in a freezing room in front of stranger” thing) because their color is beet-based, so it runs a little more “human skin” and a little less “tangerine.” I tell you this because I am a HARD CUSTOMER to please when it comes to self-tanner – like, once you’ve had the spray tan of your dreams, can anything compare?! And thankfully, the answer is YES (but only if you use the mitt, TBH). I live alone and lack coordination so I just apply this in the area that the sun actually hits (arms, legs, shoulders, chest, etc.) and my favorite thing about this foam in particular is that it blends super naturally – like, I tan the parts of my upper thighs that see the light of day, but skip going any higher (no need to tan my butt if nobody’s looking, ya know?) and there’s never a crazy line of demarcation, thanks to the mitt. Just be careful around your wrists and ankles and you’ll be glowin’ in no time, guys. It’s the gold standard for a reason! Rating: 9/10 (would be a 10/10 if I hadn’t been spoiled by the in-person spray tan wizards though) Mallory Emily turned me onto self-tanning pretty much immediately upon joining the company. I was a little reluctant at first because I didn’t know how to tan and I didn’t want to walk around like a streaky little carrot, but then this thing called the pandemic happened and I was no longer afraid of people making fun of me for how bad my first self-tan would look (because we were seeing nobody!!) We used the entire bottle between 2 people the first time we tanned (would not recommend) but now I’ve gotten the hang of applying it and I LOVE me a self-tan especially in the summer since I sunburn instead of tanning naturally. Oh, also I’ve tried the St. Tropez express tan as well (because I’m bad at planning when I want to be tan and I always wish I could tan immediately) and it works GREAT. 1 hour is a light glow, 2 hours is a decent tan, and 3 hours you’re BRONZED. I love this product. Rating: 10/10!

Is It OK to Recline Your Seat on an Airplane? Our Experts Weigh In

Here at REAL SIMPLE, we want to know all of your hot takes. In the "Minor Issues, Major Opinions" column of REAL SIMPLE magazine, we pose a divisive question to our readers, then call on the experts to resolve it once and for all. We asked our readers: "Is it ever OK to recline your seat on an airplane?" Here's what they had to say. Keep up with our Instagram to add your own opinions and potentially be featured in an issue of REAL SIMPLE. What Our Readers Say The results: 62% of Instagram commenters actually say go ahead, lean on back! Check out the arguments on each side of the debate. Nope, No Way! That little bit of space doesn’t help me. Not worth making someone’s flight miserable. — @kellyannelongportnj2 "Airlines need to get rid of that option. No good comes of it." —@catherinecrowley96 "Why is it that people recline like it’s their birthright? Unless your knees are so far up into your chest that they’re cutting off blood flow, the answer is always no." —@akwilliams918 Sure, Why Not? I always lean back, but not so much as to bother the person behind me. They must be able to eat, watch a movie, work on a laptop, and get up comfortably enough to go to the restroom. Live and let others live as well. — @launicafinita “I paid for the seat. I can use the functions attached to it.” —@debijenkins “Everyone should recline! Then we’re all even.” —@peacedog2020 What the Experts Say: A Unanimous Yes! Henry Harteveldt is an airline and travel industry analyst Elaine Swann is an etiquette expert, founder of Swann School of Protocol, and former flight attendant It’s your right to recline your seat! Just “don’t be a jerk about it,” says Henry Harteveldt. “Airplanes are shared spaces,” he adds, explaining that we need to be considerate of our fellow passengers. Elaine Swann agrees. Her advice: “Before you lean your seat back, check if your neighbor behind you has a drink or laptop there.” If they do, to keep the peace, give them a heads-up that you’re about to recline. Then do it slowly, Swann says, so they’re not shocked by a sudden lurch. “And definitely move that seat forward during the meal service.” And maybe only lean back as much as it takes to feel comfy. If you’re looking for the most space possible, upgrading to a seat with extra leg room may be worth it. Or book early to get an exit-row seat, if you’re up for it. You could also follow this insider tip, which we got from a flight attendant at a major airline who asked to go only by Emmanuel: Choose a seat as close to the front of the plane as you can. “On many aircrafts, like some 737s, as you move toward the back of the plane–say, from the wings on—the plane becomes skinnier, so those seats tend to be tighter,” which can translate to less lateral leg room, he says. “It’s a slight difference, but that’s usually where negotiations between customers have to happen.” So to maximize space between you and the seat in front of you, and to hopefully avoid conflict, book early, and book up front!

29 Dresses That Will Comfortably Take You Through The End Of Fall (And They’re Under $150!)

While most of us in the States are still waiting for that first intoxicating fall breeze, it’s coming sooner than we think. So it’s that awkward time when we no longer want to invest in “summer clothes” but also don’t want to buy something and wait a month or two to wear our cute new picks. We all know the answer though don’t we?? IT’S A DRESS. But not just any dress. This dress needs to be versatile and take us from now through the fall (and ideally beyond). Extra points if you can easily layer with tights and a coat. And that’s what we have for you today, 29 dresses that still feel fun enough for the end of summer but will easily transition into the cooler months. Oh, and all but two are under $150 and many are under $100. It’s a party! Denim I wanted to start with a classic and a style that is synonymous with Emily Henderson and EHD as a whole…The short denim dress! She’s been wearing them for years for a reason. They are maybe the most versatile type of dress because look casual but like you still tried. For the summer, they are great with a cute flat but come the fall, they look SO cute with leggings and tall boots. Heck, you can even throw a long-sleeved top under if you want. You really can’t lose here. Now for these picks above. On the left, I chose this very fun and sweet $45 cutie with a slight puff sleeve that I love. Since it’s from Old Navy the sizing goes up to 4x and has three different length options. THANK YOU OLD NAVY! For the dress on the right, I really love the wash of that denim but it’s Madewell so no surprise there. The stitching on this one is also just so good and I love the shape of the pocket flaps (?) Very classic. This one also comes in a light wash but this one feels more “year-round” to me. If a full-on button-down dress isn’t your vibe then this adorable and very cool quarter button-down may be perfect! It’s only $50 (I KNOW!) and also from Old Navy with all of their sizing options. And let’s not forget to mention those great pockets and the fact that the sleeves are long for extra warmth in colder months. But an added striped long-sleeved turtle neck would look pretty cute and make it even cozier. Then the dress on the right is from Abercrombie and if you saw our try-on post you know that Caitlin and Mal loved their sleeveless version. But this very chic version comes in two other colors and three different lengths. So don’t stress if you love it but think it might be too short! Striped Loose Shirtdress For a similar vibe to the dresses above, but in lighter/slightly more warm weather-friendly fabrics, are these cotton shirt dresses. As a team of stripe lovers, I thought these two could use their own special category:) But both of them also come in other solid colors that might be better for fall if you prefer. I just loved how cool and simple the cuts/details of these were. And as the hot summer sun cools down these would look great with a jean or a leather jacket paired with some booties. Elevated Shirtdress While almost all of the dresses in this post have a throw-on-and-go aesthetic, this section in particular really embodies it. Look at the blue dress on the left. It’s got a cool sleeve length, a nice little V-neckline, and is beautifully tiered. It’s just easy to wear in so many different situations. Another perfect one for flats in the summer and cute boots for colder weather. You will look great for under $60! But I also love the effortless coolness of the olive green dress. This is a great dress for right now (end of summer) but once it cools down a little, layering a patterned long-sleeve shirt or just rolling down the dress’s sleeves will be perfect. I also think that loose waistline is a great way to call attention to your waist without any constriction. THE DREAM. But also let’s not forget to have fun with pattern! We are so used to busting out the fun florals, etc for spring and summer but they deserve to be out all year long. This patterned shirtdress is still loose but has great details to not make it feel too unstructured. We are newish to Boden but boy are we fans. This dress is not only under $100 the sizing is way more inclusive than most. Structured Shirt Dress For a more structured look, these two are ELEGANT. The shapes are playful but the fabrics are super relaxed. These are also great for the office (you’d just have to make sure the eyelet dress was a good length for your job). Otherwise, these are great options for places and events where you don’t want to be dressy but you do want to look nice. Oversized Chic I know these two won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but I LOVE them. They feel so cool and more oversized/architectural than most. The dress on the left has less shape (but does have pockets!) and the dress on the right is a bit more fitted if that’s more your style. They are styled for warm weather in these shots but I’m telling you, black tights and over-the-knee boots topped off with an oversized coat, no one is going to look chicer than you. Not Your Average Shirtdress There seems to be a pretty wide definition for what a shirtdress is but if that green corduroy is one then SIGN ME UP! It’s another beauty from Boden and that color is maybe perfect. I also happen to love corduroy. It’s fall time gold that could also be worn at the tail end of summer as long as it’s not too hot:) As for the black dress on the right, I like how it feels both casual and kinda edgy? I mean that zipper is very cool and makes it feel unique. Plus it’s from J. Crew so you know the quality to great! Structured Maxi Sleeveless Wow, I love this silhouette! The lines are stunning and that high-neck + sleeveless look just screams “I don’t care about trends, I just know what looks good.” The tan number on the left is one of the picks that is a little over $150. But at $168, it’s 100& linen, has a pocket, is fully lined, and has that great belt. Add heeled boots and a trench coat an it’s a perfect outfit. The black one is actually denim which I think makes it even cooler! The cut definitely looks formal but the denim really makes it more casual. Oh, plus the denim has a stretch and it’s under $100. Win-win! Cool Lines Would this be an EHD fashion post if we didn’t have a lot of stripe options? I didn’t think so:) Stripes are timeless, are great year-round, and these two dresses are both of those things. Now, if you know me you know my love of my shoulder-padded t-shirts is almost too deep to talk about. I wear all three of them every week (and have for at least three years). This is all to say that while this black and white dress’s shoulders aren’t padded, I love the slightly exaggerated muscle tee look! This is just a cool gal-vibe dress that truly could be accessorized with nearly any style. The other dress on the right really caught my eye because of that color combo! Who doesn’t love ochre and navy together?? We sure do. Plus, the silhouette is so pretty and it comes in four other colors. Gobsmocked! It’s now time to get a little whimsical. A smock dress is another classic we all love too. This deep wine color on the left dress is to die for. Definitely more “fall” than “summer” but also who cares! It’s beautiful, has so many pretty details, and is a good price at $88. Then for our long-sleeved beauty, you get a bit more coverage, if that’s your preference, and pockets! And that one is under $55. While nearly all of the dresses I’m about to talk about fall into this category, these two are great options for Thanksgiving dresses if you are into thinking that far ahead:) Whimsically Earthy I truly fell in love with these colors as much as I did with the shapes. The dress on the left is still in the smocked category with that great waist definier but those sleeves are also a showstopper. If I’m honest this dress definitely reminds me of Ulla Johnson but for a fraction of the price at $50. Old Navy is coming through with the style, sizing, and prices. But if you prefer something a little less detailed and fitted this dress on the right is perfect for you. The rich color, the awesome puff sleeves, and the tiered look have me absolutely sold. And see? Great Thanksgiving dress options. Neutral AND Fun You may or may not have guessed that the dress on the left is the other dress that is slightly above the $150 mark (but only by $8!). But look at it. How could I have not included it?! The shape of it might be my other favorite and I love that it’s a print that isn’t a floral (not shade to florals, just nice to have other options). No notes and I think it’s a perfect option for all year long. Then the dress on the right is an awesome floral dress that’s still in the neutral-toned world but a little moodier. I think that’s a perfect vibe for the last part of the year and/or if you aren’t a bold color person. Also, great sleeves and a sweet little detail between each tier. Pattern Play Speaking of patterns, look these these stunners! Small-scale patterns with modest necklines, and fitted bodices. I’m in. Plus, you don’t even have to ask yourself “What bra am I going to wear with this??” because you can wear whichever one you want! Since these are both long-sleeved, they aren’t going to be as versatile with those lingering hot days of summer. But hey, maybe you work in a really cold office so some sleeves are welcome:) Last but not least is this fun and elegant beauty. This one is going to show a little more cleavage (unless you add a tank top of some kind under). But I love that it’s long, there’s a pretty detail at the shoulders, and it has a very fun bold print. The colors are so pretty too! Oh, and it goes up to a size 20/22 and comes in three different lengths. It’s a slam dunk which is how I like to end every post:) What do you think? Any favorites? Any reviews if you own one of these dresses? Let’s chat! Love you, mean it.