Casual Dress Trends I Love + Favorite Black Dress Designers to Shop

These past few weeks will definitely go down in history. And, as I continue to educate myself in doing better, I am committed to the on-going support of black businesses, in the lifestyle category, on my platform. So, instead of only sharing my favorite dress trends, I want to also highlight some amazing black women dress designers to shop and support from my growing Hot List as well. I also added a selection of dresses from Target to include their collaborations with Cushnie, Lisa Marie Fernandez, Love Shack Fancy, and more. (Scroll down).

As summer progresses, it looks like we may be able to start responsibly socializing (hopefully in small get-togethers, six feet apart, with masks on). I think it’s a good time to break out of our sweats and leggings to make way for cute dresses - a refreshing and welcome change to our recent springtime, stay-at-home looks.

In my latest monthly feature for Who What Wear, We're in Our 50s and Think These 9 Casual Dress Trends Work for Everyone, Janet Gunn, The Grateful Gardenia, and I shared a few favorites that will have you looking forward to getting dressed again. Read on to check out the styles I am currently loving.

Dress on Janet by Natalie Martin, Kaftan from Puglia boutique

Floral

Nothing says springtime like a pretty floral print.

Dress by ASTR The Label (sold out). More dresses here from the designer. Bag by Ulla Johnsson. Sandals by Soludos.

SHOP Faithfull The Brand X Revolve Lennox Midi Dress

SHOP ASTR The Label Floral Midi Dress

SHOP Floral L*Space Isabel Dress

White

A white dress always looks clean and fresh.  

SHOP BA&SH dresses on sale here

SHOP LoveShackFancy Edie Dress

SHOP ACACIA Emmett Dress

Flowy

I love wearing loose-fitting dresses with beautiful prints for an easy beach to lunch summer style.  

Dress by Natalie Martin (sold out). SHOP similar here.

SHOP Floral Dress by Nudz Beachwear

SHOP R13 Midi Tiered Slip

Long dresses

Midi/Maxi/Kaftan

It’s easy to go with the flow when wearing a chic boho style. Reminiscent of a beachside vacation in a foreign land, we love to wear these dresses all summer long.

Janet Gunn. Dress by Natalie Martin (sold out). Shop similar here.

SHOP Island Tribe Zanzibar Bohemian Maxi Dress

SHOP Natalie Martin Danika Long Sleeve Dress

Dress by Ulla Johnson

SHOP Free People Adella Maxi Slipdress

SHOP Ulla Johnson Pink Eudora Beaded Organza Midi Dress

SHOP Revolve Keepsakes Without Me Maxi Dress

SHOP Ramy Brook Audrey Dress

Ramy Brook is a talented designer who has always been extremely charitable and is offering a new initiative on her website to help our healthcare heroes. 

You can purchase a gift here for our brave and heroic healthcare professionals that will be sent to them from the registry. In addition, Ramy Brook will be gifting 1,000 items to them. 20% of all proceeds will be donated to two charities,  No Kid Hungry and Jumpstart, who have been feeding, educating, and caring for our most vulnerable children during this pandemic.

Gift Healthcare Heroes with Ramy Brook’s Healthcare Heroes Registry!

Slip Dress

The perfect dress to slip into when the temps start to climb. Throw on with a sneaker to run around town or with a cute sandal. 

Dress by Rag and Bone (sold out). SHOP their dresses here.

SHOP Vaea Slip Dress by Cali Dreaming

SHOP Dresses by Hark +Hammer

SHOP Elodie K Dyana Dress Stretch Satin

SHOP Slip Dress by OYUN. Slippers by R0AM.

Short and flirty

Whether worn with a flat or a heel, a short dress always screams flirty and fun! 

Dress by LoveShackFancy sold out. SHOP dresses from the line here.

SHOP LoveShackFancy Popover Dress (limited sizes)

SHOP LoveShackFancy Popover Dress in Sunset Pink

Dress by ElodieK. Shop the line here.

Below is a list of some favorite black designers to put on your radar. Click on the links directly to shop.

Fe Noel

“Eat well, travel often and dress to inspire,” Fe Noel's design motto definitely speaks to me! Heavily influenced by her Caribbean heritage, she is known for her feminine designs, simple silhouettes, and quality fabrics. Another thing I love about this dress designer… she aims to mentor and empower other women to start their own businesses through her Fe Noel Foundation for young girls who are passionate about entrepreneurship.

Tracy Reese 

Best known for her ready-to-wear styles, her new capsule collection collaborates with artists from her hometown of Detroit and uses ethically-sourced materials in unique prints. Gentle on the earth and fashion-forward in style. So many cute summer finds in this collection! 

SHOP Tracy Reese for Anthropologie Devin Flounced Mini Dress

Island Tribe 

Island Tribe is a brand where boho and beach style collide! This California-based fashion house practices social good and fair trade with a mission to better the environment with sustainable designs. Their dresses are right on trend with summer’s laid back, free-spirit vibes, and are inspired by peace, love, and blessings. Who couldn’t use more of those three things these days! 

lemlem 

An artisan-driven brand focused on sustainability, lemlem is made in Africa and is the inspiration of Supermodel Liya Kebede. Elevating the artisans and expanding jobs across Africa, the designs of her handwoven dresses are perfect to add to your summertime wish list.

SHOP lemlem Koki Peasant Dress

McMullen

Founded in Oakland, California in 2007 by Sherri McMullen, McMullen is a delightfully curated concept shop featuring luxury womenswear by emerging and established designers from around the world. They have a selection of dresses that will take you anywhere from cocktail hour to summer bbq. I love that they support design and manufacturing that can impact communities and empower women with a mission to specifically support African and African-American apparel and home décor designers.

SHOP Lisa Marie Fernandez for Target Yellow Gingham Midi Dress

Cushnie 

This luxury ready-to-wear brand was established in 2008 and is known for its sophisticated and modern femininity. Their dresses are sleek, minimal and designed to enhance the contour of a woman’s body. While most of their dresses are more suited for cocktail or red-carpet, they are now bringing their timeless designs to Target with a limited-edition dress collection. 

SHOP Cushnie for Target Two-Tone Slip Dress

If you’re looking for great affordable summer dress options, check out Target's Who What Wear collection, as well as their limited-edition collection featuring acclaimed designers like LoveShackFancy, Cushnie, and Lisa Marie Hernandez...just in time for summer!

Click on the images in the carousel below to shop more of favorite dress styles and designers.
Now available at Target!

I hope you've found some fun, feminine dress styles you're excited to try, as well as discovered a few new designers you may want to add to your closet this season. Be well!

xx Melissa

My 'What to Pack' Super Feature on Who What Wear

“…the most stylish 54-year-old on Instagram.”

Yesterday I was honored to be featured on the home page of Who What Wear in, ‘A Stylish 54-Year-Old Shares What She Packs for a European Getaway’. I had 48 hours to pull this article together that came to me on my Instagram DM from one of the top editors there. It was the last day of my two-week stay in Italy where I traveled to Rome, Sardinia and across the Amalfi Coast—one week alone with my husband and one week with four other couples (full blog coming soon). During my stay, each outfit and experience was captured for the purpose of creating summer content for this blog and my Instagram, including stories! Since I don’t travel with a photographer, I was lucky to have my semi-patient Instagram hubby and some talented friends on the trip, who snapped shots during our two week holiday. 

I was hoping to be able to work on this article during my flight home, however, once on the board, I learned that the plane was new and not yet fitted for internet use. After a brief panic attack, I used the time without wi-fi to organize my iPhone apps, respond to emails and edit photos from the trip. In order to actually make the deadline for this article, I had to pull an all-nighter when I arrived home at 11:00 pm. I was on European time so that worked out! However, I did crash hard and the jet lag struggle was real and lasted a full week.

At the end of the day, it is gratifying to be a content creator in my mid-fifties, getting major play on Who What Wear, a platform that I have always thought of as the modern online version of Vogue Magazine. I hope to continue creating content that you can enjoy, filled with advice and tips to lead a more enhanced life. Thank you for following me and supporting me on this journey—I would not be here without you! 

Below you can see the complete article on, “What to Pack for a European Getaway”, and shop all the looks from this post!

Natalie Martin Maxi Dress

Flannel Vouex Cami Maxi Dress

Dresses and Skirts
I bring a mix of flowy skirts and dresses and wear them for everything from touring, sightseeing, beach, pool, and dinner. I think Natalie Martin makes some of the best summer dresses that work well from day to night. They take up nearly no space in your luggage and seem to be wrinkle-free right out of your suitcase.

Skirt by Spell & the Gypsy

CLICK ON IMAGES TO SHOP DIRECTLY

Natalie Martin Maxi

Spell & the Gypsy Wild Bloom Strappy Dress ($229)

Zadig & Voltaire Joslin Paradise Skirt ($245)

Free People Anita Midi Dress

Spell & the Gypsy Amethyst Gown ($275)

Spell & the Gypsy Wild Thing Maxi Skirt ($199)

Sandals and Comfy, Chic Shoes
Pack shoes that are lightweight, comfortable, and stylish. Simple flat sandals in nude or metallic go with everything and are great if you are doing a lot of walking or touring. I am a huge fan of the Hermès-inspired slides in neutral and have them in several colors. I also love the new strappy styles, and they provide some extra support. If you must bring something with a heel, I recommend simple raffia wedges by Sam Edelman or Soludos.

These retro Nike Classic Cortez sneakers can double as workout shoes or worn with your favorite dresses, shorts and cropped pants.

As seen on style icon Lyn Slater, Vision Quest shoes are fashionable and functional. These unique babouche shoes have a molded rubber outsole design and feel as comfortable as my bedroom slippers. I wore my rose gold ones at the airport and on big walking days in Europe - perfect for the cobblestone streets of Italy!

Use glowgirl10 for a 10% discount!

CLICK ON IMAGES TO SHOP DIRECTLY

Nike Classic Cortez Sneaker

Vision Quest Rose Gold Babouches ($179). Use glowgirl10 for a 10% discount!

Dress by Nudz Beachwear

Dress by Zimmerman

CLICK ON IMAGES TO SHOP DIRECTLY

Steven Greece Slides ($59)

Sam Edelman Deena Platform Wedge ($130)

COVER-UPS & KIMONOS
I usually like to buy a few light-weight cover-ups in Europe but will take a few with me that work with all of my swimsuits. You can also pair a swimsuit with a kimono like this one from Free People worn as a cover up that can also be tied or belted as a dress. Or, wear as a light layer if it’s chilly at night.

Kimono by Free People

Bag by ClareV. Sandals by Ancient Greek Sandals.

CLICK ON IMAGES TO SHOP DIRECTLY

Free People Angelica Open-Front Kimono $58

Nudz Floral-Print Maxi Dress ($178)

SWIMSUITS
I am a huge fan of the retro high-waisted bikinis that are so on trend right now and they are super flattering on most body types! I also love one piece styles with special details or patterns.

LSpace Ribbed Gemma Bikini Top ($92). French Bikini Bottom, $99

Swimsuit by Cami and Jax (sold out)

CLICK ON IMAGES TO SHOP DIRECTLY

Cami and Jax Lola Top ($125)

L*Space Ribbed Gemma Bikini Top ($92)

Cami & Jax Selby Bikini Bottoms ($100)

Cami and Jax Marla One Piece ($250)

CROPPED PANTS & JEANS
I usually take or wear a comfy lightweight pair of jeans on the plane and then take one pair of cropped white pants.

WHITE LINEN SHIRT
I saw lots of linen shirts while in Italy and picked up a few more! You can wear them as a classic button down or crop and tie them at the waist with your fave skirt, shorts or pants. They even double as an extra layer worn open and loose over a t-shirt or tank dress.

CAMISOLES
I always take one solid and one patterned to mix and match with all skirts and pants.

CLICK ON IMAGES TO SHOP DIRECTLY

Mother, The Insider Step Hem Crop Bootcut Jeans ($205)

Cami NYC Racer Georgette Top ($172)

Cuyana Linen Boyfriend Shirt ($135)

Zadig & Voltaire Chris Jac Leo Camisole ($248)

ACCESSORIES
European women are so effortlessly stylish--they wear beautiful accessories that up their style game to complete their look.

COSTUME JEWELRY
Leave the fine jewelry at home (except for a few gold necklaces and studs that you can swim with) and bring pieces that are easily packed and that can be worn from day to night. I like to stack these beaded bracelets by Karen Lazar Design, or you can wear a few with your existing bracelets. Use code GLOWGIRL10 for a 10% discount!

Delicate necklaces that you can wear from pool to out at night...just layer them! Melissa Meyers X LOOMA Glow necklace Use code GLOW20 for a 20% discount

HAIR
I love wearing hair accessories to add to my travel summer looks, such as, Scarlett Pearl clips by BaubleBar, Ponytail Scarf by Anthropology and Scrunchies by Love Shack Fancy.

Beaded bracelets by Karen Lazar Design. Use code GLOWGIRL10 for a 10% discount!

BAGS
I like to use a large lightweight tote bag on the plane that I can use while traveling from place to place, take to the beach and shopping. I also bring a straw round bag that goes with everything and works from day to night.

HAT
A hat is a must-have to protect your skin and completes your day look, too! Make sure to take the new TopTote with you. This chic hat clip is genius and attaches to your bag or luggage. It makes for the perfect travel companion and keeps your hat crush-free. I used it every day when I was in Italy and just attached it to my beach bag.

SUNNIES
I usually like to take a few pair with me since there are so many amazing styles out now, they can change up your look depending on the style. I wear styles by Illesteva, Le Specs, Diff Eyewear, Oliver Peoples and Ray Bans.

ROBE
I like to bring a pretty lightweight robe because the ones you get at the hotel are usually too large and thick. With high temps during the summer, it feels good to get ready in one of these instead plus they barely take up space in your luggage!

JACKETS
I suggest wearing a light-weight denim jacket on the plane that you can wear if you happen to have a chilly night while there. I find most places in Europe to be very warm this time of year, even at night!

Levi's Ex-Boyfriend Denim Trucker Jacket. Sunnies by DIFF Eyewear. TopTote, The Drop Leather Hat Clip

CLICK ON IMAGES TO SHOP DIRECTLY

Halogen Woven Panama

Flora Nikrooz Arisa Floral Print Satin Robe

TopTote, The Drop Leather Hat Clip

Levi's Ex-Boyfriend Denim Trucker Jacket

Thank you to my husband, Michael Meyers, who endured my requests for daily photo shoots while away on our vacation. And, a big shout out and thank you to Who What Wear, for featuring me and more perennials on their platform! I hope to continue contributing content for their viewership. What an exciting time!

Again, thank YOU for following me on this glowgetter blogging journey.

xxMelissa

Beautiful day at La Fontelina Capri!

Trip to Rome and Southern Italy

Italy is one of those places that gets in your soul. The culture is so rich you can’t help but take in every part of it during your time there. I visited Rome, Sicily and Puglia last year with my family and want to share my experience with you in case you are planning to visit there this summer or some time in the near future. This part of Europe is a favorite of mine (my 5th trip there) and is rich with the most incredible, art, cooking, traditions and history. These experiences are so impressionable that you can’t help but bring some of them back into your home country.

I used an incredible luxury travel company called Lux Voyage to help me plan this trip including activities and restaurant reservations. I was also lucky to have been able to meet up with my blogging partner Janet Gunn and her family for part of the trip!

Below are highlights of where to stay, dine, explore and what to pack for this European vacation.

Click items directly in the carousel below to shop ‘what to pack’

ROME

Poolside at the Gran Melia Rome

STAY
First up we stayed at Gran Melia Rome, a nice family-friendly hotel in the ‘heart of the eternal city’ - close to the Vatican in Rome. The Gran Melia has delicious food with a restaurant run by one of Italy’s most famous chefs. It’s well-priced and very conveniently located if you plan to spend time in Vatican City. The green oasis and beautiful pool area brings peace and quiet to a bustling city. I also recommend staying at the JK ROMA if you want to be in the historic center of Rome near the Trevi Fountain, The Villa Borghese and the designer boutiques of Via del Corso. We stayed in Rome for two nights!

Vatican City

EXPLORE
With so much to explore in Italy, where do I start? Well, the Vatican is an absolute must-see at least once in a lifetime! We took an early morning tour (earlier the better) to the Vatican City, one of the most sacred places in Christendom, it attests to a great history and a formidable spiritual venture. A unique collection of artistic and architectural masterpieces lie within the boundaries of this small state. At its center is St Peter's Basilica, with its double colonnade and a circular piazza in front and bordered by palaces and gardens. Here you can also visit the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel! All this in one morning and we then took a tour after lunch through the Jewish Ghetto. Hidden in the heart of the city, it is one of the best attractions in Rome (and also one of its least-known). As the oldest Jewish community in all of Europe, this beautiful, thriving neighborhood is as central to the history of the city as it is to the Jewish faith.

The Jewish Quarter, Rome

“Best pasta in Rome” at the authentic Taverna Trilussa

DINE
What a treat! Italy is renowned for full flavor, olive oil, herbs, fresh mediterranean living and I love it!
When in Rome, we had dinner at Dal Bologese,  in piazza del Popolo. A true Italian experience, where sophisticated Romans mingle with models and celebs at this historically chic restaurant. Dine inside, surrounded by wood panelling and exotic flowers, or outside, serving timeless cuisine serving dishes of the Emilian tradition: including tagliatelle Bolognese and tortellini in broth. We also found the “best pasta in Rome” at the authentic Taverna Trilussa. A high end, rustic taverna famed for serving pasta in steel pans!

SOUTHERN ITALY: SICILY & PUGLIA

View of Taormina, Sicily

STAY
A 3.5 hour flight after our time in Rome to Catania we checked into Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo in Taormina where we spent three nights and then went to the sister beachside property, the Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea. Taormina is a renowned resort area in Sicily; a small and elegant town with balconies covered in flowers, ancient ruins, and views over the sea and towards the volcano, Etna. Plus, there are some cute boutiques to shop and no shortage of great restaurants. Another great way to experience Taormina from its most privileged point of view is to take out a boat for the day!

With Janet Gunn Grateful Gardenia in Sicily at The Belmond Grande Hotel Timeo. Wearing Franne Golde magic pants in white.
Use code MM10 for 10% off while shopping www.frannegolde.com.
Silk top by Hark + Hammer, Bag by ClareV, Sandals by Ancient Greek Sandals.

Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo. Wearing a Zimmerman ruffled floral playsuit. Similar here.

Click items directly in the carousel below to shop swim and beach wear

At the beach at Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea. Swimwear - Black one piece by Cami and Jax. Similar here

Day trip to Volcano, Mount Etna

Sunset at Borgo Egnazia

Climbing the steps at Borgo Egnazia

Borgo Egnazia. Dress by Nudz Beachwear. Similar dress by Natalie Martin

Our last stop in Italy was Puglia (pronounced “Pulia”), staying at the 5 star hotel Borgo Egnazia. Here ‘nature is powerful, peace is intense, harmony is full’ and it certainly was! This beautiful and unique destination is a visionary interpretation of a typical Puglian village, surrounded by olive groves within the gorgeous landscape in Southern Italy. You get your own designated concierge who will guide you and offer the best in local and authentic experiences there. The service is impeccable and a stay there is certainly a “bucket list” experience. Another great small boutique hotel worth a visit is La Perschiera—this 13-room five-star (adults only) hotel offers sea views from every room within its own private beach. We went for lunch and spent some beach time there.

La Perschiera. Solid and Stripe swimwear by Mara Hoffman. Similar here.

Poolside at the Borgo Egnazia

Lunch at the Borgo Egnazia

EXPLORE
In Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot and the home of Italy’s pasta, we embarked upon a full-day journey. Beginning in Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, discovering its unique prehistoric trulli houses. Afterwards we continued to Locorotondo taking in its luminous white houses, charming churches, and panoramic views of the Itria Valley. Then continued to Ostuni one of the most beautiful towns in Puglia, extending across three hills, and known as "the white city" for its dazzling white walls and white-painted buildings. The genuine charm of these white-washed villages were simply beautiful. Our stop in Locorontondo, known as one of the most beautiful cities in Italy continues with everything in bright white apart from the blood red geraniums that fall from the window boxes. The streets are paved with smooth ivory stones, with the church of Santa Maria della Grecia as its sunbaked centerpiece.

Visit to Alberobello. Dress by Natalie Martin. Sunnies by Oliver Peoples. Sandals by Ancient Greek sandals. Similar dress here.

Town of Alberobello

I highly recommend taking a bike tour through the olive-tree covered countryside of Puglia! The culture of olive oil is one of the region's greatest treasures. Starting from Albergabici in Montalbano we experienced the region’s famous “Apulian gold” -  an underground olive oil factory, and flourishing olive farms. Extra virgin olive oil of Puglia is one of the most famous products in the world for its taste and it’s quality! The Borgo Egnazia with it’s full service concierge set up this tour for us from their property and it was well worth it.

DINE
A little more casual, was our lunch spot in Puglia at La Taverna del Duca, serving excellent apuglian cuisine and in Taormina we encountered Tischi Toschi a small family run restaurant with a relaxed Sicilian atmosphere serving locals with their fresh authentic flavors and recipes.

Lastly I wanted to note the brand new restaurant, Casa Gioli in Taormina mixing Sicilian art and upscale cuisine set in a splendid location.

WHAT TO PACK FOR A EUROPEAN VACATION
During this trip I took some of my favorite casual chic outfits  - think straw hats, flowing dresses, white jeans, swimsuit and comfy sandals.

Silk top by Hark + Hammer. Dress, similar here. Bag by ClareV. Belt Bag similar here.

Tips to remember for your trip to Italy
• Wear light layers, beach cover ups and tunics. Comfortable shoes a must!
• Bring jeans or light-weight athleisure pants if you plan on visiting Mt. Etna or take a bike ride
• Pack a straw hat and fanny pack (not your grandma's!). They also sell amazing hats in Italy so you can pick one up there too!
• Visit the Vatican early morning and book your Museum tickets in advance online from the Vatican website!
Or you can set up a private behind the scenes tour BEFORE the Vatican is open through Lux Voyage.
• Pack your Skyroam for safe wireless everywhere! Use code GLOWGIRL10 for 10% off your skyroam!

Have fun, eat well and embrace the romance of this beautiful country!

xxMelissa

La Peschiera Hotel. Swim suit by Cami and Jax. Sandals by Ancient Greek Sandals