When it comes to solid-colored clothing, especially dresses, I tend to steer clear. But this summer I've fully embraced the solid-colored tank dress as an easy way to feel put together without overheating. So far I have two, a royal blue one from Target and this black one from Walmart. Both are similar quality, jersey material, and fit kind of loose. The Walmart dress has pockets, which I love, but depending on where they hit on you could cause lumpiness. I'm so short they're far enough down not to be a problem, other than when I put my phone in one side it can pull the arm hole down to expose my bra a little (thanks, Alexis, for pointing that out, ha!). The great thing about solid colored dresses is how easy it is to make small changes and completely change the feel of the outfit. So here are three ways to wear a solid tank dress.

Dress / Shoes

1. Keep it Neutral

This is the easiest of the three outfit formulas I'm sharing. Neutrals can be black, tan, brown, even gold. Think along the lines of earth tones and you've got it. You can see that I'm wearing tortoise-shell jewelry and tan/brown sandals for a dressy-casual vibe. You can easily swap out heeled sandals for flats and tone down the jewelry for a more casual outfit.

These heeled sandals are my most recent shoe purchase. They're replacing a similar, very uncomfortable pair I got on sale last summer but only wore twice because they rubbed my feet so badly. This pair is super soft and did not rub my feet when I wore them running errands. I'm usually a size 7 in shoes but this brand consistently runs about a half size too small for me, so I got these in 7.5. My necklace and earrings are from Walmart, but I can't find them on their website. After wearing them all day, they did not turn my sensitive skin green. We'll see how well they hold up over time.

Dress / Shoes

2. Add Pops of Color

Pops of color instantly create a fun vibe. With black especially, you can do just about any color in the rainbow. I chose a yellow statement necklace and wedges for a more summery feel, but could just as easily accomplish the same goal with red or pink. The trick is to find a color that pops or stands out against the color of your dress.

Dress / Similar Kimono / Sandals

3. Add a Layer

If it feels like your outfit is missing something, add another piece. In this case, add another layer like my kimono, a utility or denim vest, or a lightweight jacket or sweater. A printed kimono adds a focal point to the dress while a vest or jacket will help add definition. To keep things feeling more casual, I ditched the heels for flat sandals.

Which look is your favorite: 1, 2, or 3?