How to Style a Prairie Dress

My obsession with any kind of prairie dress runs deep… it all started with my first professional job as an actress in a Civic Light Opera production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Oklahoma! I was still a teenager and absolutely adored all of the beautiful prairie dresses and hair bows, that our costumer outfitted us in as we danced and sang our way across the stage. We had four costume changes for Laurie’s Dream Ballet alone (which made the changes even more complex than the choreography). I was especially loving a pink gingham dress I wore. Little did I know that a couple of decades later Prairie Dresses and Cottage Core would be all the rage.

Doen Prairie Dress, Pixie Market Straw Bag, Distressed Ankle Boots | Prairie Dress by popular Dallas fashion blog, Pretty Little Shoppers: image of a woman walking outside on some grass under some trees and wearing a black Down prairie dress, tan boots, and holding a woven handbag

*Keep it Simple – A prairie dress makes a statement with it’s embellished sleeves, stitching and fabric, so it’s really such an easy look to throw on in a rush and still looked pulled together. The dress has it’s roots in pioneer woman working the land and it’s more modern styles are perfect for everything from working at home, running errands and chasing after your human and fur babies.

*Pair with boots, sandals, ballet flats or ballet mules – Comfort is key with this look, so think of a shoe that’s easy to slip on and off. Or skip the shoes altogether and feel the grass on your feet as you run through the plains. 🙂

*Grab a straw bag or tote – Keep it earthy and natural with a hand woven bag or tote.

*Add a hair bow – This is really the only accessory you need with a prairie dress. In another musical I did (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers), I remember my director stopping me in the backstage hall… I thought he was going to give me a choreography note, but instead he told me to head back to wardrobe for a matching hair bow to go with my dress.

Black Floral Prairie Dress, Straw bag, distressed ankle boots | Prairie Dress by popular Dallas fashion blog, Pretty Little Shoppers: image of a woman walking outside on some grass under some trees and wearing a black Down prairie dress, tan boots, and holding a woven handbag.

Doen dress (also love this one, this one, this one and this one) / Pixie Market bag (similar here, here and here) / Juicy Couture boots (similar here and here)

I’ve been living in this Doen Prairie dress for the past few months as it goes so well with my new surroundings. These photos were taken just steps from my home, and I’ve been wearing this dress to take Mr. Cupcake on his afternoon or early evening walk and for play/wine dates with our neighbors and their pups. It’s such an easy and comfortable look to throw on in a hurry and still look pulled together.