The struggle to find the 2026 DOTY *finally* comes to an end
The search for the 2026 DOTY proved to be hard won.
Since 2022, I have found a perfect Old Navy dress. One that defies logic (we want it to say: why would a $49 dress look this expensive?) and reason. The first year it was a Reformation dupe that I wore on an Italian vacation, the second year it was a black ribbed midi dress that traveled with me to Berlin and beyond. Then it was a sleeveless cotton number, followed by a shorter, stretchy mini dress with thick straps and lots of potential in 2025.
PS: Are there better dresses than ones from Old Navy, yes. But the DOTY is about accessibility! There are few things less accessible than a $49 dress at 40% off. That’s right…today the DOTY is less than 30 bucks.
In the last few weeks my DMs started to fill up with people asking me if we had a DOTY, or if they had missed the DOTY.
Skip all the chatter and go right to the dress! (Tip: if between sizes, size down).
I usually find the dress in late March, but this year the search was difficult. I made multiple orders, and multiple returns. I tried sizing up in some styles, I tried sizing down in others. Some dresses were…fine? But not in a way that made me want to recommend something to tens of thousands of people. I was willing to say we had to skip a year, and then Jenna, a Geezer, reached out on Instagram with a tip.
I tried it on and said, yep. This is it.
Here she is!
It’s a sleeveless denim midi dress that gives structured ease. It has a square neckline and thick straps, which make it feel more elevated and less casual than your average denim dress. It’s totally work appropriate if paired with the right shoes and cardigan.
The bodice is fitted, then it opens up into a full, seamed skirt that hits mid-calf. It gives you a nice shape without feeling fussy, and there’s a zipper in the back, which I always prefer, because it keeps pieces looking a little more polished and intentional. If you like wearing shorts, shapewear or just simply NOT A THONG under your dresses, the flare on this one plus the fabric makes it so no lines are detectable.
The denim itself is not heavy or stiff. It has enough structure to hold the shape, but it still feels very wearable for everyday. This is what makes it feel like an actual outfit, and not a beach coverup.
It’s simple, but in that way where it does all the work for you. And it goes with a million things you already own. Here are a few ideas:
(Here’s an easy-to-shop link to everything I put together below!)
I hope you love it. You can thank Jenna for the assist.
My mother’s day gift guide comes out tomorrow and this time I polled Geezer moms. You’re going to love my friend’s hack for saving and storing kid artwork (and yes, a GEETHANKS discount is involved), so make sure you check your inboxes tomorrow.
More soon, I love you!
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