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Kerry Washington's Elegant Dress Had a Seasonal Detail Reese Witherspoon and Jessica Alba Wear, Too

Short-sleeve dresses are super practical for fall

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Published on August 26, 2024 07:30PM EDT

kelly washington in chic dress featuring pieces to get a similar look — Photo:
Kelly Washington(1); Amazon (3)

Welcome to The Blueprint, where we break down the celebrity looks we want to wear right now and build them back up, piece by piece.

Not ready to give up dresses quite yet? Not to worry — Kerry Washington just showed us exactly how to bring the style into fall.

While out in New York City, the actress was spotted wearing a gorgeous green dress that had plenty of standout details, including patch pockets, a belted waist, and short sleeves. She styled the look with pointed beige shoes and a crossbody bag.

Kerry Washington seen in Manhattan on August 23, 2024 in New York City. — Robert Kamau/GC Images

Short-sleeve dresses have been a popular choice among stars like Reese Witherspoon and Jessic Alba recently — the style is ideal for those who want a little more coverage than a spaghetti strap or strapless dress provides. The dress paired with pointed toe heels is simply an elegent look, while a hands-free crossbody bag is forever a practical choice.

Keep reading for more mix-and-match pieces inspired by her Washington’s latest outfit that you can easily wear now and through fall from at Amazon, Nordstrom, Madewell, and more — prices start at just $20e.

Kerry Washington’s Outfit Blueprint

Short-sleeve dresses: Anrabess Short-Sleeve Dress, $39.99; amazon.com
Zoe and Claire Short Sleeve Mixed Media Dress, $88; nordstrom.com
Nordstrom Pleated A-Line Dress, $99; nordstrom.com
Crossbody bags: FashionPuzzle Chevron Quilted Crossbody Bag, $19.95; amazon.com
Madewell The Essential Mini Bucket Tote, $109.99 (orig. $138); madewell.com
Mango Crossbody Bag, $79.99; mango.com
Pointed shoes: Amazon Essentials Pointed-Toe Ballet Flats, $23.70; amazon.com
Joy in Love Pointy Toe Heels, $48.99; amazon.com

Anrabess Short-Sleeve Dress

$40 at Amazon

A short-sleeve dress like this $40 style from Amazon is smart for unpredictable fall weather. The oversized short sleeves keep your shoulders covered, while the ends include ruffles for a romantic vibe. The V-neck shows a small amount of skin, and the silhouette has three tiers to make it extra flowy. Depending on the weather, I would wear it with socks and white sneakers or tights and boots. It’s available in 17 colors, including green, black, and red.

FashionPuzzle Chevron Quilted Crossbody Bag

$20 at Amazon

Meghan Markle, Taylor Swift, and Oprah are just some of the famous faces who are fans of crossbody bags. This quilted purse is on sale for just $20 today, and it comes with two main compartments that are secured with zippers to keep your belongings protected. The shoulder strap is adjustable for a custom fit, which is important to me due to my shorter frame. One shopper likes the versatility of the bag: “You can dress it up and dress it down.”

Amazon Essentials Pointed-Toe Ballet Flats

$24 at Amazon

A no-brainer way to dress up your outfit? Pointed-toe flats like this pair from Amazon that I’m immediately adding to my cart. While heels might not be the most practical for everyday wear, these shoeshave a padded insole with memory foam plus a heel pillow to cushion your feet for added comfort. They’re available in either faux suede and faux leather -calf skin looks like a stylish alternative to leather. And they have a slight quarter-inch heel, meaning they’ll dress up your outfit no matter what you pair them with.

Cooler weather is around the corner. Make sure your dresses get a seasonal upgrade with these short-sleeve styles, pointed-toe shoes, and crossbody bags inspired by Washington.