Ask me about the 90’s, and I’ll tell you I’d never like to revisit the fashion that’s synonymous with that era. Ask to see photos, and I would burn them before you could set your eyes on my tapered jeans, plaid shirts, and braces. But between all the family trips to visit Grandma in Seattle, meet relatives in parts of the Middle East, and a few vacations to Europe, there is a boatload of images of pre-pubescent Eva adrift in a sea of 90’s fashion. And almost all of it is neatly documented in my parent’s numerous photo albums.

There was one 90’s style in particular that I hated the most, even as a gangly young girl, and that was the button-down dress. I remember my sisters all had button-down dresses. One for a middle school graduation, one in linen for hot days, and plenty of dark floral fabrics that still give me shivers. Paired with those iconic Steve Madden platform sandals, I just hated the look, and the style never recovered for me – even as I saw it reemerge recently in modern fashion.

So when I saw this silk, button-down dress from Yumi Kim, I was more than skeptical. I’ve liked their dresses for a few years now, so I was willing to give something new a try, but I was still suspiciously, squinty-eyeing this one until I finally clicked buy. And I’m so glad I did. The Riviera Silk Maxi is light, comfortable, and so easy to wear. It also gets bonus points because I receive compliments on it nearly every time I put it on! I love the details of the gold-rimmed buttons, and I don’t think I would have liked the dress without the safari-style pockets across the chest. I also find the subtle, Eastern-inspired floral pattern a thousand times chicer than the busy flower designs of yore.

It’s funny how a dress I swore never to wear, has become one of my favorite pieces for spring and summer. Life always has a way of delivering the unexpected, so perhaps the next time I reminisce about my childhood fashion, I won’t be so quick to cringe at the photos.

However, I am still sure of one thing: you will never catch me in a bucket hat ever again!

To read my thoughts on the bucket hat resurgence, click here! And do you have a fashion trend you’re avoiding right now or one you would like to forget? Share with me in the comments below!