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Ask Angie (and everyone): Can old midis learn new tricks? ETA new pic

Jonesy

Veteran

I am on Team Keep and have several old midi dresses and skirts lying around. I have tried to style them in an updated way. What are your thoughts about these pieces? Other styling suggestions?

#1 is a dress, maybe 15 years old. It's rayon, with a Peter Pan collar. There are some fit issues (seen in the first pic--I think I'm too short-waisted for it) but I would wear it with a jacket, as in pic 2.

The second dress is quite long, almost verging into Maxi Territory? It's deep navy, from 1997. I remember precisely because I wore it once, to a beautiful evening wedding, with platform sandals and a pearl choker (with my hair up). I was about 6 weeks pregnant with my first child. Styled in the second pic for more of a daytime look. Is it too long? Worth shortening? I admit I feel quite swanky in this one :)!

The third skirt is from 1987. It's Benetton, made out of wool, and a vivid purple-blue. I remember I used to wear it with biker boots and an oversized black turtleneck. How does it look with the jacket?

I like the rugged short boots with the second two, but the gray may not be ideal. I am awaiting a UPS delivery with some short black boots that might work better, but I wanted to get your thoughts on these basic combos.

Thanks!!!

Okay, I just added a new pic of the gray dress in 1-2 with an edgier belt, bare legs, and ankle-strap black wedge sandals. Same jacket with sleeves cuffed and scrunched.Any better or still dated and not good?

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31 replies

Latest reply was from catgirl

Louise

Veteran

I LOVE #5 very edgy. Not so keen on #1/2 perhaps a tad dated? Can't decide on #3/4 x

crazyone

Veteran

I love the skirt in 5, but the rest look fairly dated to me, especially 1/2. 3/4 needs to be hemmed a bit, but I'm not sure it's worth it, since the polo neckline isn't that appealing to me.

Aida

Veteran

I'm not too fond of 1/2 for you, I think it's a combo of the print and color throwing me. I actually really like #3, but I think in #4 you've got so much covered up that it feels stuffy; if you kept #3 and didn't shorten, I think you'd need to be careful to expose some skin or figure to keep it from looking matronly. I don't know about length, but I would like to see this with elbow length sleeves. LOVE #5, that skirt is super awesome. Where does it hit on your calf? From this view it's making me think it needs to go up an inch or two so it hits just as the calf curve goes in but I know you've got the long legs to work this length I really like the way it's styled here!

Vildy

Veteran

I see #1 still being sold as a minidress. The shape seems all wrong to me for
current midi wear. I love the long navy skirt on you and I love it the way it's styled
in the first picture. I've seen skirts like it this year, shown as designer. Noticed the
skirt shape then - model usually posed with legs spread to stretch it - but can't
recall the jackets, if any. I think #5 looks current. To my eye, it's just like the longer
pencil/straight skirt that people like to call midi. I remember Marlo Thomas sweeping onto some talk show in one of the first midis. Nothing like this. More conical and longer.
A very emphatic skirt.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Not sure about 1-2. Maybe try with the shorter booties, 'cause I really love the rest of the outfits!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I was so hoping that your old midis would be reinvented, Jonesy!! How fun.

#5 is perfect! 100% KILLER.

#1 and #2 needs an edgier boot and belt but don't give up yet.

I think that the second dress is absolutely worth shortening and tapering at the side seams. That neckline is beautiful on you.

City Poodle

I really like #5. The color, silhouette, whole package.

For #1/2, I don't know whether this would suit you, but if I owned it, I would wear it with a wide black belt (I think that's my favorite 'ME' accessory) and no hose/platform or wedge sandals for a late summer / early fall look.

#3/4 fits you really well. I also think length tailoring would make it more modern.

Jonesy

Veteran

Thanks for weighing in on these old timey items :)! I guess the purple skirt is getting all the love here.

Aida, the dress in 1-2 is charcoal gray, with small white diamond shapes on it. Does it look like blue or something on your monitor? I agree with all of you about this dress...I think I wore it once right after I first got it, then never again. I might try it with some black short boots (when the UPS man comes) and a different belt, just to see what ya'll think. I suppose I could try it with the gray boots, but that seemed like a lot of gray to me. This one might not be worth saving :).

Re. the long navy dress: I might have it shortened, if my new tailor works out. Maybe right below the knee. It is quite body-conscious, so I would probably only wear it with a jacket...I see your point, Aida, about covering up a lot and looking matronly, but maybe if it were a bit shorter that would mitigate the matronly factor. It is so comfy!

Thanks for your comments, Angie, and everyone else! I appreciate it. These items are truly fashion dinosaurs :)!

ETA: Thanks City Poodle! I like the idea of a wider belt and sans hose...I may re-group with this one and post some more pics sometime in the near future :).

Aida

Veteran

Yeah, the first dress shows as a dark blue on my screen If 3/4 was shortened (esp. to below the knee) that would certainly mitigate looking matronly; it's mainly the long length coupled with the long sleeves.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ditto everything Angie said! I think 1/2 has some potential, if it feels worth it. 5's a keeper for sure, and 3/4 can be altered just a little bit to be FAB. I also really think it's important to keep in mind how great you felt in that dress...that has got to be a positive sign for hanging onto it, no?

Jonesy

Veteran

Thanks for chiming back in, Aida! Suz, yes, I see your point!

Everyone, I added a new pic of the gray dress re-styled. Thoughts?

Angie (if you're still reading this!), I have a purely technical question: It looks like my post/pic isn't showing up on the home page. Is that because not all of them do, or is there some little glitch?

Aida

Veteran

Ooh I like the new outfit! I think having some of the buttons undone, some leg showing, and an edgy shoe really helps. Also knowing that it's charcoal For the original #1, how about patterned hose instead of solid and that same wide belt in #6 (and same neckline unbuttoning)?

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

#6 is better, but it still seems a bit frumpy to my eye. It does remind me a bit of something Chloe Sevigny would wear. Maybe it'll work with your incoming black ankle boots.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I love that skirt - I am sure you can work it into your current style!
I am not sure about the first dress. I think the print and neckline are not my cup of tea - but this is me.
I LOVE the second dress on you and I think you should shorten it to a flattering midi length - it will be k-word worthy.
As I said before I am amazed that you fit into a skirt from 1987 - I am not sure I would be able to fit into my skirts from pre-baby period!:-)

Traci

Veteran

I like the first dress with a topper. I'm not wild about it on it's own. It's great in #2 and #6. I could not decide with #2 alone if I liked it, or if you were just so darned cute that you could pull it off. 6 cinched it for me. It works.

If you take the second dress in for alterations to gem and sleeve, ask if they can flip the collar into the neckline and tack it down or remove it. I like the rest of the dress, but the collar feels dated.

That blue skirt is perfection. You've just single handedly justified any future closet hoarding I may consider. I can't believe it's 20 years old. I love it!

Jonesy

Veteran

Aida, I like the idea of patterned hose (though I don't currently own any! Maybe I need to add some to my fall need-to-buy list).

Anna, I do like the Chloe Sevigny reference--I like to flirt with that whole nerdy/frumpy edge :). Do you have any thoughts re. the other two looks (if you are still reading this)? I would love your opinion and I don't mind frankness!

Thank you, Sveta! The skirt is a sweater material, so it's quite forgiving :).

Traci, LOL--I don't think I've been called "cute" for maybe 20 years or so! Thanks! Also, thanks for your thoughts re. the collar being dated on the navy dress. You are certainly not alone in thinking that.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I think #4 would look better with pumps or heeled mary janes. It needs some skin showing. Would prefer a statement necklace over the scarf.
Would love to see a strong striped topper with the blue skirt, ala

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/st.....site_8_3_3

Or go all retro with with a pussy bow blouse, but that's not really your style.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You did it clever and fabulous, Jonesy! I LOVE #6. Both elegant and hip at the same time. Add your South African bangles:)

As yes, your question is a good one. Things posted in the "OTHER" category do not appear on the home page because of the abundance of OT threads in that category. Post in the "DRESSING" category!

Heather

Veteran

Jonesy, here is a link to a MK dress that maybe will provide inspiration for the longer navy dress; however, I will be the lone vote to keep as is--you are tall, lean and gorgeous.

http://www.michaelkors.com/sto.....02cat18007

The blue midi is bomb. Colorblock the fool out of that beauty all fall and winter!

Oh, and your subconscious called: She said to send that Lafayette 148 blazer South to Heather (one can only assume she meant me ;D)

**Waving to Mr. Plant** Hooray, you are still alive and making the edit!!

Vildy

Veteran

well, I have to eat my words. You are so gorgeous in the edgy version that if it were
an advertisement people would be running to find every item.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

More inspiration:

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/st.....at15320779

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/st.....at15320779

http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/170726

http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/161652

and this distracted me:

http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/161121

Jonesy

Veteran

Thanks for chiming back in, Angie! I will add those bracelets :). That makes sense about the categories of posts...not sure why I categorized mine as other...

Anna, thanks so much for the inspiration pics! I love the idea of stripes, and the pics with the black pencil skirts are fab. Such beautifully tailored pieces! I do have a few tops with dramatic sleeves that I thought would look good with pencil skirts this fall/winter. I have a few black pencil skirts that are longer that will definitely be seeing some action.

Heather, thanks for adding your two cents! I like the length on that MK dress you linked to. I guess you stand alone on Team Keep It Longer! Yes, that gray blazer is really fab--it seems to smarten up whatever I pair it with, which is maybe why I thought that touch o' the Amish look in #4 wasn't too bad :).

Vildy, where have you been all my life :)? Thanks so much for the boost and thanks for chiming back in re. that dress.

Anyone else have any thoughts? Good, bad, or ugly?

morethanbeige

Veteran

Love #5 and #6. Wow, what a difference #6 makes with the changes. A few changes can make all the difference.

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

heehee, i'm the lone voice in the wilderness here but i really like that first dress-ESPECIALLY now that i know it's grey! i think it looks great in pic #6 with some unbuttoning. if you're wearing it without a jacket, i was thinking you could try rolling up the sleeves a bit and maybe wearing a twisted bandana or something at the neckline? i'm also feeling that this dress could stand even more funkiness at the waist, like a wider belt or even two belts or a chunky-ish scarf. just ideas. i like the way you're playing with a funky-nerdy vibe, it's quirky and adds a touch of the unexpected - daring in a strange way! fun.

have a great one! steph

Reneeb

Veteran

#5 looks great love the skirt and I like the update of #1 in #6 killer.. It is amazing how a little tweaking can make that much difference. With a body like yours you can pull off allot that others could not.

Scarlet

Veteran

So actually I am feeling every look except for 1. I think in 1the waist placement is off like you suggest, but the jacket totally solves this issue. Is one boot slouchier than the other? Because if so I am taking this as total style validation because I wear my boots like that but wonder if I am off in my own world thinking it's awesome I actually really like the way you wear the dress in 3/4 but I am not sure the belt is necessary. I think the pairing with the grey boots makes it edgy. 5 is the absolute tops though. 5 wins first place. 6 looks great too though.

Jonesy

Veteran

Thanks, MTB, Steph, Renee, and Scarlet! Not as much dress dislike in this batch :). I appreciate the styling tips and the boost!

Scarlet, I didn't intentionally scrunch them to be at different heights, but it might have happened (also it's partly because my leg is bent). But I'm sure you could rock that look, no problem! Re. the belt in 3-4: somehow I felt like I needed to demarcate my waist, given all of that fabric between my waist and my ankles, if that makes sense. Scarlet, I wanted to add that I just got my Lucky mag today, with their annual shoe/boot guide, and they have a whole spread on pointy-toed, skinny-heeled booties, just like the black booties you just got!! You are on the cutting edge :).

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I didn't read the others in case it influenced my opinion. I think the long dress in 3/4 and the brighter blue skirt are fantastic on you. I love them both and you wear them very well.

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

hi Jonesy! i've been thinking about how much i love that long lean #3-4 skirt - i wanted to say 'don't shorten it!!!' yesterday, but felt unsure about myself....

well, today my trusty Peruvian Connection catalog came in the mail....check out their all-new Sidesaddle Skirt:

http://tinyurl.com/3dnd8vz

especially the back detail with those buttons!! (swoon) heehee, looks like you channeled the styling as well fwiw, (altho i have to say PC is the only 'fashion magazine' i ever read) steph

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