Ask Angie and others: Dresses over skinnies in 2015 - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Ask Angie and others: Dresses over skinnies in 2015

Tanya

Veteran

I love the look of dresses I ver skinnies. I started wearing it about 10 years ago and never stopped, even when it wasn't so popular. It really works for my casual life style and injects some variety in the no-skirt work dress code. Plus, lots of dresses are really short on my long torso and this look allows me to wear them. Sometimes the lines between short dresses and tunics are muddled.

So, I am curious about how to make this look very 2015. What type of dresses, loose or tailored, belted or not etc. I am attaching some such outfits I wore two weeks ago for your critique, and wondering if they are more 2005 or 2015. Also, if the former, then how to improve upon it.

This post has 5 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from Karie

Thistle

Veteran

If you love it, and make it work for you, I see no reason why you can't wear it. I don't see anyone in my area wearing, but then they never did when it was popular ever. I do see them wearing dresses over leggings, though.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

I think this is one of those things that kicks around the edges and always works in a classic salwar-kameez kind of way. Like you, I've been wearing dresses over pants, and not only skinnies, although in the main it's shirt and sweater dresses.

Just about everything you've posted looks good to me. I'm thinking this year I'll be adding belts for some shape at the waist, and also trying it with a dress with a very full skirt. Wish me luck!

Diana

Veteran

I have no idea what is the most "current" way to wear this look, but I mostly do it with waistless dresses (either sack or a-line) on the loose side. The reason being that I don't like the appearance of two waistbands, and if the dress is fitted you can often see the outline of the jeans waistband through it. If I want waist definition I might belt loosely over the dress (like how you are wearing it in #4). I would wear all of your renditions! (In fact, I have the allsaints freesia dress and have worn it over skinnies too.)

For some reason I tend to think of dress over pants as a winter look , maybe because it's automatically layered. Your #1 to me reads as more like a dress over cropped leggings. But I'm wondering about trying a lightweight dress over rolled jeans... or a floaty dress over flares, for a really 70s boho look.

Another thought: to me it looks more like a "dress-over-pants" look versus "tunic-over-skinnies" look when the dress is woven and a bit longer, but of course this is also a harder proportion to pull off.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What Rio said. You made the look current with your footwear. All FABULOUS looks.

VERY old pic - I couldn't see without my glasses but wanted to wear my Mama's emerald earrings. I still have the frock (which fits like a dream) and will wear it again - with cropped skinnies and ankle strap footwear. Maybe cropped white skinnies.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Greyscale

Veteran

I still wear this look - button-down dress or tunic over jeans. Recently, I've swapped relaxed skinnies or even boyfriend jeans for the skinnies. It feels a little more current. But then other days I wear my skinniest skinnies, for the silhouette.

I found a few of my old posts where I'm wearing a dress over skinnies:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....scientists
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....rde-layers
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....artsy-goth

But they're up to a year old and I haven't taken any photos with the less-skinny jeans.

Traci

Veteran

I love a dress over skinnies for extra warmth in winter. In the warmer months, I'll wear dresses over Capri length leggings, but not proper pants. I really like bare legs when the temps allow for it.

Sal

Veteran

These all look current, wearing modern footwear is probably the clue to keeping it 2015.

I have only ever flirted with this trend.....I think maybe long or ankle pants make it slightly more modern than Capri leggings....although I don't discount this look.

annabelle

Veteran

I just picked up this skirt or dress over skinnies strategy when Angie mentioned the apron look as a fringe trend (or maybe just a trend). I love it on you, Tanya! I agree with others that the shoes are key, and honestly, so much of a look is the person wearing it and if she's making it look intentional, like she owns it. And you do.

Tanya

Veteran

Thank you ladies, I really appreciate all the wisdom here. Interesting here that you think that the key is in the shoes, and not the dress, but I guess it makes sense considering nothing can make or break an outfit like the footwear. I guess I will continue to play with this look.

Carole

Veteran

Yay! This is a favorite silhouette for me, too, Tanya... Most dresses are super short on me and it gives me some other options. I haven't worn a dress over pants this year, but now I will feel more confident knowing I'm not committing any fashion faux pauxs!

I love how you've styled your tunics and dresses...well done!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

#4 is thoroughly and totally awesome. It looks the most current and cohesive.

columbine(erin)

Veteran

I didn't read the comments but I look at your photos I'm struck by your footwear because It keeps the look current. Also the fit of the outfit, the garments skim nicely.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I'm glad you asked, because I was wondering too. All of these outfits look fantastic. You wear dresses or tunics over pants really well!

Greyscale

Veteran

I agree with Anna that the denim shirtdress look is very current. Layering it with the striped shirt was a great idea. The elements that make it look current, to me, are all things that I think of as a wee bit hipster:
-denim
-stripes
-dark blue mixed with black
I'm not sure if it's the silhouette (belted) so much as the textures and colors you've combined. I honestly can't remember if I've started seeing a lot of belted dresses or tunics again recently. Maybe? But at any rate, it works really well in that outfit.

The outfit in 2-3 also reads as very current, because of the fluid fit top and the rolled boyfriend jeans. And the awesome shoes!

rachylou

Veteran

I agree with Anna that #4 is most current and fab. The choice of pants (black 'cigarette' fit), as well as shoes (loafers) and tie-waist dark denim shirt dress over black stripes (the layering), also contribute to the current factor for me.

Next most current to me is #5, because of the suggestion of '70s glam.

#2/3, I find stylishly well proportioned. I don't find it as current, tho. Rocker (the moto) and the jersey tunic tee with what looks like it could be hand-crafted enhancement isn't 'thing of the moment'. But it isn't out of date by any stretch.

#1 is the least forward to my eye. I think it's the black capris with the type of striping of the top. White capris would probably be more *in.*

Karie

(website)

Veteran

A great post. I like the dresses over pants look but always struggle with how to wear it and keep the look current. My favorite outfit is #4, but I'd like to see how the shirtdress looks unbelted.