Back to School Dress Challenge (Help me choose!)

Well, y'all, I'm spending my last summer day doing lots of relaxing things before 1000+ teenaged darlings meet me in the hallways tomorrow. Part of my relaxing has involved planning some outfits for the week and I've decided to implement a dress challenge for myself. A four day week = four dresses to wear.

It's no secret that getting dressed in the morning stresses me out, so limiting myself to one dress per day will hopefully ease the stress in one of the busiest weeks of the year. I would love it if you could help me choose from the pictures below. Styling ideas welcome!

Caveats before choosing:

- Pic 1 is tomorrow's outfit because I always wear school colors on the first day of school and school colors are red and black. Plus this is my favorite dress!

- All of the dresses, except pics 5 and 6, are from my pre-YLF life. I like them but I am not particularly attached to them and I am open to any kind of feedback about them (good or bad)

- my shoe choices are pretty limited - this is a HUGE hole in my wardrobe. Choices are limited to what you see in the photos or a few more pairs of black or brown shoes/ sandals. Suggestions are welcome!

- I haven't styled any of them, not even my hair/makeup. Suggestions are welcome!

Thank you for looking!

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11 years ago

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

What a good idea, and such an excellent collection of dresses! I really like the lot of them, but my favorites are#3, #6 and #8. I think the last one, #9, is a tad dressier than the rest, but it will look great with a topper. The shoes you have picked in the selected photos are the best ones IMO. If you have a chunky necklace, it could be fun to try it with some of the dresses. Good luck with your first week!

rae

Wow, great collection of dresses. If these are your pre-YLF goodies, you are ahead of the pack! My favorites are 1, 2, and 9.

Traci

Fun! I like them all. 2 and 9 are also my favorites. Have you ever tried layering a button up under the wrap dresses? I think it's a fun change from the cami or tank but still gives the same modesty. I second the chunky necklace idea to try out with all of them. I'd also cycle through all your jackets and blazers to see which ones work with which dresses.

geargirl

Active Member

The dresses and shoes look great. I think you are set for the first week. Some necklaces would be fun while it is warm out and scarves for when it cools off. Try posting pics of the dresses with different jackets, cardigans and belt combos and we can give feedback if you like! Have a great first day!

Suz

Your fave is my fave! That's a great dress and it looks fantastic on you. Perfect for the first day.

I also like #2 and #9.

Listen to that Traci woman. She is Queen Dress, and she knows all about how to make dresses work for her!

Good luck tomorrow and for the rest of the week!. I used to teach high school and I can remember the crush of bodies in the hallways on those first days, the noise, the lost-looking kids, the frantic teachers.

cheryle (Dianthus)

I love #8. I like both the print and the fit. I also like 2/3. I thought they were the same dress. You have quite a few wrap dresses in there and I can see why because they do look nice on you. If you have a long pendant or string of beads or pearls, they would work with many of the dresses. A nice chunky watch is good too.

Good luck on the first week back.

Brain of Jen

Oooh, that red looks fantastic on you, great choice for the first day I also love 3 & 9, adding a chunky, colorful necklace for the warm weather, or a bright scarf when it gets cooler would really perk up the look.

Krista

Thanks, everyone! This has really helped me make some decisions for the week and has also helped me refine how I'd like to move forward.

Many of you suggested a chunky necklace to add as an accessory - this is a very valuable suggestion. Thanks so much and also thanks for the warm wishes for a great week - it's very much appreciated.

Beth Ann

Sounds like you've got it figured out, but I wanted to pop in and say:

1. I love a teacher who "dresses" for work. Brava!

2. All the dresses are good for you -- my favorites are 1, 2,3 and 5. 3 would benefit from a strong bracelet or long pendant necklace, I think.

3. Your shoes may be few, but they are mighty -- fab that is!

I'm heading into teaching week 2 tomorrow --- let's go for it!

fashionista

I loved you in #1,7,8 and 9.

lyn67

Love them all, pls keep, nowadays I too find a dress is a good trusty FBO for me, too.:-)

Deborah

You have got a gorgeous collection of dresses. I think all of them deserve to remain in your closet. I love 6 and 8 for this week and 9 as it brings in a variance of style.

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