In search of ideas - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

In search of ideas

Danja

(website)

The following two items in my closet I love very much, but I am having a hard time coming up with interesting ways of wearing them. Please help!

1. Diane Von Furstenberg dress that I got a few years ago. I wear it mainly with tights and boots/shoes. And that's it. I feel like there are other clothing items that this dress can be combined with, but as much as I stare at the dress, I can't come up with anything.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com.....2d13_o.jpg

2. This skirt I bought in Dada boutique, in Rijeka, Croatia (I am plugging my city and my old country here). I love it, even though the colors are truly out there. When I walk in it, the ruffle on the bottom flairs out, and I love that. But I have not worn it in the past few years because I didn't fit me right. Now that I am ready to wear it again, I wonder if it is too loud for the conservative DC Metro area, but I still want to wear it. And again, the outift pictured is the only one I can come up with that tones the skirt down a little, but it's kind of 'Eh'.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com.....21ac_o.jpg

Any suggestions are very welcomed! If you say that the skirt is garish, I won't get offended, I swear...

Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

taylor

Veteran

Well Danja, I am your biggest fan...so I love about anything you put on.:)

The DV dress ; Most obvious I guess would be to add a wide belt, and perhaps unbotton w/ a cami underneath...then just accessorize and add a pair of your killer pumps..this dress looks like it could use a pop of color somewhere...maybe that's what it needs...yellow or red in the belt ?

The skirt...hmmmm . Have you thought about altering to a pencil, so that the bright side panels that flair out are more streamline...and a little less obvious. That way it looks a little more updated:)

taylor

Veteran

Misia

Veteran

Agree with taylor on the dress,but skirt I'm not so sure I would keep.I like your pixy cut,I wish more women would be so brave to go this short.As a barber I had to comment on your hair.Looks great.

Anonymous

Danja, I would steal that Diane Von Furstenberg dress if I could! It looks great the way you are wearing it and I can see it with boots and tights. Have you tried it with a cropped black waistcoat? A white or denim one might also work.
Also a leather jacket, denim jacket, maybe the boyfriend blazer, a scarf in a muted color or grey, maybe even the right patterned scarf like a floral in the same colors as the dress, or lots of chain necklaces are other ideas.

Your Croatian skirt could be paired with a dark denim jacket.

Sihaya

Veteran

hi Danja - I was going to suggest vest or wide obi type belt for the dress and they're both already suggested. For the skirt, I like it with a plain shirt and perhaps tone down the shoes more too. The skirt is so noticeable that I think you want to tone down the rest of the outfit. I'm still adjusting my eyes to it - it doesn't stand out to me either as garish or as killer but somewhere in between. You can definitely carry it off. And if it makes you happy, then by all means wear it.

rute

Veteran

Danja.. you have a lovely face and your haircut is just perfect!
Love the dress, I would wear it with a light leather jacket

http://www.fabsugar.com/3141213

or a trench coat
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....1&P=1

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I also love both of these items.

There have been some fantastic suggestion regarding the DVF dress. I have you tried wearing a light weight, long sleeve turtle neck underneath the dress and opening a couple more buttons. In terms of colour I would love to see it paired with burnt orange.

I adore the skirt, although I love anything with a vintage 40's feel. I have this skirt in my wardrobe (similar coulours) and quite like the styling in this picture
http://www.asos.com/Poppy-Vale.....uery=poppy valentine&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Green

I also think the skirt would work with a simple black top, obi belt, tights and those controversial all season sandals.

I am huge fan of your style and I am sure whatever you decide will be fabulous.

Inge

(website)

Hi Danja, I'm in a bit of a rush, but here are a few more ideas for the dress:
- with a long, long-sleeved cascading cardigan (either dress belted underneath, or the belt worn over dress+cardigan), leggings or tights and biker type boots (calf lenght?)
- with a leather waistcoat
- with tights, pumps/boots and a cap-sleeved belted jacket like this:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....1&P=2
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....t-_-Manual
- and - this is a bit more out there - but I absolutely loved the feminine blouse + leather skirt look on you - maybe with skinny leather pants underneath?-). I got the idea here:
http://www.polyvore.com/diane_.....id=8553014

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

Everyone already gave you a million great ideas for that awesome dress, but I would repeat Joy's suggestions for the skirt too: "Also a leather jacket, denim jacket, maybe the boyfriend blazer, a scarf in a muted color or grey, maybe even the right patterned scarf like a floral in the same colors as the dress, or lots of chain necklaces are other ideas."

I would also recommend browsing through Audi's Fashion For Nerds blog, because a skirt like that is something right up her alley, and she puts together "out there" combos that you could easily re-interpret in your own amazing inventive style.

http://geekthreads.blogspot.com/

shiny

Veteran

Ooh, that dress is so nice (and I love those shoes too)! My first reaction was: it needs a splash of tomato red. Like a purse. Or, if you like wearing scarves, a solid red scarf worn tucked in at the neckline (see Angie's accessory post about scarves - she pulls this off beautifully - pop your collar).

You could also try cinching it in with a wide belt. I have a style in my head but for the life of me I can't remember what the style is called! (I am blanking on a lot of words this morning - I need more coffee).

Try a cheeky black leather jacket over it.

How about a vest? Leather?

What about wearing over a pair of skinny jeans?

The only critique about this dress is the sleeves. The length seems a bit awkward. I might have it shortened to the elbow. Also, if you do get it shortened, have them make the sleeve more narrow.

I don't have as many suggestions for the skirt, except I keep thinking, what would it look like without that ruffle on the bottom? That could be my personal prejudice, because I steer clear of ruffles on my skirts, since I have it in my head it gives the skirt too much of a cutesy look (and I'm so short, I don't need anything to make me look too cute).

In addition to Kristen's suggestion, I'd take a look at Kasmira's blog - this is a skirt I could picture her wearing in a heartbeat:

http://whatiwore2day.blogspot.com/

I love Kasmira's style - she is adventuresome and always incorporates a touch of whimsy.

I think you need to bring the pink color into your top half somehow - a shirt, a cardigan, a scarf. To tie it together? A denim jacket would also be good with this.

Danja

(website)

Ladies, where do I start after so many fantastic ideas? I am already so excited about trying them out. Weekend is going to be fun!

Taylor, belts and color are exactly what the dress needs. Also, I never thought of altering the skirt, but changing to a pencil cut could make it more wearable.

Rena, thanks for the hair compliment. This is the only do that my hair likes, it freaks out as soon as it gets longer.

Joy, I really love the idea of boyfriend blazer (which I do not have) and also the long scarves (which again I do not have). Leather jacket or waistcoat are also very interesting. I think I got the footwear covered, I have my eyes on a couple of booties... just waiting for a sign to get them.

Sihaya, obi belt is also a very interesting idea. I've never worn one. Yeah, the skirt is definitely the most challenging piece in my closet.

Rute, I really like that short trench. And how did you know that I covet Burberry? I've been wanting a Burberry trench forever, and I always get distracted by other necessities that I spend my money elsewhere.

RoseAndJoan, that skirt you have is adorable. Have you worn it yet? You are so right, it does have that 40's feel, especially when I walk in it, and the ruffle flairs out. That's why I have not given it up yet. I like the turtleneck idea for the dress, and I love burnt orange.

Inge, I've never considered a cap-sleeved jacket, but I really like the look. That could be very interesting. And leather pants are out there, and I love it. Maybe I can find a pair that would not kill my Fall clothes budget.

Kristen, thanks a lot for the link. I've seen her blog before, she is very creative. She reminds me of my aunt, physically and with the way she dresses.

Shiny, I like all your ideas, color in any way would make the dress that much more interesting. And you make an excellent point about sleeves, they are that nice, awkward, neither here - nor there length. Kasmira is another very creative woman, I like how she plays with colors and patterns.

So the bottom line is that the girlfriend needs to look into some seriously cool accessories, layering pieces and a good seamstress. A leather jacket or pants couldn't hurt either.

Ladies, you are awesome!!! Thank you so much!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I LOVE the unstructured frock! No need to fix something that isn’t broken. Leave it as is. Stick to pumps, boots (all shapes and colours), fun hose and pop over a coat. Beautiful.

The skirt is adorable too. Is it casual? It looks like that in the picture, but I might be wrong.

Danja, could you post a thread with pictires on how you had your heels shortened? I am extremely curious about this!

medusa

Veteran

Great suggestions here. I just wanted to add that I love that skirt, it's unusual and fun.

Danja

(website)

Medusa, thanks for the vote for the skirt.

Angie, your expert opinion is always so appreciated. The skirt is kind of casual, the green material is a cotton knit and the pink material is some kind of silk blend so it flows. I'll have the thread on heel shortening up this weekend.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks, Danja! (Btw, does the “j” in your name sound like a “g” or a "y"? I want to say it correctly in my head).

Okay! I thought that skirt was casual. I’d pair it with an orange or blue knit top, belt, denim jacket (or cropped cardigan) and FLAT shoes. I know that’s out of your box so you are challenged :0)

Danja

(website)

Angie, thank you for the suggestions. Orange or blue tops would be the last thing to try on my list, so thank you for opening my eyes. When you say blue, do you mean light or dark? As far as flat shoes go, I was actually Swanning around for the past two days in my new pewter Me Too Swanns, and my feet purred the entire time. So I think I am up to the challenge.
The 'j' in my name sounds like a 'y' because in Croatian language "nj" is considered a letter, being that is a phonetic language.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Aha! I’m glad I was saying your name right in my head pretty Danja. Your name is pretty too.

You're also quite fearless with your fashion choices so I'm clashing the colours of the outfit to make them work. I like the cobalt and orange in the print of the skirt and thought tops in those colours with a green belt would look nice. Happy you are "swanning" like me :0)