WIW 02.11 Fancy Friday - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW 02.11 Fancy Friday

Aida

Veteran

Wore this for our monthly Fancy Friday where we dress up all fancy and go out (this month it was me, hubby, and sister)! I was hoping to have the houndstooth sheath tailored in time but I put it off too long. I also wish I'd snapped a photo of my husband who was wearing his new custom tailored suit, but he grumbled when I reached for the camera. Next month I'm sneaking a photo of him!

I felt under dressed next to my husband, and after thinking about it I've decided that it has to do with how much dressiness difference we have going from our "normal" clothes to our "dressy" clothes. His normal is far more casual than mine, so when he's in a suit it really feels dressy. My normal ranges from casual to semi-dressy casual so my dressy feels less fancy. I've learned that my dressy capsule is sadly lacking and I haven't added anything except the houndstooth sheath, which still needs altering. Not wearing a slub-knit top would probably help too

Anyway! Comments, critiques, thoughts and questions welcome!

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27 replies

Latest reply was from Aida

kellygirl

Veteran

I like your "dressy" analysis--it makes perfect sense. I think a woven top and sheer hose would make it more dressy too. This almost looks like a semi-dressy casual ensemble. What about sheer hose with your red pumps--or am I mixing your shoes with MaryK's? I'd like it with boots too although probably not dressy enough for a Fancy Friday. I love the red houndstooth scarf with this! You look gorgeous, as usual, Aida!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

That's a KILLER relaxed dressy look

Lets get you some dressy pieces too!

Aida

Veteran

Kelly, I tried this with both of my white button-ups and I just felt so businessy instead of fancy. I really don't have any woven tops that aren't loose and casual! Sheer hose and red pumps sound great, I didn't even think of using my colored heels! My suede heeled boots would work, but I'm pretty sure they would have gotten a big frown of disapproval hehe. Need to pick up some sheer hose, I don't have any. I think a sequined tank with a satin jacket would be good additions for my fancy wear. So unprepared!

MsMary

Veteran

I love this and I think it is definitely dressy enough to hold its own with a bloke in a suit! (You know I loves them stripes!!)

Aida

Veteran

Angie, I really should! Dressy looks confuse me a bit. I like the simplicity of a fitted dress with nice jewelry and heels, but I also like a more urban look with nice top+blazer+nice bottoms+heels. I can do both, right? If I had to pick, I certainly prefer minimalist dressy looks and I want to get some really dressy outfit options.

I would love some sparkly tops and a fancy jacket or two to mix with this skirt, and another skirt would probably help as well. The houndstooth sheath will also be a good addition, and I have plenty of heels!

EDIT: Thanks Mary! I think we looked fine together, but I promise you my husband looked FAR more dressy than I. Custom suits are the way to go (he'll agree)!

kellygirl

Veteran

Lol, about the white button downs. I was thinking along the lines of a silky type of top--drapey cowl neck or sleeveless v neck tank. I love the idea of a sequined tank--that I could see over the button down--the way Janet did it with her skinnies. Are your stilletto heel lace up boots suede? Those would be funk-ay! No sheer hose here either : )

Aida

Veteran

Ooh silky tanks, now that sounds pretty great. I'll have to keep that in mind when I go shopping, more my style than a normal blouse. The lace-up boots are indeed suede, I'll have to give those a try though I think they'll work better for more relaxed dressy outfits. I think shoes and jewelry are currently my dressiest items

Debbie

Veteran

You look great! If you want to go more dressy I agree with the woven blouse.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Ooh I love that skirt. I agree with other suggestions regarding making it dressier.

rute

Veteran

Lovely! That skirt is divine!

Queen Mum

Veteran

LOVE this! you look great.

rae

(website)

Veteran

You look great -- love your skirt!

My dressy capsule is lacking as well... I feel you on that one. I am taking notes here with you.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I would look for embelished woven tops, too...

catgirl

Veteran

I think you look great and very much you! But I can see you mixing in some truly fancy pieces too.

Bluebell

Love love love this!! Love how your shoes match your skirt and how you have a beautiful red scarf with your coat! Very foxy and glam!!! Really stunning!! Head turning

Aida

Veteran

Thanks for the comments everyone! Glad the skirt was well received, I wasn't sure about the pleats but once I tried it I loved it. I felt "dressy enough", but I want to go a bit more over the top

With the lovely help here I'm starting to get a better idea of where I want to take my dressy outfits: clean and retro/rockabilly in pretty, luxurious/soft fabrics. Definitely need to switch to woven tops; I'll be looking for lightly embellished tops as Jenava suggested, some silky tanks as Kelly suggested, and a cropped fancy blazer/jacket of some kind. I'd also like to get one really fancy skirt, and one or two fancy dresses that are simpler so I can make more of a statement with other accessories.

Hopefully this is something I can manage, at the moment it sounds very daunting :\

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Hi Aida, not much to say on this occasion (you are your usual self, something just works with your outfits) apart from commenting on those gloves - with them on, your second photo is really super cool. Very urban sophisticated, if it makes sense

Aida

Veteran

Thanks Ornella! I love the little stud detail on the gloves too; after getting these I don't really wear my plain black ones anymore. I'm totally a convert to colored/embellished gloves!

carrie

(website)

Very nice!

Lisa

Veteran

I like the idea to swap out the top for this skirt and you are on your way to a more dressy look. If you add a sheath dress or two to your going out capsule, you may have more layering opportunities than with a skirt since you can always layer creatively and make a dress look like a skirt, while a skirt will always need a top.

Aida

Veteran

Carrie - Thank you!

Lisa - Good point about sheaths. I'll try to get 2-3 sheaths (I have one already) and one fancy dress so I give myself more options. My goal is to find really dressy pieces that I can dress down for less dressy events if needed. If I'm going to dress up, I may as well Dress Up

Kari

Veteran

I love the mixed gray tones from the skirt, shoes, and coat in your outfit. I'd really love to swipe that skirt from you. *grin*

I don't have anything profound to suggest other than what has already been mentioned, but I'd agree that simply swapping out the top for a more formal, woven fabric would up the dressiness factor. You still look beautiful in this outfit as is, though, and I doubt that you looked underdressed at all for the occasion you described.

Lynne

Veteran

I'm guessing that you will upstage DH in your houndstooth sheath!

AJ

Veteran

Such great details in the skirt, coat and gloves! I look forward to seeing your dressy capsule evolve.

Aida

Veteran

Kari - The skirt is thrifted; it's made by Express but it doesn't look like they have anything like it right now (which is too bad, I'd love another!). I JUST thought of a woven top I have (and rarely wear) that would have worked with this which I hadn't considered, but I'd still need a jacket. Hm..

Lynne - I will sure try! But he looks so very Italian suave (he's not Italian though) in a tailored light gray suit with long hair

AJ - Thank you! I'll definitely be posting items for feedback as I get them!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Looks great; the dressy elements are the shoes and skirt. I agree a shirt would make it more dressy as would sheer stocking.

When I go dressy, it's in a dress. Maybe you just need a few more dresses in your wardrobe. I like buying more classic dresses so I can wear them for a while. I purchased a purple dress from Ideeli/Donna Ricci. It was around $50 and I'm very happy with it. I wore it to the Nutcracker in SF before Christmas. Since I dress up so seldom, my dressy looks need to last several seasons.

Aida

Veteran

Coco - Thanks! I prefer dresses for fancier looks as well, but nearly all of my dresses are quite casual, mainly in terms of fabrication. I need to pick up a couple dresses made of fancier fabrics. I do like the idea of picking up a more classic dress so I can wear it for a few years, will keep that in mind.