When a dress is worn over pants, it becomes a tunic. The combination is an acquired taste, and one I personally like to wear. In this case, the bottoms are NOT leggings. They’re cropped flares or straights, full-length bootcuts, skinnies or cigarette pants.
These combinations are black, but feel free to wear any colour palette. The column of colour is dark, dramatic and streamlining. Note that the dresses are straight or gently A-line, which adds structure and polish to the outfits. Pick a bag and topper that works with the outfit to complete the look.
1. Bootcut Elegance
Combine a shirtdress with a pair of full-length bootcuts and add pointy-toe shoes. I’d have preferred to see metallic, white or red boots here, but black works well. The shirtdress is fairly fitted, which adds structure and polish to the outfit. Bless those perfect pant lengths.
2. ‘90s Ethereal Layers
Combine a fluid wrap dress with cigarette pants that are split up the front. Add flat sandals, and Bob’s your uncle. The V-neck, slits on the hems of the pants, and the sandals break up the expanse of the black by showcasing some skin.
3. Arty and Architectural
Combine an architectural dress with cropped cigarette pants or skinnies, and finish off the look with loafers, flats, oxfords, shooties, pumps, mules or sandals. The tapered pants offset the volume of the bottom half of the dress. I’d have liked to see metallic, white, snakeskin, leopard or tan footwear here instead of black.
4. Long and Streamlined
Combine a straight midi shirtdress with cropped straights or cropped flares, and finish off the look with oxfords, mules, sandals, pumps, loafers or flats. It’s a good idea to leave some of the bottom buttons unfastened so that you can stride more easily. Although this shirtdress is not a button-through style, it’s fairly roomy and slippery, which makes the combination more comfortable to walk in than you expect. Add jewellery, eyewear and watch as desired.
I wear my version of this outfit formula regularly in warm weather. My version breaks up the black with red, pink and white. I combine a black embroidered dress with black cropped flared pants, and finish off the look with white loafers and bag, or pink ballet flats and red bag. White pearls and red specs too. I add a denim jacket for the chill. The exact items I use to create the outfits are in the collection below.
