https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-you-wear-a-lace-dress-to-work Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 25 Apr 2026 17:22:12 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-you-wear-a-lace-dress-to-work#post-42192 Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:06:22 +0000 Angie 42192@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nay Susan! Not to old! I have a 69 year client in a pair of classy micro fishnets. Go for it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-you-wear-a-lace-dress-to-work#post-42162 Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:12:17 +0000 Julia 42162@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Susan, your plan sounds pretty good. I don't think fishnet has an age limit. Maybe you can post a picture so we can see how it turns out? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-you-wear-a-lace-dress-to-work#post-42095 Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:15:51 +0000 susan 42095@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I loooooove the outfit you put together. We have a wedding this weekend and I am thinking now I will wear the dress I wore for my son's wedding replacing the little shrug/jacket I wore with my denim jacket and my black boots. That will certainly take away the mother of the groom look but give me a chance to lower the CPW! Thanks for the idea. Oh...wouldn't some black fishnets just finish the look? Or am I too old for that? (53) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-you-wear-a-lace-dress-to-work#post-41959 Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:44:26 +0000 Eva 41959@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Julia, you are right, the nude does make a difference. I guess it depends on how casual her office is. I have seen other women wear tops that were black with nude under it. Good luck with your sheath makeovers. Don't forget to post pictures! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-you-wear-a-lace-dress-to-work#post-41921 Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:28:01 +0000 Julia 41921@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Eva, I've seen the Jan issue of Glamour and know the outfits you mentioned. NicNac, those pictures you posted totally make sense. I love all those ways to wear a sheath, actually I'm inspired to wear my black sheath in those new ways. However, the lace fabric was my main concern. </p> <p>I think that Joy made a good point here, if it's lined in black, it could work; the one my sis bought is lined in nude though. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-you-wear-a-lace-dress-to-work#post-41847 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 15:36:38 +0000 Anonymous 41847@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The dress in question might be more acceptable in a work environment if it were lined in black to match the lace rather than the nude color, which makes it look like skin is showing through even if it isn't.</p> <p>Julia, I sometimes wear an Ann Taylor black knit sheath dress with cowel neck with skirts that are slight A-lines over it because I like the neckline of the dress as a top. Of course the skirts are a bit longer than the dress. I've done this with denim a-line, wool plaid pencil skirt, and wool beaded a-line skirts. The bottom of the dress functions as a slip. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-you-wear-a-lace-dress-to-work#post-41844 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:52:24 +0000 NicNac 41844@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I work in a very uptight, conservative environment so I have this challenge often. As long as it's a least knee length (hitting the middle of the knee) she can add a somewhat thick black belt with a cardigan. But make sure the dress is longer than the cardigan. Similar to these looks:</p> <p><a href="http://www.spiegel.com/shop/product_single.aspx?style_id=30946176&#038;index=4&#038;gp_coll_id=5001&#038;gp_cat_id=5002&#038;nav_cat_id=11211&#038;category_id=11240&#038;gp_shopss_id=300" rel="nofollow">http://www.spiegel.com/shop/pr.....pss_id=300</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.spiegel.com/shop/product_ensemble.aspx?effort=2AL&#038;style_id=34991176&#038;ifn=F0868142_SEC08_066&#038;associated=1&#038;index=9&#038;gp_coll_id=5001&#038;gp_cat_id=5002&#038;nav_cat_id=12768&#038;category_id=13562&#038;gp_shopss_id=300" rel="nofollow">http://www.spiegel.com/shop/pr.....pss_id=300</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?cid=5036&#038;pid=620086" rel="nofollow">http://www.bananarepublic.com/.....pid=620086</a></p> <p>also like shiny mentioned, pair it with opaque hose &#38; heels. After work she can ditch the hose and sweater add black eyeliner and it will be perfect for drinks. I hope it works. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-you-wear-a-lace-dress-to-work#post-41824 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:19:27 +0000 Eva 41824@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for clarifying that the dress comes to just above the knee. Otherwise I would say it would be too short for work. </p> <p>January's issue of Glamour magazine has a great article about making a new wardrobe with what you have in your closet. One of the sections is 12 ways to work with a black sheath dress. Love the denim idea, but doc martins wouldn't work for my office. </p> <p>I think the lace dress could work for work. Here are some ideas from the magazine. 1) She could wear a black turtleneck sweater over it so it looks like a lace skirt, tights and boots. 2) She could also wear a belted jacket over the dress with tights. 3) She could wear a white button down shirt belted over the dress. 4) She could wear a sweater over the white shirt (drop the belt). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-you-wear-a-lace-dress-to-work#post-41818 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 04:37:46 +0000 Julia 41818@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Absolutely Angie. If I were not clear, I didn't make the visual for Jane (my sis) to wear it to work, I meant it for fun. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-you-wear-a-lace-dress-to-work#post-41807 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 03:08:08 +0000 Angie 41807@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh wow, Julia. You are clever. I’d personally wear that combo in a heartbeat, but I work in a creative environment. This is not an outfit for a conservative work setting, but could be fun after hours though. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-you-wear-a-lace-dress-to-work#post-41793 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 02:03:32 +0000 shiny 41793@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It is a pretty dress, so I understand the temptation of trying to talk oneself into the idea that it can be worn to work and get more use. :-)</p> <p>However, for me, the hemline is just too short for any office environment. Then you add the lace on top of that... and I just have to say... nope. </p> <p>Personally, for the office, I think skirts should hit at or around the knee. The photo you are showing - the skirt is just too short. Even for a creative environment it is pushing it, assuming you want to be taken seriously. </p> <p>However, I could see someone in the fashion industry (even an office environment related to fashion industry) wearing this; I think the rules are a lot different in that case. But IT for a bank? Nope. </p> <p>Now if the skirt is actually longer and hits at the knee, then that is a different story. Then I like the idea of putting a belted cardigan over it (perhaps a long boyfriend cardi), and wearing it with opaque tights and boots. It could possibly work. </p> <p>I also like the idea of wearing a skirt over it. Another idea is to wear a longer skirt under it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-you-wear-a-lace-dress-to-work#post-41792 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 01:56:09 +0000 Julia 41792@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maya, a cream lace dress sounds elegant! Ana, the dress my sister bought is a fully lined sheath that hits right above her knees, I can see it be worn during the daytime but was not sure about to work.</p> <p>Angie, your explanation makes sense. I put together a visual for my sister, hope she's inspired:</p> <p><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/lace_dress/set?id=5664993" rel="nofollow">http://www.polyvore.com/lace_dress/set?id=5664993</a></p> <p>Thanks everyone for your help! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-you-wear-a-lace-dress-to-work#post-41776 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:44:18 +0000 Angie 41776@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love a challenge :-)</p> <p>So, in my profession, this dress with a denim jacket and black 20 eyelet Docs would go down well and would absolutely be dressed down appropriately. As a fashion buyer I could have worn an ensemble like that too. BUT, work environments differ. I hope that makes sense. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-you-wear-a-lace-dress-to-work#post-41758 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 22:41:11 +0000 Ana 41758@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm....I personally think a lace dress *could* work in certain fields. BUT, the dress would have to be a very demure and classic shape (like a high necked sheath dress) and be FULLY lined, no skin peeking through anywhere. I wouldn't wear a jacket over it (might look too evening), I'd wear a cardigan belted over the top and flats or kitten heels.</p> <p>It sounds like maybe your sisters work environment might not be the ideal place to wear the dress, but she could always wear it weekends or out to dinner. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-you-wear-a-lace-dress-to-work#post-41729 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 18:40:51 +0000 Maya 41729@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was wondering about this too Julia. I saw a dress that had a lace inset detail around the shoulders, so it wasn't quite as lacy as the one you linked too, but even so I felt it wasn't appropriate--and I DO work in a very casual and creative environment. I don't think anyone would say anything to me about it, but I would not be comfortable in it because in all honesty it would just be my way of taking advantage of their lack of enforcing the dress code. I don't think it's really a matter of dressing it down. I just think black lace is, as you say, a very evening and sexy look.</p> <p>However, the dress I saw also came in cream. I wonder if that would have been more acceptable. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-you-wear-a-lace-dress-to-work#post-41714 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 13:58:46 +0000 Kristen 41714@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I work in IT in a hospital, and I can't imagine wearing a dress like that there, no matter how much I tried to dress it down. But it's a gorgeous dress so I can understand the temptation! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-you-wear-a-lace-dress-to-work#post-41710 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 12:50:19 +0000 Julia 41710@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would not say my sister's work environment is creative in any aspect. It's a typical corporate environment with business casual dress code. I'm interested in what Angie thinks.</p> <p>To me, lace dresses are related to nightwear, even though they became popular this season and can be worn during daytime, they are too sexy to fit in the business casual environment.</p> <p>Joy, the way you described is interesting. I have never thought about wearing it that way. I wonder what type of skirt you'd wear over the dress and how comfortable it would feel. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-you-wear-a-lace-dress-to-work#post-41668 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 01:36:19 +0000 greenglove 41668@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with Kyle. It could appear inappropriate quickly with conservative groups.<br /> The last thing you would want was the whole underwear as outerwear look. Remember that? But in a creative field with accessories that Nicole suggested it might be fab! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-you-wear-a-lace-dress-to-work#post-41667 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 00:54:56 +0000 Kyle 41667@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A lot of it depends on the type of work and work environment. In a conservative corporate setting, unfortunately, it will stand out as inappropriate. In a creative setting, toned down, it will probably be fine. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-you-wear-a-lace-dress-to-work#post-41645 Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:36:28 +0000 Alecia 41645@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I'm with Nicole on this. BUT, I think it's definitely dangerous territory because done incorrectly, it will look inappropriate. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-you-wear-a-lace-dress-to-work#post-41642 Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:34:54 +0000 Nicole 41642@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I disagree. I think you can tone that kind of dress down with some opaque tights, a cardigan or jacket that isn't sexy or evening attire, and shoes that are not too high heeled, or maybe even boots.</p> <p>Unless the dress is more than "just above" the knee or shows cleavage, I think the right accessories and approach would work well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-you-wear-a-lace-dress-to-work#post-41641 Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:31:40 +0000 Anonymous 41641@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The only way I can see wearing it in a work environment is to wear a black or denim skirt over it so that the top part of the dress is fuctioning as a shell. Then layer a jacket or cardi over that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-you-wear-a-lace-dress-to-work#post-41638 Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:21:00 +0000 Tanya 41638@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm, I am also inclined to say no, but it will depend on the particular dress. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-you-wear-a-lace-dress-to-work#post-41627 Sat, 03 Jan 2009 20:21:59 +0000 Julia 41627@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I had a debat with my sister recently. She bought a lace dress from New York &#38; Co. It looks like this one but it's sleeveless:</p> <p><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_B6J6nGs6VwA/SISoelhN0gI/AAAAAAAADSU/JNoDHVekVpE/s1600-h/Ruffian+lace+dress+nymag.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://bp1.blogger.com/_B6J6nG.....+nymag.jpg</a></p> <p>She wanted to tone it down with jacket or other more formal pieces and wear it to work. I don't think you can do anything to it to make it work appropriate. A little background, she works at a Canadian bank in their IT department.</p> <p>What do you think? </p>