https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/toppers-for-summer-dresses Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 14 Apr 2026 22:46:16 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/toppers-for-summer-dresses#post-1921574 Wed, 23 May 2018 02:49:10 +0000 Staysfit 1921574@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear my sleeveless dresses with long light duster cardigans. I have one from Eileen Fisher that’s going on it’s third year now and has seen heavy use but is still looking to be in good shape. I also use all the other suggestions above, my least favorite is the crop Jean jacket style. I have a very hard time making those proportions work. One other interesting topper are crop bomber jackets. I have seen them online, but am not sure how they would really look in practice. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/toppers-for-summer-dresses#post-1921572 Wed, 23 May 2018 02:13:20 +0000 Sal 1921572@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I also struggle with toppers for summer dresses...&nbsp; Temperature changes during the day are a challenge here.&nbsp; I like some of the options shown - fit and flare does need a cropped jacket in my opinion.</p> <p>You could wear a cardigan or tweed jacket too.&nbsp; Fitted cardigans have been a bit on the outer but this used to be my solution.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>The other solution is to look for dresses with sleeves at a length you are comfortable with.&nbsp; There are more around at the moment. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/toppers-for-summer-dresses#post-1921566 Wed, 23 May 2018 01:54:57 +0000 Echo 1921566@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you so much, everyone! I really appreciate the photos/links. Many of them have been very helpful. I love the look of the denim and other jackets posted, but they would sadly be too warm for me, given that I tend to run warm! But the lighter sweaters and kimono styles might work.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/toppers-for-summer-dresses#post-1921518 Tue, 22 May 2018 20:38:41 +0000 Keix 1921518@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a past-season version of the Pilcro Denim Jacket from Anthro. As a long-torsoed petite I tried the XS in store, ordered the XSP for shorter sleeves, and ended up exchanging it for the regular XS again because the body length was TOO short for me. And the length was even a little longer back then -- based on product descriptions it looks like the current version is even more cropped.</p> <p>I'm not traditionally a "denim jacket" person but this one was recommended to me by the store personal stylist when I came in looking specifically for sleeveless dress toppers. The only caveat is that it does add warmth (a plus for me because I run cold). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/toppers-for-summer-dresses#post-1921415 Tue, 22 May 2018 13:33:30 +0000 Angie 1921415@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Something like these numbers: </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/toppers-for-summer-dresses#post-1920928 Sun, 20 May 2018 18:25:47 +0000 Nadya 1920928@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For me what works is finding a truly cropped denim jacket. I stalk these and snap them up when I find them. On me (5'6" and long waisted) that means somewhere around a 20" length.&nbsp;</p> <p>After looking for years, this season I found not one but two cropped white denim jackets and bought both! One is distressed and one isn't was my justification.&nbsp;</p> <p>I also wear this black cropped Eileen Fisher open knit - it's very light and airy and was wearable on a business trip to NYC in muggy July. I also have a short sleeved cropped denim jacket, that's not in finds that I found at Macy's years ago.&nbsp;</p> <p>HTH! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/toppers-for-summer-dresses#post-1920859 Sun, 20 May 2018 12:36:06 +0000 Chris987 1920859@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Let me chime in with a few more ideas. I have a few cardigan style toppers that are quite short, but not quite as short as a bolero. They are flowy but not voluminous so do give the appearance of just a bit of structure.&nbsp;The black one came from Sears (leave no retail stone unturned!), the tan one is Eileen Fisher (it's shown over a matching tank in the find), and the white one was from TJMaxx.&nbsp; I bet JCPenney has some too. These types of cardigans seem to be available at lots of different price points, and I know Nick &amp; Zoe (like the one posted by<b> Like the Season</b>) &nbsp;carries them year round in all sorts of colors and different sleeve lengths. Angie is right that fit/shape can be tricky but IMHO if you're willing to look around you might find something that works for you. You really need to try things on to figure it out. </p> <p>I've worn the black one with a maxi dress (find shown) and it worked well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/toppers-for-summer-dresses#post-1920852 Sun, 20 May 2018 12:09:39 +0000 Toban 1920852@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I find shift and fit and flare dresses hard to top and remain flattering. For fit and flare you need cropped length (waist length or shorter. Denim jackets work reasonably with shift dresses as JFE because of the structure and vertical line of the opening. I find many of the toppers suggested above work better with sheath dresses and straight skirts. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/toppers-for-summer-dresses#post-1920829 Sun, 20 May 2018 09:09:21 +0000 Style Fan 1920829@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The finds I have posted are 2 of Angie's top picks.&nbsp; I have not seen the cardigan from Macy's but it comes in lots of colours and looks very lightweight.&nbsp; I have seen the Tommy Bahama jacket and it is really nice.&nbsp; It comes in lots of colours if you go to the Tommy Bahama website.&nbsp; I might get 2 of them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/toppers-for-summer-dresses#post-1920810 Sun, 20 May 2018 04:39:24 +0000 DonnaF 1920810@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Often, denim jackets are recommended, but for whatever reason (probably my personal proportions), the ones I own aren't cropped enough. Uneven or handkerchief hems may work with your maxi dresses and maybe even regular length dresses since they don't have a strong horizontal line. I just bought the two linen blend long cardigans below which are a wonderful S/S weight and hit me longer than the stock photo but I have yet to test them over many of my dresses. It will be a question of whether they are long enough and how they look over the bulk of the shirtdresses and sheath dress. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/toppers-for-summer-dresses#post-1920803 Sun, 20 May 2018 03:59:55 +0000 Jessikams 1920803@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maybe something that is styled like a motorcycle or denim jacket, but in a more refined fabric like linen or knit. Those would be short enough to work with dresses. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/toppers-for-summer-dresses#post-1920769 Sun, 20 May 2018 01:41:13 +0000 Like the Season 1920769@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Linen blazers and open cardigans come to mind. Maybe you could wear a lightweight blouse or kimono top over one of your maxi dresses. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/toppers-for-summer-dresses#post-1920766 Sun, 20 May 2018 00:39:11 +0000 ChrisM 1920766@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Am looking forward to reading the replies - I’m always looking for that elusive lightweight topper!! Sleeveless isn’t an option for me... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/toppers-for-summer-dresses#post-1920765 Sun, 20 May 2018 00:31:51 +0000 Echo 1920765@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, I read Angie's advice for toppers for sleeveless dresses - including the DON'T part. However, I am not comfortable going sleeveless at work, so I would like to keep my sleeveless dresses appropriate without sweating to death. I commonly wear dresses with cardis or blazers through the winter, but find myself in a bind come summer. I can leave off the hose/tights, but I need lightweight toppers for dresses. Our building does finally have AC, but they keep the temps uncomfortably warm (for me). I long for "arctic air conditioning"!</p> <p>FWIW, I commonly wear shift dresses or fit and flare dresses, and I have a couple of black maxi dresses I am fond of. Longer toppers look sloppy, but shrugs look too short and unflattering for my midsection. Is there a happy medium anywhere? If anyone has any suggestions, I am all ears! </p>