A tale of two outfits: can I professionalize my dancing dress?

I recently started thinking about what I refer to as my dancing dress, since I purchased it specifically for bachelorettes, nights on the town with the girls and other occasions that could benefit from a slightly more aluring look. I haven't worn it since September when I styled it with silver and red (pic 1).

Wearing this item feels like dressing in water, since it's so fluid and comfortable. As a result, I wanted to see if it was possible to give it a different vibe by remixing it in a more every-day way. I now need to check with you ladies to see if it actually works.

In pic 2, I've pulled it on over a reddish purplelong-sleeve t-shirt, which I'm hoping will add some requisite coverage. I forgot to get a shot of the crisscrossing straps and cowl back, but it can lie flat against the tee. In lieu of the sparkly silver belt from my evening look, I've swapped out this leopard belt instead. I've popped on black microfishnets and dark red pumps instead of bear legs and sparkly silver sandals. It's my hope that the reddish shoes can complement the tee, but if they just flat-out clash, let me know and I can wear black. A pair of mixed-metallic earrings complete this outfit attempt.

So, ladies, does this one work for you or does it need tweaking? If you worked in an office environment like mine where pretty much anything goes, would you wear this?

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13 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

great remixing! in this combo, the white in the leopard is so bright and eye catching that i would want to see a brighter tone elsewhere as a "bookend", preferably close to your pretty face, so my eye isn't pulled first to the top of your tum. alternatively, pick a darker toned belt, maybe silver to bring in the bag?

teensy tweaks in execution for a fab concept.

Michelle

(website)

BJ, would swapping out a white tee instead of the red do the trick? And if I did that, should I keep the red shoes?

i was thinking about a white tee precisely! definitely keep the red shoes. i like the sleek column.

sinead

Active Member

For me, the contrast of dress neckline with the t-shirt somehow doesn't work. So here's another suggestion- could you put a camisole under the dress, and then layer a cardigan or jacket over everything? It would give some cleavage cover and then the cardi would cover the straps and some of the upper part. Maybe that would take it out of the evening look it has.

What a great dress. Fun experiment, Michelle!

OOH! How about a white cami under the dress to pick up the belt, as BJ said, and then a white denim jacket thrown over the whole thing for outdoor coverage? Would you then wear nude microfishnets and red shoes or what?
This *is* fun!

Ok...How's this? White cami in place of the red tee. To be honest it does feel better. I was thinking I could then wear some sort of jacket over with, anything from my tweed chanel-esque one for office looks or my white denim for something more chill.
Any advice on footwear?

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Jenava

What about layering a white button-down under the dress? Although I like where you're going with the denim jacket idea, too...

Jenava, the back of this dress has lots of interesting detail, and I feel like a shirt collar would interfere a bit. Plus, every time I've tried layering over a buttondown, people here say it doesn't work that well.
What's not working about the ami?

I like the cami better than the other top. I do think you need a jacket to make it more office appropriate. I like the red shoes with this. It compliments the black and white belt.

Elly

I love the cami look--- add a denim jacket for wearing it smart casual and a office-y jacket otherwise. I really like it, where the tee was just a bit off.

rae

I'm wondering if a black cami would work well... maybe I'm old fashioned, but something about a white cami just reads as underwear to me. I love the idea of a denim jacket, though, and maybe pearls a la Angie!

Sara L.

This is a fun topic! I love hearing how you can transform an evening look into office appropriate clothing. I think the cami looks good and a jacket would make it perfect for the office.

Carole

I like the idea of a cami, but I think this one with the lace edging conflicts with the neckline of the dress, if that makes sense. How about one with no detailing, red would be nice too.

ManidipaM

Michelle, I feel like the cami's rounded and lacy neckline is lying too close to the dress' own curvy V, which means it can obscure the edges of the cami sometimes as you move. Not too neat, and yes, rather competitive. Plus it's not doing enough for coverage, useful where the dress itself has evening-appropriate lines -- cut for allure, as you pointed out.

Is there a cami or tank top with a higher or square neckline you could try? Or what about one of the blouses you took on cruise with you? The yellow one you showed us with your printed skirt, or the stretchy blue perhaps?

Or how about popping a top OVER the dress to turn it into a 'skirt'? Maybe the white top from your cruise?

Deborah

Havent read the comments so apologie for any repetition.

I work in an office where anything goes and I would definitely wear this.
Have you thought of a patterned top underneath also? And i can so see a white button down for office wear.

This is a lovely dress and it would be great if you were able to get more wear out of it.

Steph

Michelle, I hate to be a naysayer, but I am not loving either look with this dress. The shirt and cami underneath both seem incongruous with the dress itself--to me, it looks like an awkward marriage rather than an effortless dressing down.

It's difficult to tell from the photos, but what fabric is the dress? I might be in the minority, but there are certain fabrics I don't feel dress down well (like satin and shiny silks). Although I appreciate the look of those fabrics when paired with something like a denim jacket, I still think of them as dressy items to be worn to nicer places, regardless of whether they are juxtaposed with something more casual. (As an example, Angie does this very well when she pairs her purple gown with a denim jacket, but she still wears it to nicer restaurants and the like; I personally can't imagine wearing that kind of combination to the office.)

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