Bailey 44 midi dresses: WIW orange stripe w/SS gift and K/R black lace

Here's what I wore to work on Tuesday--the Anthro Bailey 44 striped midi. I had to size up to a M in this dress to camouflage my tummy. (I normally wear smalls in most dresses). I woke up late that day so I grabbed it, threw it on with my caramel leather jacket and was out the door in five minutes. I wore my nude ankle strap pumps (which match the color of the beige stripes!). I also wore my Secret Santa gift of the leopard, amber and gold necklace. Thanks Lisa! The necklace is perfect for this dress and for so much of my wardrobe! You really know me and you picked well!

I loved the dress so much that when I saw it on the website in black lace (and also Sarah's post with her looking killer in the dress) I had to try it. They were out of the M online, but I called around to the five stores that still had it in the entire country, and on the last one I lucked out and snagged one from Washington. They sent it to me with free shipping and it arrived today! What do you think? I think it would be cool to pair it with my white Kate Spade Fiorella Bib Necklace...is it too much? I feel like I could put my hair up and pretend to be Audrey in Breakfast at Tiffany's! I also have a more delicate necklace if that would work better.

How about the fit of these dresses? I have to admit in the pics of the orange one I'm standing up straighter and sucking it in a little. If I let it all hang loose, I've got the belly pooch in the side view like in #8 (see Una, you're not the only one!). I decided the Spanx really didn't do much except make my belly more protuberant so I ditched it. I wore the orange one to work without shapewear underneath and got lots of compliments, even though I know my belly was sticking out a little. The dress is very comfy--I wore it all the way till bedtime instead of changing out into lounge clothes. Since it's stretchy, it would probably work well as a maternity dress too, if I ever needed one in the future. What do you think of the black lace one? Which necklace do you like better? Is there a way to dress down the black lace one for work? Maybe with my new cream and black ribbon trench jacket on top?

1-5. Anthro orange stripe Bailey 44 midi, Lafayette 148 leather jacket, and secret santa necklace.
6-11. Black lace midi (called "Lolabelle" dress in the catalog) with black suede Bandolino heels and Kate Spade Fiorella white bib necklace, or black & white & gray Jobean glass bead necklace from our vacation to Saba earlier this year.

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12 years ago

Lantana

Veteran

Wow, you look fabulous! These dresses are perfection on you. The black is very Audrey and I'd love to see you do the whole Holly Golightly thing, sans the cigarette, of course. Keep on pulling that tummy in -it is great for your "line" and especially great for your core strength.

Jjsloane

Love the orange dress on you and all the other elements of the outfit. I prefer the black one without either necklace. The last necklace is just not the right length and the other one competes a bit with the lace. I'd do bracelets or earrings as my main jewelry with that dress (or embellished shoes)

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You look KILLER sensational in both of these frocks, Natalie!! They are amongst my favourites in your wardrobe.

I love the chunky necklace with dress #2 (Photo #9). SMASHING! Add colourful shoes

kimlee

Natalie - I think that you look amazing in both of these dresses. They definitely belong in your closet. The bib necklace is terrific with the lace dress.

Lisa

These dresses are great on you. I really like the brown with the orange. And I'm happy the new necklace will mix in with your wardrobe nicely. *smiling*

For the black dress I prefer the larger necklace. It's stunning on you!

Jenava

Both of these are great. I like the white necklace with the black one.

CocoLion

Love the Anthro dress on you. You paired it well with the shoes and leather jacket.

As for the lace dress, it's a fab keeper! No hesitation here. I like the bigger white necklace.

velvetychocolate

Eeeeek!! These are both just fabulous and you look like a million bucks - well done! WOW. Not kidding about this - and I hope you're keeping both.

rae

Love 'em both, of course! We're all looking too closely at our bellies; cut that out and just enjoy.

I prefer the chunkier necklace with the black dress, as the delicate one competes with the lace pattern to my eye. For dressing it down... hm. What about some brown or cognac fitted boots and a button-down shirt layered underneath? And maybe a long duster coat? I swear it looks cool in my head, but I'm sure I will find no pics of this for an example...

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