Bright Blue Handkerchief Dress

The post about Handkerchief hem dresses (and the one on dresses to wear as a wedding guest) couldn't have come at a better time! I have a beautiful, bright blue handkerchief dress that I would like to wear to an afternoon wedding in the next few weeks. The problem is I never know how to style it--and after reading this post's recommendations, I realize the problem may come from the color. I don't usually wear a lot of bright colors or show a lot of cleavage since I have a larger bust, and this dress has both factors. However I love the swish of the fabric and how the dress makes me feel alone, barefoot in my room. What do I do to make it feel appropriate in a public setting?

I have some pretty coral sandals with a chunky heel that might work, as per Angie's suggestions, although I'm not sure about the color. I feel like a necklace or topper might help with the cleavage thing, but I don't have any of those suggestions, except the denim jacket, which I don't feel is appropriate.

Thanks for your help everyone!

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9 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Coral would totally work. Though if I think if you do bright shoes you probably don't need a necklace.

Jeweled

If you go with the coral shoes, I think it would be lovely to "bookend" them with coral earrings or necklace.

To cover up the top of the dress a little, if you'd feel more comfortable, what about a pretty shrug, bolero, or shawl - possibly lacy, crochet, or openwork of some sort?

Beautiful dress, and it looks like the fabric is a dream!

Robin

Active Member

To help you feel less awkward about the cleavage, what about a shawl in choral? You could bookend the sandals and get some coverage at the same time.

I know bright colours like choral might be hard to match, but since they're not right next to each other, I'm guessing an exact match between shawl and shoes isn't necessary. (caveat: BlindGal speaking: I don't know from colours, so it's all guesswork.)

If you went this route, I'd suggest really understated jewelry since the choral and blue are both so vivid.

Your reply

Kim

If you can find a tank top/camisole in a matching blue I'd use that to cover what was making me uncomfortable. You could also try it in a coral if you are doing coral shoes. I a saw a little video on youtube where the lady added some lace to the edge of the V on her top top (if you can sew, she did it by hand) in a co-ordinating color, and it filled in the neckline a bit more. I thought it was a good idea. Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA5fGwJJxBc

I think I'd find a way to make this dress comfortable for me, or else you'll just have an orphan that only gets worn in your bedroom at home. Not what you wanted, I'm sure!

Karin L H

Dress looks lovely, it'd be a shame not to wear it outside! I hope you can make it work. I'm not good with accessories, but I like what Robin said about doing coral shoes and shawl? A cami would also be a good option, but personally I prefer covering up with a shawl rather than a cami for nicer dresses, to me it feels more dressed with a shawl. But I still think both options work!

Mander

I love the color! I think a shawl is a better bet than a cami -- a cami might look a bit too casual for a wedding, IMHO. But I also think it's somehow slightly more acceptable to show more cleavage in a formal setting, unless you dress modestly as a rule.

Can you raise the neckline slightly with a strategic safety pin or a few hand stitches? Or something like Kim's lace idea but with an organza ribbon if you aren't keen on lace?

carter

Gorgeous dress! You'll be stunning. I'd wear it with the coral shoes and something like the shawls below.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/2.....e&...

https://www.etsy.com/listing/2.....gle&u...

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Suz

What a gorgeous dress! I am sure it will look great with coral accents. It can be tough to find toppers that work, but something cropped and light (linen?) might do the trick.

Anonymous

The shawl idea sounds very pretty and versatile, plus you could rearrange it or adjust it according to need, but because I don't really have that kind of gracefulness myself, I also like the idea of a cropped jacket, almost like a bolero. I don't think a tuxedo style jacket would work because the points of the jacket with the points of the skirt might be too much "pointing".

Cococat

I love the dress. The colour is gorgeous.

What about a cleavage covering statement necklace that has a touch of coral to match your shoes?

fusslessness

Thanks everyone! Glad the coral seems to be going over well, I really like the idea of bookending, be it with a necklace, earrings or topper. I'll do a little searching and let you guys know what I find!

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