Closet Edit Part 2: Dresses - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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Closet Edit Part 2: Dresses

Chris987

Veteran

This turned quickly from an editing session to an orphan recover one I own exactly three dresses I’d wear in fall/winter, not including a couple of occasion dresses including the new Maggie London floral one. I’m going to keep them for one more season to see if I wear them, and if I don’t, I will pass them on in spring. I don’t need them to be workhorses, just not orphans. Here are some new-to-me styling ideas that I like. NOTE: I can’t find my light grey tights that are close to the color of these booties, and used these darker tights instead. Please imagine I'm wearing light grey tights that match the booties.

• Burgundy waffle knit dress. Grey booties & tights, with a pale grey scarf (no find)
• ...same dress with a new darker scarf I just got.
• A denim dress I bought early in the spring of 2018 and have worn exactly once. It’s a bit too “office-y” a which I think is why I don’t wear it, but I love the style and the fit. Worn with grey/black striped turtleneck, grey booties, grey tights.
• ...same dress with sleeves folded down a bit
• I also have grey ottoman knit dress I bought at JCP several years ago in a very classic style with great fit and longevity. I do wear this a few times each season it’s fine and I’m keeping it. Showing the find but no photos of this one.

I could also wear any of them with my black suede buckle booties/black tights, or my black tall boots, although the tall ones need to be replaced - they are not very comfortable and don’t taper in at the top which gives a three musketeers/puss-in-boots vibe that is cute for the movies but not IRL LOL.

What do you think? How else could I style the burgundy and denim dresses in a way that’s casual and modern? All comments most welcome!
• with a long open cardigan? They tend to totally hide my waist and add 20 lbs so not planning on it.
• Maybe with grey/white snakeskin booties? I do NOT own any of these but like the idea, and they would work well for me otherwise too.

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Sharagano Pocketed Denim Shirt Dress (Petite)

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1

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Lucky Brand Bartonn

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6

PrAna Cameo Scarf

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5

Dolce Vita Unity Bootie

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4

Cap-toe ankle boots in faux snakeskin

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3

Dolce Vita Karsen Bootie

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2

Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from Chris987

Eva

Oh I really like outfit #1 with the floral scarf! I think you can cut the tags off!
I think it looks great as is, with the dark grey tights.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Hi Chris. That burgundy dress looks to me like a perfect one to wear in a casual way. Have you tried it over jeans? Leggings with chunky boots? I think it would be so easy to thrown on with almost any footwear, and just cuddle up and enjoy.

The denim one, I'd like to see with no top underneath, and with sneakers. More of a shoulder season style. I don't know what your seasons are like, I know I have a small window to wear denim like this, but I do like to do it. It's a great dress, I can see why you'd like to get more out of it.

And I've been meaning to tell you, my Maggie London arrived some time ago, and I love it! Haven't worn it yet, but it fits well, and I will...

Anonymous

Love that floral scarf:) that outfit is my favorite of the lot. I think the denim dress needs a belt of some sort, due to the big beltloops, and enabling the snakeskin booties!

Chris987

Veteran

Thanks Eva! I need to try the floral scarf with a few coats before i cut the tags. I bought it to go with some winter coats, which I think will work fine, but it's a bit too pricey to keep if that does not work out and it only goes with this one dress. Just being conservative!

Thanks Elizabeth P. I don't ever wear dresses over jeans or leggings, I have too much bulk already in the thigh area and don't want to add any more with clothing plus the denim dress is too tight for that. Wearing it with sneakers is a great idea and I actually just got some that might work, although it's already too cool to wear this dress without a jacket of some sort. Looking forward to seeing the Maggie London dress on you and everyone else who got it. My event for it is early Nov.

Thanks Suntiger, adding a belt to the denim dress would make the waist area way too bulky because of those built-in half-belt thingies which are honestly more comfortable than a real belt because they are fabric rather than leather. Thanks for the enabling!

RobinF

Veteran

I like the denim with the stripes underneath and could see it also with tall boots. I wonder how the burgundy dress would look without a scarf but instead some sort of long pendant? I think the snakeskin booties would be fun with almost anything!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love that conversation between you and Elizabeth. That is an IT talking to a Pretty Pear. I'm not a true pear but have enough tendencies in that direction that no matter how I try, no matter how loose the dress, it just feels bulky and not fun to wear jeans or pants under dresses. Full stop. So I hear you loud and clear, Chris!

That burgundy dress is basically exactly what I am looking for in a casual dress. Cozy, easy to throw on, and not too precious. I love outfit #1 as is!

You could also try with some of your toppers, e.g. a moto jacket. I know you said you won't wear it with a long cardigan, but try a maxi on in the store just to see. It might surprise you. Another thought -- call me crazy -- try it with your pumpkin coat! I know the colours would sort of clash but it might just be inspired with the right scarf to tie together and cognac footwear. You can get skin tone sheer hose.

I tend to think Elizabeth is right about the denim dress. I'd wear it in that brief shoulder season. It looks good with the stripes but maybe a bit "fussy" -- or at least that is how I imagine it feeling on myself. I would tend to wear it with a (gasp!) long cardigan over for warmth and maybe a scarf, maybe not, plus sneakers and bare legs.

Chris987

Veteran

RobinF good idea to do a long pendant with the burgundy dress, and thanks for the enabling on snakeskin bootie idea!

Suz you are so observant about IT vs pear body types You've got it exactly...an IT would love to wear pants under a dress and a pear would NOT. The burgundy dress was one I ordered from TJmaxx when they first opened up their online shopping site (2016 I think), as much to see how purchase/returns would work as anything else. The brand is coincidently a Canadian one...Katherine Barclay Montreal. Based on a quick google search it does not seem that the brand has it's own web site but it's carried on Amazon and Neiman Marcus and a bunch of other places so maybe worth a look. Hah, I bet it WOULD work with the pumpkin coat!

Sal

Veteran

I like all these looks especially 1.....I agree a long necklace would also work.

I think the denim would be fantastic in the shoulder season with loafers or laceups.....I do like it on you. I think layering over it would be hard but I do like the layering under.

Sara L.

Veteran

I love the floral scarf with the first dress. I like the idea of wearing it with a long necklace too. I think the denim dress would look good with scarves also and maybe a brighter colored underlayer (although I love the stripes too).

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Love the burgundy dress on you,wouldn’t be getting rid of that one if it was me.Not so keen on the denium ,it does look a bit like a uniform .

jussie

Veteran

Ooh I do love that bergundy dress on you.... it’s gorgeous. I also like the denim one and think it’s probably worth keeping a little longer

lyn67

Veteran

I just love both dresses as they are styled here but denim can be worn on skin, isn't it? You can wear them with knee high boots, too. Burgundy can be styled with a statement(or dainty) long pendant. Also you can wear a structured denim jacket, a longer grey chunky cardi or a puffer vest(& scarves) over it.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I adore the burgundy dress, Chris. You've styled it nicely in #1 too. Have you tried it with the tall boots?

I like the stripe layered under the denim dress. Super cute.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

#1 looks great and I really like the denim dress over the striped top too. Not sure you need any advice, you are doing great.

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

Great fun to see this outfit creation session. 1 and 4 look especially fab and modern to me. The scarf in 2 has not quite enough “oomph” I think.

Love those snakeskin booties but be warned: I own those Dolce Vita ones and they have a very weird fit. Tight at the toes and really loose at the heel/calf, so you kinda walk out of them. I seem to have fixed it with insoles, but certainly try them on before you commit.

Staysfit

Veteran

The snakeskin booties are fabulous! I wish I could find some that fit in that color for bookending. (Isn’t it funny that most of the people reading this will know what that means?). The floral scarf is wonderful! It works so well with the burgundy dress, and I bet you will find it works with lots of things in your closet. I love scarves that contain multiple colors, most of which are in my palette. They are so versatile.

Rectangle and IT here, and I love pants under a dress!

Chris987

Veteran

Thanks Sal. I agree that layering over the denim dress would be tricky, in part because the dress is fairly snug.

Sara L you are right that I could try a brighter layer under the denim dress.

Cardiff Girl you are right about the denim one looking a little uniform-ish. I seem to be drawn to looks like that sometimes, don't know why.

thanks jussie!

lyn67 yes the denim dress could be worn "on skin" but not until next spring, I feel cold if my arms aren't mostly covered from fall through spring. I had not thought of the puffer vest idea over the burgundy dress, I have a FAB vest with great waist shaping that might be perfect for that!

Angie yes I have tried the burgundy dress with tall boots and it works fine, but my boots are not comfortable and need to be replaced, and I have not been looking forward to ordering/returning because of all the large boxes (For example, most of the ones I like at Nordstrom are only available online and NOT available through the deliver-to-store option)

Shevia, so kind of you!

jessikams, you are right, that lighter scarf just does not have enough oomph for much of anything Good to know about the Dolce Vita snakeskin bootie fit, thanks!

staysfit, snakeskin booties would be great for you, and I'm totally with you on multicolored scarves. This one has so many great colors in it, which is not that visible in my photo or the find.