De-frumpify this dress - YouLookFab Forum

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De-frumpify this dress

ManidipaM

Veteran

I have been missing a wash-and-wear wrap or surplice bodice dress for ages. I ideally wanted three-quarter sleeves, not-too-pretty print, fit and flare skirt, stretch.

Well, this one's 2 out of 4. The sleeves are short and the print is Liberty! I can't find the exact item online but this is a different print in the same style:
http://m.marksandspencer.com/m.....ed-items-3
(Um, sorry, not sure why I can't seem to link directly)

So the print I personally like but I can see frowsty potential a yard away.

The sleeves... well it seems to be a choice between sleeves and hemlines all the time and this is a midi length (shorter than knee length would be a deal breaker). But yeah, not ideal.

The bit that really gives me pause is the self-tie belt. That feels very dated to me. It's elasticated at the waist line. I have put a separate belt over it here. Wondering if I should cut the ties, literally. Thoughts?

Also, while these aren't well styled or good pictures, would love ideas on how to make this more current, less sweet old-marmish tea dress. (I will wear this out of the house like this today, with tan booties that aren't refined enough, I admit! As far as the park.)

Please excuse messy hair. Bit of a mad morning here with a super-cranky teething baby.

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Dressing

35 replies

Latest reply was from ManidipaM

Anonymous

Well, I really like the print! What about pairing with denim jacket?

Jeanie

Veteran

Pretty dress. I love any dress that's wash and wear. I usually cut off those loops that come with the dress for the belt and wear my own belt like you did. You could add a bit of structure by wearing a jean jacket or leather jacket instead of the cardi.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Thanks, ladies. Good ideas both.

A denim jacket is a HEWI for me but not an immediate need so I am content to wait for just the right one.

My leather jacket is taking a break for lifestyle reasons--am at home all day with a messy little infant-turning-toddler, and the thrills come with spills

Deborah

Veteran

It's a pretty dress:). I agree a denim jacket is an ideal topper for this. I hear what you are saying about the dress but I think rugged booties, bare legs and denim jacket could be a styling that would have it look young and modern.

You are looking so fab by the way . Certainly no where near as haggard I was when my Master was a babe:)

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

l like your belt with it! Perfect touch. And the leggings. I'd just wear a shorter sweater with it. Or the jean jacket, when you find one!

ManidipaM

Veteran

Deborah, thanks! It's heartening to hear since I feel like I am struggling through both atmospheric and mental fogs!

The barelegged styling plus jacket would only apply to our very short transitional seasons though. Which is one reason I put the denim jacket on the back burner. Do you lovely ladies think a chambray shirt might work too in warmer weather?

Firecracker, switching cardi now to a shorter, boho-ish one. Thank you! Will try and get a photo later to compare.

ramya

Veteran

You just need a shorter cardigan Moni. Try this. Button the top one of your current cardigan. Wear it in duch s way that top button is behind your neck. You are trying to shorten the cardigan here and check if you like what you see.

ramya

Veteran

Oh coloured leggings may be? Chambray dhirt should work provided it's not too long. Can you layer a tee ir shirt inside like Ingunn does?

Diana

Veteran

Well, personally I'd go 90s grunge and pair it with docs and bare legs. But that's just me. Otherwise I think a cropped denim jacket is a good bet. Or a sharp blazer, although that's not really practical for baby wrangling!

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Have you tried a bright belt? I think there's a lot of different colours you could bring out with this pattern. Of course, a brown or braided leather belt would be really boho, if that's something you're into

rute

Veteran

It's too long to wear with leggings, I suggest a shorter red cardigan and red or nude flats! Maybe a slim belt at the waist. Like the photo:

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ManidipaM

Veteran

Hmm, too long for leggings? Ok. Will have to be worn with boots when I can manage then. Bare legs in winter, no can do.

Lyn, I like braided belts only have turquoise but looking for a brown. I do have a cobalt belt that should work. And I will put an ochre/yellow on my list.

Rute, good ideas all. But I don't have the ingredients. And the overall effect is a little girlier than I prefer. Diana's grunge suggestions are more my style. But you remind me to not dismiss red things, which I tend to do too readily. Thanks for that! The closed nude shoe that isn't a ballet flat is a HEWI. Closest I got is bronze.

And Diana, Docs are another long-term want. Not available locally so when I travel...

Ramya, layering a t-shirt may not be practical, between the sleeve length and nursing baby. But a good idea for later may be a cami. And that reminds me I should try my sleeveless denim shirt-jacket once it it's warmer.

I did try a shorter cardigan and prefer it.

gryffin

Veteran

Manidipa - Pretty dress!! Looks very nice on you!! I agree that anything cropped as far as topper would be a good choice. Cropped moto, cropped cardi, cropped denim jacket. Don't forget if it's warm the power of vests in all the above. A little bolero or shrug. Also what about a small corset style belt to toughen it up? Would you consider something like this?
http://www.peruvianconnection......y=ourPicks
If you do a cardi, pointy toe flats would be cute,

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ManidipaM

Veteran

Gryffin, that link isn't working for me. Not sure whether location is affecting it. And yes, I do want to get a wider belt at some point this year. Thanks! I do find it hard to find pointy toes that fit my wide and fussy feet. But my eyes are peeled!

April

Veteran

A shorter top layer is the consensus, and I agree. I was also going to suggest that a short (think cropped) jacket would be even better, but I know it's good to have softer fabrics when you're lifting a baby up and down all day, and when that little cheek is against your shoulder.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Truthfully I like it just as you are wearing it here but the denim jacket and other ideas will look great too!

gryffin

Veteran

Manidipa - try http://www.peruvianconnection.com and you can click on the their sweater link. They have a number of cropped cardis. I am sure you'll see them around but you can always find a variant here. I like this site good quality and easy to work with. They always are creative with their styling. I thought you might enjoy it. Good luck, I am sure you will make that pretty dress work beautifully!! PS I was also thinking a little sassy sneaker (even in optic white or a color would be cute and good for running around!!) Enjoy!!

ManidipaM

Veteran

Shevia, am glad. All these ideas are great but I am freezing and I need more coverage than a denim jacket in winter. I do have to investigate whether tights will work instead of leggings, given Rute's advice. Luckily I have red fleece-lined hose...somewhere. Will try that next.

April, thanks for that very understanding comment. You are a sensitive soul! I bet Little M would thank you if he could.

Here's the shorter cardi I tried (sorry about the smudged mirror). Better proportions, say youse?

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ManidipaM

Veteran

Ooh, thanks for popping in again, Gryffin. I have grey Cons and black 'barefoot' trainers. Will give both a shot.

Anonymous

I totally love this dress! I feel like it might read frumpy with, say, a classic crew neck cardigan in one of the brighter colors in the print, but it doesn't at all with the darker, more modern-looking ones you're wearing. I think I might even like it with the first cardigan a little better than with the cropped one -- something about the way it creates a longer vertical line.

And the belt looks great but, if it's not a pain to belt it over the ties, I'd keep them on just so you can have the option of not wearing a belt when you want something really, really, really easy. That might be my own bias toward laziness talking, though, so take with a grain of salt.

Neel

Veteran

The dress is lovely and I think it would look great with your tall boots with leggings (since you prefer them) tucked in. Have you tried that combo? And I would prefer a less chunky cardi. A fine knit might look better. Not sure how that works with your weather.

Personally, I dislike any flared dress that hits my calves. Its a tough length to pull off for petite me and automatically makes me look frumpy

P.S All M&S dresses do that to me! Their dresses are pretty long. On the models it hits just over the knee. Have you tried their petite sizing?

Anonymous

I could see this dress styled as sort of grunge-meets-prairie for cold weather. I'm thinking Docs or even Western style boots with tights, a wider distressed leather belt with a big buckle, and a short poncho for a coverup...maybe serape striped for pattern mixing.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Thanks for the close up of the print. Love it's combo of colors. I think the the leggings are fine with it. It looks sort of "Indian fusion" to me, since many tunic/legging looks (salwar kameez, or something close?) have this proportion. Tights would work too, of course.

The shape of the dress is extremely flattering on you, and I love that you can move throughout your day easily and modestly in it, and can even sit cross legged while your wear it -- which, if I remember correctly, is how you like to work at your computer.

I'd suggest keeping a lookout for a really lightweight denim jacket as your HEWI, since it's not warm enough to be a coat, and your "transitional seasons" are short. I had one when my babies were small that I literally wore through on the elbows. It was lightweight and really stretchy -- almost like jegging materials. I miss it, and my stiffer Old Navy replacement gets far less wear.

Can you layer a long sleeved tee under the short sleeves of the dress? A moto would look amazing with it too!

ironkurtin

Veteran

IMO you need do nothing. You are dressed like every single hot mother I saw in the West Village the last time I was in NYC.

April

Veteran

Ooh, MM -- how about a knit moto? I have one that's like a sweatshirt fabric, so warm and soft. Feels like a cardigan but looks edgier. Could be tossed in the wash if Someone drooled on you.

carambola

Veteran

Agreeing with IK. I like it as is. I think pairing the dress with black keeps it out of old-marmish tea territory. To me, the long cardi and leggings look intentionally relaxed, boho/grunge chic, especially when I imagine Docs or rugged boots as footwear. A moto would be great too.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I really like the scale and pattern of this print for you. I think this will be an exceptionally versatile, season spanning dress.

I agree with the others that a shorter topper and maybe boots could create flattering proportions, but I also see that it might be more of a spring or fall or summer look, and actually, if you had black footwear to wear with your first iteration (leggings, long card) I would really like this just as is. I agree that it has a sort of intentional grunge vibe that is fun.

I also think it will look great with your boots.

I'd probably cut the ties, myself, so you can play with other belts -- maybe even including the self-one once it is off, if you know what I mean. You might be able to salvage it although maybe not if it is only ties that go partway....

ManidipaM

Veteran

Ohh, more lovely ideas!

Aubergine, I am ALL about lazy these days.

Neel, I actually prefer longer myself and M&S don't seem to stock petites around here. And both these cardis are very fine knits. Both are unshaped though, which may be what you are picking up as bulk. And I absolutely plan to wear my boots with these!

Thank you, Joy. I do have such a belt I believe, and a white poncho that I have somehow misplaced. The kind with sleeves. Going in the notebook.

Beth Ann, great recall! Yes, floor-friendly is a must for my everyday style. And also good point about the jacket--it would certainly help to have some stretch to it! Great idea, thanks. And I have a navy tee and a black I can try layering.

IK, that is a very interesting observation! Thank you!

April, I would love to find something like that! Definitely on my list.

Suz, the ties are very long, as in, I can double wrap before tying off. So yes, I could cut them off and still have them handy to use. And yes, thanks, I do hope it will work in all but the worst of summer.

ATLynn

Veteran

I am absolutely no help on the dress - I think you've gotten good advice from everyone else.

But I love your messy hair. I think it looks really fun and playful.

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