Denim ShirtDress Styling - YouLookFab Forum

A little while back I got a smoking deal on a dress very similar to this one in the photo below. I've worn it a few times, and it's comfortable and lazy for the weekends. I style it with a boyfriend cardigan or with rolled up sleeves and sandals on the weekend (as the model is here). EDIT: Note that the dress is Tencel, so it's very light and floaty vs stiff in fabrication.

Can you all point me to some other creative ways to style this? The self belt I kept, but cut off the loops since it hit me too high on the waist. I really am giving myself permission to let go of that binding feeling and drop the waist in my clothes.

The "sack" style sans belt feels sloppy at any work event, even though my work style is very casual (tech in SF). The weather is currently really hot, I'd love to wear this to a conference I'm going to tomorrow in downtown SF but I don't want to be too sloppy or too hot. (e.g. not wearing boots or a sweater on this one). When I wear a belt with this it always slides around a lot.

Can you help? or should I just give up on this and try one of my classic other summer outfits?

thanks YLFers!

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9 years ago

abc

Veteran

When I get stuck on how to style something I turn to Pinterest. You might try searching denim shirtdress and I bet you'll find lots of ideas.

Melinda SF

Active Member

Yes, I have been looking there, but so far I am not inspired. TBH I really have a hard time with pinterest whenever I want to do anything more than just the basics. It's terrible for shopping (unlike here). the search isn't great, either. a lot of things are pinned and repinned. I get far more out of YLF than i do on pinterest.

Brooklyn

I find with waist surrendering dresses that wearing a long heavy-ish pendant (midriff length) can help to tamp down the top and make it feel less sloppy to me. A crop sweater can do the same thing but that would probably make you too hot. What about wearing it (either with or without belt) with Capri length leggings? Would that make the dress too hot or feel too casual?

L'Abeille

I would try it with a woven /braided belt or a D-ring webbing belt. Both would be less likely to slip around. You could always loosely tack invisible belt loops made of thread. To spiff it up for the conference, try a small square scarf tied bandana style at the neck.

Argh! I just lost a really long comment! Here's the cliff notes:

Try adding a strog verical line, like a long, noticeable necklace or light rectangular scarf worn low (knot around bust length w ends left dangling) or tie/sash.

If you have a lightweight sleeveless summer dress, try wearinf this one unbuttoned over it, like a coat.

Look up Japanese style on Pinterest or Google image search or whatever for inspiration re: intentional waist surrendering. Although they do tend to be more into layers.

I like l'Abeilles idea of swapping out the belt. Also, if you put the belt loops back on you could try just tying the belt at the back (not the front) you could then wear it just buttoned down to the waist but open at the bottom with a pencil skirt or pants underneath.

I love the pendant ideas. I do that a lot to help make a vertical and hopefully slimming line. I also thought about a white denim jacket if you have one maybe with a pendant or long scarf. I like these dresses but feel i would have issues styling as well. Sorry for the Pinterest suggestion, I didn't realize you already tried that and yes ylf rocks!

These ideas are amazing, all. This is why I love YLF!

E, the idea of using it as a coat never occurred to me. I just realized this dress does not button all the way down, only to the waist, more's the pity because that idea is fanfreaking tastic. Thank you also for the Pinterest tips and I'll def check it out because "surrendering my waist" is my middle name.
You and Brooklyn, thanks also for the vertical pendant idea. since this has some trim down the front as a vertical line it's a tougher sell, BUT you do inspire me to think about a nicer set of jewelry to dress it up.
L'abelle: ditto on the scarf. I've gotten rid of my most of my handkerchief sized scarves. but the hermes is still around in a luscious pale pink and grey silk that will work really well with this!
Belts--all: my next style challenge is going to be about belts, because I can feel myself resisting them. tonight I pulled out several of my belts and I'm going to make it a point to use them in various ways, including trying with this dress. Just not tomorrow though because I need to be 100% confident in it first.

Yes, it's unseasonably hot in SF. Very rare, we are blessed most of the time with requiring a topper. So I've decided to enjoy the fact that most of the time this dress is going to be casual, and tomorrow I'm going to wear my new St. John silk blouse without having to wear a topper. I like my arms covered, because who knows how cold the conference will get; but with white ankle jeans and a strappy black shoe. I'll put a black cotton pashmina folded up in my purse in case it gets chilly.

Nordstrom

St. John Collection Animal Print Silk Georgette Blouse

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