Does this work? Or am I kidding myself?

kkards

I should have posted this as an outfit lab....but I wore this today, and now I'm seriously questioning my judgement

The last picture was my inspiration, and I use that word lightly, as the inspiration piece is worn casually and I tried to make it work appropriate. Also light vs dark denim.
Sorry pictures aren't better, I was in a rush this morning. What's hard to see in my photos is I have a white tank on under the dress to give the top and bottom half a some continuity.
So, does it work? And it be saved? I'm open to any and all suggestions. (But, do want to add that sneakers are a complete no go for work, and my goal is to see if I can make this work for work)
TIA

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Ann Taylor

Denim Shirtdress

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Top Pick

8 years ago

What I Wore

13 replies

Latest reply was from kkards

rachylou

Veteran

I think this totally works. What bothers you?

8 years ago

kkards

Veteran

Rachy...I'm not really sure what bothers me....just a nagging sense that something's not right.

8 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

The dress looks great on you. It's a cool look, but my first thought was Nehru.

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8 years ago

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I'm going to say maybe the high contrast. The inspiration is lower contrast with the dark pants and med. tone top. The other thing is that the inspiration uses the dress as a topper more, opening most of the buttons and yours is all buttoned up. But I'm not really an expert on dresses so maybe others will have more knowledge.

8 years ago

Anonymous

I agree about the high contrast between top and bottom, and between bottom and shoes. Black pants might work better.

8 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think the idea is really cool. And I loved JAileen's photo of Nehru!

The fit of the dress/ topper is different from the inspiration to yours. Yours is a really fitted (beautiful!) shirt dress (which by the way look fabulous on you in itself!). But the inspiration is boxier, more like a long long long long jacket, and of course worn open so it looks looser still. So, I think your idea can work but you might have to open the dress completely and even then you'd have to tweak the styling a bit. It's sort of like the difference between a structured and unstructured blazer, you know? Yours is the fitted, tailored version, which definitely ups the work-appropriate nature of the garment.

I also think the comments about the contrast level are important.

Also, I am not sure about footwear here. I want to see some integration between elements somehow. I do not know what to suggest for the feet. Cognac to bookend your hair, maybe...

8 years ago

Anonymous

I think I'd shorten the jeans/pants a bit , unbutton a bit more at top and bottom, and wear a heavier/chunkier shoe. ......my 2 c anyways

8 years ago

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I think the leggings need to be a bit shorter.

8 years ago

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I agree with textile I was trying to see it but the darker and the lighter just is off. It is a beautiful fit just a high contrast

8 years ago

minimalist

Veteran

The contrast could work, if repeated elsewhere. That might be a lighter look for summer, and avoid Angie's dreaded column of black effect.

8 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I like Lisa's ideas. Crop the trousers, open the dress some more, and change the footwear out.

8 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I think the jeans need to be cropped, and the dress unbuttoned a little at the hem. Then we are in business. Good job putting this look together.

8 years ago

kkards

Veteran

Thanks. So much wisdom.... Yes totally see now that the leggings/pants are too long. And although it's hard to see in the picture, I've got buttons opened on top & bottom, but the lighter color underneath showed every lump so I didn't feel confortable wearing it open. But I'll try it open with dark underneath. And Lisap-- yes chunkier footwear!

8 years ago

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