Dress Transformation - YouLookFab Forum

Hello to all lovely Fabbers! How are we today?

As some of you may know, I own quite a few classic structured dresses from my pre-YLF days. I constantly try to wear them in casual ways, and was successful in doing so with one of them over the weekend.

I'm showing you both the dressed-up & dressed-down versions.

This is a classic navy sheath that came with a black & gold belt. This is a regular office-wear dress, bought from an Indian brand that sells office-wear for both men & women. It's about 4 years old.

I do sometimes wear this dress for a nice dinner out. I have worn it to meetings in the past with black pumps and a blazer. For dressing it up, I wear the belt, muted gold sandals and a gold chain-link necklace. (#4-5)

Last Saturday, I dressed it down for a movie & lunch date with my husband by removing the belt. I added a gauzy light colored printed scarf, slip on sneakers and used my white bag. (#1-3)

I liked the effect! What works here is that the dress is not very long, unlike most office wear dresses. It looks perfectly balanced with absolutely flat footwear, even sneakers.

(My little photobomber woke up mid-way this photo shoot and makes an appearance in the last photo )

Would love to hear your thoughts! And any/all ideas for improvement....

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10 years ago

anne

Veteran

I like how you dressed this down.

Interesting that office wear dresses are long where you are - many are just too short for me here in Australia!

Anonymous

Awwww, look at little Emma...soooo cute!

Oops sorry, supposed to be looking at your dress :D...Love the casualised version to bits...nice job! Perfect for a cinema date and I bet you wrapped the scarf around your shoulders for chilly cinema A/C too.

Maneera

(website)

Thanks Anne. I think dresses are long on me because I'm short! I'm only 5'-3.5" tall. Until & unless I'm wearing a micro-mini, it won't be short on me

Thanks Di! Yes, that's exactly why I wore the scarf - to wrap around me in the chilly AC. Sadly, it wasn't chilly I was just comfortable like this....so I bet other people were feeling hot!

catgirl

Nice job - you are making a sheath dress look so appealing!

lyn67

YEsss, this is such a great way to successfully dressing down that shift-and you look now fab smart casual in it. I feel you could make it looking even more casual with a slouchy boho shoulder bag, if so inclined! I love your little pet-we have an 8 yrs beagle, too!

skylurker

Wow, the dressy version is gorgeous, Maneera, very flattering dress.

I love how you accessorized the dress down version too, the only thing that bothers me are the empty belt loops - I want to see them filled with a simple navy or black belt maybe ? Of course it's only a personal quirk of mine - I want to fill the belt loops of every one wearing a trenchcoat without belt I cross by in the streets too !

9 years ago

Jaime

Looks great to me every which way.

Hahaha Isabelle....you're so so cute <3 But I do know what you mean...I don't like empty belt loops myself and had there been loops on the front & back too, I would've never removed the belt. These are on the sides, so I let them be. But maybe you're right. I can fit a veryyyy skinny belt....maybe even white to actually tie together the accessories! I do have a HUGE box of belts.....I like to collect them much more than I like to wear them though. From super skinny to very broad - I have them all. I'll go through them right now and see what all colors I have. Definitely have black & navy. Thanks for the idea!

Thanks Jaime. I am glad I successfully dressed this down! Much more likely to wear the dressed down version

Tanya

Love your photo-bomber, so cute!

I think the dress works very well for you in both dressed-up and dressed down versions, great job. I would also try a smaller, neckerchief scarf in the outfits where you are wearing that lovely white scarf.

I like both versions. I think it's great to be able to make a dressier outfit get more wears. I must think about how to do this for myself.

RobinF

This works perfectly. To tell you the truth, I didn't even notice the belt loops, but I seldom do belts so maybe I'm used to that.

Suz

This is terrific! I am alas with Isabelle on the belt loops question..but otherwise, total love. You look great in the blue.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

You nailed it, Manny. LOVE the way you dressed down that sheath. That's NOT letting your clothes boss you around. Try a skinny white belt with the casual version. Emma approves too.

Sara L.

I think this is a great way to casualize a sheath dress. The dress is flattering on you and I like the scarf for some interest and the casual sneakers.

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