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Dressing

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How to style this

trying...

I desperately need some styling help. I bought this dress to wear to a department dinner (student). Now I feel that it is too precious. Any tips to edge it up a bit or downplay the cutsieness? I tried some different shoe options below. The neckline is high so I'm not sure how necklaces would work. Also would bare legs or sheer black tights be better? Thanks for your help!

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Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from NauticalVulpine

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I would wear it with black stockings and flat boots or shoes and a jacket to downplay the young, cuteness. It is a pretty dress!

columbine(erin)

Veteran

I'm with Shevia. I'd try it with dark tights and booties or tall boots.

rachylou

Veteran

I like it... I like it with the block heels for a department dinner. Flats would be cutesy to me. I'd wear sheer hose, personally.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

It's a nice dress. It suits you and it doesn't read too cutesy to me. Girls around here would wear that with sheer black hose, platform booties and a black leather jacket. For a department dinner, maybe try it with a draped jacket or blazer.

Anonymous

Well, I'm going to be in the minority here, because the dress doesn't read cutesy at all to me--the cut and white hem band prevent that (it might veer into cutesy if it were a flounce from the waist, 50s style). Personally I wouldn't fight the classic look: with a dress like this, that might come across as style muddled. I'd wear it with the shoes in pic 1 and own the look by adding some pearls--a strand like the one Angie showcases in today's blog post wouldn't look too twee. You look stunning in this!

Lucy

Veteran

I like it a lot. It's a good match for the event, too.
I think it works best with the tougher shoes, of 4 and 5.

Ginger

Veteran

I like it! I don't think it's that cutesy, but I can see how it can veer that way. I would avoid round-toe shoes, especially flats, like the plague. If you wear flats at all, pointy pointy toe. Also avoid cutesy accessories, like hair bows, and soft colored cardigans.

I like high necklines because they show off any length of necklace so well. Pearls will make it very elegant, and can be traditional/classic in style or a lot edgier. Something spikey and bright silver could also be fun.

For a topper, I do like moto jackets, or a fun tuxedo style. Hosiery depends somewhat on the footwear. Opaque black won't raise any eyebrows, though it's not my preferred with black pumps. Black sheer hose will be elegant, and fun especially with boots or booties. Nude/bare has been the rule for years, so that's also safe; though I think it would look a little more startling with booties. I'd do it with pumps or with tall boots.

Anonymous

I just want to come in and say I like the dress.

Helena

Veteran

Lovely dress! I like the black tights and booties idea. A clutch with some edgy detail might be fun too.

Anonymous

If you are going for a mature look, I'd say black tights and the simple black heels. You can add a long necklace (thinking 20's), a simple bracelet, and a ring or just one of those. I prefer the cuter look and would wear it with sheer tights, flats, and a ring...

Ginger Tea

I agree... I think it is much more classic than cutesy. It's got style that is a little unexpected (the white stripe), but the length and the high neckline make it stay in the classic zone.

I must echo the others who have said pumps and sheer black hosiery, and a white pearl necklace. You could consider wearing a fine black cashmere or similar wrap instead of a jacket if you can't find a jacket you like with it. I personally wouldn't mind a more unstructured topper if you go with classic pumps, black sheer hosiery and pearls, because those will up the classic style quotient so much that the unstructured quality of a wrap would be the only softening effect.

The booties or another more casual type of shoe also looks great with this dress--just not at a department dinner. Perhaps at a later time, dinner out with friends or on a date, the casual shoe would be perfect.

A final note--you look gorgeous in the dress!

LaPed

Veteran

This is a very flattering dress that doesn't read cutesy or girly at all. You wear it really well!

Personally, I like it best with the pumps. I'd go with sheer black tights.

I agree that whatever sort of topper you choose, you could go with something edgier, like a moto jacket or tux-style jacket. I think a cardigan here would read a little too '50s and might push you into schoolgirl territory.

trying...

Thank you for your feedback! So many great suggestions. I tried a motto jacket and cardigan as toppers. The motto jacket hits too low I think, given where the dress flares? I tried tying the cardigan at the natural waist but I'm afraid it looks sloppy...

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rachylou

Veteran

The tied cardigan is too casual, I think. The moto looks fine to me, as does the sweater untied. Hard pressed to choose one over the other...

shiny

Veteran

Looks super cute with the tights and booties.

I'd go with the cardigan, untied, but button just one button at your waist to accentuate it.

The moto looks okay too though I think would be perfection if the moto was a cropped version.

How about a chunky bracelet?

Anonymous

#2 and #3 are the best!

NauticalVulpine

(website)

I personally like the moto and tied cardigan. But i think you should try like what shiny said and just button one at the waist.