How to style this dress for cooler weather?

Edited to add photos of me in the dress. 1 is the dress by itself. 2 is with a navy heattech shirt. 3 is with a long teal cardigan.

I tried shorter cardigans, but they felt unbalanced with too much bull on my top half. Thoughts?

Going through my closet this month brought me back to this dress that I got from Modcloth. I love the dress, particularly the interesting neckline, and it fits me really well. But I struggle with how to wear it. In the hottest weather, the fabric and lining leave me super sweaty. In cooler weather I'm freezing due to the lack of sleeves. The neckline doesn't seem to lend itself to wearing a cardigan or blazer over the jacket. Should I try layering a navy shirt underneath it? What color tights and shoes? Any other ideas?

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by tanstaafl

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6 years ago

Liz

Veteran

That's a tough one, because the dress really shines on its own.

I'd maybe try a shrug---you know, those extremely cropped cardigans. You can search for "shrug" in the Finds section to pull up quite a few examples. I'd think you have to take the dress to a big try-on session to see if this would even work.

Sveta

(website)

Beautiful dress! How about layering it over a white button down shirt or black or navy or even white t-neck like a fancy vest? It would allow this dress to shine without any coverup taking from its design.

Navy shirt would also work. For tights and shoes - I would keep them tonal: black or navy. However you can have fun with colored tights too if this your cup of tea.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

I feel like a collarless stretch knit jacket or zip cardigan in a thin knit, could work with the neckline and showcase it. It really is a striking dress!

Also, because I tend to favor a more bombshell look with this type of dress, I'd say sheer nude hosiery and nude patent pumps. Or if it's colder, wear a glossier nude tight.

kkards

I'd definitely try a navy tee, but white might be nice as well-if you like high contrast. I'd love to see it with tights and a riding boot/higher shaft boot

The Cat

I would choose a (thin) coatigan. And would consider to wear a lace cami (perhaps long-sleeved), same colour as the dress.

BrieN

What a great dress!
You might try a stretchy lace t-shirt underneath if you can get the neckline to work.
If you try the short shrug check out modcloth for their v-neck one (I think it's called dream of the crop) I have one and it is short enough to fall above my waist.

3style

Personally I like layers which are clean and intentional with this type of dress. So I like to wear either a brightly-colored body con mock turtleneck under things like that. Or a coatigan which is the same length or a touch shorter in something classic like tweed or herringbone. Just talked myself out of a similar dress yesterday. I feel like I don't quite wear my heavier fabric dresses as much as I intended to when I bought them so I really shouldn't double down on this style.

Brooklyn

I would try a long sleeve lace tee or long sleeve scoop neck tee. A long sleeve turtleneck might also work. Opaque tights and tall boots. If the dress is on the shorter side (mid thigh) it could look good worn as a tunic over flares.

Suz

I would want to wear it as is in a very warm place with a cashmere shawl. It's too beautiful to cover up! But..I also really like The Cat's and Brooklyn's suggestions. A long sweater coat and/ or a lace tee underneath and some kind of hose.

Or....if you're into retro -- long gloves!! That's what they might have worn with a dress like that back in the day....

SarahD8

Are you familiar with a style blog called The Directrice? The blogger is a queen of layering, of origami-ish dresses, AND of layering with origami-ish dresses. You might find some good inspiration there!

tanstaafl

Active Member

Thanks for the suggestions. I tried a few and added pictures above. Ignore the fuzzy slippers please.

i like how #2 with the long sleeve tee looks, actually looks like its part of the dress...
i'm not as much a fan of #3...to me, the necklines of the dress and sweater seem to be fighting each other....also i might try a sweater that is longer than the dress

Anonymous

Gorgeous dress. It looks wonderful on you! WOW! I like it with long sleeve heattech but without the cardigan.
Could you work a scarf into the neckline somehow? The low neckline looks cold to me!

unfrumped

I agree The Directrice posts huge amounts of interesting layers.
I like the idea of intentional contrast on top - sort of treating the dress like a sleeveless coat dress or vest. It could be the thin contrasting turtleneck or top with scoop neck that doesn’t show. You could do tonal top and tights in same contrast color ( say burgundy, which is not too hard to find) as though you’re wearing the dress over s column of color underneath, if that makes sense.

Stagiaire Fash

Gorgeous dress. I think the heat tech sleeves work fine. For layering over it, I like the coatigan idea, maybe in a cocoon shape.

Style Fan

Beautiful dress. I like the way you have styled it in #2.

Dianna

Another vote for number 2. Gorgeous dress.

K.M.

I also like the styling in number 2! It looks elegant and interesting.

Emily K

I'm so glad I saw this post--what a great dress! I think I'd try a low contrast (like navy or aubergine) longsleeve underneath and black or matching footless tights/leggings. I feel like toppers encumber and obscure the dress.

Cee

I'm thinking either a long sleeve shirt or a contrasting turtleneck too.

...and I refuse to ignore the fuzzy slippers

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