Inspiration needed: Spring-erizing summer dresses

I have two pretty floaty summer dresses that I would like to wear now simply because the colors appeal. So I have tried them here with my high suede boots because although the snow is gone, the near freezing temperatures have not.

I tried to cover the tops completely to make them look more like skirts than dresses. Do any work well enough? (I have casual work env so anything goes almost!)

Thanks for help

1/4. dress 1, is mostly a lighy sky blue with swirls of yellow and lavender (hard to see I know) - styled with yellow cropped jean jacket
2. dress 1 styled with jean jacket
3. dress 1 styled with navy double breasted blazer
so the jackets go from cropped to about the top of my thigh in the sequence. Any you prefer?

5/6- dress 2 which is blue/lime and touch of pink - styled with an off- white cardigan
7 - dress 2 with a very white safari jacket

I think the dress 2 goes best with the cardigan.

Are these age appropriate for me since they are very floaty feminine materials? Or am I approaching frumpy?

Any help appreciated!

Jayne
(alone with PC & closet)

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13 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I often have to "winterize" or stay warm in more spring/summery dresses - have you tried a pair of tights? I'm not sure I'm a big fan of light coloured boots with a light coloured dress, especially if the boots are a bit 'slouchy' - does that make sense? I can see this dress with a shorter cowboy boot, though, if you liked the idea of boots with it

Anonymous

I like lyn's idea of pairing with short cowboy boots. I'm not crazy about the heavy boot with the lightness of the dresses but I like the jean jacket best if you do wear those boots because it adds weight to the top half for balance.

rae

I think you could also try a tall boot that isn't over the knee. Right now, the boots are competing with the hemlines of the dresses. If your legs are still cold like that you can try nude microfishnets - they are very popular here.

I'm no help with this Jayne. I just wanted to say hi since you are *alone with your PC and your closet*! That is often my happy place! *waving*

Suz

Ah, Jayne, I feel your dilemma. I, too, often crave the colours of my summer things when the light changes, yet need to bundle up for several months of cold to come.

I am afraid I agree that the slouchy boots seem to compete with these dresses somehow. I am not sure tights are an ideal solution, either, because I expect the fabrics might stick. But it's worth a try.

For my true summer dresses, I end up wearing them only from June to September. I do have a couple of dresses that I can wear year round, but they are sedate solids—grey and black.

Sorry to be so little help.

jayne

Consensus seems that the boots are too tall and heavy with the dresses. I don't think we have any microfishnet tights here. So I cannot dare the cold and heavy tights would be no good either. Darn, have to wait on these also.

Very impatient for spring now.

Did any of the toppers work, for real spring when I can wear the dresses with bare legs and shoes or sandals?

Hi Claire, 'waving back' I love getting an hour alone to try and catch up YLF too!

fashionista

The dress and the boots are competing with each other here. I think the look would be more chic if the boots were not slouchy or a little shorter and in dark color otherwise the outfits are just fab and age appropriate.
You could wear some tights to stay warm if your feet are cold and wear shorter calf length boots. Maybe a leather one would be a darling here.
Sorry for the very harsh but honest comments!!!!

ManidipaM

Could either of these dresses be worn over pants or jeans? Like a tunic? (Depends how fitted they are at the waist I guess)

Kirti

I think the toppers work, but you definitely need a shorter boot.

Deborah

Jayne, the toppers I like here are specifically 1 and 2. I think the crop balanced well against the dress. I feel both these dresses are very summer. What I could see working for spring is dress 1 over skinny leg jeans and the yellow jacket. Dress 2 with the cardigan just doesn't look as flattering to me as other things you have worn. I think that dress might be best kept for summer.

modgrl

I have had some success winterizing my summer dresses.

I've been copying this look all winter with various dresses:http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ly-copycat

I think it helps that the dress itself is black, I am wearing it with black stockings, and tall black boots. I think it would work better if you had some different boots. I feel like the boots you're wearing would be perfect for skinnies, but not with dresses.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

The yellow and denim toppers work very well. I quite like the cardigan too.

I don't think that the boots are too heavy - just too tall to wear with skirts and dresses when the hemlines compete.

Good job, Jayne!

I don't have any other light colored boots. But these can fold over at the top, like pirate boots, and be under knee instead of over. Should I try that or just wait? I assume a dark boot is no good with these? I have a taupe heeled boot maybe. OK I just might get off the couch soon and try again! (although it is snowing now ....sigh)

Thanks for chiming in Angie, Modgirl and Deborah about the toppers. I specifically want to hide the top of the second dress as it is spaghetti straps and not at all a good look on me! Great to have a thumbs up there.

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