Is this dress too short/young, plus random style quest photos

Starting off with a dark gray sweater-dress in fit-and-flare style that I thought might work for my shape. However, I feel I'd like it a smidge longer--maybe just an inch--to be more...? ladylike? elegant-mature?

Where does it fit into my style goals? Good question! It's potentially a type of dress + bootie look I could wear to work during some days when I have office work and not usual clinical work, or I could wear to church or casual event, with a goal of wearing some dresses sometimes. It seems to go with these booties maybe a tad easier than pencil skirts--maybe because more casual?

So I've styled it several ways to see if it would pass a versatility test, but am concerned as to whether someone else would think I'm trespassing into young lass territory.
1) Dress with Polo wool burgundy/dot scarf
2) with fuchsia blazer and scarf
3) with casual vest to see how might look if paired with puffer or other more trendy vest
4) with WHBM rayon "moto" jacket
5) same jacket, but can you see the 3" wedge booties? (just trying). Higher shaft though. Should I play with these some more or pass? Trying to see if somehow I would like to have a tall (for me) heel I could walk in (hence wedge) for jeans or maybe some dresses. But, it's a stretch to think I would wear those very often.

Also, what do you think of BCBGeneration burgundy snake envelope clutch in those photos? I like the look, but it turns out to be so flat, it's mostly only good for "looks" -can't put much of anything into it.

6) & 7--with a flat loafer type shoe. Here is my fashion faux pas--if I wear this shoe, which is very comfortable, I will wear it with either tights (dress or skirt) or with thin trouser socks, with pants. So I won't go for the skinny/ankle-showing style.
Somewhere in there is dress with belt and necklace.

Next is peplum top with pencil skirt. The big problem with this top is that it has flare/gathers in front and so from the side view, I look pregnant, at best. It bothers me if I wear it without some camo like my lab coat. So any new peplums need to have a flat-front construction, with the main poofy at the sides.

Final pics are one of the real work-daily grind formulas of faux-wrap tops with pants--here I am trying 2 VC tops, generally either with Ann Taylor standard suit pants, or in one photo I am wearing a wider leg even, because those trousers have a high waist and very flat front. Footwear might be Clark's-type slip-on or a low boot; add lab coat so not much flair; have to be comfortable/ mobile and too fancy, on those days. Other types of similar outfits would be just a merino or cashmere sweater with pants (maybe a short necklace), or a cardigan worn as a top, or similar. This is a hard category to enliven, though I've made some progress with some necklaces for accessories. Otherwise trying to find ways to elevate the fit and cut of the tops and bottoms as much as possible within the other limitations.

Anyway, thanks for looking. Fire away--advice or ha ha's okay.

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13 years ago

shedev

Veteran

The dress doesnt look either young or short to me. It looks really good. You should keep and wear without a second thought.

Anonymous

Doesn't look young at all, I love how you have styled it!

Suz

(website)

This is a tough one. I think the silhouette is actually lovely on you. Really, really nice. It definitely doesn't read too young to me; it seems very ladylike and quite conservative, actually, being a dark neutral, with a high collar and long sleeves.

I think I concur with you that an inch of extra length would be ideal. Not that you don't have the legs to wear this; on the contrary. But just in terms of proportion. However, it's possible that the photo angles are making it look that way, and after all, we're not really seeing your head.

Is there any seam allowance to let down?

For some reason I am longing to see the black broken up a bit, maybe with less opaque hose, with some that have some pattern or a bit of sheerness to them.

It is nice with the fuchsia in terms of colour but I think the jacket would be better shorter. Proportions aren't right for the vest to my eye. With a skirt that has volume it usually works better if the jacket or vest is more cropped.

I like the look of the clutch but if it's not practical for you, let it go. (Alas).

I like the wedge booties, too, but they might be a bit to voluminous at the top for this dress...just feels like a different tone to me, but perhaps I am mistaken.

It's a shame about the peplum because it looks good in theory.

Tops look good from what I can tell. And it sounds as if they would fulfill a need. And they are easy wash, etc. so practical for this capsule.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I LOVE the shoes in #7. They are scrumptious!

And my thumbs are up for the dress too. May I suggest non-opaque hose for a less harsh effect.

Caro in Oz

I agree with Suz. The only other thing I would suggest is to play with the proportions of the pants & tops in #9 & #10. You have such a lovely long, slim torso I'd love to see a belt with them.

Is there any way of sewing down the peplum? It looks so good on you.

Day Vies

I love your shoes -- I LOVE tassels!

That skirt is completely appropriate --- definitely not too young. ( a pink tutu -- yes too young)

The peplum top is also very cute on you as well. Trust yourself a little more, you're doing just fine.

unfrumped

Oh, thank you shedev and celt for the encouragement. I see the styling suggestions.
Suz , here is no hem, just the finished edge. I tried it on just with my very opaque tights and I can see the need for less covered- up look. That should not be too hard. Angie, thanks for your input...the shoes seem fun to me and sort of a cross between a flat and a bulkier loafer. I tried them with the dress with the idea that a shortish dress might call for even less heel and that the slightly tailored shoe somehow mitigates the length and keeps it classic. Or something like that.

I'm having a bit of trouble this time of year worrying that some bootie styles will make me look like I wandered away from the North Pole.

ManidipaM

First, love the shoe in #7---very stylish and very flattering too!

Second, don't think the dress is too short at all. Yes, longer by an inch or so would be more *elegant*, certainly---but is that a deal breaker for you? It looks smart and energetic in this silhouette, again very flattering. In fact, I think I'd worry more about potential datedness if those flippy pleats hung too low. A straighter skirt or a plain A-line at a longer length makes more sense to me for elegance... I think.

I actually like the casual red jacket with the necklace for a mixing of casual/dressy registers, like pearls with jeans and plaid; would only suggest a different hose there (coloured or grey or less opaque) and possibly *that's* the topper to try the heeled booties with to balance the volume of the jacket with the shaft.

The peplum looks lovely on you from the front! That's not a pregnant look with that slender waistline shown off so beautifully. Would a shiny belt on top help with the poof you see sideways, do you think?

Speaking of belts, while those tops are all very appropriate and interesting, and I completely understand not wanting a fussy layer or accessories, how about adding a belt on top to provide a third element of continuity with the pants? That way, you're not split so evenly in half in terms of colour/pattern, which 'imbalance' I think looks more pleasing in terms of proportions. Or maybe a slim infinity scarf if that works for your indoor climate? Or maybe a small vest... Of course, these would all be unnecessary elements once your lab coat goes on to change the proportions of the colours/pattern we're seeing---it's just to see if you can change things up a bit until the coat comes in.

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