Is this red crochet dress suitable for work? - YouLookFab Forum

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Is this red crochet dress suitable for work?

rach

Member

Is this Per Una lace/crochet dress suitable for a work environment if teamed with a black blazer? I think it is because the shape is quite pencil-skirty, and its not too short or low cut, but my mum disagreed. (The work environment is 'dress-down', but formal when you have a client meeting).

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http://cdn-p1.styloko.com/imag.....50x200.jpg

Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from MsMary

Wendy45

It's looks to me like a very feminine dress, the colour, the lace and the bow. But you could make it multi- functional. For work pair it up with a blazer, and low heeled shoes. For a party with heels and some nice accessoires. Looks like a great dress dress, but needs toning down when you want to wear it for work. I say...try it and see how it makes you feel at work. If it is too much..then save it for a party, wedding or any other formal and festive event. Seems like it will be a success!

rabbit

Veteran

It reads like a pretty party/formal/spring dress to me too. For me the lace overlapping at the bottom of the skirt makes it a little more challenging to make workplace, but it kind of depends on how conservative your meetings are. A blazer, lower heeled shoes, possibly tights, and if possible a different simple belt (matching the shoes or blazer) might help. Also a different (neutral) color dress might tilt it more in a work direction. If you really like this dress as is, I'd think of as more for non-work occasions, where I think it will come into it's own and shine.

ClaraT

Veteran

I love the dress. I think that color plus the lacy flower design make it more of a party dress than a work address. So I guess I'm with your mom on this one

Echo

Veteran

In a creative field I think a person might be able to wear this dress, but likely not for a more business-like environment. While it is covered, the colour combined with the sheer lace really makes it lean more "fun" than "work".

Susie

Veteran

I too see this as a social dress rather than a work dress. I believe it would feel out of place for dress down and while it's 'dressy' it's not professional formal.

unfrumped

Veteran

Mum's (got) the word. This is a non-work dress.
Sometimes you can do a lace-type skirt with a more business-y top or vice versa, but the full-on red lace dress is for off-duty time.
Well, of course that is just how I see it for the usual-and-customary workplace.

But, in case it matters, this would be a good dress for a business social event such as evening Christmas party or somesuch (but not limited to that) when you often want something pretty and festive and not the same old office business wear, but a bit covered. That comes up a lot.

dustt

Veteran

yep - I'm gonna have to agree - it's a very pretty dress - but much more of a social occasion dress - not a work day dress - even with a blazer!!

Kristin L

Veteran

I think you *could* try to make it a work dress, but it'd be difficult. You could throw a skirt over the bottom and wear it with a blazer and that may work for work. I think it may be a bit too fancy with just a blazer thrown over it.

How would you feel about a different color? Like a green or a blue. I've got a few WIW's with a green lace dress and a blue crochet one that I've worn to work.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I dunno, I could see it for work with a blazer and practical shoes. Maybe I'm crazy. I find that the effect of lace depends a lot on whether it has sheen, which is hard to tell from pics and requires seeing it in person. Anything that has sheen skews toward party dress, but a flat cotton lace looks good for daytime in the summer, IMO.

Aida

Veteran

Unless you work in a creative field, this looks like a social dress to me as well.

Peri

Veteran

It looks too party to me. Too dressed up. Beautiful, but it's hard to imagine a workplace where this would be the norm.

Susie

Veteran

I agree that this is a great choice for a dressy event in a business setting. So often dresses are too bare or low cut to feel appropriate but this would be perfect.

MsLuna

Veteran

First of all: which field do you work in? What's the dress code? You mentioned "dressed down" (my bad I didn't initially see this). Is that business casual?

I'd say if you top it off with a structured blazer and low heel pumps, it could work. If the belt is removable, use a leather belt to bring the dress down to daytime/business casual level.

Elle

Veteran

This is a beautiful dress but unless you work in a very creative line of work,it would be difficult to make this work-appropriate - even with a blazer. But it's amazing for a party!

Thistle

Veteran

Beautiful dress. I could see you getting the skirt or the top to work in a traditional office, but less so as a dress. Of course, I work in a conservative field in a conservative industry.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Agree it looks a bit "fancy" for work, but it depends on the environment as always.

carambola

Veteran

I vote social dress as well, but I could see it working for the office if you layered a sweater over it with a blazer over the whole thing, essentially wearing it as a lace skirt.

MsMary

Veteran

It's lovely but it looks like a party dress to me. I think it would just look odd with a blazer at work.