Looking for fresh ideas to casual-ize a dress

Laura B.

I wanted to say that I have admired you ladies from afar for quite some time. Thank you for enriching my style! I was hoping you all could would be so kind to help me make this dress a bit more casual: http://www.jcrew.com/browse/si.....2663556490 for undergraduate classes in 100 degree weather (and my birthday). I'll use a cropped denim jacket indoors since I run cold. I guess I'm looking for help with footwear, hairstyle and accessories. Most students are in short shorts and tanks, if it helps. Thanks for looking! <3

13 years ago

Dressing

11 replies

Latest reply was from Laura B.

Gabi

Active Member

try low heeled or flat boots, or sandals for the footwear and a side braid in your hair. it makes a really cute and casual look. I sometimes where a clip in flower in the braid too

13 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

To casualise this, I would start with flat sandals. If your hair is long maybe a pony tail, otherwise just leave it out as you would most days. Accessories I would add a long pendant.

Keen to hear what others suggest as I tend to err on the side of dressy.

13 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

Happy birthday!

That's a very cute dress. It will look more casual with tousled hair, or hair in a messy bun or ponytail (if it's long), and flat sandals. A jean jacket over top is a great idea for dressing it down. Also, I'm a fan of the chunky cuff bracelet for exuding a casual vibe, especially if it's made of leather or something not too shiny. Dainty jewellery somehow seems preppier, and thus dressier, to me.

13 years ago

harmonica

Veteran

Happy birthday! The dress is really nice and I like the rich colour. I think Elisabeths suggestions are great. I could also see a oversized cardi go with the dress to give a casual, boho vibe.

13 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Have you thought of a leather jacket? I use mine to dress down my dresses

13 years ago

Traci

Veteran

How about a chambray or Oxford shirt knotted over the top? For that kind od heat only flat sandals will do. In the fall try booties.

13 years ago

Anonymous

For the heat, a denim vest or sleeveless denim buttondown tied at the waist might work. I also thought of this outfit of Angie's with a casual belt and sandals:
http://youlookfab.com/2009/07/.....-tel-aviv/

13 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

cons or keds or flat espadrilles. jean jacket--cliche but effective. fabric tote or shoulder bag--the one that looks like an eco grocery store bag with a fun print.

the dress is already pretty casual... just no (dressy) heels.

13 years ago

Veteran

I do like the idea of a pendant too, but it should preferably be quirky or funky as opposed to feminine and dainty, if you want to dress down.

13 years ago

Anonymous

I actually have this same dress! And am a student so understand your need to make it more casual.

Here's an outfit I'd saved on polyvore showing how I dressed it down. I wore the denim shirt open over the top. To me it felt more casual than a jean jacket. I could have also swapped in flat sandals or short boots.

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13 years ago

Laura B.

Active Member

Thank you everyone for your creative suggestions!

I wore flat strappy sandals, some colorful friendship bracelets, a cropped distressed denim jacket, and ended up leaving my hair down. I'm definitely going to try the other ideas soon!

13 years ago

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