Making It Work: The Denim Dress

I have had this dress for a few years now. I bought it second hand. With its subtle high-low hem, girdle-like top, it's one of those items you just love and feel so good in. I feel so much like me in it! But I had not worn it too much last summer, because I felt I had exhausted all ways to style it. Now I have new footwear, and new accessories, and I want to wear it again! Here are some ways I styled it.

Pics 1-2: with a head band and a belt.

Pic 3 : same with long Kookai raspberry cardi.

Pics 4-5: with Joseph Siebel booties and square mesh sweater.

Pics 6-8: with mesh sleeveless top, various footwear and scarf, and lots of arm candy.

Pic 9: with long crochet cardi

Pic 10: with khaki cropped jacket

Pic 11: same outfit, minus the jacket.

Which one do you prefer?

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12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I know the appeal of a skirt shape like that -- I once had one, years ago, not in denim. But I always loved it.

This is a truly cross-seasonal piece, isn't it? Wow. My favourites here are with the white sweater (the white brings such light to your face!) and #10, with the jacket and scarf. I like the proportions best in these, with the bootie.

I feel you are a little overwhelmed in 6/7 - the heel helps. (Ha - now it is my turn to talk heels!)

I like 5 from the side.

For some reason I think the dress overpowers the sandals in the first look a bit. Even with them being such a lovely red! But I am such a fusspot about what I read as "seasonal confusion" and half of it is in my own head, anyway.

pil

4, 9 and 10 are my favorites though I think I would like it better with the scarf a bit more relaxed in 9. The mesh sweaters are really nice with it.

Liz A.

You are adorable with that headband. I prefer the sandal looks, and I wonder if you would consider shortening it.

Anonymous

1-3 & 11. I feel like the belt interferes with the lines of the dress.
4-5. My favorite, especially for summer
6-7. The scarf feels too heavy for the rest, especially the sandals, although I like the idea.
8. & 10. My favorite cool weather looks
9. Nice

I was going to say the same as Joy about the belt. The corset style of the bodice needs no ornamentation IMO. I really like the jacket and scarf you put with it in #10! Every time I see you now Krish, I see how much you look like a doll. It's uncanny!

lyn67

Yes, you are a little doll Krish, and I like the best nr 10 or worn as a true summer dress, with not cardis.

Archer

#4/5 my pick. All look great and different enough to achieve the aim!

krishnidoux

Thank you for your replies and feedback! It is very useful to me.

Suz, I imagine you would look sensational in a dress like this. But I can also see how your personal style has moved away from it. You are right that this dress could be worn not just in summer, with the appropriate top. ISWYM re sandals in 1-3. Too much of a heel. Even in summer, this dress seems to be screaming for boots or booties.

Pil, thank you for your feedback on the scarf. You have a point. I have to admit it felt a bit uncomfortable too!

Liz, Thank you for commenting on the headband. I think I will wear a lot of them in the summer because I want to grow my hair a little. Which sandals do you prefer, 1-3 or 6-7?

Joy, thank you for this detailed feedback.

Joy, Claire, about the belt: the idea came to me when trying to counteract a "pouch" the dress tends to have around the stomach area. I suspect the previous owner loved it to death and wore it through weight gain... anyway I think I would! But now it has a slight distension around the belly, and although it is almost unnoticeable, I am a bit self-conscious about it. Strangely, when adding the belt, which looks like it doesn't belong there I agree, the whole silhouette of the bodice is changed and the "pouch" disappears.

Claire, Lyn, the "doll" look is even more evident when I wear no eye makeup. Which now explains why I was in such a hurry to aggressively line my eyes every day as a teen (along with shaving part of my hair and dying the rest bright red...). I so detested the "doll" look LOL.

Today is rainy and a bit on the cooler side, so following your feedback I'll be wearing either 8 or 10 for administrative work at the college (no teaching).

Thank you!

T-Rex

I think #10 is pretty awesome.

kkards

my favs are #4 & #10.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

8, 9, 10, and 11 are my favorites, especially that white sweater. You look like a professional ballerina!

I'm with Suz and Claire, the dress is great without that red belt. I think the belt takes away from that awesome corset line.

How about dropping the belt in pics 1 and 2, but find another accessory to echo the shoe color. A scarf, necklace, or bracelet would do. Even a different hair scarf. Or, what if you layered a strappy cami under the dress in a color similar to the shoes. That might work.

Hmmm, it's hard to say which I like the best. I guess just based on the sandals alone, I like the flat ones much better. But I think the boots are what make the hemline look a little long, hence why I prefer the sandals. HTH!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

#4, #8 and #10 get my top vote!

rachylou

What a great dress! I think the idea of a mesh sweater is great. Sort of "respects the integrity" of the dress. #8 is my favourite.

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