Mid season review, versatility,today's WIW and Halogen sheath.

Winter has only just started in earnest here in my part of Australia,and I've bought some items on my list.

Just reporting back that I've been really happy in how versatile they are. One of my aims was to get more clothing that could function across capsules. I only work 3 days a week, and one of those is casual, and I wanted less "work only" clothes.

I am pleased to say that everything I have bought has been in high rotation and has been worn to and out of work.

pleated skirt
blue sweater
black floral dress

The next two were worn intensively in autumn, and I expect will come out again in spring

trench
blue blouse

Also, any feedback and improvments in today's WIW - silver skirt with jacket (I wonder if jacket is too long). Necklace too long?

Pics to follow

I do have a few things left to get for winter

work long sleeve blouse to wear with skirts
leggings
fitted long sleeve tee

I thought I wanted a fitted floral sheath, but I'm wavering away from that, but still pondering the find below. Would love to hear from those that tried it (I know Janet said the neckline was too high for her but I think that could work in my favour!)
DonnaF you are my height right? 5"4 ? I think yours wasn't fitted around the waist much and I'd want that

Another HEWI is a sweatshirt/hoodie dress. I like the look of this one, especially the colour, but have no confidence in the provider

https://www.rosegal.com/casual.....urrency=AU

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Nordstrom

Halogen Ruched Detail Sheath Dress

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6 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

I think the jacket length is perfect with the skirt. Looks fab! I see nothing wrong with the necklace length on 1 or 2. I think they add interest and look great. The fit and flare in 3 is perfection on you. Gorgeous style and fit on the trench. I can see why these are items in high rotation.

I’m not a fan of the sweatshirt style dress so I’ll leave that to others. It looks a little too sporty for my taste and could be unflattering unless the fabrication and cut are good (ducking.)

The halogens dress is very forgiving on the middle. I tried both the sp and mp—pictures are here somewhere. My waist is 27” and my hips 35” if that helps.

Sal

I like all your WIW - the silver skirt outfit is great!! And your new autumn blouse is a fab colour on you.

I find sweatshirt dresses hard - I have had two but they just didn't really flatter at all. However I can see the appeal for lounging at home in the evenings.

There have been some really pretty long sleeve blouses this year - I have been holding off as I don't need one but Witchery and Jacqui E both had some (as did Cue). You might chance one in a sale soon.

I got some comfy leggings from Uniqlo last year. They are definitely ones that cannot be worn as pants but in terms of comfort and fit under dresses or with long tunics they are great.

Toban

Lovely WIWs. My favorite is #3. I hope you find your HEWI items. I can see the appeal of a sweatshirt dress. I almost bought one marked down at athleta (no hood) at end of season then decided to wait until fall. I probably would use more as a tunic.

DonnaF

Anne, I am 5’ 1” so my dress is PS and my usual dress size. I found the dress forgiving over my full thighs; waistlines don’t tend to be a trouble spot for me. My bust is full but not big if that makes sense, and the dress worked well and not bombshell.

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anne

Kellygirl and Donna, thanks for giving me your experiences with the dress. Alas, I left it too late - it's sold out now! I was hoping for a fit like you had Donna - I wanted it fitted around the waist (I was a bit unclear in my OP) and since we both have fuller thighs, you're a good indicator for me on fit. Oh well, next time I should not wait so long!

Re the sweatshirt dress. I understand your ambivalence Sal and Kellygirl, I really just want something long enough to wear leggings with decently. And I'm only thinking of lounging use, or perhaps very casual out of the house (like picking my daughters up from swimming squad) It's not a huge priority because I do have a sweatshirt jacket that I took out of some handed down items that my DD15 didn't want (we are close to the same size now, and I can wear girl size 16) that is long enough for coverage and Kellygirl.

I tried on some Bonds leggings today, which might be a step above Kmart ones ( I couldn't really tell). I can't bring myself to shell out $100 for Lysse ones, which the forum recommended when I last aske for leggings recs.

And yes Sal, lots of blouses around on special.

jussie

All your wiws look good. I think the jacket goes well with the skirt in pic 1. I might try some shoes in the same colour as the jacket or the skirt just to tie it all together, but that’s just personal aesthetic preference. Also if you want to try the necklace shorter, sometimes you can knot them at the back to be shorter, depending if the knot will hide nicely under your jacket. I don’t necessarily think it’s too long though. The other outfits are fab.
I’ve always wanted a sweatshirt dress but just haven’t gotten around to it yet!
And a wave to a fellow Australian

Mainelady

Very pretty! You made some great choices! My favorites are #3...that dress fits you beautifully and I like it styled with the boots and the trench. FAB!

lyn67

Love love love nr 1 as it is(jacket length is perfect)! Others great, too!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You look SUPER, Anne. #1 is my KILLER fave.

Thanks everyone (specially Angie!)

Becky

Love #3!

3style

Navy trench is fab!

LaPed

That trench coat is so smashing on you!! Wow.

I really like the proportions in #1 -- skirt, necklace, jacket all look good.

For basic leggings I'd start with companies that make dance wear -- have any of your kids taken dance lessons and needed leggings for practice? Around here the biggest brand is Danskin, but I'm not sure if that's the case in Australia. For affordable leggings that are comfortable and stay put (a lot of the cheapie ones slide down, I've found), I think checking brands designed for dancers is the way to go.

bj1111

Target makes decent leggings. Not long lasting but cheap

Yes target and Kmart are my easy options and where I have bought in the past. Trying to go one step above. I like the dancewear idea la ped.

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