Outfit lab - summer dresses and toppers

Sal

Here are three summer dresses with three toppers. I think some work and some don’t!

I have used three pairs of shoes but have other options. I also have other bags.

The black and patterned dress are new - as is the lilac wrap cardigan - second hand. The lilac dress is two years old, the bomber one year, and the cream jacket about eight years old.

I have opinions but will see what comes from the forum.

Have attached the finds for the dresses toppers and other footwear options in the closet.

Thanks in advance!

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2 months ago

Dressing

27 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

cjh

(website)

Veteran

I would choose 3, 6, and 11 for combinations. I picked these for the proportions and the color contrast levels.

And I’d try the green shoes with 3 for kicks. Really the shoes are all good and you have a nice variety.

2 months ago

Katerina

Veteran

Fantastic dresses! I think all the combinations work, but my number one favorites for each dress are no 2, no 7 and no 11, these are just perfection. I also really like no 4 - it is so cool. No 3 is lovely too, chic.
You have an awesome summer wardrobe and you style it beautifully.

2 months ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

KILLER NEW ZEBRA DRESS in #5! That is WOW on you, Sal!

The black dress looks fab!

All combinations work well! It's a matter of sartorial preference.

My personal faves:

#1 and #5 sans toppers.

#3, #6, #7, #8, #10 and #11 with toppers.

#11 is fashion forward.

#3 and #7 more classic.

ALL smashing and killing it!

2 months ago

Dee

Veteran

Photo #1 its a lovely casual dress, looks great on its own and with topper #3
Zebra dress- this style is just so fab on you, best toppers to my eye are # 7 and #8. White swing jacket works really well, elegant and I love the darker jacket with its relaxed style and colour against this dress.
Purple dress I think I prefer with the darker sportier jacket as well in #11.

2 months ago

Lisa

Veteran

1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, and 11 are my favorite

This is a lovely collection of dresses for summer!

2 months ago

Sal

Veteran

Thanks all.

I don't really like the lilac cardigan with the black dress in 2, nor the cream jacket over the purple dress (10).

My favourites are the cream jacket over the black dress - 3 (cjh - I have worn this with the green shoes and loved it), I think all toppers work with the zebra dress (but prefer it without one) and the olive and lilac over the lilac dress (9 and 11) although I think either the white sneakers, brown sandals or gold sandals would be better than the grey shown (a bit too muted).

Thanks Katerina, cjh and Dee - great feedback!

And thanks Angie - I haven't worn a sheath style for a while, it is a style I have always liked so determined to wear one again, this feels a bit more modern, and possible to style in a casual way.

The lilac wrap cardigan was a spontaneous second hand purchase - I think it works well enough as a back up option over all dresses but would probably only wear it as a "look" over the lilac.

The following scenario is common here - go out to a BBQ or drinks at friends, nice and warm until about 8pm when a topper is needed (hence a light cardigan is handy to be able to throw on).

I am keeping an eye out for another topper too - but it's good to know I am covered!! I also have the three dresses below but I don't wear a topper over the red, the white I think should work with the lilac cardigan or the olive bomber, and the blue floral is nice with a black blazer and black heels in a smart setting - its a bit dressier.

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2 months ago

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Lisa - we cross posted!

In looking at them all again I think the cream over the lilac is the only one I would not wear - I think the lilac over the black is okay. The olive over the black is a bit dark but adding white shoes and bag makes it acceptable.

2 months ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

#11 is my favorite and #7 is my second favorite. Zebra dress is great!

2 months ago

cat2

Veteran

I vote for 2,7, 8 and 11. It looks like you have some fun options!

2 months ago

ChristelJ

Veteran

I really like the bomber on all three dresses; it has a nonchalant coolness. I like the lilac wrap best over the zebra dress, and the cream topper best over the black dress. The zebra dress is stunning on you!

2 months ago

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Jaime, Cat2 and ChristelJ. It's good to know the bomber works with all of them, I was surprised it worked with the lilac but that seems to be universally liked. Good to know for vacation when I don't want to take many toppers.

2 months ago

Runcarla

Veteran

The dresses as standalone pieces look FABULOUS! That midi length is great! I like all 3 dresses with the bomber, and the amazing black and white dress with the lilac ballet cardigan (probably my favourite. Looks ‘intentional’). Yellow sandals and white sneakers work.

Not a fan of the white jacket with the waterfall collar:-( The grey shoes are interesting, but don’t stand up to the dresses.

Just my 2cents without reading what other folks posted.

2 months ago

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Carla. I thought I would like the grey shoes with the lilac but didn't. The grey shoes are a good work option for me as they are covered but I rarely wear them outside that.

All these dresses were splurges from the same shop. Two in 2024 and one in 2022. I really like their modern classic styles.

2 months ago

Brooklyn

Veteran

I don’t have much to add here but my preference for a work look are the outfits featuring the white jacket. It looks elegant. The others look more casual. Zebra dress looks great. Black dress too.

With the wrap top, try folding each side back on itself and tying the ties loosely at the back. (I generally fold the sides under rather than over, because it looks neater.) You get a cardigan/shrug look. You might like it, you might not. If you like it, it will give you another way of wearing it eg over a wrap top or dress.

2 months ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

First black dress, I like first 3 options, no topper, lilac cardy, and cream jacket, with cream jacket being my fave- most dressy? I don’t hate the olive bomber with it ( because I really like that bomber by itself) but I also don’t love it because I think that combo doesn’t have enough contrast for me.
Second dress, the zebra dress, I like everything except the lilac cardy outfit, again my favourite is with the cream jacket. I think I like contrast. Lilac just seems out of left field for my preference.
3rd dress, I like the bomber the best with this one. The dress seems more casual? I am not mad on the slightly different shades of lilac but I am Mrs Matchy Matchy and you might like the difference

2 months ago

Star

Veteran

Sal I have not read any of the comments or your reply. I like the first 2 dresses with the cream jacket, and the third with the bomber.

2 months ago

Star

Veteran

Okay so I read the comments and it seems you and I are on a similar page. The cream jacket is so versatile, such a great cut. I think it is better than the white one that was quite expensive that you were looking at. 2ndly if I may be very honest I am not a fan of this cardi with dresses. The proportions seem off with all of them imo. I think it will probably look best with jeans or trousers or if it is with a dress the dress must not have a horizontal seam in the torso area. To me it is creating two waists.

2 months ago

Irina

Veteran

Just to make it more confusing
Sal, I’m probably the only one who doesn’t like the white topper. But I love your dresses and think two other toppers work great with them. The white one just doesn’t look contemporary enough for me.

2 months ago

kellygirl

Veteran

What great toppers! The lilac wrap and the bomber are especially fresh. The white topper looks great with black and lilac - definitely reads more dressy than the other two toppers--maybe more conventional too? Off to read what others think!

2 months ago

Sal

Veteran

So interesting - such varied responses!! This shows the personal element of personal style.

Thanks Kelly - the cream topper (for me) is a work one, or maybe out to dinner etc... So I totally agree:)

Thanks Irina. I agree the cream is classic and conventional. Carla was also not a fan so you are not alone. It's one of those things that I might not buy new right now, but I am not sure I want to update quite yet? I love the dresses too.

Thanks Star. The lilac cardigan is a bit shorter than I would have liked, it is quite cropped. It like it with the lilac dress (where it covers the waist) - in fact wearing that today - but I agree with the black. But I suspect that over summer if I want to wear that dress I might throw it in my tote bag in case it cools down!! I like the cream with the zebra dress and black dress.

Thanks Jenni - interesting that you like the contrast. With the black dress I like the cream too, with the zebra dress I would wear all of them, depending on the situation, with the lilac I like the cardigan and the bomber. I like the two shades of lilac together - in fact wearing this today but with the white sneakers.

Thanks Brooklyn, I agree the cream is best for work with the first two dresses. I don't like it over the lilac, because the bodice on that one is loose it doesn't sit as nicely as I would like. I will try that with the wrap cardigan - that's a fun idea.

I do think all dresses are nicer without a topper. But sometimes that's not an option.....mostly because of weather, but also sometimes at work a jacket is just a dressier option. I also think the zebra dress, because it is fitted, might feel a bit too much for some settings and the topper would make me more comfortable.

2 months ago

Irina

Veteran

Sal, my favorite outfits are with a lilac cardigan. It’s unique wrap style and an unexpected color make the outfits more interesting and intentional to me. Overall, I think you got a good range here.

2 months ago

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Irina - a range is good - to get my wear from these dresses I need to have a couple of options for toppers to start and end the day.

2 months ago

RobinF

Veteran

Late to this but I love your new dresses, especially the zebra one. And the wrap cardigan is my favorite topper. I like all your looks here though and think they all work.

2 months ago

Active Member

I absolutely love the black dress on its own. I also like it with the lilac sweater—I think this cropped length is perfect with a full-skirted dress. I like it with the bomber too for a totally different vibe. Love the zebra dress with the sneakers, but sneakers+cream jacket seems like a mixed metaphor, as my mother says. I think I like the jacket with the dress well enough, but with other shoes. The lavender dress, I’m not sure how I feel about. I would personally try it with a wide or wrap belt.

2 months ago

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Robin! The wrap cardigan is a new shape for me and one I am enjoying.

Cookie - I agree that the cream jacket is better with leather shoes not sneakers. I think the black dress and lilac dress are better without toppers at all. I actually tried the lilac with a belt but didn’t like it - I felt cut in half.

2 months ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Late here, but I love the two new dresses on you! I like that they are different shapes but both have length and a bit of drama. The zebra is amazing!

My fave topper combos are 3, 6, 7, and also 8 and 11. I think the proportions of 2 are great but the colour contrast does not feel right.

Now back to read the comments!

2 months ago

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Suz!! I am planning to wear 8 on Sunday night. If the weather is warm enough I hope the topper will only be to and from the dinner!!

And you have picked why I liked the dresses - the long lines and just a touch of drama. I need to allow myself to wear the zebra even if it feels a bit dressy - luckily it's a dressy crowd for the Sunday dinner!!

2 months ago

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