Random peplum dress--styling, comments?

unfrumped

Here is a dress I came across when looking at other dresses around Christmas time. (Not planning for mother of the bride dress). I like how it fits and like the neckline and presence of sleeves--so rare. I'm showing it with the self-belt, which is a bit too big and not adjustable so I could try another belt. It's a knit, and the dots are "painted"-on type, so it's not a dressy fabrication and is not expensive. But I would wear out to dinner, to party, "cocktail" event that is not super-dressy or high-falutin' , church, wedding etc.
Thinking of it as an easy-to-wear dress to have in the dress capsule.

#1 is with a clutch and #2 is with a Minkoff satchel-type bag from TJMaxx that I also show in #3 and would like opinion on.

For the dress, is it flattering or does it (me) look too retro, prim, or dowdy or whatever is the opposite of good ? I have other shoes but am not likely to wear it with my currrent suede booties so if it needs highly fab footwear to be modern enough that will be a problem--orphan or wear anyway. So some kind of low pump or flat or semi-flat is more likely.

For the bag, I am not a satchel or big-bag person, as on me they somehow feel awkward and not me, nor do I usually buy dual-handle type bags, but I just liked this one , as it seems to feel not too big for me and somehow doesn't feel weird carrying either by hand or on shoulder, and I could use it at times when I would normally carry a more utilitarian shoulder purse--meaning I think I would try to work it in and start using it for fun. However it's not cheap (for me) and I'm wondering if it's "last season" and so over and all that.

So--any thoughts on dress and on the Minkoff bag are welcome.

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13 years ago

Dressing

7 replies

Latest reply was from unfrumped

moira

Veteran

I am curious to know why you ruled out your booties with this dress. I like the way you have styled it, but why limit yourself?
I think a bright bag, yellow or teal maybe, or even white, would add a punch.
I agree that the self belt might be replaced with a better fitting one. Again, white maybe, but not with a white bag.
Would you consider a zebra print flat shoe? I think that could be very cute with this.

13 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

moira, you're right, I sound like a grumpy frump, and I'm supposed to be unfrumping!

In the general sense, I guess I was hoping to add a dress that did not require a whole new range of stuff before it was wearable. So, you know, black accessories already are in the closet. But that doesn't mean I should not consider other ways to style it, as something might turn up or cross over with something else I have.

Re: booties, I have to confess, I am struggling with this whole booties-with dresses thing when worn with either nude hose or bare legs--or basically anything but tights. I really don't care for the look in many of the WIW's though I should appreciate the fact that it may offer a way to wear more comfortable footwear (if low-ish heeled). I think they look clumpy and schtumpy on me for sure.

I DO like the very sleek fitted-around the ankle bootie with the lower shaft that some people are wearing with dresses but I have not found those for me, yet, anyway. Most of them seem to have a somewhat high-ish heel.

The special flat idea is great though I would like to buy shoes that are intended for more than one outfit. So that's an idea--to think of what other items I have and what are "flats" (overlapping with 1/2 or so heels) that are modern and fun for several outfits. Maybe that is the problem--maybe I have to think whether I am willing to "invest" more in the dress in order to add it to my wardrobe.

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I sense a tension that goes deeper than the dress here.

You would like to look more current and contemporary -- yet at the same time, you struggle with some of the quicker or easier "updaters" (e.g. wearing a dress with booties) because of concerns about figure flattery.

Meanwhile, many of the clothes that you gravitate towards are very classic and ladylike.

There is nothing wrong with a classic and ladylike look. NOTHING WRONG. Remember Angie's blog post on that? And last year we had a whole long thread on the subject.

I think, if this is your deepest aspirational style -- go for it! Own it!

But...if you want it to be modern classic, you are probably going to have to buy a few wardrobe items that push your own boundaries a little bit. Maybe not booties (although it is really tough to make a ladylike dress look contemporary without contemporary footwear). But it could be something else that screams 2013 -- for example, an oversize daytime clutch, a very contemporary looking coat. Or a very up-to-the-minute, funky hairstyle and specs. Just *something.*

As for this dress in particular...it looks nice. The fit seems good. It's very pretty - so if pretty is what you want, you've got it! Though the red does add a touch of spunk. But it's all in HOW you wear it, I think.

You can switch out the belt to other belts if you like. For me, the neckline is a bit bare to work with dark (even sheer dark) hose, but the effect might be different if we were seeing your face or if you were wearing a jacket or cardigan over top (then the tights might be necessary to balance another dark piece).

The bag looks good to me - seems well scaled for you and could be practical.

I hope these musings are helpful here. I had a similar aversion to the booties and dresses look for a LONG time and am a recent convert. Don't always like it on everyone (least of all, me) but I have come to see it as the lesser of two evils in my case....my desire to look contemporary and aware being higher than my need for figure flattery -- besides which booties are super practical for my climate.

13 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Hmm... that is right, Suz. i appreciate your thoughtful comments.

I think I like the dress in part because it seems to fit my shape. A lot of dresses do not even if tried to tailor them. Me being a long-waisted pear-ish skinny top person. And the peplum actually "hides" or avoids super body con while still having a waist. So I was thinking that direction just seemed more natural than fighting it. But I continue to like several different "styles" I think and so maybe need to find what is the common denominator.

And some outfits I see with this or that length and this or that proportion do not look "good" to me even though others say, oh wow, how fab. So somehow I am not hitting the right fit between indulging my poison eye/ sugar eye and how to interpret for current styles--how can I have my cake and eat it, too.

I am trying to focus more on the thing or things that make an outfit updated but wouldn't have to fundamentally change some of the things I liked in the first place about it. You gave some great examples like a very on-trend handbag, and moira suggested footwear too.

An example I can think of is that if wearing a very unexpected belt--like zebra , or some punk metal/leather, or something--with the dotted dress--makes it look more like I "own" the style, that is the kind of thing I can see myself doing.

I might actually like some kind of oxford better than booties.

I am truly footwear-challenged despite having many shoes.

It is like Angie's comments about one classic piece but adding modern elements. Maybe first focus on what modern elements or trends I actually do love and see why don't I use more of that?

Then sometimes things that might amp the style quotient miss the point of the outfit, e.g., "wear that with a cropped black leather jacket" is great, but what about if you are trying to have a dress for warm weather!

Oh,poo.

Maybe I will try to post some more WIW type photos of other dresses and outfits and play, am I warm yet?

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

More photos are always helpful. You can hear how others see you, at a minimum.

Have you done the thing of "pinning" (either via Pinterest or just by clipping photos) looks that inspire you, and seeing if you can see common elements? It might be helpful to you. It's useful to have a fairly clear sense of what you are aiming for, instead of just trying to dress to deal with perceived figure "flaws." ETA - what is the ideal -- and only then try to figure out how to adjust for the reality.

13 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

You've gotten great feedback already. I wanted to chime in and say I love the dress on you. I would call it classic, a little retro, and conservative, but not frumpy. What about nude microfishnets with the black shoes for a lighter leg? I also agree with the others that one modern element would give this dress a bolder feel, but I feel like a classic, ladylike style is quite powerful and approachable in our super-casual culture.

13 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Suz-- Pinterest is on my to-do list. I do rip & save a bit- I still.like an occasional print magazine with my cup of tea- but digital is the way to more options.
Beth Ann, hi! I'm glad you and Suz both pointed out the dark hose- I just put on my recent dark hose worn with a winter outfit whereas I would likely wear very nude-- or I do now actually have microfish! It's funny how I tend to think of that as what might be a seasonal choice --but the photo shows how it would be balancing the top. Duh!

13 years ago

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