Still Wrangling the Dressy Outfit--This Jacket?

Who among you thinks this dressy short trench would work as a topper for my Holiday outfit? I'm looking for an option that will play down the prom/bridesmaid vibe of the dress. And I'd like to find a coat that I would purchase on its own merits rather than buying something *just* to make the dress work. My first choice is a wool car coat/walker/cocoon coat in a pretty color, but I've not seen the right one yet.

I've shown the items for the proposed outfit.

*Even though I like the dress and I had it collected in Finds for a long time, I'm starting to think that a long-sleeved jersey dress might be a better choice. I really struggle with "fancy" so it's hard to push myself to find something that feels authentic for the once or twice a year that I'd desire to wear something like this...it's kind-of, by definition, outside of my comfort zone.

Banana Republic

Water-Resistant Tie-Sleeve Trench

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Nordstrom

Adrianna Papell Ruched Matte Stretch Crepe Sheath Dress

$100.00

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Nordstrom

Sam Edelman 'Tristan' Pointy Toe Pump (Women)

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Custom Find

by Emily K

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6 years ago

Anonymous

I think it would work wonderfully. And I commiserate with you about having to dress up outside of your comfort zone!!!

Emily -- I went and looked at the find at Banana Republic. I really like the idea of a short trench coat, however, I wonder if this coat is too short ... especially in back. It looked all wrong for the model's height.

Katerina

Veteran

I think it would work. I understand how you feel, I am not so comfortable with very dressy outfits either.
The short sleeved dress is very pretty, I do not get any brides made vibe from it at all. In my view, you could add a blazer, a cardigan or/ and tall boots for nice daytime outfits.
Great shoes and earrings - both options are beautiful.
A question - is the dress black or dark navy?

LaPed

Hah, we belong to the same club. This kind of stuff stresses me out too.

I guess, I think the question of coat is dictated by climate. The cotton trench could work for a spring evening, but will it be warm enough for a winter event?

I imagine you’ve checked out J Crew’s offerings for colorful wool coats? They seem to still be the go-to.

Also, once you’re inside and take the coat off, will you feel too plain? Do you need an extra dose of color/pattern/texture somewhere in the outfit? I know you were pondering a pashmina at one point...

Those pom pom earrings are super adorable. Oh -- and have you looked at Madewell for tassel earrings? They have a bunch of different colours right now. I didn’t check the dimensions, but they don’t look too long.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

VERY cute topper. But not one you keep on indoors - is that alright, Emily?

You might as well a wool coat over the dress then.

Minnie

Active Member

I don't think the dress has a prom/bridesmaid vibe.
The only issue I would have are the cap sleeves, which I do not like on me. If cap sleeves work for you, I think it's a beautiful dress.

Emily K

Sterling--I wondered about the length myself. It would surely be longer on me as I am 5'4". The length did look a little weird on the model and I wish it would be almost mid thigh on me.

Katerina--Thank you! And the dress is black but I enjoy mixing black and navy, so the navy coat appealed to me. I also found another option in dark mulberry--another color that appeals.

La Pedestrienne--Your wardrobe plan for stretching just a little bit to accommodate dressier events has a lot of appeal for me--I think I'm having trouble with this because it is quite a bit dressier (which is what I feel I need) but it's a complete break from my usual and I'm wondering if it is authentic or a "false positive". I've been to J. Crew but the available colors aren't appealing to me. And I rejected the Pashmina idea as veering even further into bridal territory even though I liked the pattern added by a navy one with subtle tonal paisley.

Angie--Thank you! I did expect to remove the topper indoors. So I need yet ANOTHER topper for once I'm inside?

Minnie--Thank you! I do like the sleeves on me--the diagonal line is flattering IMO.

Stagiaire Fash

I still love the dress and think you could do so many things with it. Alone, as is, I don’t think it looks like a bridesmaid dress, but I do think it looks more formal than festive. I don’t really know your style, but you could add some color or, if black/grey is your thing, how about plaid or other pattern? You could wear a shrug or a fur collar like Janet posted about the other day, or maybe a giant scarf like this https://m.costco.com/Emanual-G.....57409.html
And maybe a little color or sparkle in your shoes?

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

I love how you put together this outfit! The dress doesn't look like a bridesmaid dress to me at all. My immediate thought was Claire, on "House of Cards".

The thing about a LBD is that it's a blank canvas for your accessories. I look at that dress and feel like I would want to add mermaid-colors - ocean blues and aqua-greens a statement ring, earrings, irridescent shoes + clutch, eyeshadow, and/or ropes of pearls. Maybe a rich-colored coat.
Nobody is wearing those colors right now, and it would stand out.

Fashiontern and La Belle--you have both spoken to the same point! I do see how this dress could be really fun with a lot of color added. So far, I have not spent a lot--but I do not have a colorful wardrobe or accessories. It could be really fun (but expensive) to indulge in color, and I probably wouldn't wear it again.

La Belle--I do especially like sea glass colors and Ageaen blue/green. That would be a fun direction to go. I did, earlier, collect some shoes in finds including these two pair...But the SE "Hazel" does come in an abundance of pretty colors.

Suz

The coat looks great if it works for your climate. But it might be too short proportionately -- only way to know is try it on. I like the idea of adding colour. The dress is pretty and not at all bridesmaid like to my mind.

Another member of that club reporting for duty- way outside of my comfort zone and so inauthentic for me too. I love that trench - wow! - and think it would work wonderfully with that dress and would give it a really modern vibe. I have no comments on a dress - I'm batting below the acceptable level for choosing 'fancy' dresses myself.

Oh, I like those! I was going to suggest these, along the shiny/irredescent line, but the ones you just posted are pretty colors. I like the fringe detail. It would be easy to tie the green in with Christmas colors by wearing red or pattern including that green elsewhere, if you wanted to. http://www.callitspring.com/us.....p/11017399

Suz--OK. I think I need to order the trench--it's 50% off right now, so I should take advantage. I think, if it is flattering on, I'll be able to get enough use from it. It will be light for winter, but for this use I'd only be wearing it from valet to restaurant door so I'm not very concerned.

ETA: Or...maybe it's not included in the sale. That would change things a bit...

lisp p.--Thank you for weighing-in! I thought the combo looked fresh to my eye. And, despite your assertions to the contrary, I'm betting you do "fancy" pretty well.

I love those shoes!

I admit, I've looked at that trench at least three times since I read your initial post. But I remind myself, "Self, you don't need anymore toppers." LOL

LBD, keep it in Toronto, so you don’t have to carry as much back & forth

Joy

The coat does not matter much since you will not keep it on very long. I like the idea of a black coat as something you could wear again. Mine ( a black trench) is even part of my funeral capsule, a time when you may want something a little dressy.

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