Style lab: Sweater dress - YouLookFab Forum

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Style lab: Sweater dress

Sal

Veteran

Hi all

I purchased this NZ made merino sweater dress ( label From) a couple of weeks ago. I had a few days away in a very casual location then came home and have spent six days sick. I feel a bit better today and thought I would experiment with the dress. It is not returnable.

Six variations here. In addition I think my black and navy ankle boots will work with hosiery ( one step too far today) and my white leather sneakers will also work. I have other pendant and scarf options.

To my eye no 6 does not work. I like the longer length.

It is an oversized fit so the dress will not be to everyone’s taste I am sure.

Which stylings does you like best?

Thanks Sally

ETA: finds of toppers or footwear that might work - not styled.

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Dressing

44 replies

Latest reply was from

Minaminu

Veteran

Fab!!! Great fit on you, I can see you'll have lots of fun with it for both smart casual and elegant outfits! Great buy!

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

What an amazing dress! It looks great in every iteration, but I agree with you that #6 works the least well. I think I prefer it with no belt or a contrasting one over the matching belt in #6. #1, 2, and 4 are my favorites. You're going to get so much wear out of this!

ETA: Sweater dresses can be so unforgiving that I find I like them a lot more in an oversized fit like this.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Minaminu! It will be a workhorse I think.

Thanks Jenn. I prefer it unbelted. I may try a thin belt. I also think leggings would be fun with sneakers?

Anonymous

I like it more with the pumps and the tall boots.

JAileen

Veteran

I love #2. The boots, scarf, bag and your hair all contrast beautifully with the dress.

Irina

Veteran

Which one I like… all of them! Great dress, absolutely! Maybe a bit too short in #6. I would also try it with a skinny black belt or a chain belt for variety .

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Suntiger. I like the tall boots too.

Thanks JAileen! The scarf was a wonderful dress for success sale purchase.

Irina- I won’t wear 6. I have an old floral chain belt that might work too. My worry is snagging the dress? I think it have a skinny black belt - belts are one thing I rarely edit because you just never know.

CarolS

Veteran

Great dress and looks great on you. I particularly like2, 3 and 5. An easy and elegant look that really suits you!

missvee

Veteran

Interesting you say you like #6 the least. I agree. There’s something very elegant about the longer length. However, I love your version belted with the tall boots. I think it must be the repetition of colour and the unbroken line that’s created. It’s a great dress!

slim cat

Veteran

Nice dress! I like #1,2 and 4 the best. #5 is pretty too. I think the combo in #3 is not as interesting as other options ( maybe I've got used to seeing sneakers and boots most of time - not classic dress shoes ).

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I find this fluid rather than oversized and I think it looks fantastic. Like you, I'd say 6 is the least successful, but it's not as if you need to wear it that way -- you have so many options. You have created such a great hair-bookending capsule of footwear for F/W -- that's fantastic! I love dresses like this for their versatility. This was a great purchase.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Carol. I like the brown belted version - I suspect mostly it will be worn unbelted but there are times when I like a more tailored look.

Slimcat - yes I think 3 is the most classic. I think I prefer pumps with jeans now rather than dresses or skirts.

Thank you Suz, yes I think there is more than enough variety here! I really was short of a basic work dress that could be a workhorse. For a couple of years I seemed to be adding transeasonal weight clothes because that is the dominant weather - but this weight will work from May-late September which is quite a long time!! (And to be honest, even some Octobers...)

Echo

Veteran

This is an amazing dress on you, and very versatile. I love brown with black, and you have done it so incredibly well here. I think #6 is not necessarily bad, it just isn't as great as the rest of the combinations. It is a fabulous dress and you have styled it perfectly!

I am so sorry to hear you were ill for so long, though. I am glad you are on the mend!

notsaf

Veteran

Love this on you, especially with a cross body and definitely unbelted!

Anonymous

Ok this is one fabulous dress , and I can tell by your stance in the photos that you feel good in it too ! It looks great on you - perfect luxe fit , very versatile . I’d agree that my least fav is #6 only because there isn’t a repeat of a colour anywhere in the accessories to pull it all together . But wow - with the tall boots , or the sneakers ? This is a real winner

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Truly one of the best illustrations of the versatility of the little black dress (ok maybe oversized black dress) that I have seen. I like it every single way, including #6 (could also see it this way with black stockings and flats for example). Excellent purchase!

Joy

Veteran

I hope you are feeling well again. My favorites are #2 and #3. What J Aileen said. I like the butterscotch color that echos your hair color with the black.

kellygirl

Veteran

Gorgeous dress that you are rocking in all iterations. I like the short one too for something a little on the sassy side. This is going to be a work horse! So impressed with all the stylings.

Gigi

Veteran

Lovely! And wonderful to buy local. My faves are 2 and 4.

Sal

Veteran

Thabnks Gigi. I walked 10 minutes to the boutique, and it was made 1.5 hours drive from home. That's rare now!

Thank you Kelly. I think this is why a basic black dress will always be in my wardrobe (Navy or chocolate or olive or charcoal would also work in the same way for others).

Thanks Joy - I got dressed after this so that is progress! Much better but still a bit wobbly.

Shevia - 6 would be better with hosiery or leggings, maybe even flats? Thank you - I could see a cotton version of this on you!

Thanks Lisa - between Janet, you and me we have all have excellent black dress purchases. Hope to wear this at least two ways next week.

Notsaf - I think a cross body works best too.

Echo - thank you! On the mend - I think influenza. Covid negative thankfully - although I finally have a vaccine spot in two weeks time. We have been a little slow here on the vaccination front with limited supplies.

lyn67

Veteran

To answer short on your question: A.L.L.!!!
(You nailed it, the dress fits super duper and wow those brown knee high boots-!!! all killer from me-just I for one woulndn't belt it with the brown belt, to not disrupt the long and lean line of the dress -black belt feels better to me even with the brown boots).

Star

Veteran

Gorgeous fluid dress, love it! Suits you to a T! 1 - 4 my faves, but all good.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Fabulous Sally. That’s one great dress. I would also call it fluid rather than oversized. A shift dress.

My favourites are 2, 4 and 5.

I have a bit of a thing about wearing a necklace and a belt as I think they tend to complete with each other. YMMV of course, but when wearing a belt I generally prefer:
A very short necklace that wraps around my neck and complements the wrap around shape of the belt (rather than a drop necklace, which creates more of a triangular shape) or
A long necklace in the same colour as the belt. Eg Long brown or brownish multi tone beads with the belt in pic 5.

A thin belt is worth trying. Also 2 thin belts layered could be interesting.

Get well soon!

Helena

Veteran

Yep, I love all 6 of these; it looks especially luxe with the cognac leather accents. What a fab dress that is sure to be a workhorse for years to come *applause*

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

This dress is fantastic on you, Sal! I like it all of these ways. What a great purchase.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

2, 3 and 4 are my favorites. What a great versatile piece! YLF!

Aquamarine

Veteran

Great dress on you! Glad you had to keep it. 2 and 3 are my favorites but all renditions work to my eye except maybe 6. I prefer it longer, too.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Aquamarine, Firecracker and Janet. Appreciate the feedback!

Helena - I like it with the cognac too. I do have black ankle boots that I will wear with it too (with black hosiery) but I think it will feel a bit too dark on me.

On the mend Brooklyn - and thanks for the styling ideas. I didn't really change my jewelry for this session but I know what you mean re the necklace and belt, I have some amber beads that will work well I think too.

Thanks Lyn and Star - I hope to wear this tomorrow for my return to work!!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I had trouble seeing these on my phone, but on my laptop, it's clear you knocked it out of the park. For the longest time, I thought of black + brown as a no go, same as navy + black. If I hadn't already been converted (I have) these looks would convince me that cognac and burgundy are both wonderful with black! Are you joining Sally in her challenge?

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