Styling a short black dress - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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Styling a short black dress

Kyle

Veteran

I have the Michael Kors diagonal zip dress from the YLF store. For quick reference, it is similar to this, but not identical:

http://www.macys.com/catalog/p.....31-_-MP431

My challenge is styling. It is too short for me to wear on its own, with bare legs or even stockings. So, I think it needs leggings. As a sleeveless dress, it is appropriate for summer...and it is a gazillion degrees (OK, it's 115) here. Is wearing the black dress with black leggings weird, as in too much? Too heavy and dark? How would you wear and style this? I need to wear it or get rid of it!

Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from Kyle

Anonymous

I wear the knee length black leggings with a too short black sheath dress in the summer with strappy sandals. Actually, the hotter the weather, the more I like wearing black in the summer, as long as the fabric isn't too heavy and especially in August and September when it is still very hot here. You could add a polkadot scarf (white with black dots) or a floral to make the outfit more summery.

taylor

Veteran

Is there enough fabric to drop the hem out?

MNsara

Veteran

Have you tried it with short leggings? the kind that end below the knee and above the calf muscle? then the strappy sandals that Joy suggested.

I have no problem wearing black in the summer as long as the fabrications aren't heavy or wintery (and as long as I'm not in the sun!)

Freckles

Veteran

The link isn't opening for me so I have no advice.

I'm so glad you asked this question though as I have two garden events to go to this summer and too much black. I was going through my closet and felt nothing was appropriate due to the colour...

Maybe not afterall...

Anonymous

I suppose it's to short for work, because for more casual/evening events it seems acceptably short to me. For work , maybe you can try a fishnet ( subtle, of course) or some colored sheer hose ( cobalt blue/ dark green/ dark burgundy) with some matching necklace.

rute

Veteran

So pretty!
I would wear it with sandals, a nice bag and lots of bracelets for the summer.
For the winter with nude tights, nude flats, a red trench coat or red flats and a black long cascading cardi with a belt

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Hmmm. This is a tough one. I cannot imagine wearing black leggings in summer in Phoenix. That sounds miserable! So if you need to wear black leggings with a sleeveless dress, does that make this a winter dress only, meaning you'll want a jacket or cardi with it all the time? Will you get enough use out of it?

Queen Mum

Veteran

have you tried or thought about cropped denim leggings? Or denim clams?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I like the sound of cropped leggings and cropped denim pants with this frock. Can you let the hem down, Kyle?

bella

(website)

Veteran

Can you try cropped white leggings. I have ruched pair that I enjoy wearing in the summer with black tunics.

Julie

Veteran

I have to go along with Kim and Angie on this one. Denim would set it off nicely. Cropped jeans or clams, now, and full length jeans when it's cooler, either next season or on cool evenings.

Didn't want to jump in too soon because I'm a jeans with a dress junkie and didn't want to sound like a fashion pusher.

Julie

Jonesy

Veteran

Go with the leggings idea and maybe just wear in the evening? Somehow black on black seems less heavy to me in the summer when it's dark outside, though I know it's not logical :).

Kyle

Veteran

Thanks for the suggestions. I appreciate the fact that you understand what I'm trying to convey here. I have barely an inch of hem to work with, so it's tricky to let it down, and I would not gain much.

Cropped black leggings might work with some cage sandals...by cropped denim leggings are you thinking knee length? Mid calf? Longer? It's a super fab, mod dress, with a 60s vibe, and I want to make it work. Maybe, for Phoenix, it's a spring or fall outfit or an evening out ensemble, as Jonesy mentioned. Laura, I think you have this dress--how do you style it?

Laura

(website)

Veteran

I do have one that's very similar - it's got a cowl neck and the fabric on mine is so substantial that it's very much a cool weather dress. It's also longer on me, hitting maybe two inches above the knee, so I don't feel the need for leggings. Basically, I am completely useless here, because I've only worn it as is, with hose and pumps. Sorry I did think about adding a floaty blouse underneath it ...

taylor

Veteran

OK..I am just throwing this out there...If you want to wear as a dress could you have your tailor add a few inches of fabric..black lace.. silk ribbon or something to add a few inches of length...? Do you think it would compromise the integrity of the dress?

Kyle

Veteran

I think we have the same dress, Laura. The substantial fabric is also a bit challenging...since it is sleeveless, you know. I'm just not comfortable going that short anymore, the challenge of freakishly long legs. I'll have to play with it a bit. Perhaps too hasty of a purchase.