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Summer dress in winter?....

Mel

Any ideas on how to style this dress for colder weather, other than the obvious blazer or cardigan? The BR website suggests wearing a crewneck sweater underneath, but I'm not sure it goes with the fancy squarish neckline...I don't want to look like I'm trying too hard, but I sure would love to wear this year-round.

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Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from K.M.

K.M.

Veteran

My first thought would be a slim-fitting turtleneck (black, brown, burgundy, navy come to my mind), so this dress would work like a jumper. And knee-high boots in a dark color. But I'm not sure about toppers. I could also see that the belt ties might "fight" with cardigans or jackets. Perhaps tying the belt in a different way would help. Still I'd be curious as to what other people might think would work for toppers.

Liz

Veteran

It seems like a slim-fit top should work just fine. It sounds like that look feels uncomfortable to you for some reason -- does it not look or feel good to you when you try it on?

SarahD8

Veteran

I just plugged this blog on a different thread, but The Directrice does a lot of layering with dresses of this sort -- you might find some inspiration in her archives.

Mel

K.M., I like that turtleneck and boots idea! I see what you mean about toppers "fighting" the belt. The belt is one of the best parts so I wouldn't take it off. I was thinking maybe a slim fitting, solid colored blazer left open could showcase the dress while covering my arms.

Liz- I actually don't own the dress yet and am deciding whether or not to buy it online. In my imagination I'm seeing it with a crewneck and not liking the two necklines so close to each other and so different.

Mel

Thanks, Sarah, how do I find her archives?

SarahD8

Veteran

Here is her "dressing" category which I think is mostly outfit posts:
http://thedirectrice.com/category/dressing/

And here's one fairly recent post where she layers a blouse under a vest that's sort of similar to your dress:
http://thedirectrice.com/tis-the-season/

Links to a couple of examples of layering under a khaki safari style dress in this post:
http://thedirectrice.com/the-best-of-the-year/

3style

Veteran

Mel, I agree with you about not liking a crew neck with the square neckline of the dress. If it were me, as far as under layers, I'd only wear it with a thin neutral turtleneck or mock turtle. I think that it could be really nice with lots of black or navy pieces supporting the style. I think that if you got too colorful with accessories with this dress for winter, then it would get seasonally confused looking.

rachylou

Veteran

A turtleneck was my first thought too. Layering over tops...

Minnie

Spanx just came out with tops specially designed to layer.
From their site:

Unlike most bulky layering tops, Arm Tights™ have no uncomfortable seam up the arm and give you 360° of flawless arm coverage!
Lightweight, second-skin layering piece
Stay-put, soft band around body keeps garment in place
Cropped for less bulk and a no-ride fit
Now wear everything sleeveless, year round!
Fun, fashion accessory adds a pop to any outfit

https://www.spanx.com/tops/arm-tights

K.M.

Veteran

Minnie, thanks for posting--I've been looking for tops like these for a long time. Arm Tights is a great name! I would love to find them in full t-shirt length though. I feel like I would feel breezy in the mid-section with these (although perhaps they are meant to be used with Spanx's midriff products?).
Back home in Brazil I can find something similar: a t-shirt made of hosiery for layering, but in full length. I always forget to stock up to replace my old, worn-out one...

PS. Mel, if you do get the dress I'd love to see the look with a top underneath! I like layering dresses and have a couple that I wear like this. I usually wear a turtleneck, but now that I think of it I've also worn with my crewneck hosiery top (see above part of my comment). And the neckline of my dress is square. Somehow it worked, maybe because the top underneath is very think and skin tight.

Joy

Veteran

You could wear it over a crew neck sweater, then cover at least some of the neckline with a big scarf. Tights and boots to complete the winterized look.

Gigi

Veteran

Another vote for a thin turtleneck. I would look for one called a "layering turtleneck" or "tissue turtleneck," because they will be made of thinner material.

Cee

Veteran

Yes to all the above !

kkards

Veteran

i'm going to be the negative nancy here....it's a great dress, but i' don't think this dress translates to winter...IMO it just reads sundress.....
but if it's returnable, buy it and try it

Mel

@kkards Yes it's returnable, so I'm giving it a try.

It is so hard to find affordable, tailored, knee-covering dresses...so for me the experiment is worth it, but I do fear that it will be too shiny or tailored for daily wear.

@Minnie, thanks for the armtights tip!

@Joy, I thought of the scarf, too...I would just have to tie it in a way that it doesn't cover the chest or waist, because the long, tailored line is the best thing about this dress.

@3style, I agree about keeping it simply. The dress in itself is kind of fancy for me and wouldn't need more attracting factors, I think. I will probably pair it with elegant black for special occasions.

kkards

Veteran

mel...i dont know what your price range is, but give Uniqlo a look....

Women Flannel Long-sleeve Shirt Dress

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Women Lambswool Blend Long-sleeve Dress

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1

Mel

oh yes Uniqlo is in my price range. I just thought that their dresses tend to have a dowdy look, especially the solid colored ones. I guess I need to get more creative in trying to imagine them with accessories. But this checked dress really caught my eye. I could imagine it with some tan colored boots.

Women Flannel Checked Shirt Dress

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K.M.

Veteran

If you want a dress that would work layered or on its own and across four seasons, I also suggest the suiting line from J.Crew Factory. I can't get through to their site now for some reason, but I recall seeing some in store--tailored, shell-style in lightweight wool and sleeveless. If I remember correctly they have a high crewneck and so perhaps are easier to layer.

Mel

Thanks KM! I'll check it out

K.M.

Veteran

Their website is still glitchy--showing up now but not letting me YLF-collect--so here are screenshots and a link to the dress. I tried it on once and loved how elegant and tailored it was. Probably would have needed small fit adjustments (always the case with me, esp. length) but I liked it a lot.

The dress is this: Wool Dress

H&M had something similar last year and I kick myself for not getting it. They might have options now (haven't browsed them in a while).

PS. not as special-looking as the Banana Republic one, but versatile and with the right belt/necklace/scarf (or even a scarf tied around the waist) could probably look special too

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