I adore the dress and would love to wear it. I will look forward to seeing how you get along, I think it could be super fun.

To me, even before putting it on a modern lass, it has touches such as the exposed blue zipper, flecks of orange and fringe detail that dispel the frump factor. If I needed a dress, I would be "trying the frumpy thing" with you. I can't wait to see how this works out.
Angie, you may need some orange pumps.

I can't wait to see! My bet is you'll come out polished not frumpy. You can't help it, Angie

You'll pull it off better than anyone I know.

Sounds lovely! Anna Wintour is one of my style icons so I say go for it

You couldn't look frumpy if you tried Anige. Seriously, you just don't have the frump gene.

I could see you pulling some inspiration from Catherine Deneuve from La Belle du Jour (Luis Bunuel, 1967). What about OTK boots? As well as big square sunglasses and an extreme version of your hairstyle, while holding Sam in a fashionable pose. Sam would need some thought put into his accessories (collar, leash) to pull this off.

Note the shoes in #5!

Swooning over the Catherine Deneuve inspiration pics above. Classic and beautiful.

Yes, too bad the dress isn't sleeveless (although I know so many who need sleeves for work). I've had trouble with the fit of J. Crew sleeved dresses so I would be curious to see how this one goes. I love ladylike- Anna Wintour, Catherine Deneuve-swoon. Can't wait to see how this experiment works!

This is the best kind of experiment - each piece is lovely in its own right and fits perfectly into your wardrobe and yet together could make for a stunning look. It has the potential to be KILLER, so well worth the risk!

Trust you completely, Angie, but I do note that Anna Wintour's tweeds tend to be form-fitting, body-con pieces with seriously nipped-in waists, whereas this dress as shown on the model is a more relaxed fit.

I look forward to learning from you how to make this kind of tweed look other than frumpy.

I have complete faith. You have Grace Kelly's impeccable poise about you Angie.

I'm with you Angie - the over relaxed and 'French 5 piece wardrobe' thing is looking a bit jaded... I can't wait to see it on you! And/or maybe its the time and place - I usually find the "English" look too ladylike and conservative for my taste but lately have been finding labels like The Fold London and LK Bennett are just right for young, high performing and feminine women. I would also add Christine LaGarde does this kind of look - with boots etc as well.

Love the idea of the combination of the dress and jacket. I think you will put it off. It does have a retro feel and that's what I think you are drawn to.

Angie, you always keep us on our toes!

I have to laugh because this reminds me of myself a bit. I haven't been drawn to frumpy, but I have been drawn to ugly--like the ugliest stuff the seventies had to offer. We're talking really clompy shoes, ugly polyester patterned shirts, and the like. The uglier, the better! So I say enjoy yourself.

You had me at Anna.

I'm looking forward to seeing you in this Angie.

I actually REALLY love them. I haven't read all the other comments so I apologize if this has already been said, but I think it's all in how you accessorize a set like this. Really pretty shoes, your fun glasses, and one of your many interesting bags would make it look a lot more current. I do hope you share the results with us!

The two pieces seem perfect on their own for your wardrobe and if they fit comfortably when worn together I think you will be far from frump and I can't wait to see the result!

I am loving the Catherine Deneuve reference and pictures from CL. Can't wait to see how this turns out.

WOW. You are ALL SO LOVELY. I appreciate the kind words of encouragement and unending compliments. I'm blushing and motivated.

I was also surprised to hear that many actually LIKE the look, and don't think it's stuffy and mature.

OOOOOH, ladies that lunch. I love to lunch, and wish I had more time to myself. Truth is I'll be working my patootie off with a client if I wear this outfit.

Peri, I don't like the word "frumpy" either which is why I put it in inverted commas. But it IS a word that everyone understands, and so I chose to use it.

Debs and Coco, I LOVE Anna Wintour. I don't want to dress like her, but I love looking at her. What a style icon. And SO different to Emmanuelle Alt.

Jaime, I am humbled. I stare at Grace in my office all day as she hangs next to Audrey on the wall behind my computer.

Denise, thanks for posting those glorious pics. I love them! I'm limited to my own sunnies because I need prescription lenses, and OTK boots wouldn't work with the midi length of the dress. But Sam makes any outfit I have stylish.

Aida, although the sleeves are a challenge under the jacket, like you - I like them best about the dress. I'm very happy the dress isn't sleeveless.

April, I am not opposed to altering the dress if it has potential.

Jenanded, I love L.K Bennet too.

Gigi, first of all, thanks for the gracious comment on my last outfit post. And I love '70s fashion with you. It has soooo much character.

Gradfashionista, leaving off the pearls for sure. And Anna Wintour is as slight as it gets. Dynamite comes in small packages.

Columbine, a severe yet pretty and refined shoe would create some nice tension with the very ladylike outfit.

Frumps, no, like the dress..don't know about all both together. If anyone can make it rock..it is you!

I will be watching with fascination! As has already been expressed, you couldn't look frumpy even if you tried. I think that my favorite thing about you is that you constantly evolve and are always challenging your own previously held opinions. My greatest dread is becoming stagnant, so I have huge admiration for you when you push the boundaries of popular opinion! I can't wait to watch this unfold...

Ah, well -- if you're going to alter it to make it fit in a traditionally flattering way (i.e., the way Anna Wintour tends to wear tweed) there would be zero chance of its looking frumpy.

Nothing inherently frumpy about tweed, right -- it's only frumpy when it's shapeless and oversized.

Ooo Angie, could we have a blog post on your experiment pretty please. It would be lovely to follow your thought process from store - experimentation - keep or return - the final outfit.

Very interested to see t all together. I love each piece on its own but I'm worried about sleeve comfort. I can't imagine frump creeping in with your hair, specs, likely shoes and attitude though!!!!

If anyone can pull the combo together, it is you. On me, definitely frumpville.

Late to the party, but I love this idea and know you will look great in it. Only issue is those sleeves on the dress. But heck .If you like the look a lot you could always remove them. You'd still have the coverage you need from the jacket.

Thanks, ladies. I appreciate the encouragement, and you are just lovely.

*group hug*

Tried the dress with the jacket. Surprisingly, absolutley no problem with the longer sleeves under the jacket. Comfortable, no bunching, plenty of room - even when I zip up the jacket up.

Will keep you ALL in suspense with whether I'm going for the matchy-matchy "frumpy" look.

Angie, you are really teasing us! Can't wait to see what you decided.
I tried your beautiful J Crew tweed jacket this weekend and it looked really bad on me, so I will live vicariously through you.

The suspense! My guess is yes :}

Angie, you tease!

I saw "your" tweed jacket and dress at the local J Crew yesterday. Gorgeous fabric and workmanship! I can so easily picture you in the jacket; will be waiting in suspense to know what you decided about the dress.