How to Weatherize this dress? - YouLookFab Forum

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How to Weatherize this dress?

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

This was a favorite of mine when I lived in Austin. The simple sundress was perfect for warm sunny weather, and I enjoyed the texture of the thick knit fabric, which is very breathable. I’ve been looking forward to wearing it again, particularly with flat, open sandals like I’ve ordered. Today and for the rest of this week, temps will be in the 60s/upper teens. I am thinking of wearing it as a pinny, probably with white anklets and my cognac oxfords.

What do you think? Does it work with a shirt under it, and what hosiery/footwear do I want?

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Dressing

32 replies

Latest reply was from Stagiaire Fash

Synne

Veteran

This looks smashingly 90's retro to me! I vote sneakers or clogs WITH statement socks

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Synne, how did I know you were going to chime in for sneakers? They get here next week, along with those sandals. Right now I have 2 main choices, shown here in finds. The loafers might work too. They are too stretched out to wear barefoot, but they work with socks. Thanks for your comment and vote of confidence. x

by Stagiaire Fash

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by Stagiaire Fash

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Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Sorry I'm trying to figure out if 60 degrees Fahrenheit is considered hot or cold near you, since I'm not sure if you want advice on how to summerize or winterize your dress, lol!

For Summer: a nice straw hat & flats (either sandals or the rounded toe designs you linked to could look nice). I agree that a shirt could look nice layered under this, or maybe even a 3/4 sleeved tighter top (like the one in your photo). Have you considered a Breton striped top?

For winter: A black turtleneck, brown belt, fun tights (maybe plum or patterned?) could work with either Oxfords or boots. The silhouette would also look cute with a cropped or knee-length topper.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

"Sorry I'm trying to figure out if 60 degrees Fahrenheit is considered hot or cold near you, since I'm not sure if you want advice on how to summerize or winterize your dress, lol!" - I thought exactly the same thing, Zaeobi!

What colour are the sneakers, FashIntern? It's a cute dress!

Black booties and bare legs could work, and I like the idea of the black loafers with black socks.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Angie and Zaeobi, sorry for any confusion.

I used to wear it as a sundress in Austin Texas. I live in Berlin now. I'm looking for ways to wear it in cooler weather, like putting this ls blue T-shirt underneath it.

The tennis shoes on order are all white. Can't show the exact ones, because I ordered half a dozen pairs. Also 3-4 pairs of sandals, yikes!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Got it

The long sleeved tee looks great under the dress. As Synne said - fably '90s.

White sneakers will work no matter what. Try a white tee too.

Irina

Veteran

Thin turtleneck plus snickers/oxfords will look good, too.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thanks Angie and Irina! A white sounds good, and if it’s THAT cold, I might try a T-neck too. Footwear is starting to settle out too, but what about SOCKS? Do I want them to show? A little? Traditional folded-over Bobby socks? Long tall socks that nearly reach my knees?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Brrrrr! Tights underneath!!!

But in warmer temps, sneakers and a tee underneath.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I’m with Suz, it would be great with tights. But in warmer weather, sandals. I do wonder if bobby socks would be a bit too little-girl-ish.

slim cat

Veteran

Scrunched socks maybe, or printed short socks and interesting/printed tights since your dress is in solid neutral color. I like the idea of closed footwear such as sneaks, loafers ( not sure about sandals - depends on style ). Nice classic shape of the dress!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Suz, Jenni, slim cat, I had not thought about tights at all, because in my mind it is still a "summer dress" but you are all correct--if it's chilly enough to need an extra layer on top, it is too chilly to walk around with so much of my legs exposed. Thanks for bringing them up!

slim cat, scrunched socks might be just what this needs--or the other one that I will one day get out of the storage locker. The sandals will be for the dress in its classic presentation, just as a simple sundress, with nothing underneath.

Jenni, the bobby sox would certainly be a "thing". Guess I'll have to try and see. There is a skirt I want to try to do the schoolgirl look with, as long as it doesn't make me look like the Amy Sedaris character in Strangers with Candy!

Suz, I should try a short-sleeved T too, huh?

Anonymous

Yes to tights, and I like the dark brown shoes most with it. The top under it works, or layering over too.

rachylou

Veteran

I’d be wearing this with mid calf/combat boots, socks and tights or leggings.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I think that neckline doesn’t work the dress. It doesn’t go or flow, it’s just there.
90’s would be very thin straps and most like a white t-shirt. And honestly not quite a fitted as yours.
Or if you were doing the pinafore style the straps would be wider & the dress would be woven, with some structure, not a knit.
I can’t honestly think of a way to make it suitable for cold weather, unless you put a jacket over the whole thing to hide the straps and then keep your arms warm

ETA I’ve noticed you focus on color in many of your posts. You mentioned this t-shirt was blue (it must be dark, because it reads as black on my screen). Anyways you should also think of shape, lines, silhouettes, texture, pattern etc.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

It sounds like you have lots of warm memories of wearing this dress. I always find it hard to move on from something that brings back those kind of feelings. But I think it may be time to let go of this one... unfortunately it is dated and it’s time has passed.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I could see wearing a short-sleeved tee under it, too, or a cap-sleeved tee. Something a little fitted, like the fit of the tee you're showing here. You could wear a jean jacket over it, layered with the tees or not. I like the suggestions you've gotten for different footwear options, many of which wouldn't have occurred to me.

Joy

Veteran

I wondered the same as Angie and Zaeobi. Since you want to wear the dress in cooler than 60 degrees F, how about matching a long black or navy tee with the same color tights and , possibly, a long cardigan?
Socks may be too Little Girlish.

SarahD8

Veteran

For warm weather, with short ankle socks (almost no-show! Remember the ones with the little pompom on the back??) and Stan Smith-style trainers/sneakers...like a retro tennis outfit. I like the idea of a jean jacket as a topper. Or a long v-neck cable cardi (again the retro tennis look).

For cold weather, I’d go full-on Japanese pattern book. Wear over a tee as here (I like the idea of a striped one), straight-leg jeans with a wide cuff, ankle boots or clogs. Or your oxfords could work here.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Sarah, oh, I like the idea of a striped/patterned shirt under. A long v-neck cable cardi is good too, but I don’t think I have one. I think my ankle boots have too much heel and I’ve never been about to get the pants-and-dress thing to work. This dress fits me closely as is, so probably isn’t my best choice for a starter, sadly.

Firecracker, I’ll try my trucker jacket from Anthro over it. Thanks for the idea. I’ll see if I have any cap-sleeved Ts too.

RL, combat boots? Really?

Joy, as I noted in my reply to JenniNZ, sometimes the “little girlish” look is the appeal!

rachylou

Veteran

I saw this lady once at the farmer’s market with a short dress like this and combat boots and the woman was fierce, I tell you. That’s where I got that from. I wouldn’t do it without something like your tee, mind you. Definitely not a hot summer day look.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I agree with rachylou - a good pair of boots could surprise you! It doesn't have to be mid-calf combat boots if you're unsure, but I'd say that could be one way to stop the look from veering too much into 'little girl' territory, as others have noted with the socks idea.

So how about the best of both worlds - you could start with knee-high riding boots & a cream pair of long socks scrunched just around the leg opening? If you're feeling more daring, then maybe flat Chelsea booties or combat boots with fun tights? Have a little play around to see

anchie

Veteran

Oh, I don’t know. You have great legs, but I would freeze in that temperature with so much bare legs.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Anchie, we got lucky today & I could wear that dress just as a dress, it was so sunny & warm!

lyn67

Veteran

My 2cents is it a bit on the shortish side (esp for fall) I think-but a long sleeve tee is OK underneath and the only way I could imagine would be with opaques and combat boots---pls. take a seat before you wear it-it may ride up even further(?).... Length would work with any kind of flats for summer should be OK.

cindysmith

Veteran

Yes to the tshirt underneath! Looks cute on you

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Lyn67, I found out yesterday that it is not the ideal thing to wear while trying on shoes, lol. What are “opaques”?

Thanks Cindy!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Opaques are just opaque tights-not sheer. Thicker.

Laiba Hussain

(website)

As i am the black lover. So I will suggest to go with black. Black will look super gorgeous with this outfit.

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