WIW: Black dress and checks - YouLookFab Forum

Since I work from home, I can experiment with... interesting outfits. This was a not-terribly-successful effort to rehabilitate two pieces that have never worked for me: a checked shirt and a bubble-hemmed dress. The shirt is doesn't match almost anything else I own. The dress never got much play: black tends to wash me out and the waist is bizarrely placed-- too low for Empire, too high for comfort.

Just photographing this made it obvious that the top half is way too busy and that the created waist is way too high. I'll pat myself on the back for using what I have and attempting some summer layering, but I'm not digging the tiny-torso-on-a-massive-cupcake look. Ah well: try again tomorrow!

Dress: Forever 21, years ago!
Shirt: Dress Barn
Shoes: Naturalizer
Necklace: Vintage

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14 years ago

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

Rachel, I'm liking what I'm seeing and may I say that you dress very nicely as you work at home! I think the pretty color of the necklace plays so well with your shirt. Layering, as you've done here, seems to address the empire-waist placement of the dress. Keep them coming! I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Transcona Shannon

I think this is a great attempt at trying something new and that's how we learn. Do you have a cropped denim jacket by any chance? I think that could pair with this dress nicely and I would belt the dress. Love the colourful necklace (of course it's vintage...I have a weakness for that!) and the shoes are fab.

Sarah A

i like the creativity here... seconding TS on the denim jacket, could be just the thing for this dress.

Isis

Love this! Great creative job! Can't wait for more postings from you!

celia

Actually if you just had buttoned one or two buttons of the shirt the proportions work beautifully.
Great creativity.

diane

Active Member

I think it looks nice. As a fellow work-at-home person, I applaud your attempt at combining items in your closet that I am guessing only you will see? I don't think the top is too tiny looking. The light color and pattern makes it appear bigger.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Love this look on you. It's a 10!

Abie

I really like this! I agree that maybe buttoning the button that is right at where you have the knot now, and then tying the knot underneath might make the placement of the knot look even better. I love the pairing of the necklace with that top.

Anonymous

Great work Rachel! I like how you've made the best of the weird waist by tying a shirt there. Love the necklace and flats too. The color scheme dresses down the black (why does black always feel so formal?) while at the same time putting some of your better colors near your face. Like the others have mentioned, a denim jacket would look awesome, too!

christieanne

This is a very cool, retro but modern dress. Keep playing with it - love the cropped denim jacket idea. And your necklace is stunning mate for the outfit.

Kirti

I really like this combo

harmonica

I like the dress and the shirt together! Actually, I don't think the created waist is too high. The vintage necklece is gorgous and draws attention to the colors on the shirt instead of the black dress. Great to style play!

Deborah

Love this pairing Rachel. Unexpected and just a little quirky:)

Rachel

Thank you to everyone! That denim jacket suggestion keeps popping up: I think I'll keep my eye out for one. It's getting so hot here that I'm afraid it wouldn't get much use for a while, though!

I'm trying to build a collection of colorful vintage beads-- the mustard necklace was the first. Love this strand of turquoise beads I found the other week... now I just need one in oh, every color ever, say.

Suz

I am sorry, but I can't get past your great specs and smile! You would look terrific in just about anything.

Seriously, though, I like this look! You are rocking these fit and flare type dresses. Those beads are amazing.

Jaime

I like this - it is hard to see your own outfits objectively but this looks really good on you and not too much, too busy, or unbalanced at all!

bj1111

actually...realy really like!

ManidipaM

I'm really loving this, though, Rachel!

Sometimes, we see the flaw in the picture so well, we forget to see the whole picture, as it were!

I think you've done a great job of camouflaging the difficult waistline, adding fun to the shirt and everyday wearability to the dress, and balancing the bubble skirt with discreet volume and brightness and interest on top! Oh, and by the way, your *shoes* are perfect with that skirt!

The day I look half as put-together for working from home is the day I'll know I've arrived at my style destination!

Also, completely ADORE the blue/teal tonal outfit you posted downthread! Charmingly retro and completely lovely with your colouring.

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