WIW: dress week - YouLookFab Forum

As usual, suggestions for how to improve each and every outfit are both requested and welcomed!

I had a lot of fun last week participating in dress week. It was particularly fun for me because I don't often let myself dress up at work. Last week, I got more than a few looks but no outright comments, which has inspired and empowered me to wear dresses to work more often!

Monday: my purple shift that you've seen so many times before. What's new: my deconstructed-checks hose! I'm loving the new texture on my legs and hope this pair lasts forever.

Tuesday: my super-duper dated polyester floral dress from the mid 90s. I chopped off several inches off the dated hemline and tried to modernize it a bit with the pointed-toe nude heels. Any other ideas on how to make this wearable? Did I even succeed? Please be honest: I know I should stop wearing a dress this old in public, but it fits me beautifully and the nostalgia factor is just so. darn. high. (it was the first dress I ever bought for myself [in the late 90s, from a thrift store, using my high school savings], and I wore it again when my husband proposed). Bonus shot of the back of the dress aka "my husband doesn't follow my picture-taking instructions".

Wednesday: the City Lights skirt I posted about earlier. It turns out that wanting isn't the same as having; now that I own it, I'm finding that it kindles fears of emphasizing my short waist. These fears are made worse by the fact that my feet protested at 2 consecutive days of heels, so I was forced to wear flats with such a long hemline. Please give me suggestions on how to style it, I adore this skirt too much to let it go!

Thursday: Another repeat, this time of my dotted shift. I rolled the denim jacket's sleeves because I'm too lazy to have gone to the tailor's yet. Is it cropped enough to work with a dress? Can I pull off flats here?

Friday: Apparently, I'm really bad about taking forum advice, because even though y'all told me that it wasn't good enough for my wardrobe, I couldn't get over the lovely color and fabric of this dress; I went back and bought it. Then I had a tailor chop off the sleeves (sacrilegious, I know) since I was drowning in them. I've already worn it tucked-in as a blouse, and this is how I'll be wearing it most of the time. But since it was dress week I decided to risk the leg exposure and wear it as a dress. On the plus side: HOLY COW do my legs look long! On the minus side: check your work schedule before wearing short dresses (funny story elided, but you can probably guess). This is a lousy picture, but I'm wearing nude hose to give my legs a little sheen so that the transition to nude patent leather wouldn't be as abrupt as it was on Tuesday.

This post has 7 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

12 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

Charmian you have some lovely dresses. 1, 3 and 6 are my favourites but they all look great.

Raisin

Purple dress is fab! I actually like the nostalgic dress, and it does fit you beautifully. I do see what you mean about the city lights skirt...something is a bit off about the proportions. I'd be tempted to try a solid black top to make it appear as one line. Love the B&W dotted dress on you! I love it with flats and the denim jacket is a good length. The blue dress is nice, I wish the belt were a little higher, but then again I guess that's the issue I was having with my chevron dress.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

I like every one of these outfits - a lot! Maybe it's a matter of aesthetics, or personal preference, but I think your City Lights skirt is right on the mark. Your proportions look perfect to me, and with the flats and the button-down, you've got a modern twist on an Audrey Hepburn look.

Photo number 3 (your 90's dress) is one of my favorite looks - I think you should keep it, because it fits you like a glove, and the cut is classic. Not sure how to make it trendier - denim or moto jacket? Or maybe some jewelry with a slightly rock-n-roll edge? That's a task for the other YLF'ers!

Sanet

Active Member

I like the nostalgic dress too. Since it fits so nicely, could you not have another one made exactly like this one?

I like the dotted shift too and I like Raisin's suggestion to try the city lights skirt with a different top.

Anonymous

You need to wear dresses often, they look so good.
1/2 A lovely basic that can change with jewelry or scarves or other accessories. The patterned hose look great.
3/4. I really like this one on you, it fits so well. How about wearing booties other modern footwear? Of course you can always top it with your denim jacket or try pattern mixing, maybe stripes, with a knit jacket or a scarf or even shoes.
5. I really like it just as styled. I see no short waist, but you could try a light belt closer to the tones in your shirt to visually extend your torso. A jacket or cardi or vest over it that's cropped but longer than your waist is another idea. Have you tried the denim jacket with this?
6. Love and the jacket looks fine to my eye.
7. This looks pretty short, more of a tunic, in the photo. Maybe with leggings or skinnies for work? The color is stunning on you! Have you tried it without the belt or with a leather belt?

I love your 90s dress! I think it is still worth keeping and wearing. It fits you perfectly.

I like your other stylings too. I second Rae's suggestion to wear a black top on the city lights skirt.

Beth Ann

What a great week! The purple dress is my favorite. It's shape and color are extremely flattering for you.

I think the 90's dress is flattering and well-fitting, and I don't read "dated" when I see it.

As for the City-lights skirt, I love this for you. Perhaps a blouse in a softer fabrication would offset the beautiful structure in the skirt. I like it a lot as is, I'm just brainstorming!

Glad you took the challenge!

Sara L.

You look great in all these outfits! The flats look good with both the City Lights skirt and the polka dot dress. The blue dress in #7 is cute on you and although it may be a little short, you have great legs and it's nice to show them off once in a while.

Category