WIW: Shadow Style and everyday style

Here are some recent WIW, although one is WIDW as I changed my mind and bailed into dressy jeans, kimono and heels ( no pic sorry).

The first pic was for a standard day, a mix of work, home and running around after children. I like these geometric trousers and wear them with heels, ankle boots, and sneakers. I am wearing them often as I suspect they won't have the same longevity as most of my wardrobe.

The pink dress I purchased on consignment 18 months ago and have only worn it twice, and I was going to wear it last week. I love the colour, length and drape...but find it too dressy for work and after school activities, and I don't seem to have had the right evening occasion for it.

I try to be an Everyday Elegant dresser, with a mix of casual, classic, and statement pieces. But I am drawn to vintage and retro as well, and have several pieces in that vein. I think this dress would be good with tall dressy boots ( which I do not own). I have worn with pointy heels and patterned tights and a driving coat for an early 60s look.

So opening myself up to comments- is the dress worth keeping, is it flattering, and how can I style it? When should I wear it?

All feedback and comments are welcome.

ETA after looking at the pic of the pink dress in a larger size I am tending towards sending it to a new home.....

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11 years ago

Elly

Veteran

I love look one on you-- the brown bag and the necklace add warmth to your look--- the printed pants are super fun here and I love your blouse.

Anonymous

Hi! Those print pants and black top look is great - love it! You have a great haircut too for your "look". I'm not sure about the pink dress only because I'm not great with dresses myself. I love the colour on you, and it seems to fit fine, but I should leave that to someone with a better eye.

Deborah

#1 is so fab. You look very comfortable too and this suggests to me that this is a look you feel really good in (you look good too).

#2 is very pretty and I do like the style of the dress. It reads rather 90's to me in some ways yet still quite classic. If you think the fit is off (I can't quite see) then do pass it on. Given the stunning colour of the dress, I feel it doesn't need much accompaniment which is why fit would be particularly important here.

Sal

Thanks Elly and Lisa and Deborah.

The clutch and necklace are both orange actually!! But in looking at the pic I can see they look tan....I did expose it a bit to show some detail on the black shirt.

I like the idea of the dress and I like the dress but I don't have a "Mad Men" lifestyle and I feel that it is a bit like one of the secretaries from that show....of course I would like to think Joan but I am not in her league!

Zibbets

Those geometric pants are fantastic. Wow!

I adore that bright pink on you. Could you tone down the dressiness with a jean jacket? Maybe a white jean jacket? Some clunky sandals would be cute with it too.

Mmm, I have a white jean jacket. And possibly clunky sandals too....I will experiment and add a picture!

viva

I love both looks -- that black and white outfit is so incredible and so wearable. I would love to see you try to make the dress more wearable, and if it doesn't work then pass it on. Definitely try with the white jean jacket. It might hide some of the great design details, but then again you'd still have the gorgeous color.

PS I love your hair!

Peri

I think your pic #1 is everyday elegant!

For the dress, I personally think it is too dressy to be expected to perform as an everyday piece. I don't know what your job is, but it looks very dressed up to me. It looks like a special occasion dress...and a good one...so if you've worn it twice it seems like that is the category it fits in. For me, that would be expected use of a dressy dress.

lady

Active Member

I echo with all above. #1 is an awesome look. Love those pants!

I really like your dress. I think if you want to wear it more, definitely dress it down. A denim jacket immediately comes to mind.....with a fun print/geometric scarf. I believe many of the tips for de-bombshelling an outfit would work perfectly.

Marley

#1 is just all kinds of FAB! You look relaxed, elegant, and chic! I can see why those trousers are getting a lot of wear!
If I didn't already know, when I opened up #2 I would have thought that it was a completely different woman. What kinds of special occasions would you wear this dress to? The reason that I ask is because I think that the color is restrictive - it just seems so pink - I can't see it fitting into the category of special occasion dress for when you are going to a dressy evening event. I guess that I usually think of dressy evening events as something where you would wear something less bright and less afternoon-wedding-ish. More elegant and effortless - to me this dress looks a little uptight and uncomfortable. I don't know - its probably just me, but I thought I'd throw that out there!
(Its not bad on you at all - it's just not the same standard of elegance and chic as #1.)

Thanks Viva, Peri, Lady and Marley. I am pleased everyone likes the outfit that I repeat often!

Haha Marley you made me laugh. I think you summed up my problems with the dress. While I love the pink, and it is a good colour on me, it is not a dress I wear for elegant occasions (not that I have many), being a long sleeve knit it is too warm for summer day wear, and yet it is too dressy for my everyday life.

I have worn it out to dinner with girlfriends (enjoyed wearing it), and once for work/errands (felt overdressed all day). I considered wearing it for a costume party we had (Mad Men theme) and chose another option.

I will try it with my white jacket and some more casual heels and see how I get on. Maybe even tomorrow

Jaime

(website)

Like Marley I almost felt like #2 was someone else. Love #1 and think #2 just isn't up to that standard on you.

Suz

You look absolutely sensational in #1. And I am joining the chorus of love for your hair. But the outfit if fantastic on you -- easy, elegant, yet casual -- and it feels "natural."

I agree with the others -- I would almost have thought pic 2 was of another person! Yet the pink is amazing on you, so I can see why you would hang onto the dress. Wearing it for a Mad Men party sounds wonderful. After that, perhaps you can forecast whether you'll have other special occasions for it. I know I wouldn't be able to wear it as an "at work" dress without feeling too dressed up. So I understand what you are saying.

catgirl

You could easily wear that pink dress to an Indian wedding! It's pretty on you but I agree it's probably not the most versatile item you could have.

The first outfit is STELLAR!

rachylou

I LOVE the pink dress on you. I think you should just throw on a pair of slip on sneakers with it and wear it everywhere.

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