WIW: Simple Dress and Which Topper?

We met one of my husband's coworkers for lunch this afternoon at an old college hangout and then did some thrifting. I wore my plum cotton dress super-casually with Chuck Taylors and no accessories, save a beat-up leather bag. Pretty okay with this outfit, I think.

I ended up not needing a topper, but I tried a couple just in case. Do either of these work? A cropped denim jacket would be perfect, I think, but I don't have one at the moment.

#1 - eShakti dress, Chucks, no topper
#2 - with faded olive blazer
#3 - with black knit shrug

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9 years ago

Joy

Veteran

The dress is lovely on you. I like it best without a topper, but like the jacket in 2 much better than the shrug in 3. The shrug looks too small for proportions to be right to my eye. The Cons are a nice touch and perfect for your day.

Anonymous

Jenn,
I really like the green jacket with the dress. From your WIW, I think I'm liking the structure on top with dress/skirt on bottom. I think that's a good silhouette on you.
There is a shoe type I'd like to suggest for you: An open toe bootie. I think it would go with a lot of your outfits.

Jenn

(website)

Thank you, Joy. You have a good eye for proportion, so I appreciate your insight.

Smittie, I see why you would suggest that shoe style for me. I searched on Pinterest and they do tend to add a laid-back element to the outfits they're paired with. I think they might skew a little more modern and a little less practical than I'm comfortable with, but I'm willing to at least try some on. Growth doesn't happen without leaving your comfort zone.

shannon

Active Member

Your instincts are on target with the cropped denim jacket. What about a denim vest? It might give a little visual interest without adding another full layer.

shannon.stl - Thanks for confirming my hunch about the denim jacket. l have a bit of poison eye for denim vests. Maybe because they're the polar opposite of my "bookish" descriptor? Or maybe I'm just not a vest fan in general, because I went through a phase in the 80s.

Jaime

Yes a denim jacket would be great but the dress is terrific on its own.

Maneera

You should be the brand ambassador for eShakti! I've seen Bridgette Raes promoting them a lot on her blog, but didn't think they were anything special....until I saw you in them! You look so beautiful, lively and radiant in these dresses, and this one is no exception. The dress fits so beautifully, it's like it was made just for you I especially love the neckline and waist definition on these dresses...very flattering.

I like the topper in #2, though I think the dress looks THE BEST all by itself. But that's just me...I am not fond of toppers on fit and flare dresses and only like them on straight pencil dresses or sheath dresses. Proportions get too tricky with these dresses when you add a jacket and it flows past the waist. If I was to wear the dress on a slightly chilly day, I would just drape a long warm scarf/shawl/stole over my arms and shoulders. It could be plain or printed, and would not skew up the proportions of the dress at all...though it's a bit fussy. I'll attach a pic so you can see what I mean.

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Oh Maneera, I love both those inspiration photos, but especially the first one. I have a huge scarf collection, so I'll have to play around in anticipation of autumn.

I really do love both my eShakti dresses (and I just ordered a third). I had heard of them through their aggressive blog promotion campaign, but didn't actually order until I complimented two separate women on their dresses and both said they'd gotten them from eShakti. The fit is no accident, btw. I always choose the custom option, where you input your measurements and they make the dress to your specifications. It's odd that they only ship to US and Canadian addresses, as the packages arrive from India.

I'm glad that you all seem to like the dress without a topper. I do too, and that's definitely most practical for right now. I don't spend a lot of time in over-air-conditioned environments, but I do like to have an option just in case.

I'm so so glad you like the scarf idea. It seems most practical, easy and effortlessly stylish. And everyone has a big warm scarf for chilly days, right? I like to wear mine like #1 for over air conditioned movie theaters because most other places in India don't have crazy air conditioning. Our denim jackets and lightweight toppers and shrugs only come out in March and October

I have heard really really good things about eShakti and your dresses are the best example! I can see how beautiful the fit is....and the fall and the fabric too. They really flatter you so so much....so I'm so excited to hear you ordered a third one! For me, the beautiful way the dresses fit you so perfectly on the bust and the waist (which I consider very very tricky) and just skim over your hips gently is what makes them so very special. Hope the scarf would be all the warmth you'll need when u wear it next!

Astrid

Lovely dress! I agree that the jacket is best, the shrug doesn't work to my eye. The scarf is a good idea, definitely play around with it. And I can also see a denim vest with it! I don't think a denim vest and "bookish" are contradictory, see my outfit below.

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Brooklyn

I like the green jacket and also the denim jacket or vest option. I also think a knit or ponte jacket would work well with this (in a cropped or shortish style).

Karin L H

That's such a great dress and lovely colour! I like it best with the green jacket, I think the colours look nice together.

Astrid, you're right. Your pairing of the vest with the plaid skirt is really cute. I don't know why they bother me, when I'm perfectly fine with things like denim jackets and leather motos, which are equally as un-bookish if I really think about it.

kerlyn

Great dress! I like the olive blazer with it, but denim would be great too.

I'm late to the party, but casting another vote for the olive blazer with that great dress. I love the colors together, and the length and shape of the jacket works pretty well with the dress to my eye. When it is cooler, those pieces would look great with the scarf you previously wore with that dress and some cute boots or booties.

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