WIW to Work: Orangey Red Dress - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW to Work: Orangey Red Dress

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

WFH Context: I've been forced to WFH from Oct/ Nov - first due to the HK protests, & now due to the Coronavirus/ COVID-19. But whilst most businesses have restarted here, many university classes are still online because most of our international students fled the country last year (so it's international distance learning) & our local students are understandably apprehensive about sitting in a cramped classroom (space is at a premium in Hong Kong, so it's much more difficult to socially distance here).

Campus Context: That said, as often is the case, teachers have drawn the short straw We have no idea what will happen come August, so right now we're having to work overtime to overhaul our entire courses to be both F2F & Zoom compatible in time for the next academic year, as well as completing our usual Professional Development activities (we don't get 'school holidays'!)

Dress: So whilst I don't have to go into work every day for classes, I am having to go to campus more often for PD & course development work. So I'm trying out a few things before next term is in full swing - it was almost 32 degrees Celsius/ 39.6 Fahrenheit (see photo #6!) to & from work, so I busted out another viscose dress for the sake of my own sanity. It's hard to tell whether the dress is red or orange - I've attached photos #1 & #2 for reference. Verdict? It's a little loose around the waist - was thinking of getting it altered but I think I prefer the looseness in this heat.

Accessories: I paired it with a teal silk scarf in the A/C (I mentioned on Suz's thread what a workhorse this one is. I'd like to pick up more lightweight yet colourfast silk scarves for summer but don't know where to look - any brand recommendations?), but also took photos #4 & #5 without the scarf so you can better see the dress.
Also wore my usual gold aviator sunglasses, swapping them out for prescription glasses in the classroom (these sunglasses were an impulse purchase - since I'm only slightly shortsighted, I'm forever taking off & putting on glasses & subsequently losing them. So I thought it was probably safest to keep a cheap, non-prescription pair around, just in case).
My bag is my everyday crossbody, that I sometimes convert to a belt bag (adjustable strap) when teaching (I don't have enough clothing with pockets to only rely on that, & a neck lanyard is too flimsy to hold my phone as well as my cards). The hand gel may not look too hip but it doesn't leave my bag strap!

Comments: Any thoughts (good or bad) are welcome! And a question to break the internet (again): Is the dress red or orange? Or blue & black?

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25 replies

Latest reply was from Zaeobi

Kate

Veteran

It shows as two different shades in photos 1 & 2, but if it's the same dress in photos 3-5, then I'm calling it orange. I really like the dress on you, and love that pop of blue that the scarf adds. It's a lovely color on you,

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Yes, it's all the same dress - a colour chameleon! Thank you, @Kate - think I need to embrace the fact that I suit brighter shades better than more muted ones (even at work).

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Definitely orange in my book, but I agree with Kate it looks red in pic 2.
I love how the sandals pick up the blue of the scarf and even the turquoise of the mask!

Echo

Veteran

Orange, without a doubt to me. And I LOVE the combination with the teal scarf.

Universities are tricky. We have our University system trying to make rules for the fall, but some Universities in the system are resistant to change because they are more like tech schools - labs and hands-on studies are crucial to them. SO some universities have committed to having students off campus from Thanksgiving break until second semester, while others refuse. I have a son going to University here in the fall, and he is attending one where they want to keep things as "normal" as possible. I want that for him, but worry about infection at the same time.

I teach, although not in the University level, and I am nervous for all of us. Younger children don't yet cover their mouths when coughing and sneezing, so I have often been hit in the face with droplets and phlegm. I am ordering clear face shields for fall so younger students can see my face and not be afraid, but so that I am not hit full-on with a sneeze or cough.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@Jenni NZ Thanks for noticing the colour match! It wasn't intentional at first (these sandals are velcro, so they were easier to put on than my buckled ones lol) but then I saw them & decided to match the scarf to my shoes

@Kate I see it as orange too - this is usually as close as I will get to wearing 'true red'. I believe @Angie calls this shade 'tomato', right?

Yes, I completely understand the courses that need in-person attendance from their students. That said, my university has been experimenting with virtual versions of their dentistry & other courses with varying success. I know the medical school has set up some online patient consultations for their students' practice that apparently worked better than expected! But yes, some courses can't do that - our Biology building actually had to shut down for a bit because a postgraduate student had come back from mainland China & entered the lab when they were supposed to be in quarantine (but that's a story for another day - the plight of the PhD student & their pushy supervisors)!

Similarly, my department is now mandating that we come in for the big meetings (there was a poll last month to see who was comfortable with Zoom Vs F2F & it was a 51/49% split) whilst not requiring it of the students yet (many fled HK during the protests & cannot return yet). Anyway I'm still a little paranoid about coming into work (it's impossible to socially distance on our public transport with such a dense population) but at least things are easing up here.

Your clear face shield is a good idea - I've seen many people wearing beekeeper's style visors & hats when I go for my walk. It may seem strange in the west but many people here like to wear such hats to cover up from the sun anyway. I've heard there are fewer Coronavirus cases reported amongst younger children though, so hopefully that's good news for you too.

Minaminu

Veteran

Definately orange! Vibrant colours really suits you!

I don't think it's necessary to take it in, the looseness of the dress is part of its charm.

Brooklyn

Veteran

The orange and teal combination is magic! And is the bag purple? I like that too. Casually fab!

Star (Lise)

Veteran

Orange! And what a fabulous dress on you - you look stunning. I love it combined with the teal, and is your bag maroon? Love everything about this outfit. Fits great to my eye.

Helena

Veteran

I love the colour contrast here! So energetic!

JAileen

Veteran

The colors are so beautiful together. Great casual look.

slim cat

Veteran

Beautiful outfit - love bright colors on you!
I'd call the color of the dress - worm tomato red ( pic #2 is at least, #3-5 - slightly more orange-red ). The color of the bag makes the dress appear more orange a bit ( by the color contrast ) .
Anyway it's great on you especially with teal scarf, fun sunglasses and all the little extra you need to carry with you - YLF!

Anonymous

Lovely dress and scarf, they really complement each other. The different mood of your everyday bag is a plus and combined with the glasses and even the hand sanitizer the outfit is very pretty, practical and totally real world.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I think it's tomato red! LOVE it with the turquoise. KILLER combo on you! And fun matching sandals too.

Rocking those aviators, Zaoebi

Anonymous

Looooove But of course cause they're my colors too!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I see a gorgeous orange dress and I love it with the blue scarf. Along with medical professionals and first responders, I think teachers have one of the most challenging situations in the new world and I am full of admiration for what you are doing.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@Minaminu Hiding my waist isn't as traditionally flattering on my pear/ hourglass body. But I agree with you - I think the way this particular dress' material hangs makes the looseness look OK rather than sloppy or bulky. Good news for summer!

Haha @Brooklyn & @Star asked about the bag around the same time - jinx! But yes @Star, it's a maroon/ burgundy colour. I've been on the lookout for a purple bag that's practical for a while though @Brooklyn, so any suggestions you may have would be greatly appreciated! In the meanwhile, I like this bag because it's honestly less like a 'proper' bag & more just a bifold wallet with a handy flap pocket attached to the front for my phone. I used to carry a traditional zipped wallet around campus & then end up misplacing my phone because it wasn't attached. This is another chance purchase from Malaysia that's become a workhorse for teaching & the current virus situation!

@Slim Cat Good eye - I agree with your analysis that perceptions of colour are affected by the ones around them. That and my camera sucks Did you mean 'worm' or 'warm' tomato red, though? Because you just sent me down the internet rabbit hole looking at tomato hornworms now, hahahaha

@Torontogirl, @JAileen, @Brooklyn, @Star, @Phoebe, @Suntiger thank you for the kind words about the colours. I've always loved bright colours! I just feel a little bit self conscious about 'toning down' my choices at work though, since most working women around me tend to stick to pastel colours like beige, powder blue & pale pink (all of which wash me out) Black could work, but it can also make quite a political statement here, which I try to avoid in my classroom (head-to-toe black is protestor garb & can get you stopped by the police). I'm trying to invest in more olive, khaki & burgundy pieces instead, but it's difficult to find breathable workwear in these colours.

Thanks @Angie, another 'killer' badge - worn with pride! The glasses were another holiday purchase bought in the moment (not having to rely on my precious prescription sunglasses so that I don't lose them on the beach) but now I can't remember the last time I wore my prescription sunglasses since!

@Shevia Thank you. I personally wouldn't put myself up their with medical staff, since it isn't life or death for me, but I do agree that this situation has been really challenging for us. Imagine taking a year or more to create an entire course or syllabus, but then having to change the whole thing in a matter of days (most departments got 2 weeks to adjust their plans to work online, but I had to keep giving consultations in that time so I didn't even get the full 2 weeks to buckle down & focus on my planning!) On top of that, we had students rallying to get refunds on their tuition fees this year, because they felt cheated of teacher presence due to the protests & then they didn't want us taking '2 weeks of holiday' on their dime. Hahaha, if only they knew how unrelaxing that 'holiday' truly was!

Anonymous

The dress looks orange in 3 of 4 photos so I will say orange. The dress is probably a red- orange or tomato red as Angie says. It is a beautiful color on you and lovely with the turquoise scarf. The bag, shoes and your hair color all look coordinated. They all look black on my monitor.
As for a bag. I like the one you are using. I would stick to a small crossbody most of the time and add a coordinating larger tote if you need to carry more..

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@Joy thank you. I have a cavernous burgundy tote that I wear alongside this bag sometimes (both have removable straps, so I'll add a thinner strap to whichever bag is lighter at the time). I also have a medium-sized burgundy crossbody. It's now my pseudo neutral.

But the truth is, as a teacher, I'm often carrying a big backpack more than anything else. Mine is currently one of those unattractive, expandable Weekender/ airport carry-on style backpacks. I bought a sleeker version to be shipped to the UK, but unfortunately with the virus I can't get to it until the next time I go visit

Anonymous

I don't have much experience with burgundy but olive and khaki combine very well with bright colors.

There's something optimistic and light hearted about bright colors that's very cheering and I really appreciate people who wear them.

I'd be interested to hear from other people on this but I think of style as being more defining than color. If the styles are appropriate, colors choices are flexible.

slim cat

Veteran

@Zaeobi - Warm tomato red of course - thank you for the fun ! Autocorrect and typing in a hurry do that to me.

Minaminu

Veteran

I see! You can always add a belt or even a scarf to highlight your waste and hourglass shape .

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@Phoebe Normally I'd agree, but I feel like people out here are a lot more conservative about wearing colour to work. Even amongst young people, I mostly just see shades of denim, khaki, white navy & black. So I think I may just be feeling more self conscious about that.

@slim cat No worries haha, just making sure I didn't miss some slang that I'm not privy to.

@Minaminu I like those suggestions - I usually use them in the winter. But in the humid summer here, anything confining my waist feels quite claustrophobic. I'm still looking for ways to add definition without sacrificing comfort & getting too sweaty in the summer weather (TMI lol, sorry!)

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh, pretty! I love the dress, and you look great in it. I especially love the teal-orange color scheme, one of my favorites.

Mainelady

Veteran

This color combination is scrumptious! On my iPad it looks like the dress is a deep orange, with red undertones. What ever shade it is, it looks incredible with the teal scarf. Absolutely beautiful!
Good luck with all the planning and changes that you need to do and make. The plans and changes are likely to be ongoing, so flexibility will be key.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Thanks @Janet - it's one of my favourite colour schemes too!

@Mainelady Thank you - I suppose colour perception is quite a subjective thing, but to me it looks orange too. Thanks for the well wishes - I agree that flexibility is key. But I'm somewhat 'lucky' that my circumstances have forced into online teaching since November last year - at least I've already had more than one term to adapt my materials based on trial & error. I'm just nervous because I'll be teaching new courses from this September (promotion) but won't have access to all of the materials until mid-August. It will definitely be crunch time over the summer!