WIW today and question about oxfords and dresses

I wore something new I made over Memorial Day weekend, so I thought I'd share: this dress was made from the Alder Shirtdress pattern by Grainline Studios. The fabric was a clearance table find from ages ago. I had a fair sized piece, and in the past made not one but TWO failed skirts (one full, one a-line) out of it. Third time seems to be the charm -- and now the fabric's all used up.

Orange hoodie is JCrew (cashmere), shoes worn all day are rose-gold Frye ballet flats. Both have appeared in WIWs before.

The second picture shows the shoes that came in the mail today -- Clarks Glick Resseta oxfords in sliver. An Angie rec I believe, and I'd been watching them in my Amazon wishlist when -- horror !!! -- my size sold out. I scoured the web and couldn't find them anywhere else, either. I was sad enough about it to leave them on my wishlist -- having trouble letting go, I guess. But then Amazon restocked, or someone made a return ... at any rate, one pair appeared in my size and I grabbed it.

I have always loved the idea of wearing oxford-style shoes with skirts/dresses, but it just doesn't seem to work for me -- somehow too clunky. But -- as a size 11, maybe I am oversensitive (though I am less worried about this than I used to be). Anyhow, thought I'd get a second opinion -- thoughts?

I figured on wearing these shoes mainly with jeans, so if the proportion is off (and not just my perception), no worries. The shoes are definitely keepers -- super comfortable, and I love the silver, and the softness of the leather.

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8 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The Clarks look fabulous, and your doggie is a sweetie-pie.

The oxfords look fashionable with the dress. Remove the cardi though. (The cardi looks fine with the dress and the ballet flats).

Suz

Veteran

Congratulations on achieving the sewing project! And the shoes are really cool on you.

May I please note that you have an incredibly strong and beautiful face, inherent drama (in a good way) and your dog is equally interesting?

JAileen

The dress turned out beautifully! I saw the shoes, and thought about them, but I already have pewter oxfords. I wear size 10 and so I'm very conscious of my big feet. Honestly, your feet don't look small. BUT, they don't look out of proportion either! I suspect you're a lot taller than me, and so size 11 is more proportional for you, than size 10 is for me. Having said that, if you want to minimize the appearance of your foot length, then a slight heel might be better. You should definitely keep the shoes to wear with pants. They are super cool.

Runs With Scissors

First of all -- y'all are too kind! I've been struggling with getting dressed the last few weeks, and defaulting to frequently-worn favorites most of the time. (Funny how wardrobe favorites are defaults because they make you feel good ... yet wearing nothing but tried-and-true favorites does not feel so good!)

Angie -- I'll try the oxfords with the dress but without the cardi. But I need to have some sort of topper with me most days: I get cold easily and the dress is sleeveless. I copied Mochi and bought the JCrew ecru denim jacket below. Not sure about the ecru with silver, but would something a bit more structured like this work better than a cardi?

Suz -- you make me blush! I have a very asymmetrical face -- not typically associated with beauty. Usually I try to smile for photos, since when not smiling I look kind of grim (I don't feel it, though). But this time I forgot!

JAileen -- I'm 5'7" or 5'8", so I am tallish, I guess. I had more of a complex about the size of my feet when I was younger, and wouldn't have considered a shiny shoe like this! But at this point I don't care so much, and while I want to "put my best foot forward", as it were, I also want to try new things and have some fun. These shoes are definitely fun!

PS -- my dog Dinky appreciates the compliments too! Here he is in his Halloween costume, which he *loves* to wear, even though the concept of the costume is better than the reality.

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J.Crew

Denim jacket in ecru wash

$128.00

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Top Pick

Your dog is the cutest thing ever!!!

Ecru would work great with the silver! And it might indeed look better over the dress with those shoes. Let's see it!

marianna

Have to chime in because I wear a size 12 shoe, so as a size 11 you have little feet in comparison. I LOVE the oxfords on you and wouldn't give them a second thought. They look super. I'd want a pair too but they probably don't even make my size.

Anonymous

Oh, you self made dress is so fab! I love coral tones with olive too, so I like the cardi over it. I do see what Angie sees in the oxfords outfit, perhaps better sans cardi. Love those shoes!

Ledonna N.

Like ok'd do pretty on you. How long have you been sewing? Woman, gimme those shoes lol

I was thinking a WHITE or blue denim jacket to go with the silver.

Your Dinky is soooo precious. What a sweetie.

rachylou

I love the shoe pairings with this dress. Just right.

viva

I love both shoes with this dress also, but what I really love is THIS DRESS. (Once again, I am in awe of those with sewing skills. I bow to you.)

I also really really love your urban prairie look here, especially when you pair the dress with the oxfords. I agree with Angie; I think I'd lose the sweater. I'm actually inclined to suggest a thin long gray cardigan -- I know it's not as trendy as the denim jacket but you have this wonderful lean beauty to your entire look which I somehow want to preserve. You look like a writer or a photojournalist to me, which to me is just the ultimate in cool beauty.

MsGreer

Active Member

Very nice dress and extra snaps on making it!! All looks proportional, agree with Angie on sweater color with shoes. Shiny Oxfords are awesome, Where's Dinky's matching Oxfords?? So Cute!!!

Suz, Angie, MsGreer -- I will try these and see how it comes out. This made me remember that I *do* have a white denim jacket --- with more moto-like styling -- that I picked up out of season last Fall. Maybe I'll do some try-ons later today while I'm packing for a trip (should do some try-ons for that too -- now there's something that would NEVER have occurred to me before YLF)

marianna -- they DO make these in 12 -- as of this writing, one left on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Clarks-W.....ck+resseta
It is so frustrating when cute shoes don't come in sizes larger than 10! But it's so much better than it used to be -- I had friend in high school (in the 80s) who wore a 12 and she could only find very basic styles, mail order only. Nowadays when shoes don't come in larger sizes it's probably because they originate parts of the world where larger feet aren't as common. But still ... manufacturers, you need to make MORE in larger sizes! They sell out quick!

Diane -- olive is not my "best" color, so pairing it with something bright makes it more wearable for me. I think white can work in the same way.

Ledonna -- I've been sewing for seven or eight years ... this time around. Tried in my 20s but got frustrated and gave up. It took a few years to get fit and fabric figured out well enough to make things I could wear out of the house. Do you do any sewing? With your love of thrift and signature looks, I would imagine you'd be an EPIC re-fashioner.

rachylou -- thanks -- shiny shoes FTW!

viva -- I think I can picture the look you're talking about -- the cardigan would need to be quite long for it to work. Nothing like that in my wardrobe, and I've struggled with long cardis because they get hung up on my prominent booty. I wonder if a lightweight duster with some waist shaping could work similarly: something kind of like what Jue made here: https://petiterepublic.com/201.....mmer-coat/.

Love that linen summer coat you linked to RWS!
I think the shoes and dress are both fab.

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