Pulled Together with Minimal Layers
Jenna asks:
Here’s something I’ve always wondered that may be more appropriate to discuss closer to summer…How do you pull off a pulled together look with minimal layers? I love the look of casual jackets, cardis, etc, but they aren’t really practical for me (at least every day).
My favorite super-hot but pulled-together look, if not to wear, certainly to see on others, is what’s being called these days ‘The Frock’. In other words, a dress. Simply throw a cardigan in your purse (or diaper bag!) and you’ll be set when you get to your air-conditioned location.
Lately I’ve also been thinking about dress shapes, and how they fit with the silhouettes. For example, for me, the type 8 figure, I prefer the fitted sheath, while the fuller skirt is darling on the type X or hourglass. Type A’s, of course, are natural in A-lines. Do V-type figures tend to go for wrap styles?
What’s your favorite summer dress silhouette?
I don’t know if it’s ever as simple as an inverted triangle loving wrap dresses (but of course you know I do!). I also have empire waist dresses, shifts, shirt dresses and tank dresses. I do try to make sure that the cut of the sleeves (if applicable) doesn’t make me look like a football player, though, and for a variety of reasons (but that one included) I shy away from halters.
Lol! Yes, a cardi in the diaper bag for me!
I love dresses! This is such a great point. Very versatile. I love fuller skirted dresses, but can pull off a sheath too. I think I like the ease of movement in an A-line as well as the look. I’ll have to keep my eyes open for more casual dresses to add to my wardrobe. And, hey, I think they work nicely for a postpartum mommy, don’t you?
*love* dress number two in the top right.
My proportions are tough to fit in dresses straight off the rack. Long torso, broad shoulders. I’m usually a skirt & top person. But, when I do go for the frock, it’s a wrap dress for me.
I have a black linen, fitted sheath dress which has a horizontal band to create a faux waist. It’s the only sheath I’ve owned which doesn’t make me look like I’m wearing a fabric barrel.
I really like that first dress, with the empire waist. Am stashing that Nordstrom link in my shopping wish list. I’m not shopping for dresses now, but it’s the sort of thing I’d like to keep in mind.
I like all those dresses a lot but for my body type I would wear all except for the one in the below left corner. I am type A so that would just emphasize my proportions…
I can see that. You know what I think would have been better on that A-line dress is if they had used print and color differently. For example, if the solid top had been a lighter color than the skirt, or if the print was more vertical and less - uh - big.
Verona, thanks for leaving a comment.
BTW, Joy, did you see the article angie at youlookfab posted about that dress? Or did you perhaps see Michelle Obama wearing that dress as guest host on the view? here’s the link: http://www.youlookfab.com/2008/06/23/michelle-obama-sells-2000-dresses-in-one-day/
Wendy, it’s never that simple, is it? OTOH, sometimes I like to reduce the question all the way down: just what would it be if it were that simple. Like for people who only want one dress, or even if they like a variety of dresses, were going to have one dress pattern custom made for themselves.
But even I am not 100% on a single silhouette. Like Katie, I *love* dress number 2!
And yes, Jenna, I think dresses are much more forgiving during the transition back into your regular clothes.
Congratulations!
Oh My! 2000+ of dress #1 in one day?! Scratch that dress off my lists. I don’t mind at all running into someone in the same outfit as me; but I don’t like at all the prospect of matching several someones.
I do like many of the other dresses by Donna Ricco. She’ll be on my list, instead of the one dress. The fabrics are wonderful. Maybe something like http://www.donnaricco.com/productdisplay.aspx?p=475
I am finding that my post-pregnancy body looks best in the empire waist dresses. Hides the loose skin and muscles, but still is snugger at the top, so it doesn’t look like I’m wearing a sack. However, I have had to be careful to buy the appropriate size. Too big and I just look like I might be hiding a big ol’ stomach under there. When it’s the correct size, and a good cut, It’s just loose enough to be flattering.
BTW, I totally realized that B&W is all the rage. I bought a B&W dress for my BIL’s wedding and thought I’d be the only one wearing those colors. I thought everyone else would spring for the lighter colors. NOT! I think 3/4 of the women there were wearing B&W dresses! Probably I would have figured it out if I would have been more faithful to your blog and my fashion magazines, but the little ones seem all consuming these days! Anyway, I digress…. I did have the cutest shoes there though. They made the outfit!
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You know, I don’t like black for a wedding, and white is completely out, but I’m really warming up to black and white. It’s the perfect compromise for people who don’t want to branch out into any color (like you, I still expect to see colors at a wedding).
And black and white is great with colored accessories. If one can’t find the perfect black and white shoes like you did.
Joy, I’m with you. And I LOVE the one you linked. So elegant! It’s great for someone who wears the vee/wrap neck.
I think that the right shoes pull together an outfit with minimal layers. It is the shoes that can take a dress from casual to elegant.