What I Wore:
Hexagon earrings: part of a pack of 6 pairs from H&M - $6
Shoes: H&M - $25
Dress: Target - gift from a friend (she paid $12.28)
Necklace: Francesca's - $20
My friend wore this dress about a month ago--and I couldn't stop complimenting how great she looked in it. It had a flattering cut on her and the colors look amazing in person! Then, a couple weeks later, she called me to tell me that she found the dress in my size on the sale rack for $12.28...and that she bought it for me. She also said that the Target cashier was surprised there was still one left--apparently they shipped out the entire Webster collection the week before and all the pieces were supposed to be donated...but she managed to find the only one in the store and it happened to be my size.
(Yeah, I've got pretty awesome friends.)
While I like it and I thought the fit is flattering, I'm just not 100% sure that this dress is "me."
I think that it is a statement piece all on its own, but I don't think I would have paid full price for it if I saw it in the store. As far as daily wear, the dress (in my opinion) isn't really that versatile--the sleeves are poofy, which restrict the cardigan pairing, and there's an attached tie around the waist that limits the use of belting.
Truthfully, I think the pattern is throwing me off. I'm much more of a solid-dress-complicated-jewelry person and I really wish this dress came in solid colors--I would be all over it. I will say, though, the colors are amazing and make my eyes look like a deep shade of kelly green...which is pretty cool for a girl whose hazel eyes are constantly mistaken for brown. So, this dress definitely has a lot going for it...I think I'll keep it in my closet for lazy days and lazy dress up days.
I'm certainly not trying to be ungrateful to my friend for this dress--I think it definitely has a place in my closet. I just wish I knew how to wear it more.
What do you think about the dress? Is it more versatile than I'm giving it credit?
XO,
29 comments:
I think that dress was MEANT to be yours. Don't you love it when stuff comes together like that?
In terms of remixing the dress, how thick is its material? I think I remember seeing this one at my local Target, and if I remember right, it's a jersey material. A slim (cotton?) blazer might squish those sleeves into submission so they aren't visible, though it might not be super comfortable. This dress will also carry you nicely into fall - it will look fabulous with tall boots.
I think that dress is workable. Definitely. And you have great friends for thinking of you!
Pair them with tall brownish-tan boots for winter! And if you can get a thicker pull over sweater, I say even cover those sleeves and turn it into a skirt!
ClareUnderstated Classics
I like the dress. I like the pattern. But the sleeves are throwing me off too. I think it would look fabulous and be very versatile without the sleeves(and more flattering too...not that it looks bad, but without the sleeves it would be even better). Do you think your mom could take off the sleeves for you? Then it'd be a 10 in my book.
I agree with the comments below about the boots - brown boots would look great - I could even see navy tights with brown boots. Fixing the sleeve is an interesting one (though it looks fine with the sleeves, more for versatility) - I also think maybe breaking it up with a thicker brown belt. If you do a belt, I would pair with more simple jewelry (silver, dainty, etc) just so you don't have too much going on with the dress. Also I think a navy blazer would look great, as long as the sleeves don't bunch too much for you. I like the dress - but I am a huge fan of pattern. It might just need to spend some time in the front of your closet to acclimate ;)
I was thinking navy blazer as well. A solid jacket would tone down the pattern a bit if it's a little overwhelming. Otherwise, cute! :)
Everyone has given such good ideas so far! In terms of belting, can you wrap the belt around more instead of tying it and pin it down? Then put a belt over the top that's wide enough to cover the pins?
I really like the idea of the dress - the colors are perfect for fall and the pattern is bold and eye-catching. What about throwing a black or navy cardigan over the top of it and belting it when the weather gets cooler. That might help break up the bold pattern. I also love the idea of boots with tights with it. Or a denim jacket. I'm sure you'll find some way to style it!
Callie
www.coffeeandcardigans.com
I do this all the time with dresses that have ties round them! Sometimes crossing it round to tie at the front can give it a different look too, you could try that? Also another way of getting around the poofy sleeves would be to wear a waistcoat/waistcoat type cardigan over it (I think you call them vests in America?) x
Any time I get 'shy' when wearing a bold print or color I usually throw a cardigan over it to tone it down. You could always throw a sweater on top and wear the dress 'as a skirt'. I agree with the comments on tights and boots. Definitely try to layer it.
The dress looks cool on you and with your talent I am sure you will blend this dress many times over.
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this is so crazy, i literally JUST did a search for this dress on ebay because i saw one at the goodwill today (not in my size) and really liked it and was curious if there were any reasonably priced ones on ebay. i see what you mean about not knowing how to "remix" it but i think it looks great on you. you are so creative that i bet you could find different ways to wear it with the ideas already posted below. it is definitely a bold print but i love the colors, navy and green are two of my faves. i think i am going to definitely stalk a couple auctions on ebay or hope i come across one at the goodwill in my size! :)
Love your beautiful dress! :)
Kisses
Hmmm versatile? You could add your woven brown belt and sandals and dress it down more...but usually a pattern like this is going to speak all on it's own. But it looks great on you and sometimes stepping out of our usual is good for us. I'd keep it on rotation in your closet for sure. Also add a different cardigan + belt or a blazer, etc. There's different ways to play with it. I like it!
I tried on that same dress at Target! I didn't end up purchasing it (I went home with the colorblock cardigan from this capsule collection instead) with the faux-wrap skirt, belted sash in the back, and the poofy sleeves, plus the pattern, it just all felt a bit overdesigned. It's still super-cute, but I know what you mean about it not feeling quite right. Maybe a blazer in navy or brown would take care of the poofy sleeves issue and make it more versatile.
Jen @ Librarian for Life Style, http://librarianforlifestyle.wordpress.com
Oh my goodness, I actually bought this dress from Target.com's clearance section before seeing this post. I was torn between the pink and navy. Decided on navy, but still hemmed and hawed even after checking out! Seeing this post makes me feel totally confident about my choice! LOL.
About styling it: All the Webster stuff is on sale at Target.com -- there's a darling navy blazer that would be perfect. I think the more structured jacket would squish down the puffy sleeves.
Other ideas:
- Pin the sash inside the dress; secure the wrap with another pin and belt.
- I second the denim jacket idea.
- Solid lightweight scarf to keep the pattern way from your face
Also, I always look back at Kendi Everyday's 30x30 posts when I need ideas on how to wear something -- homegirl can be creative!
I agree that it's good to mix it up every now and then! I think this dress definitely works for that. I'm always baffled by dresses that have attached ties--I never know how to wear something over it without the weird hump in the back...
Thanks, Gaby! I like it, too!
Hilarious! I would love to see how you wear it--I think the colors are totally you! I hope you find one! :)
I like the idea of boots and tights--definitely going to plan that. I have a nice brown blazer that would work with it...but I think the tie and sleeves need something with a little bit of structure to hold it down.
Ha! I agree--the idea of the dress is wonderful. The execution? Not great so far. ;)
It's that darn attached tie that is throwing me off on pairing it with a belt. Do you have any experience with that? How do you belt an already-belted dress?
I agree! Great ideas!
That's a great idea about tying it more...I just need to play with it and see how I can arrange the tie...or even just take it off since I could wear it more ways without the tie than with it...
I love the idea of a navy blazer with it! Thanks, Kristen!
I really really like the idea of boots and tights. That sounds super cute! I agree about the sleeves--but I wonder which way would get more wear. I like the dress, too--the colors are fun and the pattern is very unique!
That's a great idea! I should definitely see what my mom can do with it...hmmm...you've given me ideas. :)
LOVE the boots idea--and I will definitely play around to see how I can cover up the top. My shoulders are broad enough without the extra poof, but I think Tamara had a great idea about seeing what I can do about removing the sleeves...
Woo! I LOVE it when clothes just fall into your lap like that!
The material is that thin-ish stretchy material. I think a thick blazer would do the trick--definitely a structured one. My navy linen blazer just showcases the wrinkles from the Snow White sleeve (ha!). I will just have to play with it.
And definitely wearing it with boots. Definitely.
you could always take it to a seamstress and have the belt removed and the sleeves taken in or made less poofy so that the dress would be more versatile for you.
This is a lovely dress! I just came across that on Target.com too!
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That's awesome! I'm glad it's still out there!
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