Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Closet orphans


Yesterday, Cynthia discussed how some of her closet orphans have good reasons for being left out of regular clothes rotations, which reminded me of this dress.  When I bought this dress back in 2007 or 2008, I thought it was a perfect cold weather dress.  It's made of a thicker (but not double-knit) jersey grey.  It has adorable details (pleats in the front and back, black piping, cute cuffed half sleeves, and what K.Bean might call a "folkloric" style print around the waistband).  But these details make the dress hard to wear and restyle.  I need to layer with this dress, but the short sleeves mean I have to go with a shorter under layer, and all the lovely details make a cardigan, sweater, or a belt difficult.  I even tried a scarf, but didn't like how it covered up the cute collar.  But it is a whopping 25 degrees,* so many layers will go over this dress for the outside. Comfy dress, I shake my fist at you.
Any ideas how I can remix this dress or am I limited to wearing it as is, and being OK with it?  
I must be on my way.  Final exam number one to administer!

*weather.com says it feels like 11 degrees, just so colder weather Style Nation doesn't think I've lost my ability to withstand cold.  The windchill is harsh here.

Dress: Spice? (via Cliche, Minneapolis)
Wool blend Tights: Hue, via Daffy's
Boots: Born

16 comments:

  1. This dress is so darling! Can't you wear a cardi with it and maybe a cami underneath to keep you warm?

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  2. What about layering it over another dress?

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  3. so cute! like LHdM said - try layering over another (slim-fitting) dress, or over a top and skirt/leggings with the waist buttoned? with maybe a very slim or chain belt, or a skinny scarf rolled up into a rope (so the waistband detailing can peek out)? i'm thinking a lose-fitting long sleeved tee should work under those sleeves, maybe?

    some pieces are so frustrating!! but this one is really cute and looks so nice on you, it's worth it (plus you already have it, so any new styling comes to you for free!) steph

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  4. That's an adorable dress. If I had to style that, the first thing I'd pull out of my closet to layer it with would probably be the long-but-not-voluminous black jersey cardigan that I wore in my Rad copycat outfit. It would be almost as long as the dress, eliminating unflattering hemline conflicts, and because it's worn open, the cute details of the dress would show and the waistband would give me a waist.

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  5. This dress is seriously so Rad! I think I must've seen you in it over a few winter visits or something, and thus I had never considered it an orphan!

    Since it's a neutral, I think you can definitely have fun with colored tights and leggings. And as eek suggested, a cami underneath and maybe unbutton a couple more buttons on the top so some color can peek out? Cynthia's suggestion of a longer cardigan sounds like it could be cute too! Even with an open cardi, you'd still be able to see some of the belt detailing.

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  6. Now that you've worn it with all the cute details showing, I say go ahead and cover them up to remix the dress! I think a big cardigan would be cute or even throw a belt on over the embroidered part! It's basic enough you can wear it many ways but you will be covering a lot of the cute details!

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  7. I love it as-is, but think it would look great with a denim jacket, too!

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  8. I was going to say a belt over the embroidered part, as Future Lint already suggested. Or a long, high-waisted skirt over the bottom half?

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  9. @Eek: I was wearing a Uniqlo heat generating top under it, and I was sweating all day!
    @Jesse and FutureLint: I will cover up the details and belt over it. I have a couple in mind, already!
    @TinyJunco and LaHdM: I don't have slim fitting dress that could fit under this but maybe for the post July "wish list"? That would be cute.
    @Cynthia: Your cardigan sounds perfect. I lack one of them, but I'll try my longer/summer weight one for when it's less frigid out.
    @Anne: Colored tights are definitely next on the agenda!
    @Sal: Denim would like nice. It's hard to layer under winter coats but I'll try it for a work from home day.

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  10. I would do any colour of long-sleeved thin tee under it, unbutton it to the waist and layer another skirt under it, and thick tights or leggings on the legs. Also, if you have a wide belt, you could cover the waist.

    It's a great dress - it would be a shame not to wear it more. You look great in it.

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  11. I echo Cynthia's suggestion of a long cardigan. Perhaps even a knee-length cardi, if you've got it. It'd be awesome to do in a deep berry colour.

    Also, you could do the Style Underdog thing and wear it open as a jacket over skinny pants/jeans with some hard core accessories.

    Whatever you decide, this orphan's awesome.

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  12. I remember that dress from last year! Loved it then, love it now. Cardigans or Sheila's suggestion would work, as would changing up the tights and shoe colors and letting the dress just shine in all its glory.

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  13. I suppose the only way to layer the dress is to choose which details you want to showcase.
    Layer a skirt over it and still show the waist band. Layer a v neck cardigan and show the collar. Layer a vest and show the sleeves.

    Or wear it open over another dress. I've done that a couple of times.

    Chic on the Cheap

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  14. I think the dress is ok, but the color isn't the best for you. I like the length of your hair, but your styling makes you look disheveled and sort of sad. How about some lipstick to bring color to your face?

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  15. I remember that dress from last year! Loved it then, love it now. Cardigans or Sheila's suggestion would work, as would changing up the tights and shoe colors and letting the dress just shine in all its glory.

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  16. I love it as-is, but think it would look great with a denim jacket, too!

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