Aida ~

27 Comments

• kellygirl replied 13 years ago

  I like your "dressy" analysis--it makes perfect sense. I think a woven top and sheer hose would make it more dressy too. This almost looks like a semi-dressy casual ensemble. What about sheer hose with your red pumps--or am I mixing your shoes with MaryK's? I'd like it with boots too although probably not dressy enough for a Fancy Friday. I love the red houndstooth scarf with this! You look gorgeous, as usual, Aida!

• Angie replied 13 years ago

  That's a KILLER relaxed dressy look :)

  Lets get you some dressy pieces too!

• Aida replied 13 years ago

  Kelly, I tried this with both of my white button-ups and I just felt so businessy instead of fancy. I really don't have any woven tops that aren't loose and casual! Sheer hose and red pumps sound great, I didn't even think of using my colored heels! My suede heeled boots would work, but I'm pretty sure they would have gotten a big frown of disapproval hehe. Need to pick up some sheer hose, I don't have any. I think a sequined tank with a satin jacket would be good additions for my fancy wear. So unprepared!

• MsMary replied 13 years ago

  I love this and I think it is definitely dressy enough to hold its own with a bloke in a suit! (You know I loves them stripes!!)

• Aida replied 13 years ago

  Angie, I really should! Dressy looks confuse me a bit. I like the simplicity of a fitted dress with nice jewelry and heels, but I also like a more urban look with nice top+blazer+nice bottoms+heels. I can do both, right? If I had to pick, I certainly prefer minimalist dressy looks and I want to get some really dressy outfit options.

  I would love some sparkly tops and a fancy jacket or two to mix with this skirt, and another skirt would probably help as well. The houndstooth sheath will also be a good addition, and I have plenty of heels!

  EDIT: Thanks Mary! I think we looked fine together, but I promise you my husband looked FAR more dressy than I. Custom suits are the way to go (he'll agree)!

• kellygirl replied 13 years ago

  Lol, about the white button downs. I was thinking along the lines of a silky type of top--drapey cowl neck or sleeveless v neck tank. I love the idea of a sequined tank--that I could see over the button down--the way Janet did it with her skinnies. Are your stilletto heel lace up boots suede? Those would be funk-ay! No sheer hose here either : )

• Aida replied 13 years ago

  Ooh silky tanks, now that sounds pretty great. I'll have to keep that in mind when I go shopping, more my style than a normal blouse. The lace-up boots are indeed suede, I'll have to give those a try though I think they'll work better for more relaxed dressy outfits. I think shoes and jewelry are currently my dressiest items :)

• Debbie replied 13 years ago

  You look great! If you want to go more dressy I agree with the woven blouse.

• annagybe replied 13 years ago

  Ooh I love that skirt. I agree with other suggestions regarding making it dressier.

• rute replied 13 years ago

  Lovely! That skirt is divine!

• Queen Mum replied 13 years ago

  LOVE this! you look great.

• rae replied 13 years ago

  You look great -- love your skirt!

  My dressy capsule is lacking as well... I feel you on that one. I am taking notes here with you. :)

• Jenava replied 13 years ago

  I would look for embelished woven tops, too...

• catgirl replied 13 years ago

  I think you look great and very much you! But I can see you mixing in some truly fancy pieces too.

• Bluebell replied 13 years ago

  Love love love this!! Love how your shoes match your skirt and how you have a beautiful red scarf with your coat! Very foxy and glam!!! Really stunning!! Head turning :)

• Aida replied 13 years ago

  Thanks for the comments everyone! Glad the skirt was well received, I wasn't sure about the pleats but once I tried it I loved it. I felt "dressy enough", but I want to go a bit more over the top :)

  With the lovely help here I'm starting to get a better idea of where I want to take my dressy outfits: clean and retro/rockabilly in pretty, luxurious/soft fabrics. Definitely need to switch to woven tops; I'll be looking for lightly embellished tops as Jenava suggested, some silky tanks as Kelly suggested, and a cropped fancy blazer/jacket of some kind. I'd also like to get one really fancy skirt, and one or two fancy dresses that are simpler so I can make more of a statement with other accessories.

  Hopefully this is something I can manage, at the moment it sounds very daunting :\

• Ornella replied 13 years ago

  Hi Aida, not much to say on this occasion (you are your usual self, something just works with your outfits) apart from commenting on those gloves - with them on, your second photo is really super cool. Very urban sophisticated, if it makes sense :)

• Aida replied 13 years ago

  Thanks Ornella! I love the little stud detail on the gloves too; after getting these I don't really wear my plain black ones anymore. I'm totally a convert to colored/embellished gloves!

• carrie replied 13 years ago

  Very nice!

• Lisa replied 13 years ago

  I like the idea to swap out the top for this skirt and you are on your way to a more dressy look. If you add a sheath dress or two to your going out capsule, you may have more layering opportunities than with a skirt since you can always layer creatively and make a dress look like a skirt, while a skirt will always need a top.

• Aida replied 13 years ago

  Carrie - Thank you!

  Lisa - Good point about sheaths. I'll try to get 2-3 sheaths (I have one already) and one fancy dress so I give myself more options. My goal is to find really dressy pieces that I can dress down for less dressy events if needed. If I'm going to dress up, I may as well Dress Up :)

• Kari replied 13 years ago

  I love the mixed gray tones from the skirt, shoes, and coat in your outfit. I'd really love to swipe that skirt from you. *grin*

  I don't have anything profound to suggest other than what has already been mentioned, but I'd agree that simply swapping out the top for a more formal, woven fabric would up the dressiness factor. You still look beautiful in this outfit as is, though, and I doubt that you looked underdressed at all for the occasion you described.

• Lynne replied 13 years ago

  :D I'm guessing that you will upstage DH in your houndstooth sheath!

• AJ replied 13 years ago

  Such great details in the skirt, coat and gloves! I look forward to seeing your dressy capsule evolve.

• Aida replied 13 years ago

  Kari - The skirt is thrifted; it's made by Express but it doesn't look like they have anything like it right now (which is too bad, I'd love another!). I JUST thought of a woven top I have (and rarely wear) that would have worked with this which I hadn't considered, but I'd still need a jacket. Hm..

  Lynne - I will sure try! But he looks so very Italian suave (he's not Italian though) in a tailored light gray suit with long hair :)

  AJ - Thank you! I'll definitely be posting items for feedback as I get them!

• CocoLion replied 13 years ago

  Looks great; the dressy elements are the shoes and skirt. I agree a shirt would make it more dressy as would sheer stocking.

  When I go dressy, it's in a dress. Maybe you just need a few more dresses in your wardrobe. I like buying more classic dresses so I can wear them for a while. I purchased a purple dress from Ideeli/Donna Ricci. It was around $50 and I'm very happy with it. I wore it to the Nutcracker in SF before Christmas. Since I dress up so seldom, my dressy looks need to last several seasons.

• Aida replied 13 years ago

  Coco - Thanks! I prefer dresses for fancier looks as well, but nearly all of my dresses are quite casual, mainly in terms of fabrication. I need to pick up a couple dresses made of fancier fabrics. I do like the idea of picking up a more classic dress so I can wear it for a few years, will keep that in mind.