WIW 06.06 [dressing dark]

Friday I overslept and needed to get ready and dressed quickly. Enter this outfit idea I'd (thankfully) jotted down a while back, and happily we had the beautiful weather to allow for it. About as simple  as it gets, just a dress and pretty shoes with minimal accessories.

Although the outfit itself is composed of dark shades, it satisfies my current desire to mix "blacks" with "pastels" -- and as a co-captain of Team White I just couldn't leave it without any white, which comes out both with the shoes and the clutch. My skin acts as a pastel in this case as does, of course, the baby blue earrings, although hubby would argue that my skin actually adds to the white element ;) With less exposed skin, I don't think I'd feel good in this much charcoal/black. Since I'm not very happy in dark tops with my hair down (it's just toooooo much dark up by my face) up went the hair which also saved me some time since hair-down is a lot more work than hair-up, even if it doesn't look it. Soft cherry-pink lip gloss, double-coated mascara and retro sunnies to add a little extra femme, and out the door I went.

Interestingly enough, dresses always seem to grab people as being more dressy. I got several comments about being "dressed up" and was I going out to something fancy that night after work? Nope, just a casual dinner out for Friday date night. This is a casual dress to me; the top half is jersey, and the bottom a semi-waxed lightweight suede. I'm always curious what it is about dresses that make them seem inherently dressier, more even than skirts seem to. Perhaps because they're not seen as often these days? I wonder if that is a regional thing.

Available items collected below. Comments, critiques, thoughts and questions welcome.

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23 Comments

  • shedev replied 9 years ago

    I think the low heels do casualize the dress some. You look great.

  • Sharon replied 9 years ago

    You look great. I enjoyed reading your analysis of your outfit. I think, although the jersey reads casual, the shape and texture of the skirt looks a little more dressy, which may have been what people were responding to.

  • annagybe replied 9 years ago

    I like it!

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    I love this on you. The earrings are an unexpected touch. I think the flats do casualize it a bit. Some people automatically think "dressed up" when they see a skirt. There's no preventing it. 

  • Kristin L replied 9 years ago

    I like how the the white in your clutch and shoes really pop against the dark colors you wore. And your hair and sunglasses look fab, as always. 

  • Aida replied 9 years ago

    Thanks ladies! Great insights about the dress's cut and the flats. I usually wear flats to casualize my dresses, especially in the summer. Hmm I suppose that means I also think of them as "dressier", as well!

  • Jaime replied 9 years ago

    I think people want to say you look gorgeous and since you are wearing a dress, saying dressed up is a safe way of expressing their admiration. So I will say you look gorgeous in this dress with the ankle strap shoes and updo!

  • Dee replied 9 years ago

    I think the texture and slight sheen to the skirt make it look a bit dressier. But I think this looks great for casual dinner out! 

  • jackiec replied 9 years ago

    Any dress is dressy to me and those around me here. If I put on a dress my kids ask why i'm so dressed up - so does DH. Guess I'm just a jeans gal! I love it an think it looks fab!

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    This dress is really flattering on you. Simple, chic, a little edgy, a great length. I smiled at your take on "pastel"--counting your skin--funny, but clever, too! What a terrific fallback outfit.

  • Gigi replied 9 years ago

    You look great! I agree with Sharon, that the unexpected texture of the skirt part of the dress is maybe what adds to the dressiness factor. But I do think that people in general think of dresses as being "dressed up" regardless.

  • Marmee replied 9 years ago

    Looks great!  Love those shoes with the dress.

  • Aida replied 9 years ago

    Thank you all for the comments! I suppose for now I shall just accept that dresses are going to be perceived as "dressy", and continue wearing mine casually ;)

  • bella replied 9 years ago

    Is that a dress? so awesome!

  • Karie replied 9 years ago

    I think you're right - people perceive dresses as "dressy" because they're not seen as often. Actually I think this dress looks more like a skirt and top since both halves are different fabric. It's very pretty, and does make for easy dressing in the morning.

  • cheryle (Dianthus) replied 9 years ago

    Really nice dress Aida.  I like the mix of textures.  I also think that a dress in black is seen as dressier than one in a print or color.  The sueded skirt may have been a factor too.  Regardless, it looked cool, comfortable and stylish.

  • Deborah replied 9 years ago

    Aida, you look gorgeous. That dress is just fab. may I ask where it's from. The different textures and the neckline make the dress. The shoes are perfect o lighten and soften. In the warm weather, I also consider my skin tone
    And how much I reveal as an "accessory".

  • Mochi replied 9 years ago

    You look amazing. So cool and interesting and different (good "different"--like people would stop to take a look). I love the shoes. 

  • leopardluxe replied 9 years ago

    Great outfit! I really love the shoes and bag with this dress and the different textures of the dress itself. The whole outfit comes together wonderfully for a casual chic look!

  • Ledonna N. replied 9 years ago

    You look very 50's retro I am here for this outfit.

  • replied 9 years ago

    I can't tell you how much I love the design of your dress. You do indeed look gorgeous! I love how easy dresses are to wear. I ought to have more in my wardrobe. Your accessories are perfect with this outfit and how great to see a pale blue earring, I wouldn't have though to add that shade but it's great!

  • citygirldc replied 9 years ago

    Love your hair pulled back in that retro vibe. And the outfit is AWESOME!  I used to wear black all the time and now I don't. Need to get my black back.

  • Aida replied 9 years ago

    Thank you all for the lovely comments and the great feedback re dresses! Dianthus, good point about black vs. color looking dressier, too.

    Deborah, the dress is DKNY Jeans from last season.

    Diane, I need more dresses too! I wholly prefer dresses to skirts, but skirts are so much easier to fit :\

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