What I'm wearing:
Black long-sleeve T-shirt, Old Navy
Purple print cotton sundress, Target
Black leggings, American Apparel
Black spool-heel, lace-up boots, Target
Black elastic belt with silver flower, NY & Co.
Silver ball choker, Target
Onyx drop earrings, vendor on Telegraph Ave. in Berkeley
Raisin Rage lipstick, Revlon (I've been wearing this color since high school!)
The key to wearing a sundress in winter is, imo, the color. Dresses in bright colors with bold patterns (or solid colors) look more appropriate to the colder months than light colors & delicate prints. The later says "springtime" tho' I suspect it could be made to work in a vintagey way with very careful choice of accessories. But it wouldn't be easy.
The two classic modes for working a sundress into your winter wardrobe are (1) layer over long-sleeves, as I did here or (2) layer under a sweater or jacket. The first method works best if the dress has sleeves or wide straps. Don't do it with little spaghetti straps because that just draws attention to the fact that you're wearing a summery dress. Put narrow-strap dresses underneath a buttoned sweater or jacket.
Tights & boots are a must with a sundress to really ground the look. Chunky heels or flats might work, but a heavy shoe really helps contrast the lightweight fabric of the dress. I went for leggings today because it's cold!
Heavyweight accessories like a chunky necklace or bracelet, a wide belt, or a scarf also add dimension to the look. But go for balance if you're wearing a jacket (then again, I'm a "more is more" gal ;-).
Have you tried transitioning a garment from one season to another? Successes or failures? Tips, tricks?
Okay, I'm officially obsessed with your blog. Thanks for posting so much. Boots are great. Love the purple and black combo. I don't do prints so much, but you pull this off well.
ReplyDeleteHi CorpGoth -- I've recently become a big fan, too. I kind of hate wearing bodysuits because they're just kind of icky in general and they make using the restroom a little trickier, but they DO alleviate the whole long-sleeved-shirt-riding-up thing that I hate so much. I simply can't wear a shirt under a dress; it ends up riding way up the whole day. A long-sleeved bodysuit does way better and doesn't bulk up your waistline like a regular shirt can. Anyway, that's my suggestion. Love this dress by the way!
ReplyDeletesiouxsieL - Awww, thanks :-) I don't have a lot of prints (other than stripes, of course), but I'm trying to branch out. This one totally called to me bec. of the retro '60s feel.
ReplyDeleteTess - Thanks! I haven't had success with bodysuits, both bec. of the restroom issue & bec. I'm short-waisted so they end up bunching around the middle on me. But I didn't have much riding around w/this shirt. Maybe the elastic belt helped...
You covered most of what I do, Trystan! I also add an extra skirt underneath a dress with a full skirt.
ReplyDeleteGreat outfit - I love that dress!
Sheila - I like the idea of adding an extra skirt underneath. I have a full-skirted but very light cotton dress that I'll have to try that with. Thanks!
ReplyDelete