This will be the third spring/summer for this dress and I still love it. I love the soft wrap shape, the scalloped edge on the front, the abstract print with black/purple/blue/cream, the cuffed sleeve with black studs and the comfort factor. Plus this dress washes like a dream - absolutely no pilling or shape change after three years. I wear it all year round with tights, boots and blazer for cold months, and bare legged for the warm months. The CPW must be pennies by now.
Today I'm wearing the dress with flats. This is new territory for me and you know what? I don't feel frumpy at all! The flats are a quilted cream with black toe cap and detailing. I've popped my white and black cotton bomber jacket over top the dress. This jacket is the perfect summer weight IMO - perfect for the cool morning and as the day warms up, off it comes. If the air conditioning in the office gets too cold, back on it goes. Now that I'm finally figuring out how to style it, I can see this jacket being a workhorse.
To further pull out the cream tones in the dress and keep it light, I've added my white leather clutch and a quilted cream leather and silver cuff. I did think about changing the skinny black belt at my waist to a lighter colour but when I tried it, it just didn't look right to me.
Anyway, what do you think? Does this style keep this old dress current? As always, all comments/suggestions welcome.
Jacket: Material Girl
Dress: Attitude by Jay Manuel
Shoes: Shelly London (thrifted)
Clutch: Danier Leather
Cuff: thrifted
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.
25 Comments
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I am full of admiration for your jackets lately. This is another I want to steal! Are the shoes new (to you)? They are great with the jacket. And the dress is a true winner - a knit dress that looks so good after all that use is a role model for all other dresses!
Jaime replied 10 years ago
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I htink this looks fabulous Shannon. How awesome to find a dress that works so well across seasons and that lasts for years! The way you've pulled everything together is perfect. And I'm LOVING your cuff :)
Elizabeth P replied 10 years ago
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no wonder this item has had longevity. it is fab on you and with your styling of it. For some odd reason it also reminds me of the helmut lang you had to send back : this one is so much better on you.
Sona replied 10 years ago
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Well you shouldn't feel frumpy because you don't look so! What beautifully shaped legs you've got.
krishnidoux replied 10 years ago
I also love how this dress draped on your body. Very flattering.
But Id be interested to know, what is it precisely that does not make you feel frumpy in this flat-with-dress combo? -
I am glad this dress is not an ophan, because it must be one of my favourites. Love the dresss with the combination of that jacket and the flats. Do you think it's the low contrast of the flats that prevents that fumpy feel?
Deborah replied 10 years ago
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Joy replied 10 years ago
Every time I see you wearing your bomber in the thumbnail, I think you have a white vest...probably because that is still on my summer shopping list. The dress is wonderful on you and brightened for the season with white.
The flats are adorable. -
You look mighty fine to me and those shoes. Thrifted you said?...they look brand new. I can tell you like this outfit, you're just beaming. Good job!
ruthe replied 10 years ago
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I think the dress looks like a classic base to dress to the moment, which the bomber, clutch and cuff do nicely. I am glad to see I am not the only one loving my 3 year old dresses, they'll be the majority of my summer closet... yet again this year!
Sarah A replied 10 years ago
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YLF!! And yeah for team flats!! They look terrific with the dress.
Thistle replied 10 years ago
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I really like the bomber jacket with the dress! I like the flats too and I understand what you mean about frumpy/not frumpy because I also tend to feel frumpy with flats and most dresses/skirts. I wore an outfit a couple weeks ago though with a skirt and flats that I also quite liked.
Sara L. replied 10 years ago
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Shevia - my goodness, am I going to have to get a safe for my jackets??? I thrifted the shoes at the end of last summer so haven't worn them a lot yet but can see doing so this summer. They are very comfortable.
Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago
Krish/Deb - I think the low contrast color of the shoes combined with the low vamp (they just cover my toes) keeps my leg line from looking too short. Either that or my eye is just adjusting to flats with dresses the more I wear them?
Ruthe - when I saw these shoes at my local Goodwill I couldn't believe my luck. They are quilted leather and in absolute mint condition. I'm not sure they were ever worn.
Thanks Elizabeth, Sona, Joy, Sarah, Thistle Sara! -
The bomber and flats really give your workhorse dress a whole new vibe - awesome!!
rae replied 10 years ago
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Carole replied 10 years ago
No wonder it's not an orphan! Look how you switched it up with flats and the bomber, brilliant. Classic and versatile! Love that..
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Super! I love this. Love the echo of B/W jacket in the shoes! And no wonder you love that dress. The outfit is most definitely not frumpy!
Suz replied 10 years ago
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Yay for workhorses and killer combos. You have the best dress, shoe and jacket collection!
goldenpig replied 10 years ago
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OMG! Don't you look adorable and I'm so glad you stepped over the threshold of wearing your dress with flats! You'd NEVER be frumpy.
Vicki replied 10 years ago
I think this outfit may now be one of my Shannon favorites! I love it. Why? Because of all the cool elements and pieces you brought together here. Then, you always finish with that close-up of your cool accessories.
Hmmm. Can I copy you here? You're giving me inspiration, girl! -
replied 10 years ago
Great look! You find the best things -- I took a vacation day today and tomorrow and just went thrifting with my mum but didn't find much!
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i think the dress still looks great. and the jacket really completes the look
kkards replied 10 years ago
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Debra replied 10 years ago
Hi Shannon,
I'm new to this forum and soooo inspired by you lovely ladies and the way you put you outfits together. I love what you are wearing here, you really do look FAB :) -
Debra replied 10 years ago
Hi Shannon,
I'm new to this forum and soooo inspired by you lovely ladies and the way you put you outfits together. I love what you are wearing here, you really do look FAB :) -
You have made the dress look as if it came out of the shops yesterday! Lovely up to the minute styling. Great outfit, YLF :)
replied 10 years ago
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Fabulous dress & styling:)
Caro in Oz replied 10 years ago
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Oh my goodness. This is STELLAR Shannon. I love that dress with your coloring and that jacket is so much more exciting than a plain black or plain white one would have been. Those flats! That cuff! That clutch! You look so beautiful and stylish all in one fell swoop. :)
replied 10 years ago
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Go Team Flats with Frocks!! (I wore my animal print slipper flats with my Kamalikulture frock yesterday, so high five!)
Angie replied 10 years ago
K-word worthy.
Look at how well you updated that frock with the bomber. Delicious :)
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Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago
I'm learning Angie! Of course, I have the best teacher :)
Thank you ladies. It was really fun today wearing an older item in a new way. It makes me wonder what other "not new" items in my closet I could breathe new life into?
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About
I started playing dress up when I was 4 years old and haven't stopped since! My income doesn't match my tastes so it's all about figuring out how to thrift my way to a fashionable life while tossing in a few delectable items.