Thrifting Queen

WIW: Red Tulip Dress (ETA changed it a bit)

October 22, 2014

It is still unseasonably warm for this time of year and I can wear skirts and dresses with bare legs - such luxury!

Today I pulled out my EF Red Tulip dress - it's as if a wedge dress and a sack dress had a baby - lol! I've scrunched the sleeves a little although they are the most wonderful dolman sleeve shape and it shows better with the sleeves full length - but I find scrunching the sleeves gives the dress a bit more structure. 

I chose my purple-blue suede booties for footwear and went with my black leather handbag, gold mesh bangle and black/white specs for accessories. And of course, a swipe of red lipstick.

Now I realize this dress is not conventionally flattering and it's a whole lotta red. No worries if it's not your cup of tea. Would love your feedback though and all comments/suggestions welcome.

BTW - do you think the dress needs a long pendant necklace to break of the expanse of red or is it better to let the dress shine on its own?

Dress: Eileen Fisher (eBay)
Boots: Aerosoles
Handbag: Danier Leather
Bangle: Michael Kors

ETA: changed the outfit up a bit. I swapped the handbag to my small dark red snakeskin clutch and then changed the gold bangle to a chunky gunmetal one and added a chunky pewter necklace hubby gave me years ago. I think I like it better with the changes - somehow edgier IMHO. See pic #6 for updated outfit. Thoughts on which is better?

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Posted in the What I Wore category
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.

30 Comments

  • Jaime replied 9 years ago

    It's a gorgeous shade of read on you. I would like to see it with a different color bag but I am drawing a blank on your bag collection right now. I love it with the purple booties. I am a horrible visualizer of necklaces - I can only hold one up and decide.

  • cheryle (Dianthus) replied 9 years ago

    Shannon, you are right that it isn't conventionally flattering but I think it works well for a few reasons.  The color is outstanding on you and the proportions are almost the perfect 2/3 1/3 so it is elongating on your petite frame.  I like the neutral black bag with it too as it adds a ladylike element that is your signature.

    ETA:  Forgot the necklace question.  I picked up a really chunky short necklace at Zara and can see it with this dress.  It wouldn't break up the chest but would frame the face and draw the eye up.  

  • Lynne replied 9 years ago

    Woohoo!  The booties are a brilliant pairing, they're the perfect foil to the dress and they balance the whole look.  There is no such thing as too much red in my world :). 

  • Deborah replied 9 years ago

    This colour is really spectacular on you Shannon. I really think this looks wonderful.  What is conventionally flattering is open for interpretation and I do find this flattering.  It's fits well, skims your body, is elegant and modern.  I'm a little off necklaces at the moment favouring earrings since I cut my hair.  I wouldn't add a pendant.  You could and it would look 'nice' but I think it would take something away from the simplicity of the look.  It's unnecessary IMHO.  This dress has what it takes to 'stand alone, it really doesn't need a support act :)

  • replied 9 years ago

    I think it is really fun. I am sure when you are moving around it is obvious that you aren't filling out the dress to its full extent. It looks comfortable but stylish.

    I don't think you need a necklace with it!

  • Elizabeth P replied 9 years ago

    I think this looks wonderful on you.  The purple boots are such an unexpected pairing... love that!  And much as I love jewellery, I don't think this needs something to "break up the red" at all.  You might want to wear something to vary the look, but it certainly doesn't need it.

  • Neel replied 9 years ago

    Gorgeous on its own ... But wouldn't hurt if you added the necklace :). I am sure you look lovely as always!

  • replied 9 years ago

    I'm with Deborah here:  I think the dress  is more than JFE, it's absolutely flattering.  In terms of jewellery, I really like  statement neck pieces that are shorter (i.e. right up at the neckline)  for dresses like this.  Just seems to bring some light and interest up closer to the face and doesn't detract from the architecture of the dress.  But really, this is great as is!

  • jackiec replied 9 years ago

    I love the necklace you added! Better bag, wasn't fond of the black. Gorgeous, comfy looking dress.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    I have discovered already that there is NO hiding in the background when wearing a red dress! I have had three complete strangers stop me and compliment me with comments such as "fantastic color; gorgeously simple; and you look stunning". I must say that I'm positively blushing...and I'll be honest. I wasn't entirely sure when I stepped out of the house this morning. This is a dress and style you pretty much have to be committed to when wearing it, you know? I love the way it moves when I walk and the comfort is just exceptional. I'm a happy gal :)  Oh....and it skims my shingles in a way that doesn't add any pain :) :) :)

  • Elizabeth P replied 9 years ago

    I like the changes you made.  Esp the bag, the black was heavy with the blue boots.

  • Sara L. replied 9 years ago

    The dress looks really great on you!  I like the addition of the necklace but that's almost a given since I feel like most outfits need some sort of jewelry. A long pendant would look interesting too.

  • carambola replied 9 years ago

    You do look stunning! I can see why you are getting stopped by strangers. I love how the silver jewelry plays with your hair. 

  • Tina replied 9 years ago

    The purple blue color of the booties bookend your hair so well. I like the latest version best. The black bag seemed a bit much but I'm sure it would have been fine especially in motion. The dress is indeed stunning on you!
    You strike me as a fun, confident go getter and I'm sure that is part of what makes each of your outfits shine. Red just makes even more people notice. I have no doubt you owned the look!
    All this while trying to overcome shingles- you have my utmost admiration.

  • Elly replied 9 years ago

    I love the dress on you Shannon-- makes me want to hit ebay. I like it with the silver jewelry too. 

  • AviaMariah replied 9 years ago

    Those colors together are stunning and I'm not surprised you've been getting compliments.

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    Killer

    You were MADE for this look and colour. No wonder people are taking notice. xo

  • Diana replied 9 years ago

    Amazing, gorgeous dress. No wonder you are getting compliments! It's great with the fun blue boots too.

  • Quietgirl replied 9 years ago

    what a great dress! You totally ROCK it!

  • columbine(erin) replied 9 years ago

    This is such a great color for you and I think the dress skims you in a lovely way. It's a winner.

  • replied 9 years ago

    Way to go Shannon! Love the dress and the tweeks with jewellery add a little je ne sais quoi.

  • catgirl replied 9 years ago

    That dress, in that color, is the pinnacle of Shannon style!

  • Jem replied 9 years ago

    I agree with everyone who said it *is* flattering!  That color is so pretty on you!  And, I love your haircut and glasses, too.  

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    Oh my goodness ladies...thank you :)

  • SW Ann replied 9 years ago

    Well, I love both looks because I can't get past how much I love this dress on you....You look Great--Hope you are feeling (shingles) as good as you look!

  • rabbit replied 9 years ago

    I like your second version look the best, really like the texture and size of the clutch with the dress, and the booties and silver are great with it, doesn't need a third color (the black bag) added to my eye.    Adding to the chorus of the color of the dress being FANTASTIC on you and the shape looks great to my eye.

  • Echo replied 9 years ago

    Love this outfit. The colour is stunning on you, and the smaller bag and necklace were perfect accessories, though I like the idea of a pendant necklace, too. I will probably be the only spanner on the boots. I LOVE the dress, and I LOVE the boots... just not together. I think the red is enough of a statement without adding an accent colour, but maybe I am just boring. Overall, fantastic look!

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    You do look stunning in this dress, Shannon. A gorgeous, simple look. I love the purple-blue booties with it and prefer the final look with the necklace and clutch. In the first look, I think I would have liked earrings with it, something medium sized--just to add polish, not to draw too much attention.

  • thimblelina replied 9 years ago

    Yes, anyone who can look that polished whilst recovering from shingles deserves a goshdurned medal!!! Feel better. Love that dress!

  • cheryle (Dianthus) replied 9 years ago

    I like the new version as well but still prefer the black bag for day wear. :)

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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.