I love the idea of wearing a collared shirt under your LBD to get more use out of it! And I think J.Crew's styling is spot-on with the leopard and cobalt accessories. That said, I gave it a spin with my own clothes, but I don't think my LBD is *quite right* for a collared shirt. Something about the scoop neck and the thin sleeves is just not working for me. I still wanted to share this idea with you guys though - try it with a dress in your closet, or with any of the shopping options I've listed below. (These shapes should all work much better with a collared shirt!) Are you a fan of wearing a collared shirt under your LBDs?
Inspiration photo: J.Crew
Dress: Express, old
Shirt: Express, old
Belt: Urban Outfitters, $20
Shoes: Urban Originals, $21
Purse: River Island, $60
Rings: LOFT pink stone ring $11, My Stella & Dot website $49
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Bracelets: Banana Republic $10, My Stella & Dot website $49
1. Kohl's black dress, $38.40 (on sale)
2. Macy's black textured dress, $39.98 (on sale)
3. Ellen Tracy black dress, $26.99 (on sale)
35 comments:
I actually like it better with your dress than the inspiration photo. There's more of a transformation from LBD to work with your dress. The other dress already seems like a work dress based on the material and the sleeves. Love the leopard and the cobalt!
Hmm, you know, I have to agree with Annie (below), I really like yours- its not the perfect shirt/ dress combo, but I think you made it work very well! Maybe if you do the top button like the J Crew shot, it would work a lil better, but Id give it an A! And would def do it. I have a J Crew Black Sweater dress I actually do the same with, its a slight cowl turtleneck, but with the collar shirt it ups up cute! and the sleeves are the same as the models. Youre so good!
I loooooove this look, but whenever I try to do something like this, the bottom of the shirt underneath makes the dress look all lumpy. Sometimes I can tuck it into my under-roos (hee) but it doesn't always stay tucked. I wish it were smoother!
I always like it, in theory, but I always end up thinking that the dress would just look better on it's own. Also, I have a little extra bulk and try to avoid anything that might make me look lumpy. I love the sleeves on that dress!
I often put button-front shirts under my dresses, black or not! Here are my strategies for layering the two garments: http://whatiwore2day.blogspot.com/2012/02/layer-button-front-shirt-under-dress.html
Looks great. Are the shoes a comfortable fit?
Yes! Great idea! And I love a collared shirt or blouse buttoned all the way up, like in the J Crew picture. That is really "in" right now. The street style photogs at NYFW caught tons of bloggers and models wearing their shirts buttoned all the way up (so cute!)
I love your LBD! It is really cute, and I actually love your collared shirt with it! I think it looks great! Like your take on the look and I always love your leopard belt! Have a great day! xo
Pip
http://chicstayathome.blogspot.com
http://lucianobybethaddis.blogspot.com
There is something about the collar and sleeves on that dress that make it look a little bit too Peter Pan-ish. But the concept is a good one! I never think to do this because it can be a challenge to get the shirt to lay smooth under the dress. But, I was recently styling a friend and suggested she do this for a dress and it worked out great. I suppose I should try it myself!
I do love the idea of wearing that shirt under an LBD. The cobalt and leopard is cool together!
I think you need to be really petite (like you are) to pull this off. I have an ample chest and the added layers just wouldn't look right on me.
Niki
www.fashionatforty.blogspot.com
Claire, I think this must be a specific type of collared shirt, b/c mine is actually buttoned all the way up, too! :-) It is a cute look, I agree.
Kelly, they are comfy enough, but cheap shoes will never be as comfortable as higher quality shoes! Check out my post on tips for finding comfy shoes: http://www.jseverydayfashion.com/2011/05/todays-everyday-fashion-how-to-select.html
I think a lot of times that it's not necessarily that it looks better with a shirt, but that it's so cold where you live, you need a shirt to stay warm! :-) A cardigan would do the same trick but if you are bored with that look a collared shirt can be a new spin.
Paula, yes with some dresses that would certainly be a problem! I tried to include shopping suggestions that have thick enough material to conceal the shirt b/c not all dresses will!
Love the ideas for the accessories. I have been seeing people do shirts under their more "summery" dresses, and I love the idea. I'm not sure I can pull it off, but I guess I wont know until I try!
work-it-blog.blogspot.com
I love those shoes. I have a grey and black tank shift dress from the Loft that I hate wearing a cardigan over - I never thought of putting a button down under it. I will have to try this.
Kind of off topic but I just got a big promotion at work and I'm thinking of investing in a good quality designer handbag as a reward to myself. Any suggestions for a good quality bag, fairly large in a neutral color or a metallic? I buy all my handbags at TJMaxx or Marshall's so shelling out more than $50 for one is foreign to me and I want to make sure I make a good investment.
I think this is a great idea for a work-appropriate spin on the LBD, and I dig the leopard and bold accessories with it! You're definitely right though, your dress isn't quite right for this look - I think the decorative/ruffled neckline makes it hard to layer (great dress on its own though!), it would probably work better with a simple sheath with a plain neckline so that the shirt collar stands out on its own. Props for trying it (and posting it!) though, it never hurts to give it a go, and you never know unles syou try it! :)
Glad to see I'm not the only one who finds that the shirt bunches under the dress and looks lumpy.
I love the idea but like you... I'm not sure about the neck on that dress. I do think the dresses shown at the end would be perfect! And I love the look for work!
I love this idea!! I agree, I think the accessories that go with this outfit are just right. Any excuse to use a leopard or animal print of some kind :) I think I would use a dress with a smaller/rounded neck area but overall you look awesome!! I would love to make my own version of this idea. Love the dress suggestions too. Thanks!
Thanks Meredith! Yes, I think a good quality handbag is a great investment for your closet. You can still shop at TJ Maxx or Marshall's, I would just only go for the real-leather bags such as Michael Kors, Kate Spade or Calvin Klein, and expect to spend about $100-250. Some other great places to look for deals are Neiman Marcus Last Call (online or in the store) the Macy's sale section, and other brands I like/would recommend are Brahmin, Coach, and Juicy Couture. Good luck! :-)
Beautiful look - i love the pop of blue!
Thanks for the great suggestions. I guess I stay away from the higher end bags at TJ MAxx and Marshall's so I'll start there. I'm super excited for my shopping trip this weekend. I'll have to report back and let you know what I decide to go with.
This is a great idea! I do wear collared shirts under my dresses if the neckline works with the shirt. Love the leopard and cobalt accents! Heather
I like this. I have a dress in my closet that I've been wanting to do something like this with but have been afraid. The collar on it is a little different so I think it'll odd. Maybe I'll try it anyway.
i love the blue shoes!! where did you get them, is that a website, or store nearby?
Lara, it's a website! Urbanog.com, tons of cheap shoes in bright colors. :-)
I say it's worth a try! At least try it on and see if it fits. :-)
What a great way to style an LBD! We love it!
I love wearing shirts under little black dresses too - it makes the dress so versatile, smart and dress code appropriate)
Also - you are always so inspiring, thank you fir that. I'm obsessed with skinny leopart belts right now, because i really love how you wear them :*))
http://tri-skelos.blogspot.com/
Thank you! So glad you like the blog! :-)
This outfit was such a great idea--it's one of those "why didn't I think of that?" combinations! :) So I'm trying it out today. I don't have leopard or cobalt accessories, and we're having a last-gasp winter blast of cold air here in the DC area today, so I went with black tights and boots. For a pop of color, I have a skinny red belt.
I don't have an outfit photo, but here's the dress I used:
http://www.closet-coach.com/2012/02/29/outfit-post-ending-my-search-for-a-new-lbd-level-45/ It's a stretchy fabric so it fit over the white button-down perfectly. Thanks again for the inspiration!
(new reader and first-time commenter) I love this look for work. For me it works *really* well with a slightly-too-small shirt - that way the shirt doesn't add too much bulk under the dress, but the dress hides any gaping between the buttons.
Thank you Rose, and welcome to the blog! :-) You make an excellent point here - this is a great trick for covering up any shirts that might gap! (you could also try wearing a v-neck sweater over them!)
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