I'm suddenly in the mood
to wear a dress. I've spent all winter trying to figure out how to
wear more modern looking shapes in separates than I'm used to and
trying to fathom the murky mysteries of print mixing, but everything
in the dress section of my closet looks pretty tired. I don't have
to have (read can't afford to have) everything in my wardrobe
"of the moment" by a long-shot, but there's a point where
dresses start looking more than just a few seasons behind.
So, I decided to try to
freshen up a classic dress by adding some timely and modern
accessories.
I'm always a little
skeptical when style-pundits go on about the "timelessness of
the classics." There are more than a few "classics"
that I was assured I would wear forever that look really old-hat now.
Case in point: the classic blazer. Even a little too much padding
in the shoulder, lapels that are too wide or too narrow, too trendy
a color or print or cut, and its classic credentials become as fishy
as an online-issued associate degree in neurosurgery. Possibly not.
I decided that a fitted
sheath-dress, sleeveless and unadorned, might safely qualify as a
classic. Even if it is bright cadmium red medium. Red is still
classic, right?
Here's what I did with
it.
Did I get it right?
________________________________________
Here I am again, late for
the brilliant Patti's Visible Monday . Please stop by and see with
all the smart stylistas wore this week!
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Have a great week!
You did it beautifully, Jan! Love the booties. Thanks for linking up : >
ReplyDeleteThank YOU for hosting! Glad you liked the what-ever-they-are things on my feet. Not quite sure what they are; bootie,
Deleteshoe-tie or strange, hybrid-oxford. Mas comfy, though, and fun to draw.
Jan,
ReplyDeleteIt's perfect! And the red dress is not dull, btw! Sometimes a simple red dress is all you need to make a statement. Well, just add a pair of killer shoes and voila!
Good point. In thinking about it, it's just to my eye ... I wore this till I was sick of it a couple of years ago so it looks dated to me! Fun to freshen up, though.
DeleteRed is classic...especially at this time of the year. I like the whole outfit really.
ReplyDeletebisous
Suzanne
Thank you for reading and liking! Hope your mom is doing better. So worrisome for you.
DeleteInspired colour combination, the red/burgundy/tan mix is great, and the scarf and shoe boots certainly ensure the dress looks current and stylish.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with your take on "timeless classics" - most clothes date, the details of the cut/style give them away. That's why I go vintage, and embrace the out-of-dateness of my clothes! Being on trend isn't something that bothers me, which leaves me free to wear anything which takes my fancy, it's very liberating! xxxx
Great reason to go vintage ... and you do it so well. One of the things I always appreciate about your vintage styling is that it's always clear that you know what decade you actually live in. Like the black print dress that I liked you so much in yesterday's (?)post. The purple tights are a very trendy response, and not out-of-date at all. We're always so happy to see what takes your fancy!
DeleteLooks cool! I agree with above. I just where what I like and what I think looks good on me, regardless of the trend of the moment. It's more fun that way. Who cares anyway?
ReplyDeleteBoy, the meaning of that word "trendy" sure packs a wallop these days, doesn't it? Like me, I'll bet that you do sometimes pull things out of your closet and play with different combinations that might not qualify as trendy but looks fresh to your eye.
DeleteWhatever your method and process ... keep on doing it! You're always interesting and never dull, Pao.
Have you been peeking in my closet Jan? I recently bought a red, sleeveless dress and your style tips are really helpful. I can get stuck in the red, blue, white colour scheme. You've taken me out of my box with your tan and burgundy and I like that!
ReplyDeleteNeat! Now that you mention it, my first instinct is to almost always veer toward tertiary colors. I love the richness that comes with mixed color. I chose the tan and burgundy because it's a warm red. I might not had it been a cooler red.
DeleteIf I were going to peek into someone's closet, I'd sure get some great color lessons from yours!
In addition to the whole question of trends comes the fact that for most of us, our bodies change, either a little or a lot, over time. Plus our "eyes" often change. Change is good! I get bored easily, so so-called classics have never been in my closet much.
ReplyDeleteThis dress is a keeper, though. Your colors are inspired and I love the shoes!! I'd also love to see this dress styled with all-black including tights and tall boots, maybe, so it comes across like a red pencil skirt.
So true about the eye changing ... decade to decade, or season to season. So glad you liked my change-up ... actually, my first instinct is to put black with it and I wore it that way a lot last year. I haven't tried layering it much to give a separates effect, though ... now that would be a big change. Gotta try it!
DeleteJan, I like what you have done with the dress. Particularly the burguny tights with the bright red dress are gorgeous and so are these oh so pretty booties!
ReplyDeleteYou brightened up my lunch break this afternoon, I love your cartoon.
Thanks so much, Sabine. I take lots of inspiration from brave experimenters like you! Glad you like my cartoon-me ... she's evolving!
DeleteI couldn't agree more with your statement that a lot of "classics" don't stay in style forever. I have a black blazer that just simply doesn't work anymore.
ReplyDeleteA red sheath, on the other hand, is pretty timeless. And these updates you did are so completely on point. Gorgeous, love. Just perfect.
Thanks so much for looking and chatting, Alison. I was, in fact, thinking of a couple of black blazers I own. One is just boxy and too long with a too-wide shoulder, and the other is cropped but with with huge, deeply notched lapels.
DeleteIf you liked my updates, I know they work!
Have a great week, young lady!
You are an amazing writer; I always appreciate your comments and your posts.
ReplyDeleteI have few so called classics in my closets. But in this case I think your red sheath falls in this category, but with a twist. 'Cadmium red' is wonderfully specific. And wine colored tights! Love it!
Thank you so much for your very kind compliment about my writing and posts. I love writing and drawing. My degree is in Fine Arts ... that's where the "cadmium red" came from! In retrospect, was it "wonderfully specific" as you so nicely put it or just pretentious? That's rhetorical ... I'll be careful from now on!
DeleteI appreciate you reading my blog, and your comments.
Have a wonderful week!
I like the red, especially with adding the jacket and scarf. I think that about classics, but I think that things come back around in style but by the time they do they just don't fit the same or my material has faded from waiting in my closet to come back around:)
ReplyDeleteCarrie
Yup, things do come back around. You know, I just realized that I've been around long enough to have lived through the '50s, '60s '70s, '80s, '90s, the ... uhmmm... "nought-ies?" and the first 2 full years of the ... uhmmm... '10s. And I've seen fashion from all of them come back as retro(the last 2 years don't count)! I really feel old right now .... ARRGH.
DeleteGlad you liked my combos!
Thanks for reading, and your own writing, Carrie.
Couldn't agree with you more about some of the classics, sometimes they just seem to date us. But, the red sheath, now that's timeless. I would never have thought to pair red with the wine but I love it. The best update to the whole outfit as got to be the booties. Great outfit and fun, fun, cartoon.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Trina, so much. High praise when it comes from you!
DeleteTook me a while to figure out that the little booties were meant to go with colored tights (all the cut outs to show off the tights!) I'll wear them more, now. Especially glad you liked my little anime-me. She's evolving!
Hi Jan,
ReplyDeleteYou did a smashing job of trending this. Love it.
Thanks, Wendy. Glad you stopped by to comment, especially with such nice things to say. Come back any time!
DeleteYes you got it right! I love the color combo!
ReplyDeleteThank you, darling Joni. Thought of you when I put the colors together!
DeleteHave a great week.
Your color mix, jacket and booties have definitely taken this outfit from a potentially predictable classic to a vibrant and current statement. Love it!
ReplyDeleteWow! That's such a kind thing to say. Glad you liked it!
DeleteThank you for taking time to stop by, and for writing your own blog for us all to enjoy!
You did a great job! I think this is the test of a true classic in that you can update it as required as time goes on. I'm loving the plus pattern plus leather.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great definition of a closet classic. You should write a whole blog about that ... nobody could do it better, 'cause I'm guessing you have a whole closet full of classics.
DeleteThanks so much for reading, commenting, and your own brilliant blog.
Hmmm yeah - I think it is hard to believe the fashion industry when they advise "invest in this classic" mantra now because you can bet your bottom dollar that a year down the line the same source of that information will be writing it off as passe. If you are at all interested in style you have the aesthetic sensitivity to pick up on the thrill of the new and the fresh, even though it may not be your priority to always pursue being on the cutting edge.
ReplyDeleteI think you did a fab job of bringing new life to an old classic in your wardrobe. As some of the other commenters here have said a real classic can survive the test of time because it can be updated. But I'd go one step further and say if you buy clothes you really love and feel good in you'll find a way to make it work whether it is in or out of fashion.
Of course Jan, Red is a classic. In my book, it should be required (I love red!). I think this outfit is great. I am really intrigued with your graphics!
ReplyDeleteAlthough certain items can be classed as classics, unless you are going for a vintage look or can snazz them up somehow, they are going to look dated (as some other commenters have suggested) More and more, I wear what I like and don't give a damn!
Wow! A comment from a whole Society!
DeleteThanks for reading, anonymous H.A.S. member. I'm glad you liked the red sheath make-over. My little avatar is evolving, and I'm having some fun learning a new skill as an old lady. She can do so many things I can't.
You KNOW I had to figure out where Cranbrook is ... we last lived in Seattle before our move south. I took my BFA from Cornish Institute there, about a million years ago. My Huz and I miss the Northwest a lot. You live in paradise, but then, I'm sure you know that and thank your lucky stars daily!
Thanks for dropping by,
Jan
These paintings/drawings you do are wonderful. Refreshing and unique way to style yourself! So creative.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ann ... I really appreciate it.
DeleteSo glad you stopped by, 'cause I'm a fan of your site as well!