Returning to a favourite formula

I'm really liking the return of dresses over pants. Like Angie, I was a big fan of the A-line over skinnies look (somewhere in the last decade) and I'm fully on board with the current incarnation of sack/shirt dresses. It's a fantastic way to get the most out of a summer tunic, particularly in the cooler Northern European climate. 

I made this wax print dress a couple of years ago. I'm very fond of the pattern but it's a bit too casual on its own so I'd been thinking of shortening it. I'll probably leave it as it is for now, because this longer length feels very contemporary over jeans this summer. I'm not sure I would have thought of this combination without a bit of extra YLF inspiration, but I love it and I'm definitely wearing it again. Thanks Angie!

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32 Comments

  • Bijou replied 6 years ago

    I love this on you, your dress is amazing with jeans. Your new shoes are proving to be the most wonderful acquisition too.

  • Joy replied 6 years ago

    Love this outfit on you, especially with those sandals! You do look very modern.

  • replied 6 years ago

    The pieces all go together nicely, and I do like both the coverage and the openness of the sandals with the dress and pants.

  • Angie replied 6 years ago

    Killer to the Power of Killer

    I like you best when you wear outfits that are more structured. 

    LOVE. 

  • kellygirl replied 6 years ago

    Absolutely stunning! This is how you do pants with dresses! Gorgeous footwear too!

  • JAileen replied 6 years ago

    By wax print, do you mean batik? It's a great look on you, especially with the shoes. I love the crisscross laces.

  • Sisi replied 6 years ago

    Oh, I like this a lot. Very interesting pattern and wonderful sandals.

  • Diana replied 6 years ago

    This is amazing!  I love everything about it. 

  • Sara L. replied 6 years ago

    This is great!  I like the midi length of the dress over the pants. 

  • rachylou replied 6 years ago

    Seriously killer. The long length is *now* to me.

  • approprio replied 6 years ago

    oh thanks guys! *blush* 

    Bijou: yeah, these shoes turned out to be a great addition! Getting much more wear than I expected. 

    Angie: A K2K!!! Oh thank you - I am humbled :)  I find myself craving a more structured look these days, so I'll keep that in mind.

    Speaking of structure, the dress is darted at the sides and stayed on the inside with a belt to give it some shape, which is a trick I cribbed from Vivienne Westwood.

    JAileen: this is actually a Dutch wax print: made in Holland, fashionable in Africa, with a fascinating and controversial history. It's made using an industrialised batik process so it produces more varied designs and richer colours than the traditional techniques. I've made a few pieces in various prints, although I tend more towards the more European-looking graphics. It's lovely fabric to work with and it keeps its shape very well in humid weather.

  • Mirjana replied 6 years ago

    I agree with Angie killer, I like long length on you, dress is beautiful.

  • Aquamarine replied 6 years ago

    Just wow. Love this, and those shoes are fierce (I think I've said that before!).

  • Janet replied 6 years ago

    I love everything about this, even though I have a hard time with the dress-over-pants thing for seasonal reasons (and also it's tough to put my hands on the right pieces to make it work for me). I love the idea of that technique you described for giving the dress that bit of fit and structure. I just wish more dresses were made that way, because I look awful in straight sack dresses! I would copy this in a heartbeat if there were only a dress like this in my radar.

  • Runcarla replied 6 years ago

    Another amazing outfit!

  • Jaime replied 6 years ago

    I love that dress! And with the jeans and shoes it is over the top fantastic. 

  • tulle replied 6 years ago

    Super contemporary look, yes, and with your shoulders and height you wear it so well.  Your dress in that fabric is sensational, and the shoes just slay me.

  • Dianna replied 6 years ago

    Very modern and flattering.

  • columbine(erin) replied 6 years ago

    Loving this dress on you and fascinated to learn about the fabric. Those shoes are killer cool. 

  • Lucy replied 6 years ago

    This is the best! I love this look on you - everything about it. Wear it often, I think. 

  • Style Fan replied 6 years ago

    This is a fabulous outfit especially with those shoes.  I love the fabric.  I do like the structured look on you.

  • lyn67 replied 6 years ago

    Think this is KA(Killer Artsy) and avant garde, too- whatever  that means! (ref to a post from last week). Of course, usually  dresses over pants  don't have to be per se (avant garde) but TO MY EYES this one has quite a hint!:-)

  • Jenni NZ replied 6 years ago

    WOW! Other side of the planet both literally AND figuratively! Looks amazing. I feel a little jealous.... ( not badly) :)

  • Elizabeth P replied 6 years ago

    Looks fantastic.

  • Lisa replied 6 years ago

    Those shoes are perfect paired with the pattern on this dress.  This is a lovely outfit!

  • cindysmith replied 6 years ago

    I love this so much!

  • Angie replied 6 years ago

    *happy dance*

  • Echo replied 6 years ago

    You look amazing, and the SHOES! I'm going to have to wear my crash helmet when I click on your threads in case you are wearing those to-die-for shoes! LOVE them!

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 6 years ago

    Terrific outfit! I love the dress and its cheeky dice print.

  • Lyn D. replied 6 years ago

    Fantastic!

  • replied 6 years ago

    I'm late to this party, but had to add my admiration of your outfit. Your designs are always amazing!  And that fabric is so interesting.  Looks great with the jeans and THOSE SHOES!!

  • kerlyn replied 6 years ago

    I'm really late to comment, but I just had to say how gorgeous this is!  Love it!

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