Firecracker's Blog

summer dress with Birkenstocks

August 6, 2016

I haven't worn this outfit yet, but was trying it on to see how I liked it, as I just finished the dress.
The dress is voluminous, made out of light-weight linen, perfect for a summer day. I'm not sure how it will be in air conditioning, though I did find one white cardigan in my wardrobe that I like with it (not pictured).
Angie's post today inspired me to try it with sneakers, too--again, not pictured here.

I tried the dress belted and unbelted. Which do you prefer?

Ivory, soft lime, soft blue, and washed-out navy linen lantern-shaped sleeveless shirt dress with side pockets, worn with black cross-strap Birkenstocks and a dark silvery skinny belt. Last photo, shown with pewter flats.

Thanks for looking!

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Posted in the Dressing category
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45 Comments

  • Angie replied 7 years ago

    The frock is a work of art, Sharan. WOW. Very daring and bold. You are soooo creative. FWIW, I prefer the dress without the belt, and with the silver shoes. #6 is my favourite. 

  • merwoman replied 7 years ago

    What a gift you have! You have rendered this fabric into something extraordinary. I'm partial to the no belt version, but both are stunning.

  • Staysfit replied 7 years ago

    Wow! I love this dress, the color patterns are a gorgeous work of art! I prefer it unbelted. I think it shows the shape of the dress which is wonderful, and looks fabulous on you, and it also allows the pattern to stand out. I bet it's even better in person!

    Your sewing skills never cease to amaze!

  • Staysfit replied 7 years ago

    Oh, silver flats look best!

  • Momo replied 7 years ago

    Fantastic.! You are really an artist,
    I think unbelted lets the amazing shape show.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 7 years ago

    Thanks all!
    It does lose something in the photographs, Staysfit, to my mind.

    I'm a little uncomfortable with all the volume, hence my attempts with the belt. But your votes for no belt give me confidence to wear it that way--thank you!

  • Suz replied 7 years ago

    What Angie said. That is an amazing dress, so interesting. The back especially is fantastic. I think it wants to be unbelted for sure. The lighter you can make the whole look the more intentional it feels. 

  • Karie replied 7 years ago

    WOW!! You are a sewing artist, and this is a gorgeous work of art! I like it best with the silver shoes, and I like it both belted and unbelted; but if you wear it belted I think it would look better with a silver belt.

  • chewyspaghetti replied 7 years ago

    I like it belted best - very cute!

  • JAileen replied 7 years ago

    Very beautiful dress. I like the silver shoes best, too.

  • kellygirl replied 7 years ago

    Love it unbelted especially. It's an amazing dress, Sharan. Absolutely stunning! Definitely silver shoes!

  • Aida replied 7 years ago

    Gorgeous and sooo fun. Love it unbelted with the silver shoes. If you're going to wear an amazing dress like this let it shine!

  • annagybe replied 7 years ago

    No belt, and freaking awesome!

  • Brooklyn replied 7 years ago

    No 6 all the way. Fantastic!

  • Joy replied 7 years ago

    You.ook like a walking work of art in this gorgeous dress, especially without the belt. I'll bet it is ethereal in motion. Stunning.

  • Amy replied 7 years ago

    Wow, that's really fun! Nice job.

  • Lyn D. replied 7 years ago

    Love the dress, Love the colours!
    Unbelted with the silver shoes is my preference.

  • replied 7 years ago

    Looks good both ways, but especially like the back without the belt. It's very architectural.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 7 years ago

    Thanks, everyone, for the encouragement and kind words! This is another Sewing Workshop pattern, for any sewists who are interested.

  • Cerinda replied 7 years ago

    What a smashing piece!! Unbelted and silver shoes get my vote.

  • DonnaF replied 7 years ago

    Love it! Prefer unbelted with silver shoes.

  • skylurker replied 7 years ago

    I also vote unbelted (and more breezy and comfortable this way, no?) and pewter shoes.
    Love the colours, and the volume (the volume probably looks even better IRL).
    There's one detail that puzzles me, but might be the angle of the pic, I see one side shorter than the other in the front - but I don't see it in the back view.

  • rachylou replied 7 years ago

    Avant! No belt, I agree. This is a dress you have to all the way with.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 7 years ago

    Thanks, everyone!
    Skylurker, the two sides are the same length; there's a tuck in each big roundish piece, and the fabric is hanging a little differently from that tuck on each side, I think. Or it's the way I'm standing. After the photos, I also made a slight change to button placement on the bottom two buttons, to improve the way it hangs in front.

  • Beth Ann replied 7 years ago

    What fun!  Love the placement of colors!

    I also prefer sans belt and with low contrast shoes.  I could use a llnen dress with our temperatures this week!

  • Diana replied 7 years ago

    This is incredible! I wish I had a dress just like it. It's great both ways but I prefer the dramatic unbelted version.

  • Sara L. replied 7 years ago

    Wow, great dress! I like it both unbelted and belted. It's nice that it's versatile and you can choose how to wear it. So jealous of your sewing skills!

  • Bonnie replied 7 years ago

    That is a beautiful dress and I like it styled both ways.

  • Jane replied 7 years ago

    That is a beautiful and really unusual dress! The colours are perfect. It looks super with the pewter flats. 

  • Colette replied 7 years ago

    Another masterpiece! Truly unique and fabulous. I prefer it unbelted and with the silver shoes.

  • harmonica replied 7 years ago

    Amazing dress! You look stunning in it, especially with the silver flats. I definately like it best unbelted becuase it showcases the artfulness of the dress.

  • rachylou replied 7 years ago

    Btw, Firecracker, *I'd* look really good in this dress...hehe :)

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 7 years ago

    Ha ha, Rachylou! Yes, you would. :)

  • Ledonna N. replied 7 years ago

    Oh how beautiful. You look like a beautiful tulip. I like it both ways. Man I love that shape.

  • unfrumped replied 7 years ago

    Wowwow. Gorgeous. You look really good in the lighter colors, too- you picked beautiful fabric with just the right tones for your coloring. .
    The lighter colored shoes look better to my eye, though do not have to be super- light. I would play with some of your other light neutral footwear too.

  • dashielle (Ann) replied 7 years ago

    Waaaaaay late to this party... but wow, you are such an artist Sharan. You remind me of a fairy in this dress, and I mean that in the best possible way. All you need is a wand ;-)

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 7 years ago

    Ha ha, Ann! I'll have to remember that--I don't mind being a good-style fairy.

  • Sal replied 7 years ago

    I love this Sharan, and like everyone else I like 6 the best.  I definitely think light footwear is best (light in colour but you could go chunky in style).  Heels or flats.  I think let the dress shine without the belt :)

  • Summer replied 7 years ago

    An absolute work of art!  I can just imagine how cool and airy this dress will be on a hot day.
    I am also going with unbelted, and pewter flats - stunning!

  • bella replied 7 years ago

    This might just be the best dress ever! 

  • Tanya replied 7 years ago

    What an incredible, stylish dress!  I too vote for unbelted and light shoes, it lets the dress shine in all of its fabness.

  • Jaime replied 7 years ago

    I think I somehow missed this earlier - great dress. My favorite is unbelted with the silver shoes, but the belted works surprisingly well!

  • replied 7 years ago

    I adore the colors!  I think I prefer it with a low-contrast belt, to control the volume.  It really looks good with the silver shoes.

    Have you tried wearing it over pants and top, duster-style? 

  • replied 7 years ago

    I LOVE IT Sharan. Very arty.
    Like flower petals.
    I prefer it without the belt.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 7 years ago

    Xtabay, no, I haven't tried it over pants yet. Good idea!

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Welcome to my style blog. Dressing is something all of us do each day, but for me it is also a hobby. I like to find new ways to wear the clothes I have, make new clothes to add to my wardrobe (yes, sewing is another hobby!), shop for clothes, read and discuss fashion. Following You Look Fab has fueled my interest in taking outfit pictures to see where I've been and to get different perspectives on style. Thanks for joining me. I always appreciate hearing your thoughts.