Firecracker's Blog

Voile dress & blouse, and how to wear a summer dress on a cool spring day

April 28, 2016

Two of the lightest, airiest, beautiful summer pieces that I ordered last fall came in at my favorite boutique, and I picked them up today. (These are orders from the buying trip I made with my friend to New York last September.) Of course I want to wear them now, even though it's in the 50s and a bit cloudy.
So I played around to see what I could come up with. On the suggestion of a friend, I tried the dress with my black stretch fabric pointy-toed boots, and I think I'm going to wear this outfit out this evening. I layered a black 3/4-sleeve ballet-style top and black tights under the dress, plus a leather jacket over it.

Other, less covered, looks are for later, after summer arrives.
1-4: red-green voile dress (Judy Tampa), cool-weather version, with black tee (Tees by Tina), black tights, black pointy-toe boots (Donald J. Pliner); olive leather moto jacket (AllSaints); black cross-body bag (Cherokee).
5-6: voile dress, warm-weather version, with pewter cutout peep-toe booties (Paul Green).
7: with nude pumps and clutch, and shell-colored stone necklace
8: with same necklace and pewter lace-up Mary Janes (Trippen)
9-10: olive cotton voile v-neck blouse with ruffle trim (Judy Tampa), over black camisole, with black ruched tube skirt (Vince Camuto) and pewter lace-up Mary Janes.

Thanks for looking! Thoughts and suggestions welcome, as always.

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Posted in the Dressing category
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30 Comments

  • rachylou replied 8 years ago

    I love cotton voile for summer. Super pretty looks!

  • UmmLila (Lisa) replied 8 years ago

    I love the olive blouse on you.

  • Joyce B replied 8 years ago

    Those looks are fab!

  • Aida replied 8 years ago

    That olive blouse is a slam dunk for you! Love it with the tube skirt. Would also be fun paired with white denim and tan/cognac leathers, or a crisper white+navy look. The dress is a gorgeous color. I know it's not warm enough for it but the airier outfits 5-8 are lovely for when it is. #1 with the jacket is super. For 2-4 I kind of want to see some skin on the lower half, either say from leggings (with a sliver of ankle) or perhaps sheer hosiery with the tall boots. But only because it's spring ^^

  • ma replied 8 years ago

    The dress is so beautiful!

  • Angie replied 8 years ago

    I love the claret dress with the metallic sandal booties. Gorgeous. And the olive blouse is perfect for you too.

  • replied 8 years ago

    I love the claret dress as styled in number 7 - so elegant and interesting! And 9 and 10 are stunning!  Interesting pieces. 

  • Tanya replied 8 years ago

    Love the olive blouse on you, so pretty!  The dress is also gorgeous, and I especially like it with the metallic sandals.

  • Peri replied 8 years ago

    Love that dress! I was really sure you made it, it looks so you!

  • Jenn replied 8 years ago

    OMG, I love these! I'm seriously swooning over that dress. So so gorgeous, and you wear it well! I really like the more summery looks, but I'll admit, I fell hardest for #1 with the moto jacket.

  • Mochi replied 8 years ago

    Really great. Your proportions and the dress suit each other, and you've styled it so beautifully. 

  • Mauvish replied 8 years ago

    Miss firecracker you are so graceful. Love this voile dress on you.

  • replied 8 years ago

    Oh I love the dress. The sleeves! I also like how it's just a little loose. This reminds me a little of Bonnie's style.
    I confess, I like it best on it's own, in summer Mode! But the spring rendition is nice too.

  • Brooklyn replied 8 years ago

    Wow FC! Thanks for sharing your trying on session with us. It's a beautiful dress and I actually like it best layered over the black with the olive jacket (love your colour mixing). To me it seems a bit unexpected and funky that way. The summer looks, while lovely, are more conventional to my eye. I would like to see you wear a long pendant (preferably in a dark colour) with the black layers and the dress to help link everything together. And the olive top with skirt is fab on you. You just look fab period.

  • Bonnie replied 8 years ago

    I love the dress and blouse and the way you styled them. I think I need them in my wardrobe.

  • Jaime replied 8 years ago

    #5,#7 and #9 are my favorites - great pieces!

  • Cassie Lyons replied 8 years ago

    Love the heels, boots, skirt and blouse combo, and the style of the dress!  You always put together such nice outfits.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 8 years ago

    Thanks, everyone, for your kind comments and ideas!
    Aida, I also wanted to show some skin on my legs with 2-4, but then I second-guessed myself. Thanks for the suggestion--I'll try it next time!

    Jenn, I think this dress would look great on you--both style and color. Smittie, I like the loose fit of it, too, I agree it has a hint of Bonnie's style. (Yes, Bonnie, I can see that you might need these pieces in your wardrobe!) :)

    Brooklyn, thanks! I'll have to try a long pendant. I didn't think of that possibility.

    Mauvish, how sweet of you. I'm flattered that you think I look graceful!

  • kellygirl replied 8 years ago

    Those are some gorgeous pieces. You know exactly what colors and styles flatter. You look amazing!

  • Staysfit replied 8 years ago

    You have a wonderful eye for picking the most beautiful pieces. The color and cut of these is absolutely perfect for you! I love how you have adapted them for cooler weather. I need to follow your example as I am traveling to my DD's graduation and the weather is unseasonably cold. I had hoped to wear a nice spring frock, but am going to have to adjust it for cooler weather. It's very clever to wear layers, and the boots. It works well with this dress because the colors are so rich and work well together. I'm not sure I cam make my grey weather proof boots work with the light floral sheath dress or the off white sheath dress I was planning to wear. They are too dark. I am heading off to experiment....

  • Beth Ann replied 8 years ago

    When I saw these, I was so hoping you had made them, so I could copy .......... I love voile, but it so often a "girlish" look, and these designs and colors are grownup, while still being feminine.

    Your styling is spot on -- beautiful!  I think they would pair well with navy, too!

  • Sara L. replied 8 years ago

    These are great outfits!  I love all the different shoes you tried with the dress.  Each gives it a slightly different vibe.  

  • cjh replied 8 years ago

    What a dress! Lovely and suits you very well.

  • texstyle replied 8 years ago

    Beautiful new pieces - the colors are fantastic!  And I love the ways you are styling them but agree the dress would be also very pretty with less coverage on the legs.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 8 years ago

    Thanks, everyone!
    Staysfit, I do find it a challenge to adapt summer dresses. I have one that I've tried several ways and didn't like any of them. Another I can wear easily as a jumper, and/or with a shrug or jacket over it. Color and fabric both come into play, I think.

  • camel replied 8 years ago

    K

  • BrieN replied 8 years ago

    The color of the dress is beautiful, and beautiful on you! I really like it styled with the booties. 

  • Transcona Shannon replied 8 years ago

    Soooooooo late to this party Sharan but had to chime in and say WOW...what beautiful pieces for you. In fact, I can't think of a more perfect dress. The color, fit and style are fabulous. And the olive blouse will be so incredibly versatile with your wardrobe.

  • Suz replied 8 years ago

    #5, #7, and #9 are just gorgeous on you. Beautiful new dress and that olive blouse is killer on you. 

  • sylvie55 replied 8 years ago

    The contrast between the soft summer dress and the black leather jacket is fantastic -- definitely my fave.

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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.