Firecracker's Blog

WIW: casual black summer dress--my take

August 8, 2015

It's funny how it takes an ensemble post from Angie to get me to dress using a blogger as inspiration. I admired Beth's black dress outfit but I wouldn't have ventured to try it. For one thing, I don't have the black dress. Or the sandals. Or the statement jewelry. Or . . .

But Angie's post gave me the idea that I could come up with a similar idea after all. It might not really resemble Beth's outfit, but I can say it was inspired by Beth's look.

My version, worn to work:
Black, lavender, and golden taupe art nouveau print sleeveless dress (made by me); black cropped zip jacket w/ 3/4 sleeves (Halogen); black sling-back Mary Janes (Think!); black and brown snake-print cross-body bag (Aimee Kestenberg); brass short statement necklace, brass and silver drop earrings, brass and silver beaded bracelet (Lucky).

I feel this version is a mix of dressy and casual, like the original. Mine takes on an artier vibe, perhaps, thanks to the shoes and the print on the dress. What do you think?

Thanks for looking! Comments and suggestions welcome.

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Posted in the What I Wore category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

33 Comments

  • Joy replied 8 years ago

    I love this and want to steal it! The bag is perfect with that dress.
    I really like the jacket, but how does the dress look on its own?

  • Peri replied 8 years ago

    Wow I love that print! I think I like your version better than the blogger's. Much more unique.

  • replied 8 years ago

    Love that print - and the dress , as usual, fits you perfectly. The ideal length too.  A very nice outfit - very polished and feminine.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 8 years ago

    Thanks, Joy and Peri!
    Joy, here's an older photo of the dress on its own. Same shoes.

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  • Suz replied 8 years ago

    Oh, I love it on its own!!! Gorgeous on you, and it allows the print to take the stage-- it is so lovely and seems to harmonize with your hair and the shoes, too.

    What a great summer dress. I can see how you might need the sweater in cooler weather or AC, though. I think you captured the mood of today's post and translated it perfectly to your own style. 

  • kellygirl replied 8 years ago

    Just beautiful! Love this on you.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 8 years ago

    Thanks, Suz and Lisa!
    Suz, I was freezing even with the jacket on for part of the day today. A/C is evil. :)

  • AJ replied 8 years ago

    Wow! You look lovely...literally took my breath away! I'm calling this tailored arty with a dose of glam and I want to see more! :)

  • Karin L H replied 8 years ago

    You look beautiful! That dress fits you great, love the print on you!

  • Style Fan replied 8 years ago

    What a gorgeous dress.  The print is perfectly placed on the dress.  You are an artist.  I have sewed enough to know the skill that is involved in placing that print.

  • cheryle (Dianthus) replied 8 years ago

    I often find the round over round necklines to be tough to pull off but you have done it beautifully.  I really like the mix of prints and textures and the metal details add so much to the ensemble.  I am going to search through my dresses and see if I can come up with an outfit inspired by your inspired.  

    I agree with Style Fan - you are an artist.

  • kerry replied 8 years ago

    Wow! Arty and chic.

  • Word Lily replied 8 years ago

    Nice take on the inspiration! And great shoes! 

  • replied 8 years ago

    Just wonderful Sharan! I adore your dress; what an amazing print! You've placed the pattern beautifully too. The topper and bag look really good over it too.

  • Peri replied 8 years ago

    Oh wow, "placed the pattern"...didn't even think of that! Sewing is so hard!!!

    I like the sleeveless version very much, but love it with the jacket for a dressier look.

  • Angie replied 8 years ago

    Elegant, Arty and Pretty. Your version with a patterned frock is just as fab. Frock will look great with a long cardi too. 

  • replied 8 years ago

    When I first looked at your photo, I saw a long cardi with this great dress.  Angie did as well.  Smiles.  "Staysfit" posted a photo of herself in a long cardi recently.  She appears to be tall and I don't know how tall you are.  I've never tried that long of a cardi but for certain outfits, it's pretty stunning!  That purse is purrfect!

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 8 years ago

    Thank you, everyone!

    StyleFan, Diane, and Peri, you are right that placing the print on this dress wasn't easy. There are pleats at the neckline, which complicated the process, too.

    cheryle, I know what you mean about round over round; it doesn't always work for me, either. And sometimes I don't think it works that well, but I just wear it anyway! (This one I liked.)

    Angie and CJ, thanks for the long cardi idea!

  • Sal replied 8 years ago

    I love this dress, the print is sophisticated but it is not formal. As a result it is so versatile.

    Love it.

  • donnat replied 8 years ago

    I love that dress! You are very talented. I can only Imagine how tricky matching that print was. Gorgeous!

  • replied 8 years ago

    What a brilliant ensemble. I just love the art nouveau print fabric and how skillfully you've positioned it on the dress. I'm in awe of your eye for design--first to recognise that fabric's potential and then to craft it into the perfect item. Bravissima!

  • Ankita replied 8 years ago

    You look stunning! ❤
    I love the print ... the dress fits you beautifully...and the jacket really compliments the look.

  • Sadie replied 8 years ago

    Just fabulous! I really admire your sewing skills.

  • Ornella replied 8 years ago

    ...Angie's post gave me the idea that I could come up with a similar idea after all... I nodded while reading this, I can relate to the words so much.

    Every single item from your outfit is spot-on. The way they play together (the bag and the pattern, the scalloped cut of the shoes and the pattern -- and then your hair and the pattern) is fantastic. YLF.

  • Meredith replied 8 years ago

    Gorgeous! I love the print of that dress! You are so talented!

  • MTBGirl replied 8 years ago

    This is stunning FC! Perfect choices of jacket, shoes, purse and jewelry! YdefinitelyLF!

  • Cococat replied 8 years ago

    What a beautiful dress. I love the art nouveau print and the perfect placement. You have interpreted the Blogger's outfit beautifully.

  • Maneera replied 8 years ago

    Love the dress! That's a beautiful print, and this looks like a wonderful summer dress that is versatile enough to go from a day look to a night look. Love this ensemble on you!!!

  • JamC replied 8 years ago

    A great, versatile look. The dress could go almost anywhere. It might be fun to try it with a variety of toppers to see how many could work!

  • unfrumped replied 8 years ago

    This may be one of my fave's and that's hard to pick! The print is fantastic pattern , size, & overall color vibe. Super yay for your sewing skills and eye for what works. Inspired accessorizing, too.

  • replied 8 years ago

    Looks so great and this is so interesting too!
     When I try to choose an item that will be versatile, I tend to select things that are very bland, and that then require a lot of "extras" to look done for any occasion.
    Your outfit looks so wearable, and the separate pieces do too. The styles are classic, and the print on the dress, and the zipper trim on the jacket don't make them less versatile, but actually maybe more.

  • jackiec replied 8 years ago

    Gorgeous arty perfection. Perfectly you.

    ...and isn't that a great idea to try it with a long cardi?! Brilliant.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 8 years ago

    Isabel, that's an interesting observation. Sometimes I feel the details do limit what I can wear an item with. But your comment made me realize that I often use prints to pull things together in an outfit.

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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.