Firecracker's Blog

WIW: drapey dress and cropped moto

September 6, 2014

You've seen this dress before. The cropped moto is new. I bought it at the end of spring on sale and finally broke it out today, after weather too warm to wear it this summer. I had been wanting a non-leather moto-style jacket for a while, and I thought this cropped version would be fun with a lot of outfits. So far, I'm finding it a little hard to style, though I think it will go nicely with dresses and flowy tops. Probably will pair well with my tunics. Your ideas or inspiration photos are welcome!

The outfit, worn to work: gray and black brushstroke print knit dress with drape pockets (made by me); black reversible cami (Shimera); cropped black denim moto (Free People); black sling-back Mary Janes (Think! Aida); black satchel (Elliott Lucca, Olvera); silver and brass necklace and earrings (Marjorie Baer).

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and styling suggestions, and thanks for looking!

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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.

34 Comments

  • Aubergine replied 9 years ago

    I completely love the dress, especially all that lovely, soft draping at the bottom!

    I like the jacket a lot too, but I wonder whether the proportions would be better with something shorter and/or with a more defined waist?

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Thanks, Aubergine! I'll have to try it with some tunics (they're shorter) and take photos. Not sure i have much with defined waists.

  • Jeanie replied 9 years ago

    First, I just love that draping on that dress.  I really like the line of the jacket with the line of the dress.  I find it very hard to get toppers to work with dresses because often the topper just doesn't hit at the right spot or coloring is not right.  These 2 pieces look made for each other!

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    thanks, Jeanie!

  • Deborah replied 9 years ago

    Wow! I adore this look Firecracker. The proportions are fab and that dress is wonderful. If anything I would roll the sleeves a little higher (or scrunch) so that there is a little more arm showing. This would just create a slightly better balance between skin and covering. Awesome shoes. I have a very similar pair in soft grey snake!

  • CocoLion replied 9 years ago

    The first thing I noticed was the giant cuff on the arms.  How clever to take a pants trend and make it work for jackets!

    I think the dress and jacket work really well together.

  • unfrumped replied 9 years ago

    Can't believe the dress. Fantastic print and style. The jacket works fine.

  • Lantana replied 9 years ago

    The outfit looks super as it is - you are going to love that moto.

  • Quietgirl replied 9 years ago

    A great look! What's not to like??

  • Janet replied 9 years ago

    Such a great look on you -- I really love the jacket with the dress.

  • Elizabeth P replied 9 years ago

    More love from me.  That dress is wonderful! 

  • Karie replied 9 years ago

    When I looked at photo #1 I wasn't sure about the jacket with the dress, but when I looked at photos #2 and #3 I liked it a lot. Maybe it's because you have your hands in your pockets in photo #1. I like the cuff on the sleeves too!

  • frannieb replied 9 years ago

    great outfit. I would love to see the jacket with a drapey top and skinny jeans.

  • replied 9 years ago

    Very pretty dress - great jacket too!  I would love to see the dress with a shoe with no ankle strap for a different leg-lengthening look.  It is a rather long dress , and I could  see it work with a higher, paler shoe .....

    That's just my eye though - no criticisms from me !

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    You Glam Arty Beauty. xo

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Deborah, thanks for the idea! More arm would be good to try.
    CocoLion, thanks. I really didn't think about the cuff too much--I unzipped the sleeves and turned the hem back as far as it would go, full length of the zipper opening. It was easy to keep turned that way.
    You all are helping me to think more about these choices! I tend to neglect the power of scrunching and rolling.
    frannieb, thanks! I'll try wearing the jacket that way soon--it's getting to be the right season for it.
    lisap, thanks for the thought! I wear those Mary Janes a lot for work, because of the comfort. But I like your idea for an alternative, and I think my Vince d'Orsay pumps would be fantastic, for a day with less standing. Hadn't thought of them.
    Thanks, Angie, Karie, Elizabeth, Janet, quietgirl, Lantana, and unfrumped!

  • catgirl replied 9 years ago

    So much fun!  I have a cropped linen moto from Free People and have trouble thinking of ways to wear it - inspired now. :)

  • amiable replied 9 years ago

    Super gorgeous!  I bought the pattern to make myself this dress - I think it would be a super summer dress.  But I'm slow to get around to sewing projects :)

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Thanks, Alaskagirl and Amiable!
    Amiable, me too! I have a lot of patterns I haven't gotten around to making up. you could make a fall version of the dress by lengthening the sleeves. I've been thinking of doing that.

  • Parsley replied 9 years ago

    What an arty cool outfit! Your dress is amazing and works perfectly with the cropped moto. The shoes are OK with it, but the VInce d'Orsay pumps would bring a whole new level of sophistication to the outfit. 

  • replied 9 years ago

    I do love this look FC! The dress you made is just lovely and I adore the cheeky cropped length of the jacket.

  • Ingunn replied 9 years ago

    I love this! It's so very you, sophisticated arty. The proportions are very pleasing to my eye. Love the dress and topper both as an ensemble and on their own. Im sure you can wear this jacket over a number of longer tunics and dresses with great success. 

  • Jaime replied 9 years ago

    Love the drapey with the structured jacket!

  • Beth Ann replied 9 years ago

    Love the cheeky short jacket, and I think it gives a modern structure to an otherwise arty look.  Well chosen!

  • Melaine replied 9 years ago

    I love it so much!!!

  • Missey replied 9 years ago

    I was looking at your post for the third time because I love it so mcuh I wanted to know who made it...how did I miss that you did?!  Really wonderful dress, excellent work and design.  If I may ask, what pattern did you use?

    Love the whole outfit!

  • Elly replied 9 years ago

    I'm sure this is just part of the talent set that makes you so good at what you do, but I have to call you out on your exquist fabric and color choice and ability to layer items to create a bigger harmonizing picture. I'm a painter and photographer, but sometimes wish I was a knitter or a quilter for the advanced pattern and color mixing skills.

  • rachylou replied 9 years ago

    This cropped jacket is great with this dress! Things seem to hang right, good visual proportions.

    I have trouble with cropped jackets. They sort of seem to interfere with the way a lot of my clothes hang, and somehow I don't have the right length stuff to go under... always a bit too short.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Thanks, everyone!
    Missey, the pattern is Vogue 8975.
    Elly, it's nice of you to point out that part of the process. I don't really think about the skills that much. And I admire what quilters do, because it seems to take a whole different set of skills to come up with a pleasing pattern of fabrics on a quilt.
    Rachylou, I do too, but then I'm always wanting a shorter jacket to go with some things, especially dresses. So we'll see how this one works. out.

  • Tanya replied 9 years ago

    Love, love this work!  The dress is a piece of art and I think the cropped jacket works well with it.

  • Isabel replied 9 years ago

    WOWZA !!  What a great look !!!  A 10 for me.

  • Day Vies replied 9 years ago

    Love the colors, fit and proportion! Edgy and eclectic -- lovely.

  • Missey replied 9 years ago

    Well I would have never thought that pattern would have produced the dress you crafted!  Wow- perfect fabric choice!  Thanks for sharing the pattern number!

  • In My Joi replied 9 years ago

    Fantastically done! That denim moto is oh so FAB, and the back zipper detail is perfection :)

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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.