Firecracker's Blog

WIW: from work to YLF cocktails

September 30, 2014

Yesterday I worked and then went to the SSIF (Seattle Shoptember Inge Fest) cocktail shindig at Dashielle's house. I wanted to wear something that could transition from work to the party. Here's what I came up with.

1-3 (worn to work): black and gold print ruffle knit sleeveless body-con dress (made by me); black and taupe stripe lightweight cardigan (Halogen); black leggings; black flat booties (Munro, Lexi); black travel coat (Cole Haan); black satchel (Elliott Lucca, Olvera); brass-wrapped silver forward-facing hoop earrings (Marjorie Baer).

4-5 (worn to cocktail party): same dress, with black shredded knit coccon shrug (made by me); black d'Orsay pumps (Vince); silver chain-rimmed convertible bag (not shown, Michael Kors); hammered brass disk earrings and hammered brass and silver beaded bracelet (Lucky).

It was so fun seeing everyone dressed up at the party! We'll have to do it again! Ann and her husband Steve were such wonderful hosts, opening their lovely home and offering the yummiest food and drink!

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.

43 Comments

  • catgirl replied 9 years ago

    That's a print?  It looks like sequins!  Gorgeous. Can we just hire you to design clothes for YLF full-time?

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Thank you, Una! I kind of design as I go, usually inspired by the fabric itself. This one is an irregular-style print--like randomly scattered leopard spots or blurry flowers in a muted gold across the black ruffles.

  • catgirl replied 9 years ago

    Well, I have a few orders to put in.  :)

  • Cerinda replied 9 years ago

    Smashing in both versions; you're giving me good food for thought.  Can't wait to hear more about everyone's fabulous time at Ann's.

  • Echo replied 9 years ago

    It DOES look like sequins; I LOVE the dress, and it is even more impressive that you made it! The outfit is perfect with the striped sweater - the skin showing between the leggings and the booties echo the stripes in the sweater in a really subdues way of bookending. And WOW, does it transition perfectly to evening! YLF!

  • thimblelina replied 9 years ago

    Yes, I have to say while the rest of us are struggling with clothes off the rack, you are wearing these amazing bespoke creations that propel you to a whole other level of fab... Okay?!? You look beautiful & I love how you transitioned day to night.

  • MsMary replied 9 years ago

    Sharon, I have to tell you that dress just took my breath away!  You looked so FAB at the party!!! And as we discussed, I love the shoes - I tried them on at the Rack and they just didn't work for me -- darn!

    I'm so thrilled to have gotten to meet you in person!  Big hugs from So Cal!  :)

  • karymk replied 9 years ago

    You looked great. You must have all had such a ball.  

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    Killer at work - (how fun is that striped cardi with the dress). 

    And killer at the cocktail party. xo

  • Asingh replied 9 years ago

    That's such a fun dress! Outfit #3 is fab.

  • AJ replied 9 years ago

    Ah, your creations are even lovelier and more impressive in person! Add me to the order waiting list!!

    I'm so glad to have met you this weekend! 

  • Neel replied 9 years ago

    Wow! You are one very clever fashionista! Love how you made that dress work AND cocktail party appropriate. You looked lovely!

  • replied 9 years ago

    Oh, Sharan, I loved meeting you! Love your own made dress here and how great that you can transform from day to evening. You look great ( and even more IRL).

  • cheryle (Dianthus) replied 9 years ago

    Sharon, you really should be working in the fashion industry if you aren't already.  Your creations are better versions of current items and you seem to have an instinct for perfecting styles that work for you.  

    Fabulous transition outfit that works for day and evening.  If I was a teacher, I would give you gold stars.

  • Runcarla replied 9 years ago

    Dress is a great length. Great leggy look without being too revealing, IYKWIM. Love the dressy incarnation.

  • Jaime replied 9 years ago

    Great transformation and great legs btw!

  • Aubergine replied 9 years ago

    Both variations are gorgeous! If I had that dress, I think I'd wear it to everything.

  • missvee replied 9 years ago

    What a perfect way to transition from day to evening. Your own creations always fit impeccably. And those Vince pumps are so flattering on you. I hope you have some more dressy occasions to wear them.

  • Ornella replied 9 years ago

    Better than any magazine feature "From Office to Party" I have seen.

    *plonk*

  • Janet replied 9 years ago

    Holy cats, you keep slaying me with these garments you have made. That dress is totally fab, and the shrug! Ack, I want one! You look fab in both versions, but the party one is ultra fab.

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Wow! This is an amazing transition. I really thought the dress was sequins. And that shrug! Superb! I love your Superwoman change up and you looked beautiful from day to night. The party version is especially amazing. 

  • Eliza replied 9 years ago

    Firecracker- I think your name suits your style quotient and sewing talent perfectly.  Love both looks and that dress is amazing.  Your accessories in both cases take it all to the moon.  You look amazing. 

  • Sara L. replied 9 years ago

    Great looks!  The dress looks so sparkly - like sequins in the photos.  I like the striped sweater with it for work and the black sweater for the party.  So fun!

  • replied 9 years ago

    Wow ! I love this look on you - both iterations of the dress.  As someone said above, this beats any magazine version of" how to transition from work to drinks afterward".  You've got the leggings-under-dress look down pat here too .  5 stars from me!!

  • JAileen replied 9 years ago

    I love the dress. As others have said, it looks sequined. It's a very clever transformation from work to party.

    I really do love your style. I want to dress like you!

  • JenA replied 9 years ago

    Such a fun transition and so amazing because you made that FANTASTIC dress. You look beautiful.  Perfect for a YLF ball!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    Absolutely gorgeous! And how clever of you to just tweak a bit to wear at two completely different occasions.

  • Karie replied 9 years ago

    Another gorgeous outfit, and I love how you transitioned it from work to party. Do you use commercial patterns when you make garments?

  • Sal replied 9 years ago

    Another one who thought it was sequins....and who thought it could be a magazine feature....no original thoughts from me here, but I do love both looks. Perfect!

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Thank you, everyone, for the overwhelming response!
    Runcarla, thanks! I do wonder sometimes why I didn't make the dress and inch or two longer. But it's fine for going out, which was the idea.
    Karie, I do use commercial patterns. This one is The Basic Dress from Textile Studio. (I see that it's out of print now, though.)

  • replied 9 years ago

    I was so taken with the dress and cardigan, I didn't realize those were "my" Vince pumps!   My favourite store here in Wpg brought these in in the summer, in nude and in in black ,  and I had to try them on. They were way far outside of my price range but were so soft and gorgeous (I love the straight across vamp) I haven't stopped thinking about them. How do you find them for comfort? 

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Lisa, I stood in them most of the evening, and I wore them to an office holiday party that was several hours long (that was the event I had in mind when I bought them). They are fine for parties. Not for walking great distances, with the high, spiky heel. But they do stay on my feet nicely. The heel is a molded shape that tapers and hugs my heel to stay on. And the relatively high vamp also helps. I tried on another Vince d'Orsay style and could barely walk at all in them--they just did not stay on. They were lower cut in front. Hope this helps!

  • replied 9 years ago

    Sharan, that is the perfect day-to-evening dress, and you made it? Wow! I love the texture it brings to both outfits. I wish I could have joined in the festivities. You look terrific.

    Believe me everyone, Sharan is even more beautiful in person than she is in her pictures. She has the prettiest skin and eyes and the most gentle demeanor. It was a pleasure to get to know you Sharan!

  • Staysfit replied 9 years ago

    Just amazing as alway!

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Claire, you are so sweet! Thank you. The sentiment is mutual--except I think you're very photogenic. :)

  • bj1111 replied 9 years ago

    Sharan...Miz Legs!  i told you that you had a carful of ylf admirers as you walked from your car to the door.  you looked phenomenal.  

  • Debora replied 9 years ago

    Wow, what an gorgeous dress! You are such a talented seamstress. Sounds like an amazing weekend all around.

  • Inge replied 9 years ago

    Sharan, the version with the striped cardigan is so fun! And I owe you a big thank you for helping me find "my Beatle booties". You were wearing your black Munros on Saturday, and I fell in love with how they looked. Streamlined, minimal and interesting. After you told us they were very comfortable to boot, I just had to try them on. And right you were. Super comfortable and beautiful. 

    Your cocktail party outfit was stunning. Both the dress and shrug are eye-catchingly beautiful with lots and lots of attention to detail. I am still in awe that you made them yourself. You are one talented lady, Sharan, and it was such a treat meeting you and getting to chat with you. Thanks so much!

  • jackiec replied 9 years ago

    My goodness this could totally be in InStyle magazine for how to dress from day to night. Perfection. Gorgeous dress in both versions. Again very inspirational :)

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    Inge, I'm so glad the booties work for you! I am loving them. You are so gracious, charming, beautiful, and fun. Oh, and you even brought us delicious chocolates! I imagine I'm not the only one who has a bit of a girl crush on you after meeting you this weekend! (blushing and smiling!)

  • Inge replied 9 years ago

    Oooh Sharan, that is so very sweet of you. Thank you!

  • Aida replied 9 years ago

    Oh I didn't realize you also wore the dress to work! It looks super with the long BF cardigan, how clever. Ladies, Sharan and this dress were even more gorgeous in person (and BJ1111 is not kidding about the car-ful of admirers! We had quite the "ooooh" moment ^^). Love seeing the transition from work-to-cocktail in action and am thrilled to have been able to see the cocktail version in person. Stunning!

  • MsLuna replied 9 years ago

    That dress is amazing on you! I like how you were able to dress it up and down with just a cardigan and a change of accessories!

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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.