Firecracker's Blog

WIW: summer dresses

July 16, 2020

Finally we have some good summer dress weather! I made a couple of bright summer dresses recently, and now I have the opportunity to wear them. Yesterday I wore the linen dress, and today I am wearing the t-shirt dress.
When I made the linen one, I thought, wow, this is bright! But the brightness is still somewhat muted, so I felt like it suited me. I like it.
The t-shirt dress is a much brighter bright, to me, and I'm not sure yet how I feel about it. Maybe it would be better as a nightgown. Your thoughts?

The outfits:
1) Floral linen short-sleeved shift dress (made by me, from Allie Olson Coram Shirt and Dress pattern); silver platform sandals (Mephisto).
2) Floral knit short-sleeved t-shirt dress (made by me, from Style Arc Mary Dress pattern); silver platform sandals (Mephisto).




1
2
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.

39 Comments

  • nuancedream replied 4 years ago

    Both dresses are so lovely. but the t-shirt dress does read a bit nightgown to me, Firecracker. It's wonderful that summer dress weather finally made its appearance in Seattle. Those silver sandals are gorgeous!

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 4 years ago

    Thanks, Andrea!

  • Lucy replied 4 years ago

    They are both lovely and very flattering. I really like the pattern of the linen dress--it reads as a little more sophisticated than the pattern on the t-shirt dress to me. They are both perfect for the summer heat though!

  • RobinF replied 4 years ago

    These are both great. I like the cut of the t-shirt dress but agree that it seems brighter. Love the linen, cool and chic.

  • Angie replied 4 years ago

    FINALLY, our perfect Seattle Summer weather is here, Sharan! And you have two new KILLER perfect frocks to wear for the occasion. 

    You hair is SOOOOO gorgeous! 

  • Preppy Pear replied 4 years ago

    Very, very pretty dresses! I love the florals on you!

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 4 years ago

    Lucy, thanks. Yes, that's a good observation; I agree the pattern on the linen has a more sophisticated look.
    RobinF, thank you. I like the cut of the t-shirt dress, too; I've made dresses from this pattern several times.
    Thank you, Angie! I changed out of the t-shirt dress to wear the linen one again today. I have other fabric I could use for a t-shirt dress I might enjoy more.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 4 years ago

    Preppy Pear, thank you!

  • avicennia replied 4 years ago

    Such lovely dresses. Neither read nightgown to me. I’m in awe of your sewing talent!

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 4 years ago

    Thank you, Avicennia!

  • Roxanna replied 4 years ago

    Gosh i am so in admiration of your sewing skills! The first one is perfectly you and I adore it. The second is also nice, but as yo said, is a bit brighter to me and a little conventional for your style. But both are lovely regardless :)

  • Jenava replied 4 years ago

    Just looking at the photos before I read your comments, I felt the first dress was just the right balance for you; sack but short, bright but interesting pattern, I felt it suited your hair and glasses with the right level of sophistication.

    The second dress I didn't see it as fitting your vibe as well.  That said, I always go bright in summer, so I think it's fair to wear something out of band for exceptional weather.

    Then I saw by your comments you were feeling the same as I was about the second dress.  Of course, up to you!  +1 to your gut feel about it.  I think you can still wear it of course, but compared to the first it isn't quite as in line with how I see your style.

  • JAileen replied 4 years ago

    I love the first one.  The second one is very nice, but not as lovely as the first one.  I wouldn’t demote it to nightgown, though. 

  • Angie replied 4 years ago

    Sharan, try wearing the brighter second dress over white or olive jeans, maybe? That will mute it - and tomorrow is cooler weather for just that type of outfit combination :)

  • Joy replied 4 years ago

    Wow! Those dresses are both gorgeous. Such pretty florals and colors. the same topper could work for both dresses.

  • unfrumped replied 4 years ago

    Wow!
    Both are pretty and fun. I wouldn’t worry about it, other than the linen “ moody floral” suits you better and so is a good bar to set. And I like the style, sleeves and neckline better.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 4 years ago

    Thank you Roxanna. More conventional seems a good description, too.
    Jenava, great analysis--thank you. I do really like the linen one, and you have shown me why.
    Janet, thanks. It's not exactly demoted yet. It's on a hanger. Haha!
    Angie, that's a good idea. In fact, I wonder if I should just cut it off and turn it into a t-shirt.
    Joy, yes, both dresses work with my white and blue denim jackets. And they both go with the bright coral toenail polish I'm currently wearing!
    Thanks, unfrumped. Good observations about the style, too.

  • Brooklyn replied 4 years ago

    Outstanding! No 1 is making me swoon. YLF.

  • Windchime replied 4 years ago

    Great summer dresses!  I would not think “night gown” about the second one, but perhaps it is more different than your usual style.  I’d be interested to see it styled as Angie suggested.


    Beautiful sandals and hair, too.

  • Jaime replied 4 years ago

    Both are beautiful on you! And I want a haircut just looking at you :) !

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 4 years ago

    Thank you Brooklyn, Windchime, and Jaime!

  • rachylou replied 4 years ago

    Sweet and pretty! :)

  • slim cat replied 4 years ago

    Lovely dresses! The linen dress is gorgeous on you! The second dress is slightly more casual - great with denim jacket and the bright summer bag ( not a nightgown at all! ).

  • jasmine replied 4 years ago

    It's so interesting to compare the two. I think they both look really good but the linen one definitely "harmonizes" with your coloring perfectly.

  • Minaminu replied 4 years ago

    Both dresses fit you well, your sewing skills are fab! I also think that the linen dress is beautiful on you!

  • Bijou replied 4 years ago

    Sharan you look fab in both of these fun summer dresses. #1 is just outstanding, so #2 suffers by comparison. However, for a great little summer dress to wear on the weekend and casually over bathers or shorts on a summer holiday, #2 is a good addition to your wardrobe.

  • bella replied 4 years ago

    I like them both, but the neckline of the first one looks more flattering to me. Just something to keep in mind for further projects. 
    The brightness of the second one would not bother me, but maybe something to do with the scale of the roses is making this look like pjs for you? 
    In any case, I would wear it as is on warm summer days, but it would be more than perfect as a nightgown, too. So you can't go wrong here. 

  • Janet replied 4 years ago

    Agreed with Bella and the others - #1 seems more *you* but both are great.

  • Angie replied 4 years ago

    YES! Hacking to a tee is another good option :)

  • replied 4 years ago

    The first is so good it would be a challenge for any similar print to equal! The brightness is a little high beam but more problematic is the style of the print, less contemporary than the first.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 4 years ago

    Thanks for all the great insights, everyone!

  • rachylou replied 4 years ago

    I’m just clueing in to issues with the second dress... so I see it as more conventional, more pure pretty. It’s bright but also a less sophisticated print. Something like a leather bracelet cuff, brown sandals would add sophistication back into the look. I like the idea of it as a dress because that’s useful for summer wear...

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 4 years ago

    Thanks, Rachylou. I have brown sandals which could work. Meanwhile, I have another dress made from this same pattern that I like to wear in summer, and which I like better than this one. So there's that, too--how much do I really want to make this new one work.

    1
  • replied 4 years ago

    I like the linen dress more too with your coloring. And I'm used to seeing you in softer colors. That said, at least to me, sometimes brighter colors feel right and sometimes muted colors do. When holding it against the rest of your wardrobe, does it fit in somewhere, or is it a one off?

  • replied 4 years ago

    Duplicate post- hit submit twice.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 4 years ago

    Suntiger, the second dress definitely looks like it belongs in another closet. Ha!

  • Mainelady replied 4 years ago

    I admire your sewing skills and as a fan of bright summer florals, I give a thumbs up for each dress.  The t shirt dress looks more casual to me and I see where you have been given some good suggestions for styling or changes, if you want to make them. I am wondering how you would like the dress, with a self tie belt? Or maybe patch pockets in a different print......stripes, perhaps?  IMO the tshirt dress is a perfect piece for summer, so I suggest pausing before cutting it off. The bright print might grow on you. (hahaha, sorry. I couldn’t help myself.)

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 4 years ago

    Thanks for the ideas, Mainelady. A belt might help the dress, yes. Not sure about patch pockets, but I do see what you mean, the idea of giving it a more quirky vibe maybe.

  • lyn67 replied 4 years ago

    Nr 1 is outstanding(hair, too!!) and feels very unique! Fabric(yummy linen), pattern and color,  cut, fit so you!!  Nr 2 is a more common and casual dress-but think nothing wrong with it -just a bit  outshined by nr 1!:-)

You need to be logged in to comment

Categories

Blogroll

Archives

About

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.