Help me to wear dresses- I feel overdresssed.

[ameliagrey]

Help me. I am always in jeans or skinny leg cords.

This winter I've bought a tunic- charcoal merino with pockets at front- and a dress that's a knitted shift dress in charcoal.

I wear both with either thick tights and chunky flat boots , or leggings.

BUT- I tend to keep thes outfits for "best" and never really wear them. i think it's partly because I feel older in them- I am 50-ish but people think I am much younger mainly I think because I tend to dress smart casual and not Alexon or CC!

I've got a good figure ( size 10) and look okay, so I am told, but I always feel over dressed in anything but jeans or casual trousers.

I work from home anyway, but go out to meet friends for lunch or go to exhibitions etc in London.

Please convince me I can wear my dressses.

[neuroticmumof3]

You can wear your dresses and I bet you look great in them. Buy some more while the sales are on, put the jeans and trousers into hibernation for a while and wear dresses daily for a while.

[HouseOfBambooootiful]

Probably just a matter of getting used to them - tunic dresses, leggings and boots isn't particularly 'dressed up' but at the same time it's fairly easy to put together a neutral and flattering outfit that can take you through most situations. And they are comfier than jeans - what's not to like!

Make sure:

• you have enough layering items and accessories that match
  
• all items are machine washable
  
• you have enough dresses/tunics to take you through the week without resorting to jeans
  
• the tunic dresses are proper flattering drapey fabrics (not just oversized t-shirt type things) in a cut and length that really suits you
  

Then you don't ever have to think about it again, capsule wardrobe sorted!

[LaurieFairyCake]

I only wear dresses and I get over that 'overdressed' feeling by wearing long cardigans - that way you only have to show the thin 'panel' at the front.

[Fluffycloudland77]

It's all about confidence! And well fitting undies.
I hate seeing bra straps peeking out of dresses, honestly just go for it.

[ameliagrey]

OOh thanks ladies.

I think it's a left over from my student days- long gone!- and working in a fairly "creative field" and now from home.

In London everyone looks soooooooooo scruffycasual these days that anything other than jeans feels over dressed.

I like a fairly minimalist look- have blonde highlighted hair just touching my shoulders- so tend to wear plainneutral colours with silver jewellery etc.

[HouseOfBambooootiful]

I like plain (not patterned) dresses, I think that helps with not feeling overdressed. I usually match the leggings to the dress, then maybe pick up a bit of contrast with a long-sleeved t-shirt under the dress, or a plainish scarf in a contrasting colour. I think it's quite nice to not match the boots to the leggings though, ie not black leggings with black boots, I prefer brown or grey boots.

Depends on your figure though, if you're a size 10 then you can probably get away with more brightly coloured tights etc.

[ameliagrey]

I was wondering about the boots- I have black and brown flat boots and think that the brown look more casual with black tights and the dark grey dress. My coat(s) are black and dark grey as well, or I have a waxy biker jacket thingy in brown.

[HouseOfBambooootiful]

Brown boots seem to go with just about anything. Do you want to make the black boots less 'formal' looking? Depending on the style, I guess you could do stuff like wear with chunky socks showing at the top of them, or wear chunky non-black tights? Disclaimer - I am a style ignoramus!

[TracyK]

I'd agree. get loads of dresses in the sale and then wear one every day for a couple of weeks, you'll soon get used to them.
Use casual cardi or waistcoats to take the dressiness out of it, maybe till you get used to wearing them, then you won't need them.

[HouseOfBambooootiful]

Oh and if you find a plainish dress that fits beautifully and is flattering, get another one the same. Requires even less thought and matching then!

[oxcat1]

This sounds amazing, but....

please can somebody provide some links to the kind of dresses you mean? I have the same problem as the OP, and now wonder if I'm just overdressing to begin with?

[HouseOfBambooootiful]

I guess this kind of thing is what I'm on about - simple and plain and can be accessorised to fit the occasion

John Lewis

bit more formal and pricey, but still quite simple

Debenhams - Principles

Debenhams - Mantaray

Make sure to choose a-line if you're pear-shaped or knits will cling annoyingly around your bum.

Plainish short-sleeved dresses can work well with a long-sleeved t-shirt or thin roll-neck underneath, or cardi on top.

[HouseOfBambooootiful]

Oh and White Company do lots of nice plain ones as well, but they are horribly pricey.

[DonaAna]

I work from home too. As I type this, I'm wearing this navy blue merino wool jumper dress, gray tights, cream tall sheepskin boots (for comfort), black pearls and red lipstick. And perfume, too. You can't believe how much better I feel dressed up like this - it's boosted my self-esteem and productivity and I've gotten promoted recently. I wear them just for me.

Get a dress that's right for your figure. Some of them can be sack-like or emphasize the wrong bits. I'm size 10 and not curvy, some dresses look like prisoners' clothes on me or emphasize my round belly. Soft, full necklines and pencil skirt like hems look good on me. I also like good quality fibers (100% merino), I'm not a fan of viscose and polyester, at 38 some high street clothes have simply started looking too tatty on me.

[levantine]

DonaAna that dress is lovely

[HouseOfBambooootiful]

That one is lovely DonaAna. I'd agree that nice fabric is important - some of the ones I've linked to are a bit too nylony.

I don't mind viscose as it seems to breathe okay, but anything with too much polyester and nylon in it is vile. Cotton knits are usually good.

[Oblomov]

Don't forget wrap dresses. debenhams

[Chandon]

never thought I'd see "minimalist" and "blond high lighted hair" in the same sentence

I like wearing knitted dresses a lot, as they are:
1.)comfy
2.)smarter than jeans
3.) cosy
4.) they highlight my curves rather than "fight" with them (no muffin tops! Although the amazing 7FAM jeans are muffin top free too)
5.) I never try to look younger or "with it", so maybe my opinion is irrelevant to you (live in sticks, not London, so people think you are "glamorous" if you wear shoes that aren't welly boots )

[mollymole]

I like to put some bright opaque tights with plain dresses, Love red or purple with grey and a black boot

[DonaAna]

Thanks all! I have several jumper dresses, but the navy one is my new favorite - recommend it, worth the price. The quality is very good and it's very comfy - something you can wear both at home and for drinks without feeling too dressed up.

I also love silk & cotton mixes but it's winter now (even here in Rome!) so merino feels just right.

[Bienchen]

Pretty much snap with Chandon here.

I have started to wear dresses again after a hiatus of a few years. Agewise, I am not much younger than you.

I like tunic dresses often in wool/merino/cashmere. If they are on the short side, I tend to wear with skinny dark jeans (look out for colour transfer if your dress is light in colour though).

Totally second the A-line. As I am busty, I prefer a V-neck and dresses that fit on top and have a waist, anything else makes me look like a sack of King Edwards.

Woollen dresses keep me warm, layered either with vest or long sleeved T-shirt if really cold. Worn with flat or low heel boots or knitted tights. Have just invested in cotton tights with a chevron pattern from M&S: they are fabulous, warm, no bobbling even if worn under wool dress, wash well. Have these now in brown and grey to go with various dresses.

For Spring and Autumn I replace the wool with cotton versions, often 3/4 sleeved. I team with leggings in navy or black and white jeans/linen trousers, so they go for casual to chic.

I tend to wear posh silk scarves and chunky silver or horn jewellery as accessories, so prefer plain dresses and find that they can be dressed up or down easily. Plus perfect for travelling, minimal creasing.

[fascinatingcreature]

I am so envious of all you people with thin enough/ unsaggy knees to wear this look. Any ideas for a similar look for almost 50year old fatties? (Apart from a good diet and some serious exercise!)

[HouseOfBambooootiful]

I don't think you need to have slender knees to wear this look (I certainly don't)!

I think the following helps:

• wider skirts to draw attention away from the legs
  

• wear dresses just above the knee rather than mid-thigh tunics
  

• try and get a dress that accentuates your narrowest part, eg waist or just below the bust
  

• leggings or tights in a similar colour to the dress
  

• chunky boots to balance thighs, your leg always looks slimmer coming out of the top of a wider boot (high ankle or calf length biker style are good).
  

• bright scarves or jewellery to draw the eye away from your bottom half

[fascinatingcreature]

Really? Anyone find a dress that would work for me? I am 5' 11 and my thinnest part is my waist. I am an 18 or 20 at the moment and I suit a v neck or scoop neck best.
I would be very very grateful!!!!

[HouseOfBambooootiful]

Would you say you were apple or pear shaped?