What do you think of this outfit?

[hiptobeasquare]

I’m trying to sort out my clothes for autumn. I put together this look for the office (it’s a smart casual place). Opinions please?

All the items are great individually just not when they are put together.

Dress and belt together I like, showcases your slim waist.

Cardigan over or under the belt just doesn't work for that outfit.

Dress with belt fine. Cardigan's OK over the dress and belt on a chilly day.

@fallfallfall which I thought was ‘in’ right now. Though to be fair I try not to be too influenced by trends.

Have you a denim jacket? That would look nice with the blue dress without belt.

The belt under the cardi is better. I'm not massively sold on the cardi for an office environment even if it's casual dress.

@hiptobeasquare, yes while googling wide belts I see they are predicting a comeback. I’m of an age to remember the trend so view it as dated. Although it looks great on you/with the dress.

I think for this sort of look, a print looks better.
So an autumnal flower print maybe with your big brown cardy, the belt and some boots would probably work really well. I’d suggest more of a floaty material for the dress as well. So there’s some movement and the layers have a swish when you move around, I don’t think the body con dress works for this particular look.

That said, I think the outfit looks fine especially with the belt inside. Just that it could look better with some tweaks!

I think that cardi could work with slim/skinny ankle length trousers and court shoes and a plain white jersey t shirt or shirt. The line of the trousers would naturally accentuate your waist without the big belt.

Because it's quite oversized and you're slender and because the dress is a dark colour, everything under the cardi sort of looks shapeless even with the belt.

I don't think the dress needs a belt as it's chic and minimalist and you've got such a fantastic figure. Do you have a long length blazer?

@Ohpulltheotherone I usually do that exact outfit with the belt cardie and doc marten Chelsea boots and I love it.

@standupsitdownturnaround I have a blazer that could work. Thanks for saying it looks chic.

The dress is okay on you, but not with opaque tights. You need no tights or coloured tights.

You have a lovely figure. But, I think a slightly flared skirt would look better. Or a longer/shorter length. This length doesn’t sit right on you. Maybe it’s the angle of the photo.

Having such a great figure it’d be criminal to shroud it, but if you do want to wear this dress for work I’d put a light-coloured hip-grazing cardigan over it. Skinny belt.

The brown cardigan is great, but better worn with say a white t shirt and boyfriend jeans, Birkenstock’s / boots.

The belt thickness works with your waist and torso length so I’d hold onto it. But a thick belt that cinches in your waist on a skintight dress seems OTT to me. The belt for this dress needs to be decorative: so, skinny, or a bit glitzy if you’re wearing the dress out.

[quote fallfallfall]@hiptobeasquare, yes while googling wide belts I see they are predicting a comeback. I’m of an age to remember the trend so view it as dated. Although it looks great on you/with the dress.[/quote]
I am too, and I'm now glad I still have my wide belts from then #cheapskate

The dress would look better with a blazer or waist length thin cardigan.

The cardigan in the picture would look great with mom jeans and a white boyfriend shirt

You need to think about texture, maybe. Both cardigan and dress appear to be the same, or similar knitted fabrics - so the effect of the two together is slightly drab. (And depressing!)

As pp have said, the cardigan with a crisp shirt would be more enlivening.

The dress is a bit dated - too short, too tight; t shirt dresses this year are vast, scarcely touching the body at all and falling somewhere between ankle and floor. (Google The Row or Raey at Matches Fashion.)

It’s too short to look reasonable with socks and clogs or ankle boots. (Don’t wear visible black opaque tights!) You could try the dress with very sharp knee high boots and an oversized blazer. That would work.

You have a nice figure but I would ditch the dress it’s too body con and looks dated, particularly with the necklace, the picture you posted the model is not wearing body con, her cardi skims it doesn’t swamp her like yours does and her belt is thin which looks more modern.

Sorry but the cardi looks a bit like a dressing gown with that outfit. Better with jeans I’d say? And not a work outfit sorry.

Tbh not even a teenage model could make that terrible cardigan any good. No one would pick it up from the rails in M&S.

Yours is better, OP - just not with that dress.

Not a fan of the belt at all, sorry.

I’m loving hearing everyone’s outfit ideas on the separate pieces.

Not a fan, sorry. I don't like the belt, and the cardigan and dress don't go together at all. The dress for work with a blazer would be fine.

I think it looks good having the belt under the cardi. It’s a very fashionable outfit which not everyone could pull off.

I’d be boiling in my office in that cardigan!

@Milkbottlelegs our office is freezing. I am always cold. I keep a blanket scarf in my desk drawer.

I’ve got the same belt op! It’s fashionable in my worl- it looks good over a floaty dress and with high waisted jeans.

I think it’s the dress that is the problem- is it blue? I love the cardigan but would wear it with a dress with tonal colours- like a black floral pattern etc. Blue is not right with it!

As others have said, you have a lovely figure. Everything together, dress, cardi, belt and necklace is just ' too much '. Less is more in my book and often looks more stylish. If I were to be honest, maybe its the way it is hanging in the picture, but the cardi looks like it's on its last legs and does nothing for you paired with that dress. As someone said it may look ok with jeans and white shirt/ t shirt. The dress, whilst it looks ok with the belt , looks a touch too long for you too.