Having spent five days last week wearing pyjama bottoms and my v-neck navy cashmere pullover, I’m happy to prove that I can occasionally muster a bit of fashion play. . . Especially since I am now Nana to five, count’em,FIVE, grandchildren, and much as I dearly love that role, I don’t want to fall into any sad old stereotypes about grandma-dressing. . .
I’ve been wanting to try the dress over pants look I saw That’s Not My Age’s Alyson modeling. Neither as tall nor as slim nor anywhere near as Advanced-Class, style-wise, as Alyson, I didn’t feel brave enough to try the look with flared pants, but thought I’d give it a go with white skinny cords and a simple Gap dress that’s a bit too big for me now.
Doesn’t quite work, does it?
But, I thought, perhaps with a belt . . .
And right away, I liked it. Helped that the belt was a very close match to my Acne Pistol boots — and I like the neutral combo — cognac plus navy plus cream.
Still a bit chilly going from my office to the building I teach in, so first I tried the combo with a merino cardigan, adding a bit of colour
I don’t hate it, but for now, I think I prefer to keep the colours neutral and simplify the proportions.
So I once again grabbed my faux fur vest and voilà ! a look I really like. Yes, the vest also introduces an added horizontal, but because it’s dark, it blends into the navy better than the green of the cardigan.
I was very pleased with this outfit, all built from pieces in my closet and with the added benefit of getting that dress back into circulation, just when I’d been thinking I might have to pop it in the giveaway bag. . .
What do you think? Would you/have you tried a similar look? And do you agree that the vest works better with the outfit than the cardigan does? Oh, burning questions designed so carefully to elicit your thoughtful responses. . . but really, I’m happy if you just leave a quick “hello” in the comments or even just wave as you’re reading this. I’ll know. . . 😉
I like it.
It makes me think that I could try this with a similar red and denim-blue dress and skinny denims. I like the belt.
Of course, as I write this I'm in MY visiting-Nana work outfit of Old Navy fleece and flannel. It's a look with limited possibilities!
I'd say the fleece and flannel, visiting-Nana outfit is a look with all kinds of possibilities — good for cuddling and carrying and rolling around on the floor with little ones — have fun!
I like the dress-over-pants look too and prefer skinny or at least straight pant legs (for we shorter folk) and the belt with the boots. I have a love of thin cardigans (right now over longer layers) so am biased in that direction but agree with you the colour of the vest is better.
If the dress isn't too heavy, could you do it sans belt with a white jean and flat sandals in the summer? The unbelted version looks good, too.
I like thin cardigans as well and if I had a navy one . . . (in fact, that's on my list of purchases to make).
I do find the dress a bit big as is, although no, it isn't too heavy and I could wear it as you suggest — maybe with white jeans, ankle-length. I think I'd still sneak a belt in there!
Great look on you.
TY!
Grandma dressing! I wonder what that looks like!
You may be a grandma to 5 but you are pretty savvy when it comes to fashion…perhaps we need to rethink what the new generation of grandmas are wearing?
We're defining (redefining) Grandma dressing, aren't we?! 😉
Aren't you clever … I'd never have thought of the belt , but it's the perfect addition .
Altogether the right look for the modern Granny .
Thanks! I'm not great with belts, generally (so short-waisted) but I like what this one did to the dress length.
Grandma's are very different now. Sitting with my brother (Papa to two) grandparents aren't "old" anymore. I like the belt with the boots.
I suppose from a 20-year old's perspective, we may look just as old as grandparents ever did, but I like to think we're different. . .
Well done! Though I like the bit of green against the blue, the vest is also a great choice. Belting made all the difference. Glad you're feeling better and congratulations to the family on the newest wee one!
Thanks, Sue. I do like the green with the navy and I think I'll try to work with that in other ways.
I like your process, and I like where it ended up! My favourite, though, is the second picture, but needs must ….
Grandmother of five! That didn't take long, did it?
I like that simplest variation the best as well, I think, but I did need a layer for warmth.
And no, not long at all — a bit crazy, really, in a good way!
Funnily enough, I tried on a tunic over pants this morning. Same thought process as you, didn't like it loose, tried a belt, didn't like that either and took it off. Ended up wearing an oversized sweater instead.
Now I see my mistake was the belt – I used a wide belt at my waist. I see now that it should have been a narrower, looser belt at my hips as per your outfit. Thanks for the tip, I'll definitely try a dress over pants again.
I can't do the belt at the waist very well (short-waisted and just plain short!) but I seem to be able to make the belt at the hips work sometimes. Curious to know if it will work for you as well.
I am rather fond of the dress over pants look and think it looks really good on you.
I used to wear dresses over narrow bootcuts and heels, but now that I rarely wear heels, I think the dress over skinny denims would be a good choice. I'll have to give it a whirl.
I'm wearing heels less and less myself — I wonder whether I'll bother at all once I'm retired. . .
Love the dress over trousers/jeans/jeggings look. In my opinion, the dress needs to be loose so it doesn't pull anywhere esp with the bulk of the trousers at the waist/hips/pockets, but with a belt slung over it – just like yours – and somehow all the proportions work out. I see what you mean about the cardi – which is lovely, btw – but the vest does look better. I'll try a gilet with my dress/jeggings combo next time and see how it looks – thanks for the idea.
Hope this post reaches you as two of my previous have not. I'd like to think that there is an editor gremlin who deletes all my least interesting comments before they get published. Here's hoping he's on a teabreak
He was…
I agree that the look works better if the dress is loose enough, yet not so loose that it's bulky at all.
I've heard that comments are occasionally not getting through, and I've had the same problem at a few Blogger sites myself. Glad that gremlin was busy with his cuppa!
Yes you are right about the belt and waistcoat. Looks more pulled together. I think this outfit really suits you. Congratulations on the latest additions to your family. Mary
Thanks, Mary. It's funny that it just takes a tweak or two to make an outfit work.
I'm one of those who never cottoned to dress over pants, just a personal thing. But I do like the Indian salwaar kameez, and that's what that is… go figure.
I'm not sure how often I'd combine dress and pants, but I like this particular outfit and I'm pleased to have given new life to a dress I wasn't wearing much anymore. I did think that essentially the look is a salwaar kameez. . . .and in looser, lighter pants, a great look for summer.
I like the vest better than the cardigan. It's the weight of the fabric, maybe. I think I'd also like a jean jacket or utility jacket with that combo. You should start a new blogger trend. No more OOTD (which I had to look up the first time I saw it)…instead WNW! Or tomorrow it could be WNWW.
I think you're right that the vest's texture and weight helps make the look work — and I also think a jean jacket would work. I'll try it one of these days. WNW, I like it! 😉
I do like your look (especially photo no. 4) but cannot even try to copy it as I don't own any short dresses. But you made me remember a colourful knitted vest in my wardrobe that I haven't used in years and that I might want to build an outfit around.
Just saying hello after several days of absence, away on a hike through the north of Germany. (The trip was meant to be even longer, but I was driven home yesterday by a storm front that is at the moment shutting down half the country.) So I just caught up with your posts and hasten to congratulate you on grandchild no. 5! I can see you will be busy enough once you are retired.
It's fun getting inspiration from others' outfits, isn't it, even if the inspiration goes in a completely different direction. Dresses to knitted vests, yay!
I want to get out on long, multi-day hiking or walking expedeitions once I'm retired — sorry yours got cut short by the weather. And thank you for the comments re Grandchild#5 — yes, I think I'll have enough to occupy me!
I laughed when I read that you had been wearing your navy, v-neck cashmere sweater for days. I have been wearing mine also. I saw a picture of Ines wearing one with a white blouse under it. The collar of the blouse was turned up and the cuffs were rolled over the sweater sleeves. When I saw the picture, I was just about to leave for class and thought I have these pieces in my closet. I put them on and went off to class. Since then I have worn the pieces often and have literally been stopped on the street with people telling me how much they like the look and how perfect it is for spring. Who would have guessed old is new again.
So we'll just call you Sarah Ines? Sometimes the simplest things are the best, right? And often they're right there in the closet — thanks for the good example. I'm going to put a white shirt under my navy sweater one day soon and think of you. 😉
Loving the belt and the vest for the win!! Yay. 5 little darlings. Lucky you.
Thanks! The belt and vest seem to me to make all the difference.
And re the 5! IK,R?!!!!