Winter dresses?

[JenaW]

Thanks to the "you Look Fab" blog, I am in love with the look of a "winter" dress over tall boots. I am tired of always wearing jeans/sweaters or yoga pants, and want something that looks a bit more "put together" but is still easy to put on, and adaptable to my day.

http://youlookfab.com/2009/10/27/autumn-mom-on-the-go-flop-proof-outfit-3/

Athleta has some cute styles, but I can't stomach the prices.
http://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=709877
http://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=46838&vid=1&pid=709851
http://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=46838&vid=1&pid=709848

I haven't been out shopping lately, and right now my family is sharing the fever-sore throat-vomiting-achiness-but it's not the flu-virus that is going around town. Does Target (or somewhere with Target prices) have anything like this?

[Twoboos]

I like the look of some of the jersey and sweater dresses at oldnavy.com - which means I haven't seen them IRL and they may look horrid in person! :)

[kozachka]

I've seen a ton of sweater dresses at Marshall's and Ross. Dresses are so easy to wear, I don't get it why more people don't wear them.

[citymama]

DO you have an H&M near you? When I was last there, they had some really cute winter dresses and totally reasonable.

[Twoboos]

Here's one from Garnet Hill marked down to $34 from $118 - wool/cotton blend.

http://www.garnethill.com/jump.jsp?itemID=17120&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C2425%2C10714&iProductID=17120

[lizzywednesday]

I like the look of some of the jersey and sweater dresses at oldnavy.com - which means I haven't seen them IRL and they may look horrid in person! :)

The sweater dresses @ ON are cute. I couldn't wear them (I am too curvy) but they're cute.

I'm pickier about the jersey ones.

[jent]

No advice, but thanks for starting this thread, I've just started looking for the same.
:popc1:

[JenaW]

Thanks for all the advice. I am hoping I can try the ON ones on IRL when I go tomorrow to try and find a coat for DD. There is an H&M at the same mall, so I will stop in there too.

I also found this one from Shade - http://www.shadeclothing.com/Product/Womens/Modest/Dresses/Turtleneck_Dress - which I really like the style of, but I haven't had much luck with their clothes in the past, so we'll see. I'm worried that the material may be too lightweight. I am a bit "lumpy" if you know what I mean....

[MontrealMum]

I love the sweater dress look. I'm going to be reviving one I bought from Tweeds maaaany years ago. I especially like the ones with the turtleneck and belt. Very cute.

Very different from the ones you posted, but here's another style: Hanna Andersson (http://www.hannaandersson.com/category.asp?id=women_dresses+%26+skirts&cm_re=Holiday%202009-_-Mouse%20Over%20Navigation-_-Women%20Dresses%20Skirts) And here is one that is more similar to the ones in your post - remember that JCrew does deep discounts from time to time: JCrew (http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/dresses/knitdresses/PRDOVR~18423/18423.jsp)

LOVE the neck on this but it's pretty short - it's certainly not something I'd get a lot of wear out of these days between all the bending I do, and our harsh weather: Banana Republic (http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=51705&vid=1&pid=691041&scid=691041022)

Ann Taylor has quite a few, but I don't know how short you want to go, and they're pretty pricey. Again, they do have pretty major sales from time to time.

[AbbysMom]

JeraW - any updates? I've been following along and just found some cute tall Franco Sarto boots at DSW that would look great with dresses. PS The website you first posted (youlookfab) is adorable!

[JenaW]

ok. Someone asked for an update. Here is what I have found so far.

I got these boots from Target, and so far I really like them. http://tinyurl.com/ybttegg They are a teeny bit slouchy, but not at all saggy. They are flat, so I can chase after the kids in them. I think they definitely look cute with skirts/dresses, but they make an outfit very casual. I don't have any jeans that are skinny enough to tuck in, so I am not sure how that would work. I did try with several of my boot-cut pairs, and while there is plenty of room to tuck, it looks wierd because the upper leg of the jean on top of the boot is too baggy. However, for the price tag ($40) these are NOT bad.

I also just won these on ebay -
http://blowsearch.priceleap.com/compare-prices/Aerosoles_Steparation___Tan--6167679
for a steal. They are brand new, never worn, (making them an even better deal) and I am crossing my fingers that they will stretch a tiny bit. They are not leather though, so we'll see. I love the butterscotch color, and they are much dressier than the grey pair, so while I think they still work with jeans and some of my more casual dresses, I also think they work well with dressier trousers. I haven't actually worn them outside yet.


I found this dress today at Target. http://tinyurl.com/y8k85ll
I do not think I would have looked at it based on the online picture, but I saw it on the rack and decided to try it. I love the 3/4 sleeves, and it is perfect for the fall weather we are having now, but I am not sure how far it will get me into the winter. It is a pretty light weight knit fabric, but not at all clingy. I had to go up a size to get the length I wanted (I am about 5ft 7in and I did not want too much thigh showing!) so it does have the ability to make me look pregnant if I am not careful don't suck my poochy belly in. However, with a green cami under it (to brighten up the color a bit and make my green eyes pop), and the above boots, I thought it was doable. I tried it on with a denim jacket over it. Not totally sold on that look. We'll see.

I had a dress very similar to this one in black hanging in my closet.
http://tinyurl.com/yj9smbq
It has a bit more of a sleeveless sleeve though. I tried it on with a 3/4 length bright pink tee from DEB, and put a long pink/orangey fringey scarf around my neck. With the grey boots, I think it could be a fun outfit. I am not sure if the scarf is too heavy though. It is a true winter scarf (but fringey material), but not one of the lighter weight scarves that are so popular right now. I liked the pop of color and thought it made the outfit very fun, but I am wondering if it is too heavy/wintery for the very light weight material of the black dress. I am clueless when it comes to these things!


I LOVE this dress.
http://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=50004&vid=1&pid=686927
I am trying to decide if it is worth it with my 30% F&F code, and a $20 rewards coupon. $63 makes it much more stomachable (is that a word), but I would still rather get 2 or 3 dresses for that amount! I am a cheapskate...what can I say.

Athleta also has this one,
http://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=46838&vid=1&pid=709945
and it comes in several colors and in Tall, so that may solve my "is-it-too-short" dilemma. The price is better too, but I like the first one much better. SIGH.

I ordered this one from Shade in the raisin color -
http://www.shadeclothing.com/Product/Womens/Modest/Dresses/Turtleneck_Dress
We'll see how it works and if I keep it or not.

I have found that I love wearing the tall boots, even with skirts and a casual top. The problem - now I need to get the rest of me to match my "more put-together" look. I feel like from the neck up, I still look frumpy. I have just-above-the-shoulder length dark blonde crazy-curly hair that usually does its own thing. My style of choice is a pony-tail because it is the easiest thing to do in the am. Although hubby says it makes me look like a high school cheerleader! I don't think that is the look I am going for. I think it looks "ok" (not great, but ok) when I wear it down, but that only happens 2-3 times a week when I can wash it. Right now, I have about 3-4 inches of darker brown/grey root regrowth so it is usually pulled back to try and hide that. I feel so much more comfortable when I just throw on jeans/sweater or yoga pants because I feel like the rest of me fits that look just fine. With the dress or skirt and boots, I feel like I LOOK like I am TRYING to put more effort into my looks, but the rest of ME does not match my clothes. Sigh!

[jent]

Thanks for the update, Jera! I was just thinking about dresses and sat down to do a little online shopping while DD naps. I have the opposite problem as you-- I'm very short (5'0") and most dresses are too long-- so post about the ones that are too short for you and I'll try them.

I can't help you with fashion advice from the outfits as I have no clue either. Try posting pics of the outfits on youlookfab, though (love that site).

I like the gray boots-- I need a pair of knee highs and can't decide on black or brown.

[AbbysMom]

Nice - thanks for the update! I just bought this dress at Old Navy and it is so comfortable and looks great with tall boots:
http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=49426&vid=1&pid=675587&scid=675587022

That website though - makes me want to shop!

[graciebellesmomma]

Ohh, Jera, I got those same boots! LOVE them!
I also got this dress and totally thought of this post!

It's fantastic! I got it in the Gray Color and would love to
get it in the Burgundy. It's warm and soft and doesn't cling!
Super cute with black textured tigths and my black tall boots!

http://www.target.com/Long-Sleeve-Womens-Dresses-Clothing-Women/b/ref=sc_iw_r_1_1/182-4773397-3831051?node=2207096011