Indecisive Girl in a Yellow Dress
October 17, 2007 3:08 PM Subscribe
How do I accessorize my three yellow dresses?
In order of fave to least, I own three yellow dresses , but I don't know how to wear them during the fall/winter season. It's partially vanity; if I wear bright yellow and hot pink in December I'll look like a highlighter in a sea of pale Midwesterners. It's also a matter of practicality; I need to wear layers and layers during cold winters and I don't have the budget/flamboyance for a coat, gloves, and scarf in yellow.
I need to know what basic neutral colors work well with yellow without looking out of place, and how I can layer with these dresses. I know yellow/gray combinations have been on the runways for seasons now, but what shade? Blue/gray charcoals, light gray, almost black?
The only ideas I've had so far is a gray cardigan and tights with the same yellow peeptoes I have on in the photos, but I'm not completely sold yet. It begs more questions; opaque or sheer stockings, carcoat or cropped cardi? Is yellow and robin's egg blue too spring? Am I being way too paranoid about what the fashion overlords would think if they even cared?
extra credit: I'm petite, I like brand recommendations and online shops, I'm willing to buy anything with a decent budget, I have one pair of translucent purple glasses and one pair of square plastic frames.
In order of fave to least, I own three yellow dresses , but I don't know how to wear them during the fall/winter season. It's partially vanity; if I wear bright yellow and hot pink in December I'll look like a highlighter in a sea of pale Midwesterners. It's also a matter of practicality; I need to wear layers and layers during cold winters and I don't have the budget/flamboyance for a coat, gloves, and scarf in yellow.
I need to know what basic neutral colors work well with yellow without looking out of place, and how I can layer with these dresses. I know yellow/gray combinations have been on the runways for seasons now, but what shade? Blue/gray charcoals, light gray, almost black?
The only ideas I've had so far is a gray cardigan and tights with the same yellow peeptoes I have on in the photos, but I'm not completely sold yet. It begs more questions; opaque or sheer stockings, carcoat or cropped cardi? Is yellow and robin's egg blue too spring? Am I being way too paranoid about what the fashion overlords would think if they even cared?
extra credit: I'm petite, I like brand recommendations and online shops, I'm willing to buy anything with a decent budget, I have one pair of translucent purple glasses and one pair of square plastic frames.
What you want is some browns and oatmeals. I would steer clear of blacks, blues, and pastels.
(And I don't know how you'll wear the second dress at all in the winter. I guess you can wear a cardigan over it, but you'd have to wear it buttoned, so you'll pretty much look like you're wearing a skirt+cardi. Not that there's anything wrong with that. But it looks like a pretty lightweight cotton, so even with a slip and tights, it might be awfully chilly.)
Specifically, I would pair the first dress with brown (suede) shoes, brown capri-length leggings, an oatmeal cardi. No matchy-matchy accessories. A punch of yellow is a lot all by itself.
posted by thehmsbeagle at 3:27 PM on October 17, 2007
(And I don't know how you'll wear the second dress at all in the winter. I guess you can wear a cardigan over it, but you'd have to wear it buttoned, so you'll pretty much look like you're wearing a skirt+cardi. Not that there's anything wrong with that. But it looks like a pretty lightweight cotton, so even with a slip and tights, it might be awfully chilly.)
Specifically, I would pair the first dress with brown (suede) shoes, brown capri-length leggings, an oatmeal cardi. No matchy-matchy accessories. A punch of yellow is a lot all by itself.
posted by thehmsbeagle at 3:27 PM on October 17, 2007
Dark wash denims, creams, dove grays, charcoals and with the sundress and the church dress I think you could wear a very dark green or navy, but not with the polka dot one.
I saw a girl wearing a mustard yellow sweater, dove gray scarf, dark jeans and cream shoes yesterday, she looked so cute, and the colours really popped.
posted by Sar at 3:47 PM on October 17, 2007
I saw a girl wearing a mustard yellow sweater, dove gray scarf, dark jeans and cream shoes yesterday, she looked so cute, and the colours really popped.
posted by Sar at 3:47 PM on October 17, 2007
You need brown, orange, or dark green shrugs, shawls and half sweaters. Also, a long tailored trench jacket would be great. Don't forget tights and funky shoes!
That first dress is super rad. I call it a "frock", which is just a winter way to say "awesome funky dress". They're really in style bigtime right now.
posted by iamkimiam at 4:34 PM on October 17, 2007
That first dress is super rad. I call it a "frock", which is just a winter way to say "awesome funky dress". They're really in style bigtime right now.
posted by iamkimiam at 4:34 PM on October 17, 2007
Those dresses are super cute! However, I'm not sure they're good choices for the fall and winter, especially the first two. They look very light and airy and might get overwhelmed by cardigans, scarves, boots or cabled tights.
Charcoal gray, brown, and dark denim blue would all work. If you tend to have more black than brown/tan in your wardrobe, choose gray. I love the combination of gray and yellow in particular, fashion overlords be damned. And if you cut the yellow with a neutral, you can usually add another bright color in small doses, like a turquoise necklace or pink headband.
Delia's, Urban Outfitters, and H&M are all good jumping-off points. Possibly Forever 21, though I rarely shop there. Old Navy frequently has good opaque tights in the colder seasons too.
If you're confident enough to own and wear three yellow dresses, you'll probably be able to pull off accessorizing them easily. As long as you like the way you look, who cares what the fashion police think?
posted by Metroid Baby at 4:39 PM on October 17, 2007
Charcoal gray, brown, and dark denim blue would all work. If you tend to have more black than brown/tan in your wardrobe, choose gray. I love the combination of gray and yellow in particular, fashion overlords be damned. And if you cut the yellow with a neutral, you can usually add another bright color in small doses, like a turquoise necklace or pink headband.
Delia's, Urban Outfitters, and H&M are all good jumping-off points. Possibly Forever 21, though I rarely shop there. Old Navy frequently has good opaque tights in the colder seasons too.
If you're confident enough to own and wear three yellow dresses, you'll probably be able to pull off accessorizing them easily. As long as you like the way you look, who cares what the fashion police think?
posted by Metroid Baby at 4:39 PM on October 17, 2007
i think a cardigan in dark brown, oatmeal, olive green, navy blue, charcoal gray, or even dark red would work with any of those dresses. black would work, too, but you run the risk of looking like a bumblebee. if you wear black, make sure there's at least one other color in there.
the sleeveless one could also work over a deeply scooped ballet-neck knit tees in a neutral color.
posted by thinkingwoman at 4:39 PM on October 17, 2007
the sleeveless one could also work over a deeply scooped ballet-neck knit tees in a neutral color.
posted by thinkingwoman at 4:39 PM on October 17, 2007
I'm going to go against the grain and say that these are too summery for cold weather. It's not the color, it's the fabric and cut that makes them thus.
posted by desuetude at 6:55 PM on October 17, 2007
posted by desuetude at 6:55 PM on October 17, 2007
I would wear white cable knit tights, get a Gray and a white tightish long sleeve shirt to wear under, and a chocolate brown and a gray cardigan or v-neck sweaters. Maybe any of those elements in burgundy too.
posted by Packy_1962 at 8:09 PM on October 17, 2007
posted by Packy_1962 at 8:09 PM on October 17, 2007
I wouldn't wear any of these in the winter. Like desuetude said, the fabric is too summery. I'd go looking for winter weight clothes in yellow to tide you over through the cold months.
posted by MsMolly at 8:56 PM on October 17, 2007
posted by MsMolly at 8:56 PM on October 17, 2007
Hmm, I'd have to say the first two are irredeemably summery. The third perhaps you can pair with a blazer and stockings for autumn and early spring wear.
You obviously love yellow and it becomes you, so save the money you would have spent on accessories for some fab yellow winter wear.
posted by orange swan at 8:59 PM on October 17, 2007
You obviously love yellow and it becomes you, so save the money you would have spent on accessories for some fab yellow winter wear.
posted by orange swan at 8:59 PM on October 17, 2007
I think red would go really well with the first and third dress (and maybe the second? I'm not sure what color the border is in the skirt). Especially red shoes (like Reese). You could wear a white or black cardigan with the first dress. A navy coat over the second one.
posted by bluefly at 5:04 AM on October 18, 2007
posted by bluefly at 5:04 AM on October 18, 2007
Hmm.. I think the really vivid bright yellows can go with.. say.. an equally vivid indigo. Or.. how to say, maybe a cinnamon bronzy shade? if you had a jacket in that.. I'd say just try things. I really like the first one with the little ruffle hem - it'd be fun to mix a pattern, how about a houndstooth jacket with medium size checks (same size as dress pattern)? you could try layering a funky shirt under the third dress (w/bow), maybe something with stripes, but not black and white, perhaps shades of gray/nude. oxford style flats and/or spectator shoes are in style and could go well with these..
the second summery dress, it's OK for winter I think, wear some subtle pattern tights (herringbone black/grey?) and put a chunky mohair type of sweater over it in maybe dove gray or heather gray. I like yellow and gray together. I agree on a blue/gray charcoal - I think navy is not good, but somewhere between blue and gray, very good.
my sense with mixing colors is first, try the same degree of saturation. alternately, try one that's very close to the same hue. yellow is tricky because it's used in so many things, i'd wear it with burgundy except I live in DC and it'd look like a Washington Redskins getup :) so I also think the very bright dress could match cobalt blue or true purple or any vivid shade in between.. unless your local sports team wears those colors!
posted by citron at 9:40 PM on October 18, 2007
the second summery dress, it's OK for winter I think, wear some subtle pattern tights (herringbone black/grey?) and put a chunky mohair type of sweater over it in maybe dove gray or heather gray. I like yellow and gray together. I agree on a blue/gray charcoal - I think navy is not good, but somewhere between blue and gray, very good.
my sense with mixing colors is first, try the same degree of saturation. alternately, try one that's very close to the same hue. yellow is tricky because it's used in so many things, i'd wear it with burgundy except I live in DC and it'd look like a Washington Redskins getup :) so I also think the very bright dress could match cobalt blue or true purple or any vivid shade in between.. unless your local sports team wears those colors!
posted by citron at 9:40 PM on October 18, 2007
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I do think Robin's Egg Blue is too springy. I like the idea of using grays, denims, or even brownish colors with the yellow. I think blacks would make you look like a bumblebee.
posted by tastybrains at 3:12 PM on October 17, 2007