What should I wear over these dresses?

February 20, 2023 4:43 PM

I’m going to a wedding at the end of March, when the weather can still be chilly here in the mid-Atlantic US. Both of my nicest dresses are short-sleeved and made out of thin material. Is there some kind of nice wrap/jacket I could get that would go with either one? Dress pics and additional info within.

Dress possibilities, number one and number two. Since it’s hard to see in the photo, dress two is roughly knee length, maybe a tiny bit above.

The obvious move is to get a plain black wrap/jacket/other garment, but what would look good with either dress, be warm enough for a cool day, and ideally be versatile enough that I could also wear it on non-fancy-wedding occasions? Or, if you have an idea that meets other criteria but would clearly be better with one dress than the other, which dress should I pick?

If it helps, the wedding is in the DC area and is indoors, so the garment should be cozy for climate-controlled spaces but doesn’t need to be able to withstand rain or anything. Don’t have a particular price range in mind. I don’t buy from Amazon at all but am otherwise open to wherever I can find something.

posted by ActionPopulated to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (16 answers total)

A basic black cardigan -- not too long, not too thick -- would work for both, and potentially work with the rest of your wardrobe. Target almost always has items like this in stock, like this one. It could be dressed up with a brooch or a silk flower pin.
posted by BlahLaLa at 4:46 PM on February 20, 2023 [1 favorite]

The blue floral fabric looks very summery, I would go with the pink. A basic black cardigan would be fine, or a pink that matches the inner part of the flower would be a bit more adventurous.
posted by Sar at 4:57 PM on February 20, 2023 [2 favorites]

I love wearing light shrugs over my dresses like that. A full cardigan feels frumpy on me.
posted by ReluctantViking at 5:07 PM on February 20, 2023 [5 favorites]

A tuxedo jacket or bolero style blazer would look nice and keep the silhouette you've got going. If you go with a sweater, I'd opt for a cropped style, to show off your waist. Maybe something with a little embellishment.
posted by typetive at 5:15 PM on February 20, 2023 [10 favorites]

Yeah, I feel like a black wrap is your move here if you're on the fence about which dress. fwiw I'm also in DC and had a wedding here at the beginning of April last year, and I agree the blue looks a little more summery than I'd go for for March. But a complementary peach or mauve wrap would look super pretty with that pink, or something in gold with a little shimmer.
posted by jameaterblues at 5:31 PM on February 20, 2023 [2 favorites]

The Knot has some suggestions for you. The list is aimed at bridesmaids but I think you can get some ideas too. Personally I would also suggest a shrug, and they have a few examples.
posted by gudrun at 5:32 PM on February 20, 2023 [2 favorites]

I vote dress 1 and a pashmina. Could be black or a pink or cream colour.
posted by kinddieserzeit at 5:49 PM on February 20, 2023 [5 favorites]

Dress 1 feels more in line with DC in March, to me. Depending on your style when not wearing fancy dresses, I think a cropped cardigan or large wrap/pashmina would both be right choices. With your coloring I feel like you could find one in ivory or cream, blush pink, black, or even a buttery soft yellow and they would all look nice. See what you have in your closet, color-wise, to help inform you about which to choose for future flexibility.

I like Nordstrom Rack for this kind of thing, and they have a great return policy. Ivory cashmere wrap, inexpensive scarf in soft colors, lightweight pink pashmina, lacy black cardigan with long sleeves, lacy black cardigan with short sleeves.
posted by Mizu at 6:19 PM on February 20, 2023 [2 favorites]

I agree with typetive - either of the blazers they've picked out would go well with dress #1, I imagine. Also, black blazers are excellent for making any outfit look fancier, and could come in handy next time you need to dress up for any reason.
posted by coffeecat at 6:42 PM on February 20, 2023

Black or ivory shrug is my goto for short sleeve dresses, I find regular cardigans that look fine with pants often don't hit right with a dress and look frumpy as a PP mentioned, esp since I'm not that tall. Here's one at Nordstrom Rack that looks pretty versatile. A bolero jacket could be cool, but similar to cardigans my experience is that longer jackets/traditional blazers don't look pulled together over most dresses for my body type.

I think wraps can be really elegant but also kind of a pain in the butt if you have to do anything other than walk around/sit down. So fine for outside, going into the venue, etc. but not for going through a buffet line, etc.

(Ps. i also like NR for return policy etc. but right now they are having a big sale where a lot of things on sale are actually final sale so buyer beware if you're shopping there. Not the sweater I linked to though. )
posted by snowymorninblues at 7:52 PM on February 20, 2023 [1 favorite]

Maybe a soft duster length coat…
In a blue or black/white

https://www.nordstrom.com/s/open-front-knit-duster-coat/7214431?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FAll%20Results&color=001

https://www.softiespjs.com/products/cascade-bamboo-cardigan-with-bracelet-thumbholes?variant=42517334294706
posted by calgirl at 10:13 PM on February 20, 2023

I wear jean jackets with dresses like these.
posted by shock muppet at 1:14 AM on February 21, 2023 [1 favorite]

This dress with a pink shrug looks like it has similar colors and length to your first one:
https://www.jcpenney.com/p/perceptions-jacket-dress/ppr5008272959?pTmplType=regular
posted by halehale at 3:46 AM on February 21, 2023

A shortish fitted black blazer would look wonderful. Denim would be ideal. BTW the first dress is amazing.
posted by Grunyon at 4:00 AM on February 21, 2023

I cute wrap sweater that cinches around the waist would look v nice, especially with dress 1 to mimic the neckline.
posted by greta simone at 6:17 AM on February 21, 2023

The black lacy cardigans noted by Mizu are exactly what I wear to dress up a blouse and skirt or slacks. I usually check at Ross for something in black, ivory or peach/shell pink.
posted by TrishaU at 11:17 PM on February 21, 2023