Nope. BurdaStyle book coat is not done yet. It’s close though. I should be able to put it in the mail tomorrow. Maybe. I couldn’t help it- it was such a nice day yesterday that Dan and I decided we needed to go wading in the river. And to the Asian supermarket to buy sweets. Don’t tell me I don’t have my priorities straight. (Plus I actually had some work work to do, like for my job.)
More importantly, let’s talk about clothes. I’ve always had a bit of a love affair with black with white accents, or white with black accents, à la my Orwell Coat or my English Tutor dress. And when I saw Gertie’s post this morning on her latest adorable dress (actually navy and white), it reminded me of this black and white dress that I discovered in of my closet some weeks ago. I purchased this stretchy little number about ten years ago:
I had a little flash of nostalgia for my early 20s after pulling it out and thought to myself that I ought to make a new version of this dress at a more age-appropriate length and with nicer fabric. But then I put it on and looked in the mirror and was all like, “Hey there, leggy 20s, where’d you come from? What are you up to tonight? Just hanging out in front of the mirror? That’s cool. Me too. I guess I’ll see you there then.”
So what do you think? Can I still get away with this? (Not for work, obviously- I may still make a version inspired by this better suited for the office.) It’s a bit dated in that sort of Friends-era Jennifer Aniston miniskirt way, and I’m really not concerned about whether it is “immodest” to show so much leg in public (Interesting discussions about that going on though), but more whether this screams 1999, or comes off as “trying too hard to be 24″ (which I am so not!) So, to wear or not to wear? And if to remake instead or as well, what to do different?
63 comments
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July 26, 2010 at 9:28 am
Heather
I say yes! You are pulling it off nicely, and I don’t think it looks dated.
What might make it a little more timeless (and a little less young, if you were worried about that) would be adding a row of knife pleating, maybe 4 inches long? Then it might even be good for work, too!
July 26, 2010 at 9:28 am
lsaspacey
You can definitely wear that! A remade version for work would also be great. I personally see it pushing the 1920′s vibe and having a slim skirt with side godets that flash white. What do you think?
July 26, 2010 at 9:31 am
PemiRobin
The older I get, the more I believe that if it looks good, you should wear it. The day may come when you can’t wear it, so enjoy it now. That dress looks lovely on you. Wear it.
July 26, 2010 at 9:32 am
Darci
With those gams, are you KIDDING? You’re totally rockin’ it! (And not in the “I’m trying to be 24″ gauche sort of way).
DAYUM.
July 26, 2010 at 9:35 am
Cathy A
I have heard the rule no mini skirts after 35. I don’t know your age, but you look like you could pass for in your 20s” in that picture. So I’d say, “yes” you can get away with it–particularly if you are wanting to look younger sometime. I don’t think it would give that “trying to look young” look.
July 26, 2010 at 9:39 am
RadinBrooklyn
I don’t believe in style rules in general, and I definitely don’t believe in blanket rules for age. You look great, your legs are lovely and fit, so definitely wear this (and similarly short things) for non work settings!
I typically wear flat soled shoes with shorter hemlines, because heels visibly lift a hemline, but you should do whatever you’re comfortable with. I can also see this with cute grey tights, black boots and a cardigan for the fall.
July 26, 2010 at 9:46 am
Tasia
Totally! It’s such a simple style and colour, so you can get away with the short-ness. Looks great on you!
July 26, 2010 at 9:47 am
Tasia
Oh yeah and I just read the comment about tights – it would be perfect with tights and boots in the fall!
July 26, 2010 at 9:49 am
Rachel
If you love it, you should wear it, regardless of age. If it were my dress, I’d wear it with flats and bare legs or heels and tights. But, again, that’s just me and it looks awesome on you.
July 26, 2010 at 9:52 am
karen
Only with tights and flats or boots. Otherwise I think it will look like something you pulled out of your closet from ten years ago… Don’t get me wrong, *you* look great.
July 26, 2010 at 9:54 am
Christy
You look great! Yes, wear it. Also make another version, just a few inches longer for work.
July 26, 2010 at 9:55 am
A Sewn Wardrobe
Your bod looks great in it but…. as you note, it is a little dated…
July 26, 2010 at 9:55 am
Marie-Christine
Of course you can wear it. Good legs last well into your 80s :-).
But should you? It does look very 24 to me. But as long as you keep it out of the office there’s nothing wrong with that.
July 26, 2010 at 9:59 am
Kerry
Wear it. I would. Not to work, but definitely out. As a fellow thirty-something (the big 34 arrives in almost exactly a month) who appears to be early 20s, I take advantage of this all the time and wear things most women my age can’t wear because, well, they don’t have the body of a 20 year old.
I would totally wear this out to dinner, club, party, shopping, etc. It is not immodest…but then again, I spent a fair amount of time clad in skintight lycra and have been known to participate in athletic events such as indoor track meets and marathons revealing a lot less than you are in that dress, so maybe my idea of modesty and age appropriate dressing is a bit skewed.
July 26, 2010 at 10:00 am
Karen
I am absolutely the last person that you should ask. That said, here goes: Wear what you love, what delights you, what feels like you. Whatever age.
I do. And I am much older than you.
July 26, 2010 at 10:14 am
Kim
Yes! Wear it, you look great!
July 26, 2010 at 10:18 am
Peter
OK, this is not because you haven’t added me to your “Great Sewing Blogs” list, but I say no. It’s not that the fit is bad (it’s not) or that you don’t have legs second only to my cousin Cathy’s (you do). To my eyes, it just looks kind of unsophisticated. And not to be worn with those heels. It would be perfect for say, tennis at 10 ten, funeral at noon. I think you have outgrown black stretch knit, girlfriend.
July 26, 2010 at 10:25 am
Nikole
I agree with peter on some things, the heels are a big no-no…maybe for a very casual setting with some flats
July 26, 2010 at 11:48 am
selfishseamstress
Good lord NO, it’s not a knit! It’s a stretch suiting. Yowza.
July 26, 2010 at 10:19 am
Elizabeth
Wear it!
July 26, 2010 at 10:37 am
Joanie
No doubt you’ve got the legs for it, and I wouldn’t say it’s dated perse. But I just don’t love the proportions. (In that vein, I second Peter’s tennis-dress comparison.) The drop-waist lengthens the torso, and the short skirt shortens the hip/legs. So to me, the dress is “close but not quite,” and I wouldn’t wear it, because life’s just too short to wear clothes you don’t love. But I’d definitely re-make it with a longer skirt!
July 26, 2010 at 10:43 am
Lisa
Evidently people above disagree with me but I say that with those shoes, that dress is BOSS. I am undecided as to whether it looks like 1999 at all, but if it is, then in a “hey, the 90s were kind of great and you know it” way that will warm peoples’ heats. You must wear this.
July 26, 2010 at 10:46 am
Julia
It looks more 60′s than 90′s to me, so I say wear it. I agree that it would be cute with tights too. Gogo boots might be taking it too far.
July 26, 2010 at 10:53 am
NT
A dress like this is yet another reason to go to dance classes. Wear it and “honi soit qui mall y pense.”
July 26, 2010 at 11:27 am
Sandi
I like it, but not with those shoes.
July 26, 2010 at 11:38 am
Catherine
I agree with Peter, that it looks unsophisticated. If you wanted to play up the 60′s vibe, you could try re-doing it in a Pucci-style print though that would not satisfy your hankering for a black/white dress, of course.
July 26, 2010 at 11:51 am
PetitePear
It looks 60′s rather than ’99 to me so that makes it “retro” rather than “dated”. I’d personally wear it with boots and tights rather than those heels….which do make it look much shorter.
Wow, I just read all the other comments….seems like I share very popular opinions!
July 26, 2010 at 11:52 am
Janice
I still think you can rock it. I’d pair it with nude-coloured heels, or black fishnets (small fishnets) and black spike heels but that’s just me.
July 26, 2010 at 11:53 am
ana
Oh, you can definitely get away with that. It looks great.
July 26, 2010 at 12:08 pm
pendlestitches
It looks great (note to self Must. Work. Out. More. But how does it make you feel?
July 26, 2010 at 12:09 pm
Sherry
I love the style, being a 60′s fan from way back!
I think keep this one for the beach, and remake one in classier fabric 4′ longer.
That is, if I don’t beat you to it!!
July 26, 2010 at 12:11 pm
Sherry
Sorry, not 4 foot longer, 4 inches longer!
July 26, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Dora
I think it looks great on you. You look about 18 years old in the pictures, but even disregarding the age thing, it’s just a cute, elegant, well-fitting little dress. Yes, elegant, because it’s not THAT short and it’s got a very nice and serious neckline. I know you have a “modest” retro-sophisticated sort of style, and it’s part of the reason I love your blog, but you’re allowed to branch out now and then!
And. I’m not very trendy so I can’t say whether it’s dated or not. Is it really 90s just because it’s short? And if so, do you really care so much? “Dated” just means that it’s going to be in again in like, 6 months. Wear what feels good.
July 26, 2010 at 12:21 pm
Hanna
NO! Don´t! You are lovely but the dress looks like it came from the set of a 2001 ucranian “Buffy” remake. You only need some pointy white stretch go-go boots and you´re set. (Shudder!) Life´s to short for wearing that thing, seriously. (Don´t get me wrong, it´s not about the mini, you can get away with that, it´s just horribly, horribly dated, believe me.)
hanna
July 26, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Angela
I think it’s a cute dress and may be a smidge outdated, but I agree with Julia… it looks more 60′s. If you feel like it’s a little too short could you add a contrasting white band or let out the hem a little?
July 26, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Gigi
Let me preface this by saying that you are absolutely lovely and have just the figure for this type of dress. But…the length looks dated to me when worn with heels. I bet it would work well with a pair of flat sandals as a shorts substitute.
July 26, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Jeanne B.
H*ll yeah, you can wear it! You’re not in your 20′s? Could have fooled me. Don’t ask me about footwear, though. I live in cowboy boots, tennis shoes and slippers and if it can’t be worn with those, it’s not in my wardrobe. But I know hot when I see hot, and you + that dress? HOT.
July 26, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Jessie
You can definitely pull it off, so you should absolutely wear it if you love it, but why wear a nice dress you look pretty in when you have so many spectacular clothes you look fantastic in? Something in the neckline area doesn’t do you justice. Maybe the shoulders are too wide?
July 26, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Kerry
I do agree with the others who stated different shoes would look better – maybe not flats (as a person of the same height as you, I don’t wear flats) but a lower heel.
July 26, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Christina
Uff, tough call. My first thought was: I wouldn’t wear it. The dress screams late 90es/early 00es. Reading through the comments I came to think that with a bit of styling/more clothes you could make it look less so.
I’m totally pro sewing it anew: especially pro raising the contrast piping to a not so extremely 90s position. And for the Mini: I found it’s not a problem of having the legs but rather a problem of feeling not covered enough.
Have fun trying new combinations with this dress. :)
July 26, 2010 at 2:03 pm
cidell
You have the body and legs. But, I think it’s a touch dated. I would want to see you in something fuller. The length is fine. I realized a few weeks ago at a club that all my skirts are too long.
July 26, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Bhoomika
I think its hot. Maybe its a little 1999– reminds me of a dress I wore to college parties… (I wasn’t into the black pants thing)…but its a great shape, and looks great on you.
If I remade this, I would play up the 60′s vibe- and do a bright color, or tweed with bright piping, and add cap sleeves.
July 26, 2010 at 2:21 pm
D
Firmly in the ‘dated’ camp.
It’s not that the dress isn’t lovely. It’s not that it doesn’t look lovely on you.
It just makes you look like a college student wearing her first *sophisticated* dress.
It’s kind of like the dress is trying too hard for you, and it’s failing.
if that makes any sense at all…
July 26, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Krysta
Firmly in the not dated camp over here. I think it looks sort of 60s-ish and it’s just gorgeous on you. I’m in my 20s and I would kill for your legs. Sheesh.
July 26, 2010 at 3:00 pm
Tanit-Isis
Oh dear. Please don’t tell me all the 1990s dresses in my closet have to go. At least half of my cute little dresses date from high school (and most of them probably have shorter skirts than yours). I don’t wear them that often, but I’d hate to think of them as “dated”.
July 26, 2010 at 3:44 pm
Blorpular
A simple, black, form-fitting tank dress is only going to look dated if everyone else takes to wearing farthingales and starched ruffs.
Wear it with pride while you’ve got the legs and bod for it.
July 26, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Tailypo
I say no, and it isn’t about the degree of leg as much as the high-hip-as ‘waist’ inset. That, my dear, dates this sucker irrevocably. For a while there the world went crazy and up was down, black was white, day was night, and hips were waists. We are no longer living in those dark days and our waistbands have returned to our waists. Don’t hang back with the apes, Stella. Let this dress go.
July 26, 2010 at 4:40 pm
Tailypo
Just reread and regret use of ‘My dear’. Meant to sound blithe and instead sounded bitchface. Please undo.
July 26, 2010 at 5:23 pm
Gorgeous Things
If you are going to wear it, pair it with gladiator sandals and a kick ass attitude. I never let “shoulds” stop me from something I like, but it’s a fine line to walk.
July 26, 2010 at 6:20 pm
Echo
Yes you can absolutely wear this with no alterations as the length is fab and not too short by any means. The high-hip-as-waist inset is good and makes your torso look longer, which helps balance those gorgeous legs. I don’t agree that this element dates the garment too much. Really, if you can carry it off anything goes. I do agree though that if you do heels make sure they don’t aren’t plain silhouette or colour shoes. The more complex/modern, the better. Flats could work too, same thing I think, though careful not to frump it!
July 26, 2010 at 7:25 pm
Joyce
In my book your young, slim, shapley . The dress fits fine. Your right maybe not for work but Dan will love it for going out. You could add a black and white band to make longer. Checks maybe, to go with the top stitching,
Possibly a matching jacket, short and simple.
Joyce
July 26, 2010 at 8:13 pm
rita
Short + Heels gives a certain undesirable impression.
Wear with flats.
July 26, 2010 at 9:19 pm
lorrwill
You only asked that question to cos you knew the answer and just wanted to Pavlov a hunnerd people into saying YES!
July 26, 2010 at 10:36 pm
Lauriana
It’s not that you can’t pull off this look… (actually, I think lorrwill makes a good point…) and it’s certainly not the length, not with your legs. The problem I have with this dress and how it looks on you has to do with that contrast dropped waistband. Someone mentioned it ‘lengthens’ you torso, I think it makes it look a bit rectangular. If you’d ask me, that tends to happen to us, small busted ladies, if we wear high neckline garments which somehow lack detail or shaping at the true waist. Of course, this could all just be down to a pet peeve of mine…
July 26, 2010 at 11:01 pm
Summerflies
Of course you can wear that…. pins like those!
Update it with some dark stockings/leggings and boots or flats … oh, it’s winter here so that’s why I think boots … maybe too cold there for just wearing that. OOhh I see flat, red, patent boots with that…oh sorry back to you!
July 27, 2010 at 5:50 am
valerie
I think it looks great as is. I like the heels, but definitely experiment with other heel heights. A ‘pop’ of color–fuschia? lime green?–might be fun too.
July 27, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Anonymous
wear it. case closed.
July 27, 2010 at 6:05 pm
fruitbat
Ukranian buffy remake!!!! ROFLMAO!!! Thank you so much.
fruitbat
July 27, 2010 at 10:57 pm
Michelle Winson
I say No. *You* look totally fab – actually you would look good in a dress made with brown paper……But the dress does look a bit dated.
July 28, 2010 at 7:22 am
Brooke
This could be a very European point of view (which would make some sense, as I’m in London) but not only do I think you look lovely and can absolutely pull that dress off, but also think it’s work-appropriate wear.
I agree with the suggestion of a pop of colour though, and that would certainly bring it forward if you’re worried about it looking dated.
It actually reminds me of the 1960s, but in a good way.
July 28, 2010 at 10:04 am
amber
I think that the others have some good styling tips – either with flat, gladiator type sandals for summer or with tights and boots for fall. I’d say it’s a go, just play with the accessories a bit to keep it feeling current and not like a 90s throwback.
And puhlease, if I had legs like yours I’d be in short skirts all. the. damn. time.
July 29, 2010 at 10:33 pm
Trixie
As a fellow Englishwoman, I’m afraid I have to disagree with Brooke – that outfit is not work appropriate. I’m sorry but I also have to say I think the dress looks dated. You look amazing, your legs look amazing and you should definitely consider wearing more short skirts outside of work. I think the problem is that there are a few things about the dress that people have mentioned – fabric (but that might be the photo), length and shape if skirt and position of the waistband that on their own might be alright but all together look too dated (I did love the Buffy comment). I’m very much jn favour of a remake though – change the skirt to a pencil skirt and it would look classic or move the waistband higher and it would look 6′s and cool.
This is a bit long so I will summarise: you look great, length is good, dress is dated, would be lovely remade.
August 4, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Katharina
It looks ok, but i think you have lots of nicer things to wear (cheap material?) so why cope with suboptimal apparal? You have nice legs so you can wear minis, but however i like your kneelength skirts better on you. I think they are more flattering to short people.