A Work or Cocktail Dress?
When I look at images of dresses such as the one above (left) from the YSL S/S08 show, my usual reaction is probably', 'oooh, that looks nice and structured.' But since it's not like I can actually afford YSL, my thoughts just stop there. It was until I saw similar highstreet designs that I started wondering where do people actually wear dresses like this to? The YSL dress looks thick (material-wise,) grey and structured like YSL's suitskirts, so I just assumed it was a work dress. But now that I think of it, who would actually wear a strapless, low-cut dress to work? No one right? So is it a cocktail dress? Actually, Victoria Beckham is the only person I can think of who would walk around in something like that during daytime.
The highstreet dress that I mentioned was this grey dress from Miss Selfridge, (which is a UK chain store for those of you who aren't familiar with UK highstreet stores.) My first thought was that it looked cute, thanks to the bubbly-tulip skirt bit. It's a great way (and a very affordable way -28 pounds,) to add a structured item into my wardrobe. But then it occured to me that it has the same problem as the YSL dress -it looks very 9-to5-workclothes-y, especially with that black patent belt. And I certainly don't want to wear a business-like dress casually because it'll just make me uncomfortable -kind of like when I see certain celebrities wearing this kind of dresses around casually, or just for something not work-related. (I think Lauren Conrad did so before.) But wait, can one actaully wear this dress back to the office? It's pretty low-cut and I'm not sure it actually goes past the knees. Hmm, I suppose it's ok wearing to work if you work somewhere that's semi-business-formal, and you can just wear layers to make it suitable, like wearing a turtleneck-top underneath or just a plain, long-sleeve white tee underneath. Where would you wear this sort of dresses to?
Image credits: http://www.style.com/, http://www.missselfridge.com/
posted by Harrods Girl at 4:23 PM
54 Comments:
Hi there,
I'd wear something like this to work, just because its a bit too bland to wear out at night. I'd just put a white t-shirt or maybe like a light coloured long-sleeved t under it, to make it more appropriate- even a tank top, to raise the neckline and add more interest.
i have a similar dress. at the office i wear it with a striped turtleneck underneath. when i wear it for a night out i ditch the turtleneck and layer long necklaces and finish it off with ankle boots.
add a structured jacket for work
I don't think it's appropriate for work to be honest. It's definitely cute, but I think I'd wear to dinner with a colleague with layers like you mentioned. That way they can still see me professional looking, but also get a glimpse of my evening style.
well, i don't think that it's appropriate for work, I think that you could definitely wear it out with the right accessories. maybe one of those fun colored prada bags?
I don't particularly think that the YSL dress is made for work. It's about the juxtaposition of a cocktail dress silhouette with sweatshirt fabric. I think it's meant to be worn more formally...
I think I would wear this out at night. It does look kind of business-y but I believe the accessories would make the oufit. Add some cute pumps and a clutch?
Love it. Work or out, I say -- I like it and would feel comfortable in it anywhere. I would probably throw a cardigan or casual blazer over it for work and add some glitzy accessories to wear it out at night.
This is hideous - maybe if it had a little color, but it looks like something you would find on a woman in a refuge camp - only it would be made of barley sacks...
I seriously love it!! If only I lived in England and could run and buy it! I think I would wear it with a white shirt underneath and maybe a blazer, either a cropped one or a slightly oversized one, one of those you keep the sleeve up to the elbow... don't know how to explain it better in English!! And maybe add colour in the shoes...just an idea :D
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Hm... that would be something I'd totally where to school... that dress, fitted white turtle neckk, & black heels. It would be a totally cute work outfit, but I'm in high school, so what do I know? Ha
eek those models look like men
It's a gorgeous dress! I say it depends on your style. If you're like me and always dress at the smart-casual level at the very least, this dress is perfect for every-day wear AND can be glamourised as evening-wear. You can wear it to work, absolutely, even with no other top under it. Just add some heels (possibly a blazer) and a smart bag, and you're smokin'! As for every-day wear, pair it with flats, a bright floppy hat, a cute bag, some funky jewellery, and you're fabulous! Just use your imagination and you can make anything work for absolutely ANY occasion. Confidence is the most important accessory for any outfit.
i dont think this is particularily appropriate for work but it would work at night. id wear it with a blazer or a leather jacket over the top (for both the ysl and the other one). i think u can wear it for day too but maybe thats just me..i have a tendency to show up in fancy dresses to places where everyone else is wearing sweatpants and t-shirts.
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you can always ditch the belt to make this more casual.. it would be much, much cuter! and i like the leather (bomber) jacket idea above. i think the patent belt is responsible for making this dress' purpose so vague.
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stuff it. i say wear it wherever you want it to!!! tone it down with a leather jacket, some tights and killer heels
i think that a grey dress is actually very appropriate for everyday, but not for the office. i work part time at a tradtional church and I would NEVER consider wearing a low cut dress that doesn' reach the knees. I'm guessing clothing rules are pretty similar for corporate jobs. But I think the dress would look really cute with some flats and a little jacket!
I'd wear them to work with a top and tights layered underneath. Could you imagine how cute it would be with a white button up puff sleeve?! If you're worried about sex appeal, wear flats instead of heels.
My office is very relaxed. I wore a mini dress one day with brown tights and rugged flat boots. It looked stylish but not sexy.
I think the grey dress would be perfect for my work environment. It casual yet sophisticated enough.
Okay.. wait... this dress does state say "office executive". Save it for the cocktail party after work.
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Well, what makes you assume the YSL dress is a 'day' or 'work' dress? I've tried it on, and the material is very versatile, more likely, the design of it gives connotations of evening wear but it really depends on the individual styling imo. I mean, if you paired it with a shruken blazer with rolled up sleeves, opaque tights and a nice heel, it would be fine for day/office wear (I use 'office' lightly because for some women, no one would bat an eyelid if they wore it but if you work with some dowdy conservatives, it'd be another story).
Also, with that dress, you could wear some sort of top underneath like how Dasha Zhukova wore it to tone it down
I would rather prefer it for a cocktail party instead..these dresses certainly don't come under the formal dress code..but of course if you consider wearing it in your weekend office party you can certainly go for it.
Nice dresses, but too stylish for the work place.
I think it would be ok to wear this dress for work,as long as it didnt interfere in your working,it was comfortable, and you could afford wearing it to work.
I like the style this is the kind of clothes i want to wear in some occassion and it's very stylish.
it's clothing like this that makes me think that i too could one day be a famous designer.
its boring, IMO.
hi this is the world where no one has time to comment on what we are wearing, to me it looks good if the person wearing it has no problem.
Wow, A nice looking dress to say the least, but I don't really know if it is something that I would wear to work! What about you guys?
I'd have to say this is a work dress. I could see this on a lady during the day coming out of the office, the at an evening party with a martini in her hand.
As a jumper or with a blazer I would wear this to work, but too low cut for day wear where I work. I think the dress would look better in black.
I'd say this is a cute corporate attire. works well on night out with the girls too! I'd wear something like this with a real killer heels! Of course it could do well with the right accessories.
Well,as i saw, i really love that kind of gown, how I will see my self in front of the mirror wearing the said dress..
Where in the world do you work that you could wear this to the office? Definitely not Corporate attire. Fashion or Art industries maybe? But if that is the case I guess you don't need to ask! That dress would set the office on fire where I work!
In my opinion the dress if better for a nice elegant Cocktail night ... It would look nice at work too if u wear a black/white shirt under it !
The short one on the left is sombre, stiff and serious, but very well made, structured, and yes, more suitable to the Mrs Beckhams of the world. Think of how you would actually feel in one of those. Sombre? Guys in general are turned off by women in grey clothings, I was told. They generally like girls in happy colours as this reflect how the wearers feel inside and their view of the world around them. Dpn't believe me? Try wearing something bright this autumn/winter and see how many "hellos" you get from total strangers.
I'd wear the dress to work. It's diffinitly nice and gray! Casual and qualitfies* only if you wear something under the dress sine it's low cut! Like a see though blouse or something like a silky white or blk blouse! It's going to look sexy and casual.
Samantha Kue -
This dress could be worn either for work, senior / management positions or even for a cocktail party. The jewellery, hair style & shoes will make the difference of the final look.
This dress could be worn either for work, senior / management positions or even for a cocktail party.thanks
sexy and casual!!good dising
a nice dress suits for all body type peoples....good work
It's aweful... i wouldn't wear it anywhere. It just makes me think of those movies about boarding school
Its a nice dress and will fit for all type body.
Its a great.
It is very beautiful and very cute dress.
nice superb collection.nice dress
The dress looks very fashionable and trendy..color of the dress is very royal..i like the dress very much..The apparel is the best for the present generation celebrities
I really like the look of these dresses, but you're right, I wouldn't ever wear anything like this.
My favorite color is grey, but it's not only the color; this is a great collection.
evening dresses with sleeves
I'd wear something like this to work, just because its a bit too bland to wear out at night.
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Perfect dress for parties, the grey color dress is perfectly match with your skin. the little fashion accessories enhance look of the dress.
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