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Hello! I'm Suzannah, a serious DIYer and mom of two little ones. Follow along with my DIY fixer upper house renovations, sewing and crafty projects, real food recipes, and de-stressing goals.
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Help: I don't know what to wear with this dress.

I just made this dress for myself on a whim--I had just barely enough fabric (it was $1.99 for the whole piece at Goodwill a while back) and got creative with the cute buttons and contrast straps.  I had a different vision for it than how it came out, somehow--it is more Lara Croft Tomb Raider and less funky Free People-ey than I had hoped.  I need help with how to wear it!

It was a combination of the top half of the bodice of my fave McCall's strapless dress standby:

And the midrif panel from my fave Butterick dress:
And the skirt from my fave Simplicity/Cynthia Rowley dress (pleated instead of gathered):

Anyway.  I worry about this dress's identity.  How can I make it look cute?

My only (ONLY!) thought was to pair it with a cute Anthro-ey cardigan in a soft, warm color and mix it up with some fun textures in accessories.  I looked around their site and found these options:

A cute and funky cardi:
A narrowish belt over:
And some bright wedges or clogs or something:

But, of course, I don't own any of those items.  So I still don't really know what to put with it.  What do you recommend??

How can I take it from video game hottie to shabby chic summer stylista? ;)

24 comments

  1. I love hilary duff patterns! hah, I'm glad i am not the only one who uses them :) I think the dress is cute!

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  2. maybe try some fabric covered buttons in a fun fabric like polka dots? and maybe do the same to the straps? I think it's cute.

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  3. What about a shrug? Like something in a poppy color that hits half way down the rib cage. It would show of your waste but still cover your shoulders.

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  4. I would get rid of the buttons... just not digging them. I would agree about paring it with a bright coloured cardi.

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  5. I second AnniinBC on the polka dots fabric...and maybe some ruffles on the sleeves and the bottom. If you didn't want to change the look I think just a little but of trim at the bottom to match the straps would make it cute and office-appropriate!

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  6. How about shabby chic Victorian-style? Like a toned-down Steampunk. Vintage-style tarnished metal chandelier earrings, metallic gladiator sandals, and a big bohemian tote might do the trick.

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  7. Is it a greenish gray? I'd pair it with a cute pair of black cork heels. Like these http://tinyurl.com/3qzdsyl or these http://tinyurl.com/3hoohbe

    I like the belts, but the buttons are funky enough for the dress so it's not necessary. I would use a sweater but a flowy black one, like a bolero, or a really long black one with large pockets.

    That's a super cute dress! I really wish I had it! I'm sure you'll find something to wear with it, but I'd wear black.

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  8. Anonymous6/08/2011

    You could always underlayer, bright pop of color from a tank top :)

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  9. It's almost jumper-y so you could wear a shirt UNDER it if you're daring. I love layering sheer shirts under dresses like this. I also would nix the buttons...there's something weird about them.

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  10. I'm both with a colorful cardi/shrug and with wearing a cute shirt under it. Another way of adding color would be a thin, colorful scarf or a combination of a brightly colored belt with coordinating accessoires...

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  11. Shirts under/cardis over (or even little bolero style cardis sounds nice).

    If you fancy a belt add some black belt loops that would hold a thin belt-but think about weairng it with a big colourful scarf threaded through them and tied to poof like mad at the side, if you want somthing to mix it up bit

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  12. i think it's a...dorable. but it does need a little something more. a belt would look good. but so would some super cute shoes. you could do the belt & some flats for a dress down look & some rockin shoes & maybe a brooch for a night out?! idk, i think anyway you wear it will be pretty! :)

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  13. Anonymous6/08/2011

    I will second the fabric covering of the buttons and the ruffle sleeves, it is just missing something on the top!

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  14. A few commenters beat me to my suggestion. I think you should switch out the black straps and buttons for ones in a different fabric - something bright or light, maybe a floral. You could do a different shape strap, or find some other spot to add contrast, like the hem. I might go with smaller buttons, too.

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  15. I would embrace it's Laura Croft-iness and pair it with a black belt and some tall boots or combat boots...but that's just me.

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  16. oh, love the buttons! my first thought was boots but if you are going summer, i like the idea of wedges or flats. a bright colored necklace would be fun and i like the idea of some kind of light cardi over it. fun.

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  17. Thanks so much for all these great suggestions, ladies!!

    For me shoes make the outfit so I will have to start by trying it with different shoes from my closet... and if that doesn't help, maybe switch the straps and buttons...

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  18. I'd change the color of the straps and buttons into pink or lime green. I don't think it would still look video-game like :)

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  19. That dress is already cute! I love it.

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  20. The color looks charcoal to me so I would pair it with bright or deep reds. Some pumps, bangles, and maybe some lace or small ruffles peeking from the top. Great job! I love the buttons! Makes it look like it would be great for the office too!

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  21. I love it, especially the buttons that some others don't seem to like. Having colored buttons and straps would be fun, but it would make it less versatile. I think adding color with a narrow belt and/or bright warm-colored cardigan would be good because you can change them up to change the entire outfit.

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  22. Anonymous6/15/2011

    I think it is cute as is, but to make it a little more summery, I would switch the buttons out with something with color, also a nice peek-a-boo layer under the skirt would be cute. However, you can always go simple and get bright chunky bangles.

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  23. hey, i dont want to sound too meddle-y, but those straps really feel unneccessary. if you go for a strapless effect and pair with with a really fun scarf at the neck, it ll look great! (i am partial to scarves, hehe :-) then you can just dress it up with some dangly earrings.

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  24. This dress would love the unwedding yellow DIY dyed shoes. And maybe a happy cardie or scarf.

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