WELCOME

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.
I believe you can love your home just the way it is, AND have the power to design and make big changes to make it better.
I'm also the author of DIY Wardrobe Makeovers!

Just made a black maxi dress--can it work for fall?

I made several maxi dresses this summer. They rock. I love them. But they feel so summery to me, and in bright and preppy colors, I'm just not sure I can wear them now that summer is winding down. But I know it can be done with some maxi dresses and skirts, right?

I was hoping so when I finally started sewing this new maxi dress. I got the fabric from my mom a couple months ago now, and cut it out last month, but hadn't sewn it yet! This is one of those excellent free fabric dresses--my mom got this awesome black/ivory patterned knit for free from her supplier as a sample or bonus or something. They do that when you make huge bulk orders all the time, I guess! But it will never work for her historic clothing sewing purposes, and she gave it to me at a time when I was seriously bored with my fabric stash. Which I still am. A little uninspired, really.

But, I've been very into funky black and white combos this year, so was excited to try this one. I've also been doing so many maxi dresses, and this knit was too heavy for a short, full skirt, and I didn't need a knit sheath dress. But it was too bulky for the gathered bodices I'd been doing, so I imagined a very simple bodice, no extra midriff piece or anything, but still pretty plain on top. I ended up digging out Simplicity 4531, a seriously dated pattern (literally, my mom bought it for me in 2005 and it was looking old then). Spaghetti straps, natural waist, any skirt you want to put with it. (I also used it on this vintage fabric dress and this Kate Spade-inspired dress.)

So I used almost all of the fabric and made it into this!

Pretty cool, huh?

But now it's got me thinking--how can I wear this dress after Labor Day??

I feel like I've read in magazines, "how to wear a maxi dress for fall," but I don't remember exactly what they said. So I thought about it and dug around my Pinterest, and came up with these tips for myself!
  • Choose darker colors and heavier fabrics
  • Wear lightweight layers on top--not heavy, long-sleeved jackets or sweaters because you could end up looking shapeless
  • Swap the gladiator sandals for flat booties for a slightly edgier, seasonal look
  • Try wearing your hair down instead of in the top bun you've (I've) been wearing on hot evenings with my dresses!
  • Add a big, floppy infinity scarf at the neck with the lightweight cardigan
  • Get creative and try layering a long-sleeved tee underneath!
I'm sure you have some more ideas. Would you pull off a maxi dress after summer's over? How would you wear this one?!

14 comments

  1. I think a nice cardigan (maybe a mustard yellow) plus a cognac coloured belt on top, knotted around the waist would be really pretty.
    Or even a hot pink cardigan with a black or grey belt :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'd totally throw a light sweater over it, maybe one with a wider neck so it falls off a shoulder. Love the fabric choice on this. Looks great.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I wear my summer dresses with cropped jean jackets when it gets colder. Maxi dresses are totally cool for fall but I wouldn't wear them on rainy days, just for practical reasons! I have a gorgeous piece of fabric that's just begging to be turned into a long-sleeved maxi wrap dress...

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is a gorgeous dress - and it has so much potenital. It really is the perfect 'build block' to work for autumn (I'm from the uk!). And I love the fabric you used, so much more interesting than plain black, but still works as a basic.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Very cute! I think I actually have some of this fabric (a heavier knit ponte? I got mine from Fabric Mart) and I think your dress looks so lovely. And because the fabric is heavier, it works so great for a fall maxi dress. With a cute short jacket or cardigan it would be perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Or you can always make one just for fall. Something like Simplicity 1623 if it is small enough for you, or alter one of your others. Or a really cute cover up to match the ones you have. I love all of the cover up styles the past few years and they would be fun with a maxi. Now I'm off to check my closet.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Or wearr one of those cute crop cardigans Love them https://www.facebook.com/SassySewingBees

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love this! I like that you put straps on it to make it work appropriate. I bought an Autumn maxi dress, at the thrift store, the other day. It requires some work but I've debating on how to style it. This really helped!

    http://aredesignedlove.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love it. It looks great on you. Thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Maxi dresses totally work for fall!

    I think a blazer could work if it's a fitted one. Your dress is pretty fitted, so I think you could wear bigger, chunkier sweater with it and it would be fine. Chunky infinity scarf would work for sure. You could also try a fitted denim shirt over top, and belt it at the waist. I would even try cownoy boots or 70's style high heel boots. and a large 10's style felt hat...
    Have fun styling this one up!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love this dress, great fabric choice, you can wear it in any season! You could also layer a thin long sleeve black top underneath it and it would look like a long sleeved dress.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I've worn them with a jean jacket and cardigans. I like the idea of a top underneath--hadn't thought of that one!!

    ReplyDelete

Search

© Create / Enjoy • Theme by Maira G.