Two Ways: Black H&M Dress

Feb 11, 2014

rsz_1screen_shot_2014-02-10_at_94426_pmDressH&M Jersey Dress ($25)

From Left, Earrings: Marc Jacobs Octi Bolt Stud ($45) Tights: Donna Karan Super Opaque Tights ($15) Bag: Ralph Lauren Newbury Satchel ($268) Jacket: Mango Belt Jacquard Jacket ($130) Boots: Nine West Getta Boots ($120)

From Right, Earrings: Fossil Orange Studs ($20) Bag: BR Parkside Satchel ($220) Shoes: Ann Taylor Perfect Leather Pumps ($128) Scarf: Sole Society Exotic Stripe Scarf ($25) Jacket: Mango Crepe Blazer ($80)

For February.  It’s so chilly right now, I find myself reaching for a jacket or blazer nearly every time I have a meeting.  This is odd for me because I usually wear my sleeved dresses without a blazer or sweater on top.  So this look takes a short-sleeved dress with a defined waist and adds a tweed jacket with a defined and belted waist to top it.

Like the look of a belted blazer?  It can be tough to find jackets that are suitable for belting, because it works best when they don’t have buttons.  This grey open blazer from Shoptiques would look good belted, as would this square neck Anne Klein blazer.  Plus-size?  Try this Nipon Boutique blazer with scalloped edges.

To complement the hints of blue in the tweed of the jacket, I chose a navy satchel.  This Newbury satchel is a sleek work bag with separated pockets and a shoulder strap.  It’s a great style.  If you’re looking for a chic navy satchel under-$100, try this City Satchel from Zara.

I chose these boots because a sleek high-heeled boot will keep your calves warm on cold days.  I think they can be professional as long as you keep the heel under-3.5″.  If you have a bit of money to spend, I cannot recommend the Loeffler Randall Viola boot enough.  My only complaint is that they’re pull-ons, but with a ball-of-foot insole, I can walk in them for hours.

For the makeup, I would wear a subtle cheek color (rose or plum is usually best) and choose a bolder lip (red, raspberry or burgundy would all work).  For the hair, if you want to wear it up, keep the updo low and loose.  If it’s too tight, you’ll look severe.  If you wear it down, choose a style with some curl or movement to lighten the look.

For Mid-March.  When I buy a new piece of clothing, I like to know how I’m going to wear it tomorrow and weeks from now.  This dress is winter perfection with tweed, but add a softer white crepe for a look that’s perfect for the winter-spring transition.

This inexpensive crepe blazer from Mango is a great choice, but if you have a bit more to spend, try this blazer from Theyskens’ Theory.  I also like this more relaxed Helmut Lang jacket.  Plus-size?  Jones New York makes a basic white blazer.

If I wear a scarf that has a colored pattern, I like to find a piece of jewelry to coordinate with it.  The interplay between the two pieces pulls the outfit together.  For this look, I chose a scarf with an orange print and a pair of orange studs.  If orange isn’t for you, try this black and white scarf with a green accent and this beautiful stack of Carnet de Mode rings with green stones.

I chose black and white for the purse.  This combination lightens a bag up for summer, but could be worn in any season.  If you’d like something less expensive, have a look at this structured Steve Madden Btalia satchel for $88.

I’ve talked about the Ann Taylor Perfect Pumps before, but if you’re looking for a very comfortable shoe at a good price, this is a great candidate.  I prefer the lower heel myself, but this 3.25″ heel is also a good choice.

For the hair, I would wear it up in a twisted bun.  I like my hair up when I wear a scarf.  For the makeup, I would wear a black eyeliner with a pop of color on the cheeks to combat the starkness of the white.  When I’m looking for a pop of color, I head for Bobbi Brown blush in pale pink or nectar, but any brightly hued blush will do.

Three Ways

share this post

Leave a Reply to Meaghan Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Meaghan says:

    This dress is so perfect! I don’t always trust H&M sizing though, so I may have to head over to the store to check it out in person!

    https://nyviewsnikeshoes.com

  2. DLB says:

    The parkside satchel s 30% off, at least today, on the link you give. Just use code brbreak

  3. RoseAG says:

    I think I tried that dress on at H&M in gray.
    The reason it’s $25 is that all the edges are left raw, with just top stitching to prevent ravel and no facings.

    In a way it’s cute, and if you wear it with a blazer/scarf no one will notice that the edges aren’t finished or faced, but I would have the hem turned up and finished properly.

    It’s the kind of thing a clothes hound like myself would notice!

  4. EEC says:

    I have that H&M dress and I was disappointed when I first took it out of the package (ordered online). The fabric isn’t what I picture when I think of ponte knit–it is a bit poly looking/feeling–and the raw edges took me by surprise. The sizing (S, M, L) means it doesn’t fit like a glove—fits my hips but a little loose in the waist. With all that said, I wore it to work yesterday and felt pulled together and comfortable all day.

Join The List

Stay up to date on the latest from Capitol Hill Style!

sUBSCRIBE

Ask Me Anything: March 2024

It’s almost the end of March, so let’s get to some of the reader questions that came in through Instagram last night. Time for Ask Me Anything.

6

READ MORE 

Recent Posts

The Find: A Cute Spring Dress

Need a cute dress for a spring event? Something simple and easy to wear, something you can dress up or down? This is the dress for you.

2

READ MORE 

Beauty Review: Bondi Boost

As I age, I notice many changes in my body. Most are fine. Some are frustrating. Like many women, I lost a lot of hair in my postpartum phase. Being anemic for more than a year after, it didn’t grow back in to its former glory. So I’ve tried any number of shampoos, pills and […]

2

READ MORE 

VIEW ALL POSTS

Ask the Edit, Style, Top Posts | March 28, 2024

Ask Me Anything: March 2024

It’s almost the end of March, so let’s get to some of the reader questions that came in through Instagram last night. Time for Ask Me Anything.

6

READ MORE 

Fantastic Finds, Posts, Style | March 28, 2024

The Find: A Cute Spring Dress

Need a cute dress for a spring event? Something simple and easy to wear, something you can dress up or down? This is the dress for you.

2

READ MORE 

Beauty, Posts | March 27, 2024

Beauty Review: Bondi Boost

As I age, I notice many changes in my body. Most are fine. Some are frustrating. Like many women, I lost a lot of hair in my postpartum phase. Being anemic for more than a year after, it didn’t grow back in to its former glory. So I’ve tried any number of shampoos, pills and […]

2

READ MORE 

Fantastic Finds, Posts, Style | March 27, 2024

The Find: Shirts That Don’t Gape

I remember when Rochelle Behrens launched The Shirt — a button-down blouse with anti-gape technology (a patented internal button that keeps the look smooth). The idea seemed brilliant, but at the time, my bust didn’t require an extra button. One baby later, I understand the need for some extra security.

6

READ MORE 

RECENT POSTS

©2023 CAPITOL HILL STYLE | SITE BY LEIGH THE STUDIO