Item of the Week: The Navy Dress
Mar 14, 2017
March is a time of fashion uncertainty. The weather might be warm, or it might be cold. You’re not ready for bright florals, but black brings down the winter’s-almost-over celebration. Navy is the color I reach for whenever I’m not sure what to wear because I don’t want to look like doom and gloom, but it’s nasty outside. It’s not so harsh, but still able to be worn with tights.
This navy bell-sleeve dress from Emerson Rose ($169) is positively chic. The bell-sleeve is perfectly on trend, but the simple cut keeps it manageable. If bell sleeves aren’t your thing, try this a-line Eliza J sheath with a decorative button on the pockets. And this crepe sheath from Maggie London might be the quintessential work dress.
Want something under-$100? Try this Donna Morgan crepe midi-sheath. Or if you’re in the mood to blow the doors off this place, this LK Bennet sheath with a show-stopping neckline.
Plus-size? Sejour has you covered with their simple short sleeve sheath. Tall ladies should check out this cross-over neck dress from NY & Co. Petite ladies, this LOFT mixed media dress is quite pretty.
What color tights do you where with your navy dresses?
I wear navy tights with my navy dresses/skirts in the winter.
The Eliza J sheath is really cute, but why, why, why can’t designers cut a v-neck in a work dress so that it doesn’t show cleavage?!?! If you have any kind of bust, that neck will show cleavage — you can already tell on the model. And in what office is cleavage appropriate? It’s one thing for a cocktail dress, but when a dress is clearly designed to be a work dress, it is *maddening* when the neckline is cut too deep for work. This is a massive pet peeve of mine. I’ve had to reject so many otherwise excellent dresses and tops for work because the neckline was cut too low.
You know how you fix this? You have the dress lifted at the shoulders. I have a small distance between my shoulders and my bust compared to the fit models they use. I have to do it all the time.
I never thought of that. Thanks. I can definitely see that working with some things. On other things though — like the short-sleeved sheath I got the other day that fits flawlessly but dips too low in the neck — I fear that shortening the bodice a couple inches would completely alter the fit of the dress. I wish designers would think about these things when it comes to work clothes.
If you are loving the button details on the Eliza J., how about this Antonio Melani Hannie from Dillard’s? The neckline *looks* a little more modest…
Antonio Melani Hannie
Don’t tease with the crepe sheath Maggie London link. It takes me to the Eliza….which is great but shows too much skin without a scarf for the halls of the Capitol (for my style/body shape).
I am wearing out the J. Crew navy I purchased six years ago. Love that thing.
On it.
I’ve got to put in a plug for a navy dress I just bought from MMLaFleur. It’s new and called the Mona. Has a modest Vneck figure flattering seams, great ponte fabric and sleeves! I love it. Y