Casual Friday: Denim Alternative

 
As an alternative to jeans, consider a denim dress. It’s certainly cooler, and more professional . . . . on the Casual Friday continuum.

dress
Cute dress, slightly futuristic sandals
 
 
 
The dip-dyed (actually, dip-bleached) skirt of this dress adds interest and, dare I say, a little edge?

 
 
 
The skirt was originally very full; I had the sides taken in a little to reduce the volume.

When the tailor (Fatima’s business partner) made this alteration, he had to undo and then re-sew sections of the hem. He was careful to use the same type of thread and stitch that the manufacturer had used. It was a little bit of a challenge because the original hem was top stitched with long stitches and a heavy gauge thread (closer to embroidery floss than thread), but he contrived! When altering clothes, replicating the original stitching is important, so it’s always a good idea to chat with your tailor and make sure that both of you are noting and agreeing about the details.

Inflating myself to full-size to deter attacks (by bears)
Slimmer skirt may still be inflated to impressive size to deter attacks by bears

I don’t know about you, but I am very afraid of white shoes — and hadn’t worn a pair in decades, until I bought these sandals last summer.  They are a creamy, vanilla white and the leather is glossy (not patent, but not calf-skin either). The foot-bed looks like brushed aluminum and the sole is black. So the overall effect is graceful and light, but grounded — and not jarring, ultra-white.

Futuristic sandals up close
Futuristic sandals up close

But back to the denim alternatives! Here are some ideas from this season.

Eileen Fisher Denim Shirtdress from Saks
Eileen Fisher Denim Shirtdress which I would wear with a woven, brown belt

Sea Denim Shirtdress
Sea Denim Shirtdress, I would zip this up for a casual (but not sloppy) look
Karen Walker Ruffled Denim Shift
Karen Walker Ruffled Denim Shift, this dress is short, but the petite size is tunic length and would look great with slim, straight-legged white jeans

Mother Denim Skirt
Mother Denim Skirt, this elegant skirt could be worn with just about anything
Chambray Peplum Top
Anthropologie Chambray Peplum Top, would look great with white jeans or poplin pants
ASOS Belted Midi Skirt with Patch Pockets
ASOS Belted Midi Skirt with Patch Pockets, to be worn with a slim fitting white or striped jersey; if you follow this link, be forewarned that the model wearing this skirt looks 14, seriously

Dress: YMC (You Must Create) from Matches Fashion; Bag: Coach Poppy Tote; Sandals: 3.1 Phillip Lim Ella Sandals

4 thoughts on “Casual Friday: Denim Alternative”

  1. I like how you buttoned all the way to the top. It’s demure, yet the bottom of the dress is a bit sassy. If I were to venture into open-toed shoes at work… these are a great choice for summer.

    Reply
  2. I’m coveting your stunning YMC dress … which is not available anymore. Amazing on you. Styled to perfection.

    Most denim dresses are too dull, sack-like or too short, but that one is perfection with the sandals. I’d jump at the Karen Walker one, but it’s too short for my liking. Why are all the dresses SO short? Discuss.

    Reply
    • Yes, discuss! I don’t know why all the dresses are so short, but maybe one of my super-smart readers does. Regardless of why (unless someone tells me that it is actually the linchpin of an emerging environmental/conservation movement), it drives me crazy. I see lots of super-short dresses that are not suitable for office wear but expensive, and therefore not (at least, I wouldn’t think) accessible to most young women. Could it be that “daughters of Russian oligarchs (ages 18-23)” are a large enough demographic to move the whole market? I will try to learn more and write a post about this.

      Reply
      • Precisely (the daughter-of-Russian-oligarchs comment made me snort my tea). The women of our vintage who could afford these dresses mostly won’t wear frocks that length. Or maybe some of us do? Maybe that’s it – I dislike short skirts, but perhaps more older women are wearing them now?

        Reply

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