On really cold days, I wear a lot of layers. I don’t just mean a sweater over a blouse over a camisole. I mean Sweater Over Dress Over Blouse Over Pants.
It starts like this.
And ends like this.
I really like the look of a dress over pants — which, for me, was borne of necessity. So many cute dresses out there, but over the last five years the skirts have been so short. Ludicrously short. Sometimes an easy fix is available: the hem is generous enough to be let down. But when it is not . . . we must contrive! The key to dress-over-pants is that the pants have to be very straight and fitted, particularly through the waist, hips, thigh and knee. I leave the calf and ankle to your discretion, but I prefer them straight. Ideally the pants are made of lightweight fabric with some structure to it (i.e., twill and not jersey), unlined and pocket-free to reduce bulk. (Remember: Pockets can be removed.) The pants I am wearing here are several seasons old, but I have found that JCrew’s Campbell pants (made in cotton and wool, depending on the season) are perfect for this purpose.
If I have files to carry, this teal bag does the trick. But if I am relatively unencumbered, an Orla Kiely bag adds a graphic punch.
Dress: Shoshanna; Pants: JCrew; Blouse: JCrew; Sweater: Magaschoni; Teal bag: Rafe NY; Black bag: Orla Kiely; Shoes: Taryn Rose
Nice! I walk to my job at Harvard Business School, so it’s a real challenge to create work-appropriate outfits that can withstand a 1.5 mile walk in Boston’s current clime.
Have you ever shopped from Woolovers? I won’t link in case that ends me up in your spam folder. But they’re a British company that makes sweaters and only sweaters. Very simple, classic designs in basic colors for a good price, all natural fibers.
Thank you for the recommendation! I will be sure to check it out.
This is so stylish and practical as well, love the dress over pants.