Ladies,
When it comes to finding stylishly modest, feminine, and classy clothes, it can be like finding a needle in a haystack. Find a high enough neckline? The skirt has a split up to the crotch. Most things are see-through. Then throw in the summer season and things can either go tight or baggy and not especially well fitting and sleek. When I find these gems, I blog them for your benefit to keep you up to date on classy and feminine wardrobe finds.
PRO SHOPPING TIP
Many classy dresses are often labeled “Office Dress” or “Wedding Guest Dress” because these are some of the occasions where people still practice a form of polite dressing (showing less cleavage, less leg, less bodycon fit). Don’t let these labels scare you off from buying these dresses for your everyday classy wardrobe. Many times, even a wedding guest dress is not overly dressy, just made in a fabric that is a bit nicer looking than casual fabrics like jersey knit. Yes, often these dresses are completely appropriate for day wear not just the office or a wedding. The only exceptions are when a wedding guest dress fabric is sparkly, shiny, has tulle, or has a full skirt that makes it look obviously dressy. Oddly in modern fashion, much of what is considered “dressy” is what we use to consider the level of nice day wear. A matte chiffon does not look dressy, it just looks dressier relative to something like a cotton dress for instance.
The only downside to the office wear is that they tend to not have fun prints or brighter colors to remain demure for the workplace. But they are good pieces still even for the summertime in beautiful dark greens, navy blue, royal blue, and wine color.
Like This Dress
While this dress is gorgeous for a professional setting, this lends itself to an everyday look too. Pair with flat sandals and this takes you around town or around the house dressed for your day. I love everything about this dress from the lapels to the length, to the sheath straight style fit without being clingy. I love and recommend a matching belt on a dress. It is a way to cinch in a waist in a much more comfortable way than a stiff belt. I still love belts, but I especially love a soft fabric one.
Focus on Flattering the Tummy
Everything about this dress is made to flatter. The slightly diagonal ruched waistline helps slim the belly area. A higher set waistline like this, and fabric that is slightly gathered or drapes away from the body from the waistline like this, makes this a tummy friendly design. When I sew my dresses, I use this same shape often because this has such a slimming effect and allows me to eat, be bloated and I still look slim! Also, I love when sleeves are wider on the shoulders or have some slight sleeve to cover bra straps. This always looks classier than something that allows straps to peak out. This midi length is also the best length to look ultimately classy and be comfortable for moving around.
The Sleek Fitted Bodice
This dress is a similar style to the one above but without the front ruching. But both of these dresses are fitted through the bodice, meaning there is no extra flowy poofy fabric above the waistline. A fitted bodice offers a sleek design on top by not adding any bulk on top, while the skirt can flow down and away from the body where we are usually widest. The flutter sleeve is another way to make arms appear slim since the fabric drapes around and covers much of the upper arm. Also, the design looks summery with a smocked back and tie. I would pair this with flat sandals and jewelry for an elegant and breezy summer day look.
The Slimming Sheath Style
This dress is a stunning example of how the sheath style looks slimming on a variety of shapes. Without clinging like a bodycon, this fit is still sleek and straight with strategic rouching on the hips with a wrap style skirt and on the bodice with a waistband that defines the waist as it also offers some coverage there. By avoiding overly thin flimsy fabrics and infusing rouching, vertical and diagonal lines, this visually lengthens and slims your body. I love the wider sleeveless look that will hide bra straps.
Draw Vertical & Diagonal Lines to Look Slim & Tall
Expounding on my points above, this is another flattering wrap/faux wrap dress. This style dress draws vertical and diagonal lines on the body, which is what makes it so unique compared to other styles. Styles that create vertical and diagonal lines as opposed to horizonal lines make you look leaner and taller. When a garment fits properly, not tight and not baggy, and the fabric is ruched, the affect is smoothing by redirecting the eye to how the fabric lines draw the shapes you want people to see. Notice on this dress that in the abdomen, the lines of the fabric are all vertical. Paired with a belt, you are further creating a slimming effect by pulling in ever so slightly at the smallest part of the bodice.
Aside from wearing breathable fabrics, choosing sleek shapes and strategic features keeps your summer dress wardrobe looking classy.
I hope you enjoy building your classy summer wardrobe, as I am doing the same. It takes time. Just find one piece at a time that you love more than others. Leave the rest and just wear the one. I have a very small wardrobe because this is how I have been dressing for a while. I would rather have one or two great dresses than a closet full of ones that are just ok. Learning what shapes you prefer takes time. Learning what colors suit you best is trial and error. Learning what fabrics feel the best to you is a whole other dynamic of fashion. Then so many items are see-through or not made well. It can be a struggle to build a wardrobe. I hope to curate the best options to alleviate some of these problems for you.
From my summer country home to yours!
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