March 13, 2019
From The Vivienne Files mailbox:
Yes, she asked our heroine to wear a yellow dress for the wedding.
It doesn’t really matter what dress, just that it be yellow.
Now WHAT do you do with a yellow dress, after the wedding?
dress – J.Crew
For a heroine in a position of having to purchased a dress in a real “non-neutral” color, I have a few suggestions…
If our heroine buys a dress that is a sleek “bottom layer” over which garments can be layered, virtually any neutral can be worn with this dress:
Cardigan – Halogen; onyx hoop earrings – Loren Stewart; beaded bag – Sam Edelman; bracelet – Caputo & Co.; dress – J.Crew; pumps – Paul Green
I don’t feel like black and yellow together automatically scream “bumblebee!” to to the world… It might scream University of Iowa fan, or Steelers/Pirates/Penguins fan, eh?
With white, it just feels wonderfully summery, doesn’t it?
cardigan – Nic+Zoe; earrings – Catherine Canino; clutch – Rebecca Minkoff; scarf – The Met Store; dress – J.Crew; sandals – Jeffrey Campbell
Navy is obvious. Navy is SUCH a useful neutral…
cardigan – Halogen; sapphire earrings – Bloomingdale’s; crossbody bag – Longchamp; scarf – Nordstrom; dress – J.Crew; navy sandals – Taryn Rose
If our heroine bundles this dress up just a bit, it could easily be worn in cold weather!
cardigan – Acne Studio; earrings – Etro; scarf – Faliero Sarti; dress – J.Crew; boots – Bella Vita; bag – Fossil
And men wear grey with yellow all the time – our heroine could certainly do this same!
cashmere cardigan – Lands’ End; earrings – Freida Rothman; bag – Baggallini; scarf – Etro; dress – J.Crew; pumps – Calvin Klein
But our heroine is NOT limited to just wearing her yellow dress with neutrals! Any accent color that is of a similar intensity or saturation of color might work with it… Something really pale wouldn’t work, I don’t think…
cardigan – J.Crew; earrings – Monica Vinader; bag – Furla; bracelet – Monica Vinader; dress – J.Crew; sandals – 1901
Our heroine can choose accent colors based on what she already owns, or what kind of mood she wants to create. Feeling vibrant?
cardigan – Madewell; earrings – Barse; bangle bracelet – Alexis Bittar; bag – O’Neill; dress – J.Crew; sandals – Via Spiga
This blue is not timid but it has a very summery and relaxed feeling, to me…
cardigan – Diana Gallesi; earrings – Jane Basch Designs; scarf – Mantero; dress – J.Crew; bag – Kara; sandals – Softwalk
Does our heroine have a printed or patterned cardigan or jacket that will work with her dress? That’s a whole new world of possibilities!
cardigan – Blugirl; leaf earrings – Tuckernuck; bag – Frances Valentine; bracelet – Kendra Scott; dress – J.Crew; espadrilles – Banana Republic
Prints can be feminine without being overwhelming…
cardigan – Lands’ End; earrings – Kenari; dress – J.Crew; clutch – Rebecca Minkoff; floral ring – Desi Antari; sandals – Lands’ End
I hope that this is helpful for those among you staring at this project… I personally would really struggle to wear yellow, but it seems so appealing on these grey early spring days!
love,
Janice
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Wow, you make this dress look so versatile.
I think I’d skip the wedding entirely if I had to wear yellow. *Not* my colour, regardless of how I’d accessorize it later!
Haha! Same here.
As you’ve shown, it’s the other bits that you put with the a color can make it yours – and flattering to you!
I think it’s important to remember that there are yellows with different undertones that can greatly influence how nicely they play with a persons complexion. Soft butter yellow for example might be a better complement for peaches and cream complexions – or personalities with less desire to be so out there as the citron dress shown. And it’s easy to use accessories to put a better color near the face – scarves, pearls, chunky necklaces…
Sometimes these events can be pretty demanding, as fun as it might be to look out over a sea of beloved friends and family all in my favorite color. I wonder if it would be possible to think about a dress in a light neutral with accent colors in the bride’s favorite color as an alternative?
You’ve given us some fantastic ideas on how to make a dress versatile, Janice – and that’s the point, right?
Well done!
Janice,
I am loving your versatile approaches here, though I agree with Chris from Indy that the warmth or coolness of the undertones in the yellow , as well as the saturation of hue, would determine which accent colors to select. I don’t care for this particular yellow with the cognac accents, for example . Using the light and dark prints as well as various hued solids sure make the entire ensemble feel brand spankin’ new !
Firstly, I’m with susang, if I had to wear yellow to a wedding I just wouldn’t go.
Secondly, Even though I’d never purchase a yellow dress, I love the post. It’s great to see a post showing how versatile a simple solid color dress can be.
Thirdly, I’d like to point out that you don’t have to stick to just jackets and cardigans for outfits with a simple lined dress. The same lack of fussy details that makes this dress work with any jacket also means you could wear tops and blouses that don’t have to be tucked in to look right over it and make it look like you’re wearing a yellow skirt. My daughter and I frequently do this with some of our dresses.
Great idea to wear a shirt over the dress to make it look like a skirt! Such a smart way to extend your wardrobe.
I love the Nic+Zoe white cardigan’s versatility from the post. It is designed to be worn 4 ways – open front, tied front, and 2 cross patterns. Four sweaters in one! I’m tempted even if I don’t need another white cardigan.
I love this! I would definitely wear yellow, and love how it can be accessorised so many different ways!
I love the brights with the yellow. I would wear the red, the aqua or the green. Those green palm leaf earrings are adorable. I will be on the lookout for a pair. If the green palm sweater weren’t so expensive, then I would be very tempted. A lot of these I could do with my plain navy dress too, as you have shown in a previous post. This post to show the versatility of one plain dress is so valuable. Thanks, Janice.
I hope our heroine is in the wedding party (coordination for photos) and not just a guest. Why on earth would you tell a guest what color to wear? I agree with Chris that there is a wide range of yellows. Also, a wide range of dressy-ness. For a casual, outdoor wedding a simple tank dress could work.You could wear it afterwards with a slouchy linen pullover so only a slice of the yellow would show and away from the face.I’d wear it afterwards with a jeans jacket thrown over.
Definitely a member of the family, and will be in a ton of photographs. That’s why she’s entertaining such a …difficult… request!
hugs,
Janice
Absolutely stunning !
What bright colours !
And good and simple ideas, yes, for going to a wedding !
Your way to consider all that sort of things, Janice, is very new, creative, and solid : I love !
I just love this! Thought when I stopped coloring my hair, I couldn’t wear yellow..but discovered with the right blush and lipstick..a marigold yellow was perfect! Always get compliments ! These combinations are genius..thank you Janice!
Great post, but not my colour. Janice, could you possibly repeat this post and showcase the same dress 10 ways in the lovely blue shade?
Yellow seems to be a polarizing color. I happen to love it myself and it is my signature accent color for summer! I wear with white, black, navy, spring green, or bright blue teal. A lot of the colors you are showing actually. I would consider buying that dress but that sheath style isn’t great on me.
I thought I couldn’t wear yellow but as people have already said, it depends so much on the undertones. Same for any color really, just harder to find in yellow. And buying online is tricky too. The modeled pics on this dress look a lot softer and more appealing than the plain product picture for some reason.
A lovely looking dress and so versatile, as you prove. I have never bought anything from J. Crew – I am UK based – but was inspired to go to the site. All the dresses I could see were dry clean…. this immediately stripped the dress of its usefulness, I no longer buy dry clean clothes except heavy duty outerwear – e.g. wool coats that only require yearly cleaning and for which there is no alternative
I am a seamstress and I love your blog for sewing inspiration! Your example dress is a great choice because, assuming one has access to a tailor or has some sewing skills, it could easily be opened up along the waist seam. The bottom half could be converted to a skirt and paired with a top in a more flattering color, repurposing at least half the garment. So, if this is an option one is interested in, choosing a garment with few seamlines and a simple design would lend itself well to refashioning work once the event is over.
This is fantastic and you are amazing at showing the versatility of an item. I am also loving those green leaf earrings lol. :)
Ah, lovely! Spring is on it’s way, with festive events to plan for. Ok, Janice, how about a tutorial on wedding styling for the rest of us–women who no longer wear short dresses and bare arms and legs? I struggled last fall to find an outfit for a wedding and was unhappy with my final choice. Too doudy. I need help, as I am sure many women do. How does one cover up and still look and feel pretty and festive?
Top tips for choosing a formal dress so that it can be useful later! And the illustrations give it a thorough workout. I will be thinking along these lines next time I buy a dress to ensure that it has lots of life outside the wardrobe.
Am I the only one who would just dye the dress after the wedding? Although I do like yellow and wear it, it’s turquoise I have a problem with ;) Great examples of how to “change” the dress!
This proves that any color can be your own personal neutral. Fuschia, teal green, cornflower blue? Why not. If it’s right for you.