I love this dress - it's well made for something that cost less than a Blu Ray movie and the print (stripes and anchors, oh my!) is just darling. There's even teeny little pleats and buttons down the bodice of the dress that make it look decidedly less F21 and more luxe summer wear. But the length! Oh, the ridiculously short length! Readers, I am 5'2" and this barely covers my bum. I have to wonder just how short this would look on someone of more average height.
Luckily, I dug out an eyelet skirt that I've had tucked away in my closet and layered it under the dress to extend the hemline. It helps that the skirt is full, just like the skirt of the dress. This helps the two integrate better than if I were to simply stick a slip under it, methinks. If you're going to layer skirts under your dresses, stick to similar skirt cuts so it looks more uniform than "look at me, I'm wearing a skirt under my dress! I'm so craaaazy!"
skinny studded belt, j.crew
juliet pumps, j.crew
For those who were wondering about how Jenna's cardigan from J.Crew fits/looks, I have to say that I really love it! The cropped cut is a great length for dresses and skirts because it's not too long nor overly cropped (this was a concern of mine). The way it's ribbed on the bottom and on the sleeves makes it look nicer too. The material is light, but some may find the merino wool a little itchy. I got used to it and now it feels fine, haha! I got it in a size small and it's very fitted, but I'd still say that it runs TTS. I hope that helps! Let me know if there are any more questions!
I had a rather restful weekend, but now it's back to the grindstone for work. And of course, catching up on blogs!
What a brilliant idea to layer it with your eyelet skirt. It actually looks much better than the dress alone! Very cute outfit!
ReplyDeleteYou look ADORABLE here! I have been doubting the double skirt thing in fear it would totally weird and alien like, but after seeing you, I am definitely going to give it a try! Have a fabulous Monday!
ReplyDeleteeeep, that dress is so cute. i don't normally wear dresses with straps like that, but it looks good layered. and i love the phrase cupcake sailor! it's very aspirational, lol. :D
ReplyDeleteAhhh, I constantly rail against F21's skirt/dress length myself. Sometimes their silhouettes don't lend themselves to skirts/slips underneath, but I'm so glad to see that a skirt works perfectly under this one -- it looks like part of the dress! And I love the print, too cute. Great outfit as usual Amy :)
ReplyDeleteThe layering is great! Boo! I want this dress now, and it's not available in my size online. That means I have to trek it out to the F21 and deal with the madness. EEEEEEEEk!
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, I love this look on you!
Ok, this outfit is just genius. For a sec I thought this was the eyelet half slip from Anthro, but this skirt works just as well, and adds so much to the dress in terms of length and shape, and even texture. *This* is a truly inspiring outfit. Do you wear/ have you worn the skirt by itself? I'd love to see you style a full eyelet skirt, since I've been itching to buy and wear one this spring/summer.
ReplyDeleteIt's so cute! I love the eyelet skirt idea! I've been looking for a slip to do this with to lengthen skirts. A blogger had given me a great site to look at for these, but the one I wanted was out of stock and now I forget the name of the website. You look great today!
ReplyDeleteAmy - you are a genius!!! I can rarely ever wear a dress from F21, as I'm 5'7" and really don't want my hoo-ha showing to the world, and I've never thought to put a skirt under! This outfit is adorable - and probably one of my favorites ever on you!!
ReplyDeleteI may have to go look for this dress to replicate your look - I have an eyelet skirt already!
By the way, I love the title of today's blog - I couldn't get over here fast enough to see what a cupcake sailor was ;-)
Gorgeous dress! I was eyeing this as well on the website, but as soon as I read the length, I knew it would be way too short for my 5'6'' height. I may have to go to the store and track it down and try your skirt trick though, as I adore the dress!
ReplyDeletelove it! I actually think it's cuter with the little eyelet skirt peeking out anyway, so it's perfect. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fab idea! I'm going to try that with the black blossom nico skirt which is just too short to leave the house in.
ReplyDeleteGreat job with the skirt layering!! I like how well they flow together, almost as if they were made for one another! I too have difficulties comprehending why in the world f21 creates skirts/dresses that are so short, I just don't know how we're supposed to look any kind of serious as women/ladies. Regardless, you look fab as usual!
ReplyDeleteI actually think the dress looks better with the bit of poof and white peeking out. And argh - that almost was my perfect white skirt for summer, but alas, sold out on ModCloth.
ReplyDeleteThis is a perfect example of what makes you one of my fave blogettes - thinking outside of the box with fashion.
I've seen a few bloggers layer dresses and skirts but I have to say this is one of my favorites. The eyelet just looks like it was made for this dress!
ReplyDeletejcrewphd - Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAllison - Definitely give it a try for dresses that are waaay too short. I think finding skirts that match the dress's shape and fabric heavyness (if that makes any sense) are key to making double-layering work!
tastymoog - I don't typically wear strappy dresses either, but I definitely like it layered! And thanks for the cupcake sailor love, haha!
goldenmeans - I know, what is with F21's lengths?! Or lack thereof, actually! Maybe it's the fact that the dress has a full skirt, which allows for some freedom in layering underneath!
Tien - Ahhh, I feel your fear for having to wonder into an F21! What size are you? That way, if I find one in my F21 store, I can snatch it up for you!
Tara B - Thanks! I haven't worn the skirt by itself yet because I'm still trying to come up with a way to wear it! I love eyelet, but sometimes it can be tricky to pull off! Or maybe I'm just thinking too much, haha!
Peggy - Aww, it's too bad you don't remember the name of the site! I have a few other F21 dresses that need lengthening as well and the eyelet skirt isn't going to work on all of them, haha!
Kim - I feel your pain! I was wondering just how any average height girl is supposed to wear those frocks since they are sooo short! Thanks for the title love, hehe! And definitely check out the dress, I bet you would look so adorable in it!
Julianne - Oh yes, definitely check out the dress with a skirt underneath! I hope you're able to find it!
Justine - Aww, thanks!
Tabitha - Oooo, I think I know which skirt you're talking about and it IS really short! Definitely give layering a try!
DEA - I was surprised by how well the two worked together too. Boyfriend didn't even know that the two were seperate pieces until I told him so, haha! What is with the F21 lengths?!
Lisa - Awww, thank you so much for the compliment! It made me happy, haha! Sorry that the skirt is sold out! Sometimes they restock, though, so sign up to be notified when they do!
Kelly - Aww, thanks!
Great dress. That print is so cute.
ReplyDeletemy blog: ♥La Stylin Girraffe♥
This is such a PERFECT look! I could see this on myself in a heartbeat! I love the double skirt- I seriously think they should have made the actual dress like that. WIN for you!
ReplyDeleteThis layering is just awesome! Love the outfit. And, yeah...as someone who's 5'10" I can confirm that F21 just plain doesn't work on some people. I somehow found one skirt that keeps me "decent" there, but other than that I stick to the jewelry/the occasional coat.
ReplyDeletewhat a genius idea...i'll have to remember that the next time i fall in love with a short dress! this is one of my favorite outfits from your blog ever :)
ReplyDeletezomg i LOVE that dress!!! (i am such a sucker for nautical prints, especially with anchors). i may have to copy you!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou look so great - fun and totally office friendly too! I had to visit my local F21 to see the dress in person and all they had was a large left (I'm guessing I'm a small), boo for me. Thanks for giving so many of us new inspiration :)
ReplyDeleteI can't ever wear F21 dresses or skirts, at 5'8 they make them way too scandalous - more like shirts on me. This dress is so fun though, I love the print.
ReplyDeletecan I get an AMEN!
ReplyDeleteI love F21 but geeeez I am 5'6 and I swear I cannot buy 1/2 of their dresses in fear of cheek showage.
Just two days ago I tried on the cutest "dress" that I really wanted...problem was it was too dang short.
That is a cute dress! :)
Love love love this dress and how it's layered. It's been so long since I've been to F21. I should make a trip.
ReplyDeleteThat skirt & dress look perfect together - at first glance I thought it was one dress & thought "how cute is the bottom of that dress?" until I read that it's a skirt :). And Jenna's cardigan is perfect!
ReplyDeleteOh that is the cutest dress ever! I've been avoiding F21 since the double finger ring fiasco, but I now may have to venture in...
ReplyDeleteI am constantly finding things that are marketed as "dresses" on F21 and when they arrive to my house they are just long shirts (no, not even tunics).
ReplyDeleteI said it before & I'll say it again. The people behind F21 are Christians (John 3:16 on the bottom of the bag), yet I've never seen clothes like that at any church I've ever been to. Not everyone goes to church and perhaps F21 clothes are not meant for church in any way. Of course you don't have to subscribe to a church driven faith to want to dress in a more modest way. Their skirt lengths are obscene in some cases. Maybe the cost savings on fabrics helps keep fabrics down. Nevermind that as I am probably not in their target market anyway.
ReplyDeleteYou look adorable in your outfit. I always love your unique combos. I forgot about the idea of layering skirts. Thanks for helping us all :-)
Ah, yes the short skirt/skanky clothes issue. The main reason I stopped shopping there. It.drives.me.nuts.
ReplyDeleteYou are so cute, this is ADORABLE. Way cuter on you than on their model.
ok so I LOVE what you did with the skirt- I actually ordered that dress too (mine hasnt come in yet) and was super worried about the shortness- now I have to scour my closet for a skirt to do that with, great idea!
ReplyDeletehow do you pull this off and still look cute?!?! i would look crazy!!! F21 sometimes presents me with the opposite issue..some of their tunics actually end up looking like dresses on me! score for being a shorty :-)!
ReplyDeleteYou are so bad for my budget. I had to go and buy that dress. And an eyelet skirt as well.
ReplyDelete