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Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds. A few weeks ago I posted about layering underneath dresses.
02.02.2020 – Email address:. Post this question on our forum and we will help you out. This sort of things for a business meeting? You are the problem. This will be a very valuable series.
The following guidelines are by no means hard and fast rules and I frequently see them being broken successfully by stylishly creative and daring ladies who understand how to balance out proportions.
Wearing a really short jacket over a fitted, fit-and-flare, A-line or sack dress is virtually flop proof.

By cropped I mean that the length of the jacket hits you on or above your natural waistline. Think of cheeky styles like shrunken blazers, biker jackets, Chanel jackets, boleros, short tuxedo jackets and denim jackets.
Extra short retro trapeze jackets and faux fur shrugs work well too. The length of the dress can be either a little below the knee, on the knee, or shorter.

Keeping the jacket un-buttoned or un-zipped creates a vertical line down the front of the body, which is very flattering. A classic blazer layered over a fitted knee length sheath dress is ideal for a formal, reasonably conservative, professional work setting.
Scrunch up the sleeves for textural outfit interest.
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Shorter wool coats and trenches can work too, but they never seem to look quite as good as when the coats are as long as the dresses themselves.
To my eye anyway.

If you have further questions on how to layer jackets over dresses, please ask away in the comments below. Never done it before?
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Start experimenting to get more mileage from your wardrobe. Any excuse to wear our beloved frocks for more of the year!

I will be trying this this week! Now I want to pair my relatively straight polka dot dress with my new grey bf blazer. Awesome post. I have a question about cropped jackets.
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Any suggestions? Which is exciting! I used to do this long time ago when I wore more dresses. Anyhow, same rules apply with cardigans?
What about the necklines? Great info! I ask because I have several jackets that are actually longer in the front and more cropped in the back.
Are there special rules for this case? Angie, what alternative would you suggest for someone like me who is very short waisted and large busted?

Is this a problem? Oh, this will be a great series with the kind of step-by-step instructions and visuals I need.
This will be a very valuable series. It makes such sense when you spell it out and illustrate with the visuals. I was amused by the jean jacket pictured with its frayed bottom and am tempted to just cut off the bottom of a too-long jean jacket.
Maybe that look is best left to younger women. Fat chance.
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I have probably the worst combination of proportions to accomplish this look successfully. Big bust, freakishly short waist, and petite all at once. All of my jackets except my denim jacket are hip length.
Did I luck out and get it right here, or no? summer print sheath dresses plus size Kari, thanks for chiming in!
Having a large bust OR a short waist would probably be easier, but having both is the kiss of death. I am going to really enjoy this series.
Having the visuals helps a lot too. Great post. Finding that sweet spot is tricky, but these photos illustrate the magic that happens when you hit it.

Thanks Angie! LOVE this! Is there a way to save a blog as a favorite? This will be great for me! The jacket will help the love handle bits hide better!
I think I had forgotten about this!!! I love dresses. I love jackets. How perfect! I can see a try on session in my near future. Armed with this information…maybe I am now brave enough to try it again!
This is so helpful! I love the look of cropped style jackets with dresses. The longer style jackets with dresses is probably a better option for me but I have yet to give that a whirl.
This post will serve as inspiration to try! Thanks, Angie! Maya, Maya, Maya.
Evening Dresses with Jackets, Womens Jacket Dresses
You are naughty sometimes! You can be awfully negative about a particular item or combination but wear it to perfection later — and love the look.
All you need to do is wear your cropped jackets slightly longer when you layer them over frocks — which is what Kari has demonstrated.
Because of the size of your bust and short-waisted bodies, your sweet spot is a little below the waist. Kari, thanks for chiming in! You instinctively balanced out your proportions.
Also Maya, because you wear short hemlines so well, I love the idea of a longer jacket layered over dresses for your style.
Need a better fitting BF jacket for sure.

Although I have 6ft clients who look great with cropped jackets layered over dresses. They look really good layering longer blazers over dresses too.
Carole, you should definately try that. Cloud 9, we will get to cardigans Very helpful post, thank you. I love wearing cropped jackets over dresses and do that a lot.
But I really love the middle picture with the very nipped and buttoned blazer. I might also experiment with belting a blazer over a dress, what do you think about that?
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I just overall feel better with some waist definition, I find it balances me out better. What do we think about belting an unbuttoned jacket the way many people do with cardigans?
Make your special occasions even more memorable with our designer dress collections for different events. I like bright colors. Light blue sheath dress with jacket dresses Since when is wearing orange poor judgement?
I have rather bad luck with jackets and have a couple that pull a little when buttoned, yet when open they flap around unflatteringly and make me look like I have a giant thick torso.
But big jackets make me feel shapeless and I think I look like a little girl lost in oversized clothes. I really want to do this layering thing with the jackets, but not sure how best to pull it off with my body shape.
Once you an in an office? It depends on the position and agency, though, of course. Light blue sheath dress with jacket dresses First Name E-Mail Address. Im not sure about the matching of this material and colors with the dress… sould be the silver jacket too grey?
What do you think? I am interested to see what you recommend when you get to cardigans over dresses. I meant to say, I tend to wear cardigans with sKirts.
I can never seem to find a blazer that fits well. If I ever get to go shopping with you, Angie, finding the right blazer will be the first item on our agenda.

This is a great post and very much needed for me right now. Not surprising since you always find the best topics! Well, this is an incredibly helpful post, Angie.
This post is a real eye opener to me so thank you very much Angie for sharing these guidlines.