3 different ways to wear a sheer dress | Layer a sheer dress over jeans for a casual, everyday outfit, layer a mesh dress over a slip for a dressy outfit for date night or a special occasion and layer a cropped sweater over a sheer lightweight dress for a smart casual outfit suitable for work. Click through to see how Personal Stylist, Niki Whittle styles this tricky piece for home, work and a night out.
3 ways to wear, How To Put Outfits Together That Work For You

3 ways to wear a sheer dress

Sheer clothes are always tricky to wear, but I think dresses top the poll when it comes to the trickiest sheer item out there.  Some dresses are sold with a slip that offers a little coverage, but many aren't and that leaves you with numerous questions such as what to wear with them, what to wear under them, when to wear them...the list goes on!

If you’ve asked yourself any of those questions then you’re in the right place!  This post is filled with with tips, advice and outfits ideas to help you wear that sheer dress you’ve been thinking about, confident that it looks good!  

In this post I'm sharing:

You can click on the section you're most interested in, above, or scroll down to read the whole post!

FOUR REASONS TO HAVE SHEER CLOTHES IN YOUR CLOSET

1/  They are fantastic for layering as they don’t add much bulk

A sheer black dress layered over jans and belted around the waist with a studded beltPin this image on Pinterest

2/  They are a great way to add texture and interest to a monochromatic ensemble

A black sheer dress worn with jeans and  leather jacketPin this image on Pinterest

3/  They enable you to play around with proportions without creating a lot of imbalance

a black top worn with black faux leather pantsPin this image on Pinterest

4/  And they make a great choice for evening wear if you want to show a little leg, but aren’t comfortable wearing a short dress

A black sheer dress worn for the evening with a leopard print coatPin this image on Pinterest

FOUR TIPS FOR WEARING A SHEER DRESS:

1/  CHOOSE THE CORRECT UNDERWEAR

First, you need to think about the underwear, as many of  sheer dresses don't come with a slip.  If you’re planning on wearing it as a standalone piece then think about what undergarments you’re going to need in order to do so, comfortably. I would suggest purchasing a pretty slip like this so you're covered no matter how you want to wear it.  If you like to wear something with a little support then something like this makes a great option

2/  YOU DON'T' HAVE TO OPT FOR A COMPLETELY SHEER DRESS

If you’re nervous about going for a completely sheer dress, there are plenty of other options.  Some have solid panels like this one, and there are pretty print and embroidery options that will also give you a little more coverage.

3/  CHOOSE THE CORRECT LENGTH OF SLIP 

For the most flattering look, you’ll want it to end at a narrower point on your legs. This is generally just below the knee but everyone is different so choose a length that works best for you. You'll also want to consider the length of the slip in relation to the length of the dress.  A short slip under a long dress can look great, it's a little grungy.  But if you want a slightly more chic look, opt for length that's ​only a few inches shorter than the dress.  Or...don't wear a slip and layer the dress over jeans!

4/  TRY THE DRESS ON BEFORE YOU BUY!

So you can see exactly what will be on show.  And don’t be tempted to quickly throw it over your jeans and tee in the fitting room (we’ve all done it, it’s the quickest way to try dresses on), especially if the dress has solid panels - as you’ll want to check that they are sitting in the right place and it will be pretty difficult to determine this if you've got ​clothes on underneath.

​THREE WAYS TO WEAR A SHEER DRESS

1/  HOW TO WEAR A SHEER DRESS CASUALLY
3 different ways to wear a sheer dress | Layer a sheer dress over jeans for a casual, everyday outfit, layer a mesh dress over a slip for a dressy outfit for date night or a special occasion and layer a cropped sweater over a sheer lightweight dress for a smart casual outfit suitable for work. Click through to see how Personal Stylist, Niki Whittle styles this tricky piece for home, work and a night out.Pin this image on Pinterest

I’ve become rather a fan of layering dresses over jeans for no other reason than I like how it looks, there's something about combining a dressy piece with a casual item that makes me happy.  I've pulled together similar looks here ​but never before with a sheer dress.  A sheer dress adds another dimension to the look that's fun and quirky, but it also helps prevent the outfit from looking bulky. I chose to wear Vans with this outfit (a combination that I'm pretty sure my teenage self would have been a pretty big fan of 20 years ago) but I’ve also worn it with ankle boots and over knee boots, too. One point to note with a look like this is to make sure that the jeans you’re wearing underneath are longer than the dress, or can be seen, as if they can’t it can sometimes look like you’re only wearing tights and forgot to add the slip.  I'm currently layering a light sweater underneath the dress, but in the summer I'll swap this for a cami or cropped tee.

2/  HOW TO WEAR A SHEER DRESS FOR SMART CASUAL
3 different ways to wear a sheer dress | Layer a sheer dress over jeans for a casual, everyday outfit, layer a mesh dress over a slip for a dressy outfit for date night or a special occasion and layer a cropped sweater over a sheer lightweight dress for a smart casual outfit suitable for work. Click through to see how Personal Stylist, Niki Whittle styles this tricky piece for home, work and a night out.Pin this image on Pinterest
Pin this image on Pinterest
3 different ways to wear a sheer dress | Layer a sheer dress over jeans for a casual, everyday outfit, layer a mesh dress over a slip for a dressy outfit for date night or a special occasion and layer a cropped sweater over a sheer lightweight dress for a smart casual outfit suitable for work. Click through to see how Personal Stylist, Niki Whittle styles this tricky piece for home, work and a night out.Pin this image on Pinterest
Pin this image on Pinterest

​A great way to maximize the wear of dresses is to layer knitwear over them. I prefer to wear cropped sweaters over my dresses as it’s the most flattering option for me but you might look great with a longer style, so adapt it to suit your shape.  I think the key to the success of this outfit is the necktie on the dress which I decided to make a feature of rather than hide it under the sweater.  In doing so I really feel it ties the whole outfit together.  The belt serves two purposes, the first is that it highlights my waist and the second is it gives me something to tuck the sweater in so it's sitting at the correct length.  I decided to go bare legged as I wanted to really highlight the sheerness of the fabric, but black tights would have worked, too.

3/  HOW TO WEAR A SHEER DRESS FOR EVENING
3 different ways to wear a sheer dress | Layer a sheer dress over jeans for a casual, everyday outfit, layer a mesh dress over a slip for a dressy outfit for date night or a special occasion and layer a cropped sweater over a sheer lightweight dress for a smart casual outfit suitable for work. Click through to see how Personal Stylist, Niki Whittle styles this tricky piece for home, work and a night out.Pin this image on Pinterest

​There are a number of ways to wear sheer dresses in the evening and they range from the bold and brave - wearing only your undergarments (and when I say undergarments, I don’t mean skimpy underwear, I’m talking high waist briefs and a good bandeau bra, to create a look that resembles something like this), to the more demure - layering a slip underneath, or a camisole and leggings. I chose the more demure option and layered a short slip under mine. There were a few things I needed to take into consideration with this look; the first was how much flesh was I comfortable showing (obviously), and the second was how long to wear the slip underneath as if the length ended inline with a wider part of my legs, i.e right across my thighs, then it would be less flattering than if it ended at a narrower point, just below my thighs. I love to play around with different textures in my outfits so I chose to layer a short faux fur jacket over the top, but a leather jacket would look great, as would a more tailored style coat.

​MY FAVORITE SHEER DRESSES FOR THE SEASON

(Updated Nov 2019)

Read More
3 ways to wear, How To Put Outfits Together That Work For You

3 WAYS TO WEAR AN OVERSIZED BUTTON UP

In this months guest post I ‘m introducing you all to Anna.  She’s a fashion blogger from Pittsburgh with the most wonderful, fun sense of style.  She has a love of color and pattern like know one else and blends the two to create a quirky, bold, fun style that reflects her own personality perfectly.   I can’t wait for you to see her three looks…take it away, Anna!

 

 

Hi! I’m a Russian- American fashion blogger, born in Russia and now living in U.S which was my childhood dream. At 6 years old I told my mom that I was going to live in USA, that I will have a huge house with the beautiful arched gates and drive a cherry color SUV with a Great Dane on the passenger seat! Well, 16 years, later my dream came true!  It doesn’t matter how long it takes, what matters is if you want something very much it will happen to you, so keep on dreaming 😉

I’m not sure if I always was a fashionista, but I do know that I always wanted to look unique.  When I was at school I was making clothes for myself from my mom’s old stuff, and would wear my older sister’s clothes as oversized, such as a sweater as an oversized sweater dress.  Maybe that developed my love to oversized clothes? 😉   I have a huuuuuuuuuuuuuge shoe obsession (and slight print and color one) and usually I build my outfit around the shoes I want to wear.   I started my blog last December as an outlet for my creativity, and I’m glad I did.  First of all it fulfills me and makes me happy, and second of all it brings new friends and opportunities in life. The main goal of me doing it is to inspire people to take fashion risks, as I always say: ” Don’t take fashion too serious, have fun with it!”

The item I’m featuring was love from the first sight, we met at local TJ Maxx, my favorite store for the treasure hunt 😉 and I’m absolutely in love with it – a black and white striped oversized shirt dress by Free People:

An oversized button down layered over denim for a walk in the city:

 

I wore it as a cover for a walk in the city, I was going for a casual, comfy look, yet stylish, by adding these cool accessories :hand-painted purse and satin with beading details slippers. You can wear it as a cover with a denim shorts, bathing suit, even a dress, like I did for my date night, I wore it over a slip dress, your options are endless!

An oversized button down worn as a dress

It’s 5 o’clock somewhere 😉 – for my second look I decided to wear it as a dress for a happy hour! My body type is hourglass, but not as obvious as Kim Kardashian’s )))) closer to rectangular shape. When you are hourglass you got to accentuate your waistline, so I had this grey wrap around belt and layered 2 skinny belts over it for a pop of color, it look too blah to me. Adding my DIYd shoes and kitty straw bag, made this look more colorful and fun.

An oversized button down worn as a shirt for date night

For my third and final look, I used this shirt dress as a shirt. I’m not going to lie it was a little hard to fit it under the skirt, because I was changing in the car for this photoshoot 😉 The only thing I would recommend- make sure that your made out of very thick material, so you can’t really see the shirt under, because it’s a lot of fabric! And it gives some extra volume here and there…which I’m missing here and there 🙂

Thanks so much, Anna!  If you want to follow her (and really think you should!) you can find her here:

Instagram – @anna_maleev

Facebook – Hello Gorge by Anna Maleeva

Blogging – Hello Gorge

And if you’d like to be featured as a guest blogger on Style Studs and Lace, comment below, or get in touch here

If you’d like to see some other ways to wear a long button down or shirt, then check out these other posts:  Three ways to wear a long sheer shirt and Three ways to wear a long sleeveless button down

 

Read More
How to wear high rise skinny blue jeans | Three different ways to skinny jeans, with a tailored jacket to work, layered under a dress and worn with a sheer, tulle skirt
3 ways to wear, How To Put Outfits Together That Work For You

HIGH RISE SKINNY JEANS – WORN 3 DIFFERENT WAYS

How to wear high rise skinny blue jeans | Three different ways to skinny jeans, with a tailored jacket to work, layered under a dress and worn with a sheer, tulle skirt

This week I’m featuring yet another wardrobe staple that I’m pretty sure every one has at least one pair of – blue skinny jeans.  These are insanely versatile and go with much more than sweaters and t-shirts, as you’ll see below.  Oh, and as jeans are one of the most difficult items of clothing to shop for, I thought I’d take the opportunity to share my top 5 pairs with you.  These aren’t just any old jeans, these are the styles that I KNOW fit well, are flattering, and last (as in they don’t loose their shape after a couple of hours wear).

WEARING SKINNY JEANS WORN TO WORK

Jeans to work?  Are you mad, Niki?!  Nope.  Hands up those of you who struggle to know what to wear on dress down Friday?  I suggest dressing down your jacket and blouse with a pair of jeans.  It is the epitome of ‘smart casual’ and is an outfit that not only looks good but feels good.  And if you achieve both those things you’ll definitely be walking with confidence – and what better way to feel at work?

SKINNY JEANS LAYERED UNDER A DRESS

Don’t keep your favorite dresses for best, use your jeans to dress them down for everyday.  Skinny jeans are the easiest style of jeans to do this with as they add the least amount of bulk. This is also a fantastic way to transition your summer dresses into fall…but more on that in a post to come.

SKINNY JEANS LAYERED UNDER A SKIRT

Tulle, sheer and mesh skirts are making a bit of a come back at the moment, and with that comes the opportunity to play around with different textures, and develop your layering skills.  I love playing around with sheer fabrics (as you’ll have noticed if you’re a regular reader of Style Studs & Lace), and especially like dressing them down for daytime appearances.  The easiest way to dress down sheer fabrics is to throw on a pair of  jeans, or add a chunky knit.  I personally don’t like to do both as it swamps me, but it’s a look I’ve styled a few taller clients in and it looks great!

 

THE TOP 5 SKINNY JEANS FOR ALL SHAPES

These are my favorite jeans this season – they fit beautifully, wear well and are all ridiculously flattering (because every single pair is a high rise)!  If you’re pear shaped I highly recommend the first and second pair – the pair I’m wearing in this post are the second pair, the Levis.   Apple shaped, the fifth pair, if you’re an hourglass all 5 will be great but the second pair in particular will be smashing and if you’re a column shape try the third pair.

 

TOP FIVE SKINNY JEANS

ONE – J BRAND  /  TWO – LEVIS  /  THREE – TOPSHOP / FOUR – PAIGE / FIVE – OASIS

RELATED POSTS:

THE BEST JEANS STYLE FOR PEAR SHAPES

 

Read More
3 ways to wear, How To Put Outfits Together That Work For You

HOW TO WEAR A BASIC CAMISOLE, 3 DIFFERENT WAYS

So this week I’m sticking with my theme of shining light on some of the more basic pieces most of us carry in our collection and am highlighting a plain camisole that I’ve had for years.  

These are more than basic layering pieces  to stave off the cold or layer under a low neckline, they are great little stand-alone pieces.   The three outfits I’ve chosen to share are just a few of the many ways I’ve been wearing this camisole through the spring and summer months.  

It truly is a versatile piece and as such I had a hard time deciding which three outfits to share with you so you may well see this featured again!

Three simple ways to breathe new life into your camisole | A vest is a wardrobe staple, it’s versatile and can be worn to work, at the weekend, on a night out and is perfect layering.

option one - layering a camisole over a t-shirt

Yep, I wore this in the 90’s and am wearing it again, over 20 years later!

I love to throw a Marmite look into my #threewaystowear posts and this look is definitely one of those. Which camp are you in?  Do you love it, or hate it?

I love it and one of the reasons is that I struggle to wear such a strappy camisole over looser fitting jeans like these as the narrow straps enhance my pear shape and make me feel even more bottom heavy.  

However, if I layer a tee underneath the camisole, it prevents the thin straps from narrowing my shoulders. Brilliant!

option two - layering a camisole under a sleevless duster

We all know that camisole’s are perfect for layering, but can be layered under so much more than chunky sweaters and v necks.  I’ve been wearing mine under a sleeveless duster a lot lately (I just change the footwear) it’s one of my current go-to outfits.  You’ll notice that I’ve tucked the camisole into my high rise jeans – it’s such a great way to lengthen my legs a little, and who doesn’t want longer legs?!

option three - dress up a camisole with leather

This is by far my favourite look of the three this week, it’s a combination I hadn’t worn before (discovering new outfits is one of the main reasons I love pulling together these posts!) and is the result of me sorting out my closet for the coming season.  This skirt is an old favourite of mine which I normally wear with chunky knits and ankle boots, but fall is still a million miles away here in South Carolina so I thought I’d try pairing it with something lighter and loved the outcome!  How do you transition into a new season?  I know some of you struggle, and if this is you, tell me why that is in the comments below!

Read More
3 ways to wear, How To Put Outfits Together That Work For You

THREE WAYS TO WEAR A STRIPED BLOUSE, WITH PERSONAL STYLIST, MIKAELA PABON

 

We have a first on Style Studs and Lace this week!  My beautiful guest blogger, Mikaela, is pregnant so we’re not only sharing three ways to wear an item, we’re sharing three ways to wear it if you’re expecting!   Mikaela is a fellow personal stylist and, like all my guest bloggers, has a strong sense of style and a wonderful creative ability to maximize the potential of every item she purchases.   She is a woman after my own heart!  Scroll down to see Mikaela style her striped blouse three ways, and when you’ve finished reading, make sure you pop on over to her Instagram feed and shop for more inspiration!

How to wear a striped blouse| Three different ways to wear a striped blouse, with denim shorts, print mixing with printed pants and layered under a dress

Hi everyone! My name is Mikaela Pabon and I am a Personal Stylist, and the Owner/Creative Director of Vêtu de Joy – a print-obsessed online shop, based in Brooklyn, NY. I love wearing color and lots of prints, but I still always shop with multiple outfits in mind. How can I get the most out of this piece? How many different ways can I wear it? What do I have at home that I can wear this with? These things are always floating through my head when I’m shopping for myself or helping others pull together wardrobes. Fun fact: this is something I learned from my father (a man who I’d never seen shop for himself – but always told me to shop with my current closet in mind)!  As an expecting mom who is in between maternity clothes and regular clothes, let me tell you – it has been a challenge figuring out what to wear on a daily basis! Not to mention, I’m trying to go as long as possible without having to buy anything maternity. Haha. My style philosophy is quite simple. Only buy/keep/wear things that you love and that bring you joy. That way, when you get dressed every day, you’ll always be Dressed in Joy, and you’ll always feel good!

For this post, I’ll be featuring a sheer striped blouse as my 3 ways to wear item. Stripes are everywhere this season, and this is a classic silhouette that you can wear anywhere – to work, to run errands and in the evening. This particular one is about 3 years old, from Old Navy, and it’s a bit oversized, so it fits my pregnant belly (for now!). As a lover of prints, I always find a way to shake things up a bit and mix prints together. I know print mixing isn’t for everyone, so I’ve also included a couple other ways to wear this blouse, that are just as stylish. Any of these looks can be worn with any light-weight blouse you have, striped or not. I hope you enjoy!

A STRIPED BLOUSE WITH DENIM SHORTS

Seeing this look now you can understand why I emphasized wearing “light-weight” blouse. I love this look because it elevates your denim shorts just a bit, while still keeping the look casual. I threw on my favorite suede Pumas from Solange’s Word to the Woman collection a couple of years ago for a pop of color.

 

PRINT CLASHING WITH FLORAL PANTS

Something I always say when it comes to mixing prints together, is treat stripes (& camo & leopard) as a neutral. Pair stripes with pretty much ANYTHING, and it will work, I promise! Here, I’ve paired my striped blouse with a pair of floral printed pants from H&M. This works really well because the pants are black, which pulls from the black in the top. I’ve added a white solid layer that pulls the whole look together since white is in both pieces. I chose a simple shoe to keep the focus on the outfit!

LAYERED UNDER SKIRT

 


This one is a little unorthodox, but totally works, pregnant or not! Initially I pulled the skirt up over my belly but thought, what if I wore it as a dress?? Once I did that, it totally changed the look of this Forever21 pleated skirt. Now it looks like a babydoll dress and works so well for me, especially, since I have this extra load I’m carrying around these days! 🙂

I hope this gives you a little glimpse into my personal style, and a few ideas on how to style your bump if you’re expecting!

RECREATE MIKAELA’S OUTFITS:

FOLLOW MIKAELA:

Instagram: @Mikaela.pabon

Twitter: @mmikaelajoy

Blog: www.mikaelapabon.com

Shop:  Vetu de Joy

Facebook: @mikaelajoypabon

 

LOOKING FOR MORE OUTFIT INSPIRATION FOR YOUR BLOUSE?

Check out this three ways to wear featuring a white silk button down

Save

Save

camisole, black, simple, chic, elegant, evening, dressy, casual, layering, summer, 2017 trend, how to, what to wear, 3 ways to wear, fashion, style, every day, spring, over 30, style help, style advice, fashion help, fashion advice, different ways, women, pear shaped, bottom heavy, body shape, pregnancy style, pregnant, blouse, stripes, print mixing, print
camisole, black, simple, chic, elegant, evening, dressy, casual, layering, summer, 2017 trend, how to, what to wear, 3 ways to wear, fashion, style, every day, spring, over 30, style help, style advice, fashion help, fashion advice, different ways, women, pear shaped, bottom heavy, body shape, pregnancy style, pregnant, blouse, stripes, print mixing, print

Save

Save

Read More
Three simple ways to breathe new life into a plain t-shirt | A white tee is a wardrobe staple, tie it in a knot to add shape, tuck it into your favorite party skirt for everyday, and layer it under a dress
3 ways to wear, How To Put Outfits Together That Work For You

THREE WAYS TO WEAR A WHITE T SHIRT

I’ve featured quite a mix of pieces in my Three Ways to Wear posts but I fear I’ve been neglecting the basics so I’m rectifying that right here, right now, with a three ways to wear ‘the basics’ edition.  Y’all know what the basics are, right?  They’re the pieces that never date, that aren’t on trend or in fashion, that you can always rely on.  Jeans, plain t-shirts, cashmere sweaters, pencil skirts, black pants, a white shirt, a pretty blouse – all these transcend the trends and they’re all ridiculously versatile.

Three simple ways to breathe new life into a plain t-shirt | A white tee is a wardrobe staple, tie it in a knot to add shape, tuck it into your favorite party skirt for everyday, and layer it under a dress

The first item I want to feature is a plain white (or off white) t-shirt, it’s an item that most of us have at least one of  (and some of you have more than you need) but are you taking full advantage of them?  They are one of the most loved classic wardrobe staples for a reason – their versatility is off the scale!  They can be worn at home, to the office, on a night out, hiking…need I go on?  Well, here are three ways you can wear this rather nondescript  item.  And because 3 ways doesn’t quite do the item justice, I will be sharing another three later on in the season so be sure to pop back!

TIE YOUR TEE IN A KNOT TO ADD SHAPE

I love to tie my tee’s in a knot, it gives them (and me) more shape.   I’ve teamed this look with relaxed denim and high tops as I wanted a really casual feel, but I’ve worn it with heels and skinny’s and it looks just as good.  It also looks fab with skirts…the possibilities are endless my friends!

DRESSED DOWN YOUR FAVORITE PARTY SKIRT

 

A great way to dress up a plain white t-shirt is to mix it with luxe fabric’s and metallic’s like this silver skirt.  I love this tee with my silver pleated skirt, it’s simple and fuss free.  I’ve added a little edge with the studded belt and shoes to make it a little more ‘me’ and if the weather cools I’ll throw my trusty leather jacket on top.  See how easy it is to dress up a plain tee?!

LAYER A PLAIN T-SHIRT UNDER A SUMMER DRESS

Plain t-shirts are perfect for layering!  I have a few styles to hand, in a range of necklines and sleeve lengths, and it makes shopping my closet that much easier.  I’m pretty sure that this particular look isn’t going to be to everyone’s taste, but I hope it will encourage you to try some layering of your own and inspire you to come up with a look that fits your style.  Experimenting is fun, people!   When you’re layering dresses it’s worth playing around with different necklines as each one will give you quite a different look.   On a side note, I’m a HUGE fan of layering and tee’s under dresses, so if you have one, give it a go!

Are there any basics in your closet that you’d like me to feature here on the blog?  Drop me a line here or comment below!

If you liked this post then why not check out this post I wrote about wearing plain camisoles!

Save

Read More