A dress and a cardigan
That’s practically my uniform these days. In the sense that this is the combo I wear on most days if I actually go out (to run errands or something), or in the evenings on our walks in the neighbourhood.
I live in dresses in summer. I think a dress, especially a loose dress, is the most practical piece of clothing on a warm day: no waistbands to make me sweat and feel constrained. And on cooler days, I just add one layer to keep me warm.
And styling a dress is so easy: just add accessories. One-stop-dressing, that’s what I call it.
Given how much I love wearing dresses, it may seem odd that I hardly ever wear them in winter. But that’s simply because what is so easy in summer is anything but in winter.
Yes, at first glance the same formula – a dress and a cardigan – should work in winter, too. But the problem is that in order to keep warm, I’d need to wear tights and boots. And I hate both, with a passion. OK, I can live with boots, maybe… Although I prefer ankle boots.
A pair of ankle boots with a dress? Yes, sure… It might get a bit cold, though. But I guess it depends on what we mean when we talk about winter (FYI: for me, ‘winter‘ means really cold weather and lots of snow).
It’s the tights (or pantyhose for my American readers) that is the problem. I really, really hate them. I would only ever wear them with dresses (never in a million years under trousers, I don’t care how cold it is).
Now, when I say ‘tights‘ I mean the thicker, opaque tights that you’d wear when it gets cold; not the flimsy, sheer nylon tights (why would anyone wear sheer tights??? Seriously, can you think of a more useless piece of clothing?).
Anyway… the problem with tights is that they never fit right. Have you noticed that? Yes, I know, I may need a bigger/smaller size. Been there, done that, and it doesn’t really fix the problem.
Because the problem is not how they fit around my legs but how they fit (or don’t, to be more precise) around my waist. Either they keep riding down, gradually being pulled towards my knees (yes, I know: get a bigger size), or I they reach my armpits…
And if the waistband somehow manages to stay put more or less around my actual waist, then it sort of curls up and forms a tight roll. This happens even (or especially) with high-waisted tights. Do you know what I mean?
So, what made me think of tights and winter and all that now? Well, autumn is just a round the corner, and I’d like to keep wearing some of my favourite summer dresses for a bit longer. But this inevitably requires some sort of a compromise and planning (= better start sorting through the two drawers of tights I have barely looked at for the past couple of years).
In the meantime, let’s enjoy these final (not so warm) summer days.
Outfit details:
hoodie: EDC / dress: Marimekko (old) / bag: furla (old) /
shoes: Jenny / sunglasses: Woobs
Tiina
Do you like wearing dresses?
Linking up with:
Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, High Latitude Style, A Labour of Life, Curly Crafty Mom, Doused in Pink, Not Dressed As Lamb, Living on Cloud Nine, Elegance and Mommyhood, Nancy’s Fashion Style, Shelbee on the Edge, A Pocketful of Polka Dots Style Splash, Away from the Blue, Mummabstylish , Mutton Years Style and I, Confessions of a Montreal Styling Diva, Independent Fashion Bloggers
I never find dresses I like because I’m short waisted. But I have decided to try and find some dresses I like. I have given up for a few years on dresses. You don’t have to wear tights under your dress. My daughter-in-law is from Maine she taught me to wear leggings. More comfortable and keeps me warm! I wear them under my skirts all winter.
Author
I haven’t tried leggings, mainly because I don’t like layering. What makes them more comfortable than tights?
Totally agree that dresses are so easy to wear in the summer, just add a pair of flats or sandals and grab your bag, and you’re ready to go!. This is something I love!.
I have had many problems finding the right size of tights, because shop assistants (sometimes in specialized shops too!) keep on trying to sell me just one size up. And I don’t need just a size bigger, I need My Size (which usually means tights with a back panel, not the usual stuff). Have you tried Snag tights?, they actually fit me! (which is Amazing!).
I really like to wear tights in the winter, but our winter is not that cold!. So totally understand that comfort is first.
And you rock your dresses + cardigans style. This dress is such a beautiful piece, love its print!.
besos
Author
For me, it’s not the size of the tights, or the back panel, that’s the problem but the tight roll that always forms around the waist when the waistband curls up. That makes me mad. I once had a pair that fitted my perfectly, even around the waist, and I wore them to bits. Unfortunately, the style was discontinued. But, I suppose it is just a a matter of finding the right fit, or the right brand. And that’s why I have a couple of drawers full of tights that I never wear: I keep experimenting…
But to be honest, I’d only ever wear (thick, opaque) tights under loose dresses. With anything more fitted, or with trousers, knee-high socks is my standard solution (even in subzero temperatures).
I definitely wear my dresses and skirts a lot more in the summer and I have really loved them this year! I don’t have any tights are hoses as I always have to pull them up so I wear leggings for warmth under skirts or dresses in winter.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Author
Lots of women seem to favour leggings. Is it because they’re thicker? I would love to have well-fitting tights (I used to have one par that was just perfect, but they discontinued the brand) as I’d prefer something very light-weight and only semi-opaque.
I think so! For me they are warmer and they won’t tear. And I can wear them with tunics too.
I too get the roll down waist on the tights. I recently bought a pair of pants that had a high waist (which I wasn’t aware of when I ordered them) and the pants’ waist rolled down too! It was so uncomfortable and formed a not flattering piece of material under my top which added to my waist and looked awful. So I know what you mean about the rolling down on the waist. I like dresses in summer but I have such pale skin that I always feel self conscious. I shouldn’t really but I do. Unless I have a slight tan on my legs which I didn’t this summer (no beach time) I won’t wear dresses. It’s craz but true. I do like the ease of just putting a dress on and I’m ready. Love the way you style your dresses and add the cardigan if needed.
Arlene from NJ
Author
The roll-down waist is so annoying, isn’t it? it’s not just that it adds bulk, but it’s very uncomfortable, too.
I’m always pale, too, even when I’m ‘tanned’, and I’ve come to accept it. Besides, isn’t tanning a bit too dangerous for us pale girls, skin cancer and all that? I’ve never tried to get a tan because I just burn (and I hate sunbathing, and hot weather). In fact, I do everything possible to avoid tanning: I wear clothes that protect me from the sun, and I even carry a sun umbrella! I decided long ago that being pale is one of those things I cannot change, a bit like the colour of my eyes or being short, and it’s OK.
Lovely dress! I’m not looking forward to the cold weather and having to be bundled up in thick layers. I don’t mind the super stretchy tights that have the added benefit of smoothing over the lumpy bits, but the thick, ribbed woollen ones just irritate me and make me itch. Thanks for linking up!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Author
Yes, the super stretchy tights, I like them , too. except that roll that inevitably forms around my waist. I have two drawers full of tights because I’ve tried so many styles, but that particular problem just won’t go away.
And woollen tights… What sadistic person concocted that torture device???
I’m a big fan of dresses in the Summer, but not so much in the winter – I too hate wearing tights as they always fall down!! Thanks for sharing on the #linkup Jacqui x
Author
Yes, what is about tights that they don’t fit a normal woman’s body???
I love this dress, Tiina! And it is super cute with the hoodie. I happen to be an actual fan of tights and don’t mind wearing them really. However, I can absolutely relate to the rolling down and all the other waistband issues. So annoying! I found a brand called Sheertex (I don’t know if they ship to you though) that have the most amazing waistband that is so comfortable and stays where it should. They feel more like leggings but are a nice thick opaque tight perfect for cold weather and they don’t run. For real. Just sharing that little defense of tights. Hahaha. Do with it what you will! And thanks for linking up with me, too!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Author
Well, so many women seem to have the same problem with tights, I’m beginning to think that maybe it’s not me and my body but the tights that is the problem. I’ll have to check the brand you mentioned, thanks!
That is such a cute dress and I love printed pieces like this as they make instant outfits, they are so fun! And yes I prefer not layering them in summer, but leggings might work better for you than tights in winter? We don’t get snow though so I’m not sure if leggings alone would be enough for you, I can get away with them here in winter!
Hope that you had a great weekend 🙂 Thanks so much for joining the #WeekdayWearLinkup!
Author
I love dresses, too, because they’re so easy to wear. In summer, at least.
I haven’t really tried leggings, but my first thought is that it’s a bit inconvenient (I’d need sock and boots etc, too many layers…)
Hello Tiina.
I feel your pain regarding tights! However I received my first pair of snag tights this week and I can confirm they are a life changer. They actually fit around my tummy without rolling down. And because the sizing is based on your height and size, the tights fit my short legs without extra material bunching up. It made such a difference.
I’ve been following you for a while as it’s great to see style on a lady I can relate to. Thank you for your posts!
Author
That sounds good, it is so difficult to find good tights. I had one pair that fit like. dream, but I literally wore it to bits. It was a French brand, I think, but they discontinued the style.