Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Daily MelWear: So Close...

Hi everyone!

Are you glad it's Wednesday? I am! We're that much closer to the weekend and I can't wait. We don't have anything spectacular planned, but I think being at home is pretty spectacular in itself.

Those of you that have been reading for a while know that I had some issues a few weeks ago regarding the length of skirts/dresses at work. Since then I've worn pants because it seems as though many of my skirts aren't acceptable at work anymore.

Today's dress is one of my absolute favorites because it's a blank slate. It looks great belted so I can wear any kind of belt with it, the shade of purple can be mixed with almost any color so I can layer practically anything over it...it's just perfect. I love this dress.

I was holding my breath when I put it on this morning, hoping that it would meet the knee-length criteria.

It kind of doesn't. But it's so close! It's a little bit too short by an inch or two.  It's acceptable if I pull it down so that the waist is closer to my belly button; the belt is up higher than the waist of the dress, it's sitting where the dress should sit. Every time I stand up, I pull the dress down.  As I walk, I'm tugging on it. And I'm slouching over like Melanie suggested the other day! The dress is great when I'm not at work, the length is perfectly modest in most normal settings so it's not the dress that's making me uncomfortable; it's the dress code.

I really need to find longer skirts and dresses so that I don't have to question and be uncomfortable. I just don't have the money to go shopping right now so I'm trying to make do with what I already have in my closet.

I need you guys to pray for me that I won't get in trouble for this one! I will likely add this to my "not for work" list, which is really sad because I LOVE this dress SO much.

Today's outfit:
Purple Dress: Plato's Closet
Teal Cardigan: Charlotte Russe
White Belt: Kohl's (came with a different dress)
Nude Kitten Heels: Target
Necklace: Wal-Mart

26 comments:

  1. I feel like the longer cardigan kind of tricks the eye so the dress looks a little longer, but that's just me.

    I hope things go well at work, because that is a great outfit.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I agree with Frances Joy - the proportions of cardigan and dress and belt are perfect. I hope you don't get in trouble for this look, since it's a fantastic one! You look great!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good luck at work - I think the length should be perfectly acceptable and with the coverage of the cardi you should be good to go. I will keep my fingers crossed for you :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Well, it looks fine to me, but I'm not used to such a strict dress code! I have to say that I love the color tones you mixed here, and I really really love the nude shoes on you. Really lengthens your leg (which I worried might make the dress appear shorter, but I don't really think it does).

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love the color mixing you did here! It's really, really pretty. I completely agree with everyone. This is totally acceptable and you look very put together and professional. The length of the cardigan makes the length of the skirt more modest. For Heaven's sake, we are little people! Long clothes eat us alive. I'm praying for you. You should definitely not endure a wrath for this dress!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Boy, is that crazy woman going to start measuring your hem length to its proximity to your knees?!!

    She's loca and she needs to leave you alone and your fashionable outfits!

    hugs!

    20 York Street

    ReplyDelete
  7. It is a great "blank slate dress". You can do so much with it!

    I think it's really awful that your overall outfit and appearance is in every way office-appropriate and professional looking, but yet they are giving you a hard time about the length being an inch too short. It's not like it's a mini skirt! Just hang in there, girlfriend!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I think that dress is very modest! The cardi helps bring the length down! Great dress I hope it passes because it's too pretty to not be worn regularly!

    ReplyDelete
  9. <3 <3 <3 Thanks for the love. I lifted with my back yesterday. Bad idea.

    Word verification: raveneat
    It's making me want to eat ravenously.

    ReplyDelete
  10. <3 <3 <3 Thanks for the love. I lifted with my back yesterday. Bad idea.

    Word verification: raveneat
    It's making me want to eat ravenously.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I definitely think you can slide by with this one. I can see why this is one of your favorites! From the photos it looks fine, although I know skirts and dresses take on a mind of their own once you start sitting and moving around!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Way to re-use the belt from another dress! Smart! Hey, those Target kitten heels look awesome - perhaps I need!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Do you work at a convent? That dress code is so strict. It looks long enough to me. Hopefully they won't give you any grief.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Very cute look! I love how you use your belt over your sweater... I still have to try that! Fingers crossed it's long enough ;)
    Maybe when it gets cooler (does that happen in FL?) you can put black tights underneath... That sometimes gives the appearance of skirts not being that short... But you still look cute!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Gosh, you work is strict! You are all working adults.. What's so sexy about showing your knees??! You look great! If I was confident in my sewing abilities I would sew you a beautiful knee length skirt! Hope you get away with the dress today :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. That's such a great outfit, I hope work was alright with it.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Aww hun! The dress is adorable. And I think I maaay have a solution if it appeals to you - layer a skirt underneath your shorter hemlines to give it that last few inches. You own so many gosh darn cute things and should be able to wear them. Maybe find a good style of layering skirt and grab it in a few colors.

    Lady, I would be going bonkers with your dress code.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I think its a super cute outfit! Its no fun having to worry over your clothes like that... but it takes time and money to make major wardrobe changes and that rule about length just seems ridiculously strict, you have my sympathy! I hope you're having a great day!

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a beautiful color on you, Melissa! If anyone does take exception to the outfit, I wonder if wearing it with dark opaque tights might be an option? Sometimes they can make a dress "look" longer than it is. Though it might be a bit warm in FL for tights right now...

    ReplyDelete
  20. Love this color combo! And I think the length is fine for work, just tug it down when you see you know who! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a bummer - that dress looks great!

    I've noticed that my dresses or skirts that are borderline (mostly due to my own comfort level) will look longer if I'm wearing dark tights underneath or, as you are here, a longer cardigan. I also get less ride-up when I'm wearing a slip under the dress or skirt. (I know, it's old-fashioned, but Spanx makes some good, stretchy slips.)

    Another idea - if there is some extra fabric in the hem of your skirts or dresses, you could consider bringing some of your favorites that are borderline to a tailor to have the hem let down half an inch or so (or if you're more skilled at sewing than I am, do it yourself.)

    ReplyDelete
  22. that purple is a great color! i love it paired with another bold color, too. overall fantastic look for work!

    xx anna jane
    http://seejaneworkplaylive.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi Hunnie....I love this dress!!! These colors are awesome....you re right....you can mix and match most anything with it:) the belt is an extra pop of color too.....I hope you didnt get in trouble....you probably "wowed" them with the dress...and thats all they were thinking of, lol.
    I was thinking of longer skirts being maxis or maxi dresses, but I think you may be even shorter than me....5'3".....and I cant find one Im not tripping over, lol...

    ReplyDelete
  24. Just a suggestion but not sure how practical it might be for you with the heat etc.
    How about a long petticoat underneath those border-line dresses/skirt so that it covers to the knee? You know those ones that are satin with a lace edge at the bottom?
    Hope work didn't make a fuss about this one!

    www.modelmumma.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Ohh I really like this dress on you, and I hope you don't get in trouble (feels like school all over again?) as the length looks fine! x

    http://pagesixxx.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Well, no one said anything but I kept the waist of the dress pulled down to my navel for most of the day! It looked pretty odd since the belt was up higher than the waist. Oh well.

    Yeah, my dress code is ridiculous. Truly. But, it's a job that pays the bills and allows me to have Fridays off with my daughter, so I work it.

    I'm definitely going to try it with tights when (IF?!) it cools down here in Florida, and I like the idea of layering another skirt underneath it if I can find some that would work. Buying one in EVERY color, of course. :)

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and chat with me!

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.