Two months ago, I wondered if I could wear a dress over pants — with mixed results.
But when it comes to fashion, I can never quite admit defeat. I tinkered with the look again and again — and after some ingredient swapping, I found the key elements to making this layered look work.
But before I tell you how the sausage is made, let’s discuss why you’d want to wear a dress over pants in the first place.
For one, the look has an international, romantic depth. When you wear a dress over pants, you’re channeling the East — including the mega-watt glamour of Jemima Khan and Princess Diana or former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto (who was one of the most compelling people — and dressers — of our time).
Secondly, the look just makes sense. By transforming your dress into a blouse, you’ve effectively doubled your wardrobe without paying another cent.
As I demonstrated in my previous attempt, this can be difficult to pull off. If the dress is too stiff or voluminous, you’ll look a bit like a mushroom.
The key is to find a silk dress to wear over the trousers — silk has a weight and swish that looks marvelously elegant over pants. Cotton versions can look too stiff and noticeable in that subtly unwanted way.
Another hint: Play with proportions. This works because the sweater is cropped and ends at the waist. The dress hits right above the knee, which is just right — any shorter, and it would look like a babydoll; any longer, it would have looked dowdy.
What do you think of this version of “dress over pants?” Would you try it?