WIW 6/6: MOTG dress over capri leggings (and Jolt red jacket K/R)

Here's a MOTG outfit I wore today that I feel is actually a true MOTG outfit (not a dressed down work outfit)--comfy and casual but still stylish (well, I think anyways!). I think modgrl wears these dress over leggings outfits, and now that I know about this formula I think it will become a staple for me too!

This red, white and black empire waist dress was a kind gift from Mo--thanks so much Malina! I haven't had a chance to wear it till now. I took everyone's advice and bought a pair of black capri leggings to put under dresses. Perfect for MOTG--no worries about bending over to help the kids, etc. I wore it as shown in 1-2 with the black Dansko sandals. Now that I've been educated that my feet are too long for these (toe overhang is my new PPL-type revelation!), I'll have to replace eventually. But I wasn't quite sure if the Seychelles sandals in 3/4 were too "fancy" for this outfit with their high heels. I feel like the Danskos looked more appropriate with their flat heel and thicker straps. Do you prefer 1/2 or 3/4? If the Seychelles don't work for MOTG it's going to limit their CPW significantly!

Also, here's a K/R on the Jolt red denim jacket (5-7). I bought it a few months back when Angie recommended it, but just haven't had the occasion to wear it. I pulled it out to wear with this outfit, but then had second thoughts. It seemed like it was kind of boxy and wide on me, and the sleeves are not full length which kind of looks funny to me (I guess I'd have to keep them rolled). It's a junior's size M. I ended up going with the red cardigan instead. Should I keep or return the denim jacket? Not sure of the fit and whether the red denim will be that versatile (I already have the AE blue and white denim jackets). If you think return, let me know if anyone wants it before I return to Nordstrom, since it's sold out I figured someone might be interested in it. Tags are still on.

Moa Moa empire waist sleeveless dress from Mo
White House Black Market red cardigan
Nike black capri leggings
Dansko black sandals
Marc by Marc Jacobs Dotty Snake bag

Thanks for your advice and comments!

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30 Comments

  • JennyAnne replied 11 years ago

    I say keep the jacket. I love the detailing on the front. Your outfit is very cute and MOTG appropriate.

  • annagybe replied 11 years ago

    Keep the jacket and wear the Danskos.

  • Aida replied 11 years ago

    Your MOTG outfit is super cute! As a devoted member of Team Heels, #3/4 doesn't look too dressy to me (and I prefer these to the sandals in #1/2) but I don't know how well you can chase after kiddos in those sandals. I also really like the jacket, but I think you'd have to accept that it is a boxy style and be into that or it wouldn't get worn.

  • velvetychocolate replied 11 years ago

    I really like the jacket - so I vote keep on that. I also like the black Dansko sandals too. The whole outfit is pretty fab, and definitely a very stylish MOTG outfit.

  • replied 11 years ago

    I love Mo's dress on you! Perfect with the capri length leggings! You may have just found the perfect MOTG uniform (not that you can only have one). I like the way the cardigan's neckline mirrors the shape of the dress. This looks like a dress you can be a little more active in (than the navy Jason Wu).

    You are going to kill me, but do you have some black ballet flats? There is something really pretty about a ballet slipper with leggings, IMO. The Danskos look a bit heavy to me, and the heeled sandals read a little fancy, like you said. How about a more delicate flat sandal, since your foot and ankle are slim?

    I could go either way on the Jolt jacket. It just looks a bit new and stiff. I would do the Angie scrunch on the sleeves and run with it. The color is lovely on you. :)

  • Diana replied 11 years ago

    I love your MOTG outfit! I am a big fan of cropped leggings for summer - perfect for under short skirts or dresses. I do prefer the Danskos here, because I generally think that the cropped leggings look goes better with a chunkier shoe. If you were doing just the dress w/o the leggings (which would admittedly probably be not as practical for MOTG) I might go for the seychelles instead.

    I am not crazy about the jacket - it looks rather too boxy to me, and something about the position of the pockets is bugging me (I think they are too high up?).

  • Aida replied 11 years ago

    (I'm going to bat with Claire and vote for a daintier shoe, and especially a black ballet flat. That is my top shoe of choice when I wear my cropped leggings, with high heels right in second place. But I do bat for Team Delicate Shoe :) )

  • Sona replied 11 years ago

    ok: here's my breakdown: (FWIW):

    I like the dress with the cropped leggings.
    I actually like the seychelles better than the danskos.
    I do not like the cardigan with it.
    The cropped denim jacket is too boxy.
    I suggest either a cropped red cardi or a seamstress altereation to the jolt jacket.

    Hope some of my comments are helpful!

    :)

  • Isis replied 11 years ago

    Pretty dress! I like the cardi better than the jacket with this dress. But maybe no cardi?

    And I like the Dansko's better than the Seychelles. The latter are awesome shoes, but I like the way the chunkier black straps on the Dansko's echo the black band of the dress.

    Great outfit, and seems like one you could really play/run/climb with kids in!

  • Tanya replied 11 years ago

    Love the MOTG outfit! I completely second Sona on almost all the counts I do like the cardigan with the dress.

  • RandomThoughts (Andrea) replied 11 years ago

    I think you look adorable! Okay, so here are my comments:

    I love the outfit with the leggings.
    I prefer the Seychelles to the Danskos but would like to see how it looks with ballet flats. This said by a woman who Does Not Wear Ballet Flats.
    I like the jacket and think you should keep it IF you think you will wear it. If it's too off for you such that you're unsure, you may not wear it so not worth keeping.

    PS - I'm about to do a shoe purge and have some black espadrille sandals that you may like. I love them but I have more sandals than a gal in Seattle needs. They are from my Boise days. Hardly worn. I think we are the same shoe size. I'm usually a 7 1/2. These were a little roomy (8s maybe) so I put some foot pads on the bottom.

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    Ooh! Love the dress with the leggings on you, Natalie!

    I like it with the card.

    I think the jacket is too boxy- something bugs me about it. Possibly it needs softening (and could be softened.) But I still think it is the wrong shape for this cut of dress.

    I'm with Claire on the ballet flats with this, if you can wear flats.

    Bag is adorable and keeps your ladylike flair!

  • Angie replied 11 years ago

    Have to prep for our trip, but just chiming in to say that I LOVE your MOTG outfit!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    This is a FANTASTIC MOTG look for you Natalie and I love it with the cardigan. Out of the two pairs of sandals you've posted, I prefer the Danskos. I agree that ballet flats could be cute too.

  • Mo replied 11 years ago

    Yay - the dress gets a better home! You wear it so much better than I did :) I love the red jacket over it with the capri leggings. I think shoes are so very subjective.
    I agree with your comment about this being more MOTG than dressed down work wear. Lookin' good!

  • DonnaF replied 11 years ago

    I love Mo's dress with leggings on you. I'm sure that the Jolt jacket's color is fabulous on you, but I fear that its cut will mean that you never reach for it. It is a boxy cut with the collar cut high in front, and not *ladylike* at all. I would categorize Rae's cropped jean jackets as a more ladylike cut. Unfortunately, the right red (and Jolt red is gorgeous!) is tough to find in a jeans jacket. The Ralph Lauren jeans jacket sold at Nordies is an orange red and a heavier weight and does not scream *Natalie* to me. (It screamed "Donna" to me, however!")

    How did you feel in this MOTG outfit? I liked how the Danskos echoed the strong pattern of the dress, but I'm a matchy-matchy chunky sandal/shoe type of gal who also likes polka dots mixed in.

  • catgirl replied 11 years ago

    Love the dress and leggings, and love the jacket - I prefer it to the cardi by far. I am definitely Team Boxy but I don't think you are. So if that's going to stop you from wearing it, then you should return it. If you can adjust your eye, I think it's adorable.

  • CocoLion replied 11 years ago

    Love this on you! You look fabulous in leggings, you have killer legs and leggings show off their lovely shape.

    I think the jacket looks great, it makes a dress more MOTG casual whereas the sweater looks dressier. So I vote keep the jacket. Fit looks good to me, it's boxy in a cool way.

    Also think the Dansko sandals are very flattering on you, I don't see what the toe PPL issue is? They look sporty in a cool way. The Seychelles sandals might work better with denim rather than a dress if you want to get more CPW.

  • ManidipaM replied 11 years ago

    I'm voting boxy is cool on the jacket, and while I like the Seychelles more (like Aida, my eye prefers the daintier shoe, and I'll also second Claire's recommendation if you wear ballet flats), I know the Danskos look great here and are much the most practical choice (is why my feet prefer the chunkier shoes, contrary to my eyes!).

  • Deborah replied 11 years ago

    Great MOTG outfit. The jacket is a great color however I keep thinking it looks too big but perhaps that's the boxy style?

  • Jjsloane replied 11 years ago

    Great MOTG look. Another vote for ballet flats with this. The Seychelles are a bit dressy for MOTG (and you've mentioned the heel is quite high) They dress it up just a little bit, but for MOTG I'd go flats. I prefer this with the cardigan. The jacket is a bit too boxy for the drapey dress. It is a great color and could work elsewhere.

  • lyn67 replied 11 years ago

    I like it with the capris, and red denim jacket is a keeper, too:-)

  • rae replied 11 years ago

    LOVE the MOTG outfit! Good with both sandals, I think. It is casual but still you - pattern mixed, colorful, and ladylike. Yay!

    I think the jacket is too big.

  • christieanne replied 11 years ago

    Either sandal works although there are so many straps on the Danskos that I find them distracting. I am firmly on Team Ballet Flat and would like to see that on you for MOTG leggings/dress wear. Me Too's are so comfortable if you need an enabling for some.

    I am not sure on red jacket - it is boxier than I am used to seeing on you. I think it's too big in the front although the length and shoulders seem to work.

  • qfbrenda replied 11 years ago

    I have that same jacket and it fits me in a similar way. We are the same size in another jacket so... not sure what that means, except it looks about how I expected it to look. LOL I started out with a large and it was SO big that I think a small would be way too small. I think the jacket is cute but other said, if the boxy cut keeps you from wearing it I would return it.

    I like the dress and leggings look on you.

  • goldenpig replied 11 years ago

    Thanks everyone! Wow, wide split on the jacket! I am a little unsure. If it's supposed to be boxy and that's the right fit on the jacket. I think I could try seeing if it will work with any of my other outfits. I found a pic of the jacket from Angie's post. It does look similarly boxy on the model. And Brenda, good to know that the M fits you the same way. We have the same size S AE denim jacket which fits me perfectly. I would try a S but except it's not available anymore (except in white). I wonder if Angie will chime in about the fit.

    Claire (and everyone), I do have some black ballet flats so I will try that next time!

    Denise, the Dansko sandals are a bit short for me apparently:
    http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....er-sandals
    But I never noticed it until others pointed it out in the thread.

  • replied 11 years ago

    I love the colors and Mo's dress is awesome. I think it is a perfect MOTG outfit. As far as the shoes goes, I do prefer the Seychelles by a mile but I do have an extremely poisoned eye against that type of Dansko sandal. They look like gear to me since they are bulky... and I don't do bulky. Anyhow, comfort is important so I see they have a place your wardrobe.

    I like the jacket but I think it is a bit big for dresses. It's funny but I think it is harder to get away with a looser denim jacket, when you are pairing it with frocks. I bet the jacket would look just fine with pants / jeans.

  • DonnaF replied 11 years ago

    BTW, the medium Jolt jacket fit me the same way as you & Brenda; I could not get into the small. I normally wear a 4P in jackets (roomy fit) which is like a 2 in regular sizes.

  • cheryl replied 11 years ago

    You look great. I love that dress, the colors and print. I much prefer it with the cardigan and the black sandals. The jacket and second shoes are fine but I am much more drawn to pics 1 and 2.

  • Vicki replied 11 years ago

    gp, this is so late in coming, but I love your Mo-inspired MOTG dress and my initial preference was with the cardigan that you chose. I do like the lighter heels in pics 3-4. Your dotty bag is a perfect mix for this spectacular outfit.

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