A sheath is the most versatile dress you can have in your closet. This post shows how to mix this business casual work style up with color combinations beyond just adding neutrals. Get inspired on how to style a sheath dress multiple ways.
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A Well Tailored Sheath Is Instant Style
In the 1990s, I worked in East Germany. My colleagues and I always went to lunch together, a 10 minutes walk. One day on our way to lunch, a male colleague said with a lot of regret and disappointment in his voice “It’s a pity that so few women wear dresses these days.” It was about five years after the German unification. One of my female colleagues who always wore solid color casual wear – read chinos and a button down shirt said “It’s because you can clean separates easier than dresses. Dresses have to go to the dry cleaners when you spill something or they get dirty. Nobody has time for such high maintenance these days. On top of it, think about the high cost of dry cleaners these days.”
Another female colleague – wearing jeans and a Swarovski crystals and fake pearls embellished sweater like they were It in the 80s, responded “Separates offer so much more options for different outfits.” Even though I disagreed with both statements, I kept my mouth shut as his statement was aiming at me since I was wearing a LBD. Back then, most of my clothes were black. The 90s, uniform.
A well tailored dress is instant style.
In my opinion, you can easily wear a dress many ways, for instance, under skirt as shirt or with a sweater or blouse as a skirt, with a jacket, cardigan, etc..
Despite common believe dresses are as versatile as separates.
Furthermore, not all dresses need dry cleaning. And at-home dry cleaning is easy and you can save money dry cleaning yourself.
Styling a Burgundy Sheath with Neutrals for Work
The inspirational look below is a work outfit with two neutrals – burgundy and gray. To keep the look from being boring – read invisible office style – accessorizing is key. Wearing trendy patterned tights adds interest; the bold belt makes a fashion statement. The slouchy booties dress the business casual office look down a bit. A perfect outfit for Casual Friday.
You can dress a sheath up or down.
Try to go for an unexpected color combination with your neutrals. In the photo below, it’s brown and burgundy. This combination was inspired by the color combination of the loafers. When going for unusual combination it’s all trying out every color with every color and looks what looks great.
How to Style a Sheath with Color Blocking
The work outfit below is an example of layering with color blocking. The corn blue is one of my favorite fashion colors. To not look like trying too hard, navy boots are perfect in the supporting role. They make the corn blue and burgundy the color blocking statement. Here the buckle is paired with another belt to match the colors of the outfit. Belts are great for accessorizing.
Tip: Snap belts are a great investment to always have the perfect combination of belt and buckle to your outfit.
Monochromatic Look with a Pop of Color
Creating a monochromatic look is tricky. The art is to keep it from being boring. You can find 21 tips how to create interesting monochromatic outfits at the link. Here I went with the trick of the late Princess Gracia Patricia aka as Grace Kelly – using a pop of color.
Tip: Purple is having a moment these days.
What Outerwear Works with a Sheath Dress
Styling a sheath with outerwear works the same way than pairing separates with outerwear. When you are running errands at the mall, you may want to open your coat for comfort. Typically, malls are heated and it is too warm to run around with your closed winter coat. Too still look effortlessly stylish when you wear your coat open, not only style your outerwear, but also make sure your outerwear and your layers below make a great outfit too.
Tip: Use the colors of a print, pattern or embroidery as a basic to tie an outfit together.
Other great styling options are to try the look with pink or with a cardigan in winter.
Sheath Dress Outfit Ideas with Pastels
The next inspiration works the color of the sheath along its pastels. Of course, this trick also works along the muted, i.e. mixed with black or gray line.
Tip: Try to wear a sheath dress as a skirt.
When you liked the styling recipes of this post, and want recipes for all kind of dressing situation in midlife, buy my book How to Dress for Success in Midlife.
Photos: G. Kramm
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