Supper Club: Little Green Spoon’s halloumi, avocado and lime salad
Supper Club: Little Green Spoon’s halloumi, avocado and lime salad

IMAGE

Join us for our event ‘Keep Doing What Matters – Culinary Delights’
Join us for our event ‘Keep Doing What Matters – Culinary Delights’

IMAGE

Exclusive short story from Rebecca Ivory’s new book, ‘Free Therapy’
Exclusive short story from Rebecca Ivory’s new book, ‘Free Therapy’

IMAGE

Scandi-cool meets Irish country in this period Cork apartment
Scandi-cool meets Irish country in this period Cork apartment

Orla Neligan

Interior designer Sorcha Harman shares her tips for sourcing and styling vintage pieces
Interior designer Sorcha Harman shares her tips for sourcing and styling vintage pieces

Megan Burns

My Career: Festival director Anna Lardi
My Career: Festival director Anna Lardi

Sarah Finnan

My life in fashion: Five minutes with Beo Wellness founder Aoibhín Garrihy
My life in fashion: Five minutes with Beo Wellness founder Aoibhín Garrihy

Aoibhin Garrihy

This Kenmare home combines the charm of cottage-inspired details with a connection to the outdoors
This Kenmare home combines the charm of cottage-inspired details with a connection to the outdoors

Megan Burns

How to stop getting in your own way
How to stop getting in your own way

Niamh Ennis

The definitive guide to menopause signs, symptoms and solutions
The definitive guide to menopause signs, symptoms and solutions

IMAGE

Image / Fashion

The Best Dresses For Women Who Don’t Wear Dresses


By Marie Kelly
17th Oct 2016

Jason Lloyd Evans

The Best Dresses For Women Who Don’t Wear Dresses

I don’t write about dresses all that often. I’ve always been more comfortable in trousers, and felt more attractive in them.?There’s something inherently sexy about a woman wearing masculine clothing. Of course, this approach relies on the presence of?one distinctly feminine element, be that a vibrant red lip, a kick ass heel or a hint of lace beneath a boyish blazer.

But lately, I’m exploring my feminine side. Last week, I wore either a skirt or dress to the office every day of the week, which is unheard of for me. Trousers are my failsafe. I can go months without ever wearing a dress, and often when I do, it’s over trousers.

I think it was Finery London that started to pique my interest, in particular its?Lynton Seam dress (below). The simple, straight cut, its lack of any fussiness and modern asymmetric hemline appealed to me instantly, so much so that I bought it in both burgundy and black. I’m wearing the black version today, although admittedly over trousers!?For women who feel overly feminine in a dress, this piece is ideal. It’s almost perfect in its plainness.

Lynton Detail Jersey Dress, €71.98 at Finery London

Since this unexpected double dress purchase, I’ve graduated onto an suprisingly?girlish piece – the pleated skirt. I spend a lot of time looking at street style images and I think it was this fabulous lady, below, who convinced me that I could wear a pleated skirt.

This is exactly the type of outfit I’d wear, but with trousers. How cool to flip the look entirely on its head by throwing a pretty pleated skirt into the mix? Of course, the grey colourway, trainers and grandfather cardigan are what keep the look grounded in boyish charm. I took the leap two weeks ago and bought a black pleated skirt in H&M. And I love it. I’ve also dressed it down with unfussy knits and minimal accessories.

Next on my shopping list is this forest green sweater dress from & Other Stories.

Turtleneck dress, €75 at & Other Stories

It’s an oversized jumper essentially, so an easy way to ease into wearing dresses. I’ll also style mine over leather trousers?and biker boots. And for those days when I revert back to my boyish sartorial roots, I’ll wear this over slouchy wide-leg trousers and a pair of trainers. Although if?this new fashion direction of mine really takes hold, you may see me wearing?florals instead. Watch this space.