How to Layer Shirts and Dresses

from Anne of Green Gables by 

L.M. Montgomery

“I’m going to have the daintiest things possible. . . things that will match the spring, you understand. . .

little jelly tarts and lady fingers, and drop cookies frosted with pink and yellow icing, and buttercup cake.”  Said Anne.

Afternoon tea time again and you'll notice that my flabby tabby has demanded to be in the photos too.  Lately she's been joining me out here under the trees for her afternoon nap while I take tea.  I thought today I'd briefly cover a fashion topic that many of us wonder about: How to layer shirts with dresses in three simple steps.  

I've seen it done well and not so well, so let's just cover the basics.  First and foremost is that for most dresses you'll need a top that fits well and isn't awkwardly spilling over the sides of your dress.  Depending on the dress, your sleeves can be puffy, frilly, or any other word for girly that you choose, so long as it doesn't look stuffed into the dress.

Second, choose something that compliments your dress.  I like the look of white eyelet with this pink bow dress and I think part of the reason is that a textured top adds visual interest to a solid dress.  A patterned top with a solid dress would do the same.  For a printed dress do the opposite and go with a solid top.

Last but not least is to make sure that your top is not too long or you will have some issues with it bunching up under the skirt.  Keep that silhouette streamlined.  And, there you have it, three simple steps to layering tops with dresses.

 Shopping Info: Dress and Eyelet top from Shein, flats are old from ModCloth