...and autumn tones in spring

A friend of mine gifted me this merino dress the other day. She is trying to make room in her closet for a new partner's belongings and had a duplicate of this item in another colour that worked much better on her. It wasn't until I tried it on that I realized it is essentially an upscale sweatshirt dress -- and I had been wanting to get in on that trend -- just had not found my perfect dress!  Win-win!  I prefer midi lengths, but for work-from home this might be better, in fact. And with toned-in tights, I think it works. 

It's from a company called Ibex. They don't seem to make dresses any more but I see some on Poshmark. 

I don't wear earth tones but I do wear burgundy and cranberry a lot in the fall, so here I am in autumn colours my way, in spring. Got compliments on this outfit right out of the gate. 

Showing it as is, with a scarf, and with my cranberry cardigan and bag. We are having a gorgeous day so I was able to go out without an additional topper! 

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39 Comments

  • Lana replied 1 year ago

    Omg I love this yummy berry combination with the plaid booties and floral scarf! What a nice gift. 

  • Angie replied 1 year ago

    Monochromatic Fabness! KILLER cute with the pattern mixed boots and scarf! 

    Love that you had the perfect bag to match :)

  • Indigoprint replied 1 year ago

    You look FAB. What a beautiful color on you and it fits right in with items in your closet!
    Allyson Walsh recently had a post entitled "How to take winter colours through to spring" and she featured burgundy. I am not a lipstick person but I think your lip color is spot on as well.

  • merwoman replied 1 year ago

    This dress has found the perfect home! You wear this length really well!

  • replied 1 year ago

    Way cute! Great pockets and hoodie. Thumbs up on tights and boots :)

  • Peri replied 1 year ago

    I love this!! Perfection! 

  • slim cat replied 1 year ago

    So perfect! 

  • CarolS replied 1 year ago

    I can see burgundy sedums starting to pop up through the melting snow beside my house, so I think burgundy totally counts as a spring colour, Suz! Darn, I do covet that scarf.

  • rachylou replied 1 year ago

    Seriously fantastic!

  • Sal replied 1 year ago

    Love this Suz - perfect easy work from home, casual outings - cosy and fresh!!

  • Jaime replied 1 year ago

    The perfect short dress you didn't even know you needed! How good is that - it really does look perfect on you and what a great way to illustrate Angie's point about trying new silhouettes!

  • unfrumped replied 1 year ago

    So fab! I love that length with tights and boots- especially in monochrome.
    I have had a habit of trying to keep “ cold spring “ spring-y colors and warm fall plus true spring and fall but am finding it perhaps too complicated, and too many different items, especially in retirement, so am meandering toward ways to get more use out of same basic pieces with different support acts and accessories, and under layers/ over layers. No wardrobe news flash there, but still a shift in thinking/ buying for me.
    The aha moment is more about, the more I really love a wardrobe item, the more I will want to keep wearing it and find ways for it to work for different weather.
    Also, it can take more intentional brainstorming, shopping, and list items, to get the season- enhancing items that make , say, a fall item look actually springy, or vice versa , in ways that feel satisfying. Sometimes it’s an unexpected bit of color or detail that gives the right vibe.

  • BlueJay replied 1 year ago

    What a great gift! So cute! I can't believe how everything matches so well. I love your plaid boots! 

  • Joy replied 1 year ago

    Suz,I love this outfit.  I haven’t tried much burgundy for spring, but I am wearing my Dales of Iceland wool dress as a duster with blue jeans and a light yellow green top (think new tiny leaves) which matches the color in the wool dress.  I am also wearing a silver leaf pendant on a silver chain which is usually a fall accessory but reminds me of those little new leaves.  

  • Zaeobi replied 1 year ago

    Gorgeous column of colour - the burgundy shade is just right on you, not too dark!

    Not so sure I can see the difference between the cranberry & burgundy on my monitor, but the length works well with your cardigan. Best of all, though? The pockets & hood :D

  • replied 1 year ago

    Burgundy for Autumns is always brownish. I’m an Autumn. The Burgundy you’re wearing has a cool undertone, & looks great on you. :) The entire outfit really suits you.

  • Star replied 1 year ago

    Lucky you - it looks fantastic!

  • Synne replied 1 year ago

    Beautiful Red Lady!

  • Aurore replied 1 year ago

    No wonder you got compliments - that outfit is awesome!

  • Jenn replied 1 year ago

    You had just the right accessories already in your closet, Suz! I like the idea of an "upscale" sweatshirt dress...looks more sophisticated than the standard version, which I think suits your aesthetic well.

  • Style Fan replied 1 year ago

    Fantastic!  I like the upscale sweatshirt dress—great colour for you.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 1 year ago

    Wow, this is so gorgeous on you. I really like the hoody-dress--very sophisticated casual look, and you wear it well!

  • Column replied 1 year ago

    TOO stinkin’ cute and youthful; such a great color on you!

  • Brooklyn replied 1 year ago

    Fabulous column of colour. I’d like to look this good when I WFH!

  • Runcarla replied 1 year ago

    This is beautiful, Suz…

  • Suz replied 1 year ago

    Thanks, all. Very kind and perceptive comments. You are right -- this burgundy is on the purplish side (which works for me). It's hard to see the difference in tone in these photos between the cranberry sweater and the dress, but they are slightly different but close enough to work (I think, anyway!). The boots are actually more of a blue red but they also tie in well enough, I think. 

    It is a super comfortable dress. I would purchase another from this company for sure. 

    Joy, your outfit sounds gorgeous! I'm going to check out the Icelandic company you mention. I love the idea of a merino dress as duster -- that would work SO well for me. 

  • Bijou replied 1 year ago

    Gorgeous - I particularly love how you were able to extend the colour with your tights and boots.

  • April replied 1 year ago

    My word, Suz, don't you look glorious!

  • Beth Ann replied 1 year ago

    Love the simple, swingy silhouette and the column of color! Merino is such a wonderful fabric and will last forever!

  • lyn67 replied 1 year ago

    You lucky Girl-love the hoodie dress-and think is great for the Spring, too!!

  • MsMaven replied 1 year ago

    Perfection! Love the way you’ve styled it.

  • Cardiff girl replied 1 year ago

    Looks lovely on you. I have to say that the shorter length looks very youthful on you in a very positive way.

  • Laurie replied 1 year ago

    Super terrific outfit, Suz! You look amazing in the above the knee dress with tights and accessories. That was a wonderful gift. I give a couple of friends my clothes from time to time, things that I think they would love, and look better in that I do. 
    Those are great colors with your hair. Great to see you!

  • Jonesy replied 1 year ago

    This dress looks like it was made for you--simply fabulous! That cranberry color is gorgeous, and looks great on you. I love how you've styled it too, with the plaid boots (be still, my heart :). You will get so much use out of this dress!

  • Helena replied 1 year ago

    One of your best colours for sure Suz - YLF!

  • RobinF replied 1 year ago

    Ooh love it! You look great in that color and the fit is perfect. I always think of a sweatshirt dress as being bulky but this doesn't look bulky at all.

  • Karie replied 1 year ago

    The color looks perfect on you, and it matches beautifully with the other items in your wardrobe, and it was free - an all around win!

  • replied 1 year ago

    Love it! Such a great color!

  • Staysfit replied 1 year ago

    What a lovely gift!  I have ordered washable merino long underwear from the Ibex catalog.  Their material wears well.  I think cranberry and burgundy reds can work any time of year.  The early leaves on our cherry trees (this am) look red to my eye…. (it’s hard to tell from my photo….)


    Something about the shorter length makes you appear taller, your legs look super long.  It’s a flattering length for you!  

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