Class to Night Out: Ikat Maxi Dress
Do you struggle with transforming your outfits from day to night? Don’t worry, CF is here to help turn that daily annoyance into a fun challenge. This column will focus on one piece per week, and teach you how to take your look from study sessions in the library to dancing the night away.
Nothing screams summer 2012 quite like Ikat print. The look has been super trendy this season, and for good reason – its geometric blend of diamond and triangle shapes creates a unique aesthetic and makes any summer day feel like an exotic vacation.
This week, I’ll be showing you how to style an Ikat maxi dress for a casual day of class and a glamorous night out, taking this trendy print to the next level.
Ikat Maxi Dress: Class
Dress, Tote, Sandals, Bangles, Earrings
For your daytime look, play up the colorful print of the dress by pairing it with fun jewelry like playful bangles and round enamel studs. Bright sandals (I’m digging this coral color) play up the colors in the dress. Finish this casual look with a cute, slightly whimsical tote. Who doesn’t love giraffes?
Ikat Maxi Dress: Night Out
Dress, Heels, Clutch, Necklace, Earrings, Ring
When night rolls around, it’s time to explore the edgy side of Ikat print. To start with the edgy look, try a trendy spiked gold necklace and sky-high heels with metallic accents. Keeping up with the snake theme, (okay, maybe I’m showing off my inner Slytherin a little) try a gold clutch with a subtle snake print and cute-but-edgy snake ring. Simple gold geometric earrings complete the look.
Your thoughts?
Have you tried out Ikat print this season? What do you think of the outfits? Be sure to leave me a comment and let me know, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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Posted on on July 12, 2012 / Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: Class, Class to Night Out, Ikat, ikat print, Maxi Dress, Night Out, Patterns, Summer 2012, Trends, What To Wear
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AEA
LOVE the sandals in the first outfit!!
Ashleigh Maynes
that necklace in second one is stunning! love it
AnnieK
While I love wearing my Ikat print maxi dress, I find that it accentuates my curves and makes me look rounder than I really am (i’m only 120 lbs). Any tips on how to avoid that? I really do love the dress though and still wear it all the time, but it just bothers me that it does that.
Emma
AnnieK — put a tailored vest over it, belt it, have it tailored? I think the problem is that it camoflauges the narrowest parts of your body, so maybe highlighting your waist would help. Or you could wear it with heels, I think my maxi falls better when I wear it with heels because it lenthens the silhouette. One more trick I use won’t work with the printed dress, but it’s still useful: wear a long necklace like a pendant or with a long charms hanging from the center, and it will draw the eye in and up.
Can you tell I read Cosmo a lot?
Lafashionista55
Love everything about the first look! I have these really cute beige fringed sandals from Chinese Laundry like the ones pictured above that would look amazing with this whole outfit as well.
Alyssa Nicole
I would have picked a dress with a more enlarged print, but this one is cute also! :)