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Dappered Classics: 10 Women’s Style Wins

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Dappered’s Open Thank You Note To Women

Originally published 8/10/11

Dear Women:  We’re fans.  Nice work.  Word is you’re often looking as good as you do not to impress us, but instead to perhaps impress other women.  No matter.  We’ll keep on enjoying the visual benefits.  While those of us on this side of the gender aisle have to put up fight to not revert to our default slob-like state, you ladies seem to be able to make anything look good.  A man’s shirt, baseball hats, hell even a fake mustache (proof’s above) can all look great.  Okay, the mustache is stretching it, but you get the point. 

Unlike the ‘stache, hat, and oxford, there are more than a few things out there that are intentionally feminine which deserve to be highlighted.  You’ll find ten of those under this model from the most recent L.L. Bean Signature Catalog, who happens to be executing a few of the ten extremely well.
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1. Pencil Skirts – Bonus points for wool or tweed in the fall and winter as shown above.
2. Pony Tails – Pull it back?  Despite all that money and time spent on your hair?  Trust us.  It’s something.
3. Pearls worn casually – Maybe not with a t-shirt, but hell yes with a sweater and jeans.
4. Occasionally passing on the side salad & going with fries – There’s style in there somewhere.
5. The Empire Waist – Whether the dress is long & flowing or hits just above the knee, doesn’t matter.  It works.
6. Turtlenecks – There’s a reason why presents are wrapped.  More unknown = better.
7. The Jersey Knit Dress – Easily one of the best things about summer.
8. Moms that don’t give up – They deserve better than the crude acronym we’ve all used.  Applause all the same.
9. Stripes – Horizontal too.  Big plus there.  Don’t shy away from em’.
10. Boots – Even if they’re waxed cotton knee high duck boots… they’re a win.

That’s a start.  Your turn guys.  What other elements of women’s style deserve to be on this list?  Leave your additions below, and maybe our list will help keep those much appreciated sweaters, dresses, and hair styles around.

Comments

  1. I was ready to whine about all the things missing from this list but… wow. you pretty much hit the nail on the head. 

    The only thing I’d add (don’t know if it’s a style thing or not) is just for women to keep enjoying craft beer. Drink up ladies!

  5. Disagree with 4 90% of the time, 5 depending on the woman.  I don’t get what’s so attractive about a woman who can “keep up with you” eating (or whatever you want to call it).  I’m looking for a wife, not a drinking buddy, knowwhatimean? At a dive burger joint with really quality fresh fries?  Hell yeah, have some fries, but most places the fries aren’t worth the ice they’re frozen in, so why do that to yourself?

    And god damn, #3 would knock me out.  Ladies, take note.

  6. Make-up for women is like hair product for men. Just when you think haven’t used enough – stop.

  12. Shouldn’t a wife be your drinking buddy? The fries over salad has nothing to do with the meal itself but the feeling that she doesn’t need to diet around you, the feeling that she is comfortable enough around you to “do that to herself.”

    On that note, I particularly love women with long hair, the pencil skirt (and sun skirt) is an amazing contribution to womanly style, and one note is that bright colors should be a must over the summer! We’ve seen so many dark colors over the summer, brighten up our world a little.

  13. I agree with all but #4. From the stats I have seen the majority of women have beaten anorexia quite thoroughly.

  14. A woman in well fitting dress pants and heels/boots would cause me to stop and almost drool (it’s happened before)

  17. I am fortunate to have a lady that looks good even when she thinks she is “slumming it”.  The one thing I would add to this list is hard to describe.  But here goes, she has this pair of jeans that hugs ever so gently in all the right places while not looking at all trashy.

  18. I am fortunate to have a lady that looks good even when she thinks she is “slumming it”.  The one thing I would add to this list is hard to describe.  But here goes, she has this pair of jeans that hugs ever so gently in all the right places while not looking at all trashy.

  20. I was applauding no high heels on the list.  You have NO idea how uncomfortable they are.  Sure, they make our legs and rear look fantastic but most men with significant others that I know would rather their woman FEEL good wearing flats than look good wearing heels.  (Although with a pencil skirt, heels are a must)

  21. I was applauding no high heels on the list.  You have NO idea how uncomfortable they are.  Sure, they make our legs and rear look fantastic but most men with significant others that I know would rather their woman FEEL good wearing flats than look good wearing heels.  (Although with a pencil skirt, heels are a must)

  26. Scarves and kerchiefs and flowers worn stylishly in/on their hair/neck.  Summer dresses (worn in the summer).  Long(ish) hair for all but the precious few who look good with short. Hats.  Long, flowy earth-colored skirts.    Smiling back at me (a smile is an accessory dammit).    Leggings, stockings, tights. Driving Jeeps and motorcycles and smoking cigars.

    Disagree with empire waists.  They can make perfectly shapely women look pregnant (fine if you’re an actress on a magazine cover, but not the look most are going for, I think).  Yes to boots. Yes yes yes.  All kinds.  Army boots, leather elf boots, cowboy boots, ass kicker knee-highs with the clack-clack-clack heels.  

    Makeup:  It can’t make ugly women pretty, but it can make pretty women look fake.  So, yes, take it easy.  I promise we’ll notice you anyway.

    Pant suits.  Those cozy-looking sweater jacket things with the belts.  Tennis dresses.  Cool glasses.  Adventurer satchel-type bags instead of “handbags”. 

  28. Agreed on the empire waists.  They only look good on women who’d look good in anything.  Replace that with the lightweight calico summer dress, and you’ve got yourself a list.

    Oh – and maybe this isn’t on the list because it’s so obvious it doesn’t need mentioning:  garter belts.

  31. When my girlfriend and I go to the bar, she drinks Scotch and smokes cigars. I don’t know what else I could ask for.

  32. When my girlfriend and I go to the bar, she drinks Scotch and smokes cigars. I don’t know what else I could ask for.

  33. white v-neck, basketball shorts, ponytail. chilling with no make-up on, that’s when they the prettiest.

    oh and NEVER with a cigarette. ever.

  34. Sundresses
    Pea coats/Winter coats

    Also yes to pencil skirts. I really like that those are making a comeback.

  35. +1 to Curt & Tyrone on empire waist.
    Totally disagree with that on the list, very few can pull of well.

    I’d look to replace #6 with a man’s button up shirt.

  36. pajamas: underwear and a mens t-shirt. i think it’s one of the sexiest things. also occasionally not wearing make up.

  38. And hopefully it’s the jersey of *her* favorite team, to boot :) 

    Team colors strongly preferred! Wearing a pink jersey to support a football team is like wearing a khaki blazer to support the US Olympic Team.You might feel more stylish, but the team colors stand for something!

  41. Holy crap everything on that list is a-mazing!  I’m sure I’ve commented to friends on some girl wearing all the items on the list.

    And the key thing is they’re classy and feminine.  There’s a time and place for a barely there downtown skirt thing but THESE are a class all their own.

  42. As I keep reading this list I must go back to the original comment in the article.  Women look good in damn near everything.  I put on a torn up old t-shirt and look like a slob, she does it and it is somehow sexy.  It just isn’t fair.

  43. Maybe be ause I’m not american and I’m not as “evolved” as some of the whiney gentlemen I’ve come across while living over here the past 6 years, but I like women to be feminine. That doesn’t mean subdued or submissive…my mother is a self made workaholic who can curse out any man, And my wife is not as aggressive, but is also a working woman with a much more impressive IQ than my own. What I mean is I like certain things like not watching a woman pig out on greasy fries and I really prefer them to do something with that head of hair other than a ponytail. I agree with 1,3,7, and 10 on your list. I would add the following:

    1. Wear heels…more heels!
    2. Keep tattoos visible, but small and tasteful. Avoid that koi fish sleeve.
    3. Leather motorcycle jackets….keep them fitted.
    4. Avoid turtlenecks. A woman’s neck is something to look at not hide.

  45. No sundresses? NO SUNDRESSES?! One of the single greatest additions to a woman’s wardrobe, ever? I could actually add a lot more, but that one stuck out the most as a glaring omission to me.

    Also, #2 is great – in moderation. Having dated a woman with beautiful, long hair (which I adore) who almost never wore it in anything other than a ponytail, trust me, it gets old after a while.

  46. great list and discussion. i was pleasantly surprised about the pearls and tweed skirts. some women avoid them because of the potential to look dowdy, but I agree when worn in a modern way they are killer. from following other style blogs, i have found stripes and turtlenecks are very divisive among women. the empire dress looks best on boyish type bodies, or those with no defined waist. shift dresses look great on an hourglass shape.
    as a woman, i gotta ask, what do you guys think about little bits of androgynous elements as a counterpoint to feminine style? e.g. button downs, shoes with brogue detailing, tuxedo type blazers, fedora and panama hats, moto jackets, etc?

  47. I want a girl who dresses like Catherine (Kate) Middleton on weekdays and like Hermione Granger (Just in The Deathly Hallows Part 1 & 2) on nights and weekends. Low branding, highly classic, always attractive.

    http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/04/21/article-1172255-04919127000005DC-456_468x382.jpg

    http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hqOlbdNah3U/TQyaaWZt6EI/AAAAAAAAABw/o6pPu33OqjA/s1600/DH-promo-pic-hermione-granger-16987713-500-375.jpg

    http://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/articles/176509/20110708/royal-canada-tour-wardrobe-kate-middleton-fashion-sense.htm

  48. Even an otherwise Plain Jane scores big points in my book if they wear their hair long.

  50. Heck yeah! When I was in London a few months ago I noticed a ton of women wearing oxfords–mostly brogues. Sometimes a boxy button down (I think they call it a boyfriend shirt) with maybe a thin leather belt to give it some shape can look excellent–especially with the aforementioned brogues. Blazers I like, very trim leather jackets I like in moderation. Hats? Not for me, especially not more traditionally men’s hats.

    One androgynous (ish) thing I’m not a fan of is the boyfriend jean…they just take away more than they add.

  52. I love this. Cannon, you just made my day for reaffirming my infatuation with their style.

  57. The comments (and article content) make me feel happy! So nice to see something online that isn’t just about breasts and derrieres.  

    And I agree with the pearls.  They need to come back in a big way, they classy everything up.

  58. Agree with all but number 10.  I realize that many (most?) guys would disagree, but I just can’t get behind the whole boot trend.  There is very little that is attractive about a leg covered with leather, fur, or suede.  Flats or heels, end of story.

  59. Agreed with above about sundresses. Also, sweaters. From the list my favorites were pearls and pencil skirts.

  61.  Good concept, ’til you can’t find her waist anymore.  Lay off the fries, girls.

  62.  Yeah, that’s what we’re supposed to say.

    But that doesn’t mean you should banish them to the back of the closet.  They look great.  Please and thank you.

    That said, you can go too far the other way — a walking tour of the old town is not the place and I don’t want to hear about your feet all day.   And bring a coat — it could get chilly later.

  63. Good-looking women look good in damn near anything.  Classy women look classy in damn near anything.  If you’re not good looking, or not classy, there’s not a damn thing your clothes can help you with.  Sorry.

  65.  Boy, does that ever depend on the woman in question.  I’ve got an office manager in her 60s who hardly wears anything else.  Spoiled more than one lunch for me.

  66.  Sarah, those men are lying.  I’m aware those things that single women say about wearing heels (“these shoes are so comfortable, I could wear them everyday”) are outrageous lies intended to give a potential suitor the perception that he might enjoy her appearance in heels well into late life, but the truth is, heels are almost always preferable.  Their omission here is a noteworthy oversight.

  68. A sharp business skirt suit with modest heel does it everytime.  It says confidence and style any time, any season. 

    What I’m not fond of is those who dress like every day is Saturday:  sweats and workout sneakers get old quickly.  Yes, I know they’re comfortable. But how you look advertises who you are before you ever say a word.

  70. As a woman, I love the article — and would enjoy a longer piece about classic, affordable, attractive style for women.  

  76. Jersey knit dresses can go away – should only be worn in sandy locales. Caution: Pearls worn casually can cause whiplash. They draw a guys eyes up, to your face, and keep them there. Ladies, if you want to continue wearing bows on clothes, aprons, and frilly collars I wouldn’t mind one bit. Is there a term for casually elegant? It’s tough being a girl, but thank you for looking so good.

  77. Um, Jason, did you pseudo- incorporate a Drake line in there by chance? If so, well played.

  78. Two words: SUN DRESS. I prefer the woven cotton variety as opposed to jersey knit. High heels can move any girl up one point in attractiveness. Although if you’re already taller than me, the heels are just overkill. As said before, there is a time and a place for heels. Boots are always a win. This may sound wierd, but I love it when a girl wears her shirt tucked in, especially a button up blouse/dress shirt. In that same vein, enough of the super low-rise pants. A lot of girls look great in hip huggers, but more girls would look better with a higher waist (muffin top anyone?). Pleated pants look great if she is really tall and skinny, but everything looks good on tall, skinny girls. Also, no foam flip-flops unless were at the beach/pool, please.

  79.  Oh! and BLAZERS! With anything!
    To sum it up, just dress more classy/conservative/dressy. Less trashy/revealing/skimpy.

  80. Glasses. Girls that wear contacts 99% of the time always get extra attention when they wear a pair of glasses right. Extra points for looking cute with the pony tail to match.

  81. How has tights not made this list? They’re everywhere as of late, and many a lady are wearing them without their hind quarters covered, providing the same benefits as yoga pants but with the additional benefiting of silhouetting the legs.  Good gawd!

  82. Re-reading this, I have to disagree with number 10. I’ve rarely seen a good pair of boots on a girl. Admittedly, I’m still in college, and college-aged women tend to make some less-than-advisable decisions in all aspects of their lives, not just footwear, but I’m so tired of Uggs.

  83. All I can say is, I hope you don’t talk that way in front of women you’re hoping to date.

  84. Nice boots does it for me every time. No Uggs, but nice leather boots. 

    There has never been a woman wearing an Empire waist that I haven’t wondered for a second if she was pregnant. Most guys I know think the same thing. 

  85.  As nice as they are to look at, I can’t help but get a trashy vibe from that look. To each his own, I guess.

  86. Great list and I’d like to add headwear to it. The right headwear can really take a woman’s outfit to the next level, like a beret or fedora, or even a beanie in the winter.

  87. Pretty please, with a cherry on top! Some guidance about walking the line between professional and polished and downright dowdy and stuffy would be lovely…it’s hard to dress to attract, without attracting the wrong element, too…