Hooks the Look

Marl Knit Dress: Up Down All-Around

While not an investment piece, the versatility of this marl knit dress makes it a worthy purchase anyway. I have a fondness for marl knits so that’s what caught my eye initially but it’s the style elements of a two-level hem and welted side seams that give this dress the punches of detail which make it a standout in my eyes. On top of that is how well suited the dress is to fitting into the many facets of my life.

Dressed Up For Work

In Up Down All-Around, I usually share my work look first so that is what you see below. No matter the occasion, I nearly always wear a jacket or a cardigan and this is especially true for work. Paired with my light-weight knit swing jacket and tall boots, my marl knit dress is the key item in this new go-to ensemble for work when I want to look polished and still be comfortable.


Dress – Mossimo (exact but sold in stores only, similar look); Swing jacket – Simply Vera Wang, old (similar look, another option); Tall boots – Naturalizer, old (similar look, another option)

Dressed Down For Play

We are finally getting a true winter here in So Cal which gives me a great excuse to get my layers on. In this look, I added my utility vest as extra layer against the cold along with a more casual style tall boot and waffle knit cardigan. These photos were taken in a Costco parking lot and I had the sweater with me because you know how chilly it can be inside one of these big box stores. Even with my extra layers, I was still shivering as we did our shopping.


Utility vest – Max Jeans, Marshalls (similar look, another option); Waffle knit cardigan – Merona (exact, but limited inventory, another option)


Tall boots – Jellypop, Off Broadway (similar look, another option)

Dressed For Fun

My creative juices were flowing with this last look. I knew that I wanted to see how the dress would look with my bikerish looking booties and rather than a black leather jacket, I reached for my khaki cargo jacket instead. It was my desire to transform the silhouette of the dress that was really testing my imagination when inspiration struck. What if instead of another outer layer, I wore a layer underneath the dress?  Perhaps something like my high/low hem skirt (seen previously in Project Sister Act: Bared Shoulder)?

Skirt – Apt 9, old (option with pleats, dressier version); Cargo jacket – Loft, old (similar look, another option); Booties – White Mountain, DSW (exact)

The camo scarf was another “let’s look around in my closet for an idea” type of inspiration. Did you notice that I was wearing it around my waist, kind of like an obi in the first photo? I think that The Husband thought I was nuts wearing it that way but later during the photo shoot, I went with a more traditional way of wearing it wrapped around my head.

Can you see the lettering in the close-up photo? It says Toby Keith. I bought the scarf at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill retail shop in Las Vegas when I was there last Fall.  Best of all, it was on sale with an extra markdown. I haven’t worn it much but I’m good with that. It’s hanging in my closet where I can easily see it every day and it makes me happy to see it there.

Let’s Wrap This Up

Now, onto the Fine-Whatever link up for this week. My featured contributor from last week’s post is Emma from Style Splash. I’m so pleased to have Emma joining the link up and giving me the opportunity to discover her blog. It’s Emma’s belief that “becoming a mum or reaching a milestone birthday shouldn’t create fashion boundaries…age is a state of mind, not a number” and I couldn’t agree more!

What style details, big or small, are you drawn to when you’re shopping for clothes, shoes, or accessories? How do you transform your clothing? Are there items in your wardrobe are doing double or triple duty, taking on work, play, and/or fun?

Let’s connect! Subscribe, tweet, follow, friend, love, pin, stumble … all options are available and waiting for you. I look forward to hearing from you. And don’t forget to add a post or two to the link up.

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21 Comments

  1. shelbeeontheedge1

    Such a great dress, Rena, and so versatile! I really love the third look with the skirt layered under the dress. I have tried that type of layering myself but have yet to master it. I always end up looking frumpy! But I am going to keep trying!

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    • Rena Post Author

      Thanks, Shelbee. I think that I just lucked out on the last look because the skirt underneath is slim fitting and doesn’t add any extra bulk. It’s the extra bulk that layering adds that can make or break an outfit.

  2. Nancy

    I think it s a fabulous Idea to wear that skirt underneath the dress! I m gonna steel the idea! Happy weekend!

    • Rena Post Author

      Nancy, I’m so glad you like the idea and it would be fabulous if you did steal it. I can’t wait to see your spin on the look. I have a few more outfits I’m going to try with this skirt, too.

  3. robjodiefilogomo

    I love your creative juices Rena!! Layering that longer skirt under the dress is super cool!! Even though I’ve done something like that on the blog in the past, I don’t think of it often enough!!
    Great job and all three (and yes, I freeze my tookus off in the stores too!)
    jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

    • Rena Post Author

      Thank you, Jodie. I was so glad the look with the under skirt came out so well and I was feeling very Sheila Goh in the outfit.

    • Rena Post Author

      Cathy, thank you. I’m always glad to see a comment from you.

    • Rena Post Author

      Thank you, Jess, for the great compliments. You are the master of layering and remixing so I really appreciate your comments.

  7. thestylesplash

    Thank you so much for featuring me! That was a wonderful surprise when I scrolled down 🙂 I really like the grey dress – so versatile, as you say. Seeing your photos has reminded me that I have a similar dress that I haven’t worn for ages. I’ll have to dig it out and show it some love! Have a great weekend!

    Emma xxx
    http://www.style-splash.com

    • Rena Post Author

      Emma, you are very welcome and I’m glad you liked the surprise. I’ve given thought to notifying a featured blogger in advance but I think the discovery is fun. I look forward to seeing your grey dress and how you will be styling it.

  8. Colleen

    You’ve done a great job of layering which is so perfect at this time of year. Love that camo scarf!

    • Rena Post Author

      Thank you, Colleen, for the compliment and the scarf love.

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  10. Jennie

    Three really great looks and I enjoyed seeing the versatile ways you chose to style it. I really enjoyed your office look very much!