One of the nice things of going abroad is buying clothes in different shops then you are used to. Often to find out they sell the same thing at home…. Globalisation has its down sides. The time I bought this black Tara Jarmon dress was when we visited Gent in Belgium. Not really far away, just popping over the border, but still abroad. Tara Jarmon is a very good brand and not very well known in The Netherlands. Normally I don’t wear things like this as it can make me look like a stick. I planned to hoist it up until it was a tunic, which turned out badly. It looked as if I had several fat bulges from waist to bottom. Not flattering.
A belt was my solution.. a big black belt in order to create the illusion of a waist. Photographer Alexandra thought differently. Not a lot of belts on me meet with her approval and she is always right.
The dress looks good in these pictures, slightly pulled up. But in reality a small black belt would have to keep it in place as it would never stay this way. The yellow sweater is to give me a better colour near my face. It is pinned tightly to my dress with several safety pins. Pins are a necessity as things move on me to places where I don’t want them. The necklace is a gift from my friend Anja who brought it back from one of her trips.
The second series of this dress is with black and white (even the belt was allowed to stay). B&W is my most favourite combination, although not very good for my complexion. So be it.
The picture with the cat on my head is an attempt to copy Melanie from Bag and a Beret. Not a very good copy haha. Have a look at her photoshop art in her Ode to Lena Dunham.
Below: we had a grey and rainy day, no daylight lamps, so forgive us the quality of the photos. We had to make do. I brightened them up a bit with PicMonkey (as I still do not have Photoshop or Lightroom).
Below: a closer view of the necklace. It is a good match with the sweater and dress. Unfortunately it is broken now. 
Below: Alexandra likes using “props” to make the photos nicer. This cat was in the room, so…
Below: don’t think for a minute that this belt sat like this. I am holding it straight. As a matter of fact, it was so loose, it nearly fell to the floor. Might prove to be a bit of a problem wearing it like this.
Below: being a copy cat, imitating Melanie from Bag and a Beret
Below: another “prop” idea by Alexandra. This was the best photo. Funny, but the glasses sat too high on my nose, making me looking ridiculous.
Till next time my dears. If you want to see more of the belt or the black and white body, have a look at my combination with a green silk blouse.
Linking up to the bloggers party at Visible Monday.
Greetje
Terrific black/yellow combination. I like the heart glasses too!
Thank you. I never thought this outfit would get so much approval. Which just goes to show I know zilch about styling haha.
I’m drawn to the yellow version of your ensemble, with the statement necklace. You look great in the black and white version too. You made me smile with the copy cat! Melanie is a brilliant inspiration.
Melanie is an artist and I am the opposite. Sometimes she goes so wild that I cannot follow her with my limited mind. But I love her and her uniqueness and her happy spirit.
Love the cat-as-a-hat. And that’s a very cool dress, just the simple, chic design I love so well, too. Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday, it’s always great to see you.
Yes, this is the kind of dress you would wear as well I bet. I will put your name on it haha.
I am a big fan of layering and I love these looks. Your statement necklace is so gorgeous too. Looking beautiful in these looks and the booties give it a nice edge.
Much appreciated, such praise from such a stylish lady.
Just fabulous! Love, love, love your dress. The yellow sweater and necklace are gorgeous, of course, and very good for the season’s transition, but I love the black and white so much as well! So sad you have problems with the belt … very 60s, and looks so great! I can’t think of any solution, but it has to feel good to have such a glamorous shape. You are as lean and lithe as a tulip stem!
Love the kitty. But not on your head, dear, please.
I am an inverted triangle, shapewise, which apparently is not the worst shape to style. Like all women I want it to be different from what I am (of course). I like more hips and bum. But then again, I always wanted more bosom as well. Now that I have it (it just grew like that), I don’t want it. So lesson learned: work with what you have got and be pleased with it.
I love hour glass shapes.
I do like my length. That proves to be very handy.
Greetje!!! Every visit here, you are more stylish than the last! I’m not a huge fan of black and white on myself, but this outfit might change my mind. I totally love the dress with the black and white striped top, and the cat on top, is like the cherry on top, (an English saying for special).
It is time to show you some bloopers too haha. Look at this post:
https://www.nofearoffashion.com/2012/12/fashion-failures-with-big-black-sweater-html
And also this one (I had my seamstress shorten the skirt to knee length.. Much better):
https://www.nofearoffashion.com/2013/02/black-leather-skirt-and-kimono-html
You know what I like best about your posts – you have so much fun with clothes! I love how you try different combinations. So many of us just put on our clothes and go about our day and you are showing us different combinations and how to experiment to make things work – not just here’s what’s best – but “here’s what I didn’t like and this is why.” I may agree or disagree, but I like that you are putting yourself out there!
And, yellow looks fabulous on you and black and white is always a classic!
That last picture is one to frame – it’s gorgeous!!! (from the angle, we can’t tell where the glasses are!)
xo ~kim & chloe
I used to do more with failures and how I achieved a certain look. That was my “blog niche”. Nowadays I feel I don’t do enough of these things. I am pleased you think differently. If you want to have a good laugh, have a look at this old post:
https://www.nofearoffashion.com/2012/12/fashion-failures-with-big-black-sweater-html
And yes the last picture with the pink glasses turned out cute. The others didn’t.
This is a fantastic, versatile dress. I actually like both your combinations very well, although if I had to use any pins I probably wouldn’t go with that type of combination, way too much effort for me. Although, it looks so well put together I just might go for it in this case, especially to be able to wear that fantastic yellow and black necklace.
The black and white combo is just plain WOW, so effortless yet stylish to the max. I really like the belt worn casual and low on your hips. The added cat ears and heart glasses are priceless, you funny funny woman.
Hahaha… anything for a laugh.
The pins just crept into my morning schedule as I could not stand the fact that the yellow of the sweater was disappearing all the time. When I bought the dress I had no notion of this combination or any pinning yet.
beautiful inspiration……blog moda.+40 http://bastonidifashion.blogspot.com/
Thank you and welcome.
That is a great dress, and so versatile:) And boy can you pull off yellow and black together – not many can do that, but on you it looks great!
No? Is that something unusual? Yellow and black? I never knew. Always thought it was a perfect match. Glad you like it. And so glad to have you back. Hope you are well.
Love the low-slung belt with the striped top underneath. Makes you look very 1960’s!
Pop art my dear. I was around when that was modern, hip and happening. Must visit your site again. I am so behind with things.
Yellow is your colour, Greetje! I like very much it on you and the necklace goes perfect … what a pity it is broken now! The dress is very nice too, and the belt is a good idea to keep it shorter. Funny photo with the cat!
Taking photos in cloudy days is a hard task! But you have a good photographer, lucky woman!! 🙂
At the moment my photographer is very busy, so I might have to go back to my old tripod with remote control. Glad you like the dress.
These combos are so fun! I like it with the yellow but I really like it with the stripe turtleneck. It gives is such a great mod vibe.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
And black and white is always classic AND indeed highly fashionable at the moment.
Greetje, I love this is the back and. Yellow, although the black and white it technically more in vogue. You do know what is good on you, and both look well, but the back and yellow is just superb. I love the necklace from you friend, and am smiling ear to ear with those cute glasses on you,
!!!!!!!!
XX! Elle
http://mydailycostume.com
Glad you like the dress. It was an unexpected find.
I agree with the others. I don’t see the bulges, we all have them. I think you know how to dress in a way that shows your figure beautifully like you have shown us in these outfits. When I was growing up we call this dress a jumper. So perfect with a sweater and necklace in this fantastic yellow. This color is really good on you! Excellent and stylish booties.
blue hue wonderland
I didn’t explain it well enough. Must be my command of the language (or lack of it). Remember I am not a native speaker.
The bulges were only there when I pulled the dress up to look like a tunic. All the surplus material was gathered in the area from waist to bottom. And I don’t style it like that anymore. Obviously.
Thanks for the lovely compliments though.
Oh I understand. Your use of English is impressive. I can’t imagine writing in another language. It’s amazing how so many Europeans can communicate beautifully, like yourself.
We have always been a trading nation, so command of other languages is a necessity. I was lucky to be working in an English company in The Netherlands for a few years. Nobody spoke Dutch but me. I was 23 at the time, school days were fresh in my memory, so I learned a lot and fast.
Greetje, you are too critical about your body… I always try to dress in a way that flatters my body best, that’s normal and one of my personal styling rules.
You look great in this dress and I love both versions!
Can I steel your black and white belt? So chic!
Annette | Lady of Style
I am not too critical. I like these looks and I like my body. Apparently I have not explained myself well enough. It was only when I wore the dress like a tunic, so pulled up, that it was making me look strange and bulky. As a dress it is fine.
Or perhaps ai should have said some approving things in my post as I do like these outfits myself.
The black and white belt is a treasure.
Greetje, break out the go-go boots, that last photo is true groove. Have you ever thought of suspenders for the skirt or even the belt – I’ve never tried them with a belt but I bet it would work, and you can hide them under your top. It doesn’t really matter what you’ve done here because it works so well. Great looks, all of them! Thank you for the shout-out too. I laughed at your cat, I’m sure it is more well-behaved than the one I used.
That’s an interesting comment about globalization. Yes, so many chain stores too, all the same stock in so many cities. I love boutiques and thrift stores that carry different things if I can find anything in my budget.
Lots of little shops in The Netherlands too. But I don’t know for how long. And I cannot use suspenders as it is a DRESS.. Haha
Sorry, Greetje. I’m such an eejit. You said “dress” many times but I got it in my head, the way it draped, that it was skirt. So I guess the suspenders are out, unless you want to look very weird!
I might set a trend with suspenders haha.
Greetje, the black and white has a 60s mod feel to it, great fun. The yellow is a great colour on you , love the necklace, can it be fixed, hope so.
Pop art, I remember. I won’t go back to that though. Been there, done that.
ha ha! Love the cat on the head! It’s Spring’s MUST HAVE accessory!
I do prefer the yellow outfit, although the stripes on the turtleneck have a real French connection that is quite chic.
The dress really has a 1960’s vibe that I am digging : )
The boots are super fly.
bisous
Suzanne
If I can make you laugh then my mission is accomplished.
Greetje, perhaps my translator on-line or my bad English, but there are things I do not understand. You speak of you look like a bat, fat bulges … I do not see it, ever. I’ve told you many times, how many women, at your age, they want your silhouette. You’ve looked at your profile and your waist in these pictures?
I love this dress, with the two options, with yellow and black and white. Although I prefer the yellow, has lots of light and joy, and the necklace is wonderful.
Greetje, force me to scold you and I do not like. I prefer to say: “that stylish she’s my friend.”
Yes my friend, it is the translation which causes the confusion. I am quite happy with my figure. It was the way I styled the dress at first that gave me a strange appearance. I used to pull it up quite high, like a tunic. Haha.
Love the first look with the yellow…alot! What a great dress to have in the wardrobe! Thanks for sharing it!
The dress was one of those lucky finds. Usually happens when you are not looking.
Great look on you Greetje. I love it combined with your nice yellow top and necklace. Not all outfits need a waist and this dress is meant to be straight so I would wear it without the belt. I like your dropped waist version with the black and white belt too. You fabulous booties are the perfect finishing touch for this look.
The booties prove to be a great purchase. You never know these things in advance. Pity. As for my nice yellow top… It is ancient and has a hole at the seam haha.
The black and white is so fun- a very 70’s vibe in your stylings.
Haha, that is by accident as I don’t want to go back to that era. Been there, done that.
Great way to wear it like a dress. I didn’t like it as a tunic: too big. I really like the yellow combination the most. The not showing of the belt in the first photo I like more. It gives a nicer silhouette. A pitty that the necklace is broken. Perhaps your yellow coat could finish it off.
I am waiting for Anja to repair my necklace. She is my necklace repair girl. She has all the gear.
Nice looks, both of them. The necklace broke?!!! What a shame because it worked indeed very well in this combination. Is it repairable?
Repairable??? Yes if you are here hahaha.
Hahaha!
Nice looks, both of them. The necklace broke?!!! What a shame because it worked indeed very well in this combination. Is it repairable?
Repairable??? Yes if you are here hahaha.
Hahaha!
Terrific black/yellow combination. I like the heart glasses too!
Thank you. I never thought this outfit would get so much approval. Which just goes to show I know zilch about styling haha.
Greetje!!! Every visit here, you are more stylish than the last! I’m not a huge fan of black and white on myself, but this outfit might change my mind. I totally love the dress with the black and white striped top, and the cat on top, is like the cherry on top, (an English saying for special).
It is time to show you some bloopers too haha. Look at this post:
https://www.nofearoffashion.com/2012/12/fashion-failures-with-big-black-sweater-html
And also this one (I had my seamstress shorten the skirt to knee length.. Much better):
https://www.nofearoffashion.com/2013/02/black-leather-skirt-and-kimono-html
I am a big fan of layering and I love these looks. Your statement necklace is so gorgeous too. Looking beautiful in these looks and the booties give it a nice edge.
Much appreciated, such praise from such a stylish lady.
Just fabulous! Love, love, love your dress. The yellow sweater and necklace are gorgeous, of course, and very good for the season’s transition, but I love the black and white so much as well! So sad you have problems with the belt … very 60s, and looks so great! I can’t think of any solution, but it has to feel good to have such a glamorous shape. You are as lean and lithe as a tulip stem!
Love the kitty. But not on your head, dear, please.
I am an inverted triangle, shapewise, which apparently is not the worst shape to style. Like all women I want it to be different from what I am (of course). I like more hips and bum. But then again, I always wanted more bosom as well. Now that I have it (it just grew like that), I don’t want it. So lesson learned: work with what you have got and be pleased with it.
I love hour glass shapes.
I do like my length. That proves to be very handy.
You know what I like best about your posts – you have so much fun with clothes! I love how you try different combinations. So many of us just put on our clothes and go about our day and you are showing us different combinations and how to experiment to make things work – not just here’s what’s best – but “here’s what I didn’t like and this is why.” I may agree or disagree, but I like that you are putting yourself out there!
And, yellow looks fabulous on you and black and white is always a classic!
That last picture is one to frame – it’s gorgeous!!! (from the angle, we can’t tell where the glasses are!)
xo ~kim & chloe
I used to do more with failures and how I achieved a certain look. That was my “blog niche”. Nowadays I feel I don’t do enough of these things. I am pleased you think differently. If you want to have a good laugh, have a look at this old post:
https://www.nofearoffashion.com/2012/12/fashion-failures-with-big-black-sweater-html
And yes the last picture with the pink glasses turned out cute. The others didn’t.
I’m drawn to the yellow version of your ensemble, with the statement necklace. You look great in the black and white version too. You made me smile with the copy cat! Melanie is a brilliant inspiration.
Melanie is an artist and I am the opposite. Sometimes she goes so wild that I cannot follow her with my limited mind. But I love her and her uniqueness and her happy spirit.
Love the cat-as-a-hat. And that’s a very cool dress, just the simple, chic design I love so well, too. Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday, it’s always great to see you.
Yes, this is the kind of dress you would wear as well I bet. I will put your name on it haha.
This is a fantastic, versatile dress. I actually like both your combinations very well, although if I had to use any pins I probably wouldn’t go with that type of combination, way too much effort for me. Although, it looks so well put together I just might go for it in this case, especially to be able to wear that fantastic yellow and black necklace.
The black and white combo is just plain WOW, so effortless yet stylish to the max. I really like the belt worn casual and low on your hips. The added cat ears and heart glasses are priceless, you funny funny woman.
Hahaha… anything for a laugh.
The pins just crept into my morning schedule as I could not stand the fact that the yellow of the sweater was disappearing all the time. When I bought the dress I had no notion of this combination or any pinning yet.
beautiful inspiration……blog moda.+40 http://bastonidifashion.blogspot.com/
Thank you and welcome.
That is a great dress, and so versatile:) And boy can you pull off yellow and black together – not many can do that, but on you it looks great!
No? Is that something unusual? Yellow and black? I never knew. Always thought it was a perfect match. Glad you like it. And so glad to have you back. Hope you are well.
I agree with the others. I don’t see the bulges, we all have them. I think you know how to dress in a way that shows your figure beautifully like you have shown us in these outfits. When I was growing up we call this dress a jumper. So perfect with a sweater and necklace in this fantastic yellow. This color is really good on you! Excellent and stylish booties.
blue hue wonderland
I didn’t explain it well enough. Must be my command of the language (or lack of it). Remember I am not a native speaker.
The bulges were only there when I pulled the dress up to look like a tunic. All the surplus material was gathered in the area from waist to bottom. And I don’t style it like that anymore. Obviously.
Thanks for the lovely compliments though.
Oh I understand. Your use of English is impressive. I can’t imagine writing in another language. It’s amazing how so many Europeans can communicate beautifully, like yourself.
We have always been a trading nation, so command of other languages is a necessity. I was lucky to be working in an English company in The Netherlands for a few years. Nobody spoke Dutch but me. I was 23 at the time, school days were fresh in my memory, so I learned a lot and fast.
ha ha! Love the cat on the head! It’s Spring’s MUST HAVE accessory!
I do prefer the yellow outfit, although the stripes on the turtleneck have a real French connection that is quite chic.
The dress really has a 1960’s vibe that I am digging : )
The boots are super fly.
bisous
Suzanne
If I can make you laugh then my mission is accomplished.
Yellow is your colour, Greetje! I like very much it on you and the necklace goes perfect … what a pity it is broken now! The dress is very nice too, and the belt is a good idea to keep it shorter. Funny photo with the cat!
Taking photos in cloudy days is a hard task! But you have a good photographer, lucky woman!! 🙂
At the moment my photographer is very busy, so I might have to go back to my old tripod with remote control. Glad you like the dress.
Greetje, you are too critical about your body… I always try to dress in a way that flatters my body best, that’s normal and one of my personal styling rules.
You look great in this dress and I love both versions!
Can I steel your black and white belt? So chic!
Annette | Lady of Style
I am not too critical. I like these looks and I like my body. Apparently I have not explained myself well enough. It was only when I wore the dress like a tunic, so pulled up, that it was making me look strange and bulky. As a dress it is fine.
Or perhaps ai should have said some approving things in my post as I do like these outfits myself.
The black and white belt is a treasure.
These combos are so fun! I like it with the yellow but I really like it with the stripe turtleneck. It gives is such a great mod vibe.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
And black and white is always classic AND indeed highly fashionable at the moment.
Greetje, I love this is the back and. Yellow, although the black and white it technically more in vogue. You do know what is good on you, and both look well, but the back and yellow is just superb. I love the necklace from you friend, and am smiling ear to ear with those cute glasses on you,
!!!!!!!!
XX! Elle
http://mydailycostume.com
Glad you like the dress. It was an unexpected find.
Love the low-slung belt with the striped top underneath. Makes you look very 1960’s!
Pop art my dear. I was around when that was modern, hip and happening. Must visit your site again. I am so behind with things.
Greetje, break out the go-go boots, that last photo is true groove. Have you ever thought of suspenders for the skirt or even the belt – I’ve never tried them with a belt but I bet it would work, and you can hide them under your top. It doesn’t really matter what you’ve done here because it works so well. Great looks, all of them! Thank you for the shout-out too. I laughed at your cat, I’m sure it is more well-behaved than the one I used.
That’s an interesting comment about globalization. Yes, so many chain stores too, all the same stock in so many cities. I love boutiques and thrift stores that carry different things if I can find anything in my budget.
Lots of little shops in The Netherlands too. But I don’t know for how long. And I cannot use suspenders as it is a DRESS.. Haha
Sorry, Greetje. I’m such an eejit. You said “dress” many times but I got it in my head, the way it draped, that it was skirt. So I guess the suspenders are out, unless you want to look very weird!
I might set a trend with suspenders haha.
Great look on you Greetje. I love it combined with your nice yellow top and necklace. Not all outfits need a waist and this dress is meant to be straight so I would wear it without the belt. I like your dropped waist version with the black and white belt too. You fabulous booties are the perfect finishing touch for this look.
The booties prove to be a great purchase. You never know these things in advance. Pity. As for my nice yellow top… It is ancient and has a hole at the seam haha.
Greetje, the black and white has a 60s mod feel to it, great fun. The yellow is a great colour on you , love the necklace, can it be fixed, hope so.
Pop art, I remember. I won’t go back to that though. Been there, done that.
Love the first look with the yellow…alot! What a great dress to have in the wardrobe! Thanks for sharing it!
The dress was one of those lucky finds. Usually happens when you are not looking.
Greetje, perhaps my translator on-line or my bad English, but there are things I do not understand. You speak of you look like a bat, fat bulges … I do not see it, ever. I’ve told you many times, how many women, at your age, they want your silhouette. You’ve looked at your profile and your waist in these pictures?
I love this dress, with the two options, with yellow and black and white. Although I prefer the yellow, has lots of light and joy, and the necklace is wonderful.
Greetje, force me to scold you and I do not like. I prefer to say: “that stylish she’s my friend.”
Yes my friend, it is the translation which causes the confusion. I am quite happy with my figure. It was the way I styled the dress at first that gave me a strange appearance. I used to pull it up quite high, like a tunic. Haha.
The black and white is so fun- a very 70’s vibe in your stylings.
Haha, that is by accident as I don’t want to go back to that era. Been there, done that.
Great way to wear it like a dress. I didn’t like it as a tunic: too big. I really like the yellow combination the most. The not showing of the belt in the first photo I like more. It gives a nicer silhouette. A pitty that the necklace is broken. Perhaps your yellow coat could finish it off.
I am waiting for Anja to repair my necklace. She is my necklace repair girl. She has all the gear.