Fashion Top Five: Faux-Two-Piece Dresses

I was a little indignant about this trend at first, miffed that designers would take away the mix-and-match versatility of my separates and just sew them together. But then the other day I wore a tucked-in shirt-and-skirt combo, and the whole thing kept slipping and sliding around, changing the proportions every time I stood up or crossed my legs.

These pieces will stay put – and there’s never been a better time to find the one that fits you perfectly, because we’ve been seeing them in fall collections all over the place.

A completely classic incarnation of the look, Lauren Ralph Lauren’s Tropical Wool Dress ($180) comes with a wide patent belt.

This crochet dress ($128), with a  sweater-like top and flowing skirt, is a softer version than the pencil dresses we’ve seen.

 

The cowl neck is a nice contrast to the pencil-skirt bottom of this jersey dress ($278).

Theory’s Ciarah Dress ($295) is perfectly put-together, with a jersey “tee” and just the right amount of volume at the waist.

Nine West even added an attached cami underneath the ivory silk bodice in this bell-sleeve dress ($150).