Closet cleanout #2: dresses - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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Closet cleanout #2: dresses

medusa

Veteran

If you would be so kind to look at three dresses and tell me what should go:
http://s605.photobucket.com/al.....20dresses/
Password: youlookfab

1. Blue/pink lace sheath dress.
This is a vintage dress that I reeeeally love. I added a photo of the fabric so you can see the blue lace over the pink shiny fabric. It's a bit big on me now, so it would need some alteration. Am I right that it needs shortening? Am I right to love it?

2. Red bridesmaid dress.
I think this one probably needs to go, but I'm having trouble because it was so expensive, it fits me well, and I only wore it once. Could I shorten it and make it cool?

3. Purple floral dress.
Another thrift store dress that I quite like but haven't worn in a while. I could see making it fun with boots and a biker jacket. What do you think?

Dressing

15 replies

Latest reply was from yublocka

JennyK (NC)

Ok - I'm giving my honest opinion here - ready?

Based on the previous outfit posts I've seen from you (and I haven't seen a LOT), none of these seem to fit with your style particularly well. I think you might be able to find ways to make them more interesting, but I don't have much in the way of suggestions. I'll try to describe what I imagine as ways to pump them up.

1. The blue one: I don't particularly like the length on you. I think it needs to be just a bit shorter to wear as a dress. The pattern is interesting (interesting in a good way!). The color is nice. The shape and fit seems ok otherwise, but, meh. Here's what I picture with this.... having it shortened to tunic length and wearing with skinnies and a skinny belt, maybe with a moto jacket.

2. Interesting shape - sort of 50s with the full skirt going on. I like the color, but the white bow-belt has to go. Is that white piping at the top and arms? Erm... Ok, I'm going to vote "donate" on this one too. I think it's just dated. Maybe someone more creative than I could see some potential...

3. Ooohhh. I can't see much in the way of possibilities in this one. I vote "donate" on this one!

Louise

Veteran

1) I'm not excited about this one something about the blue lace over the pink fabric. Needs shortening. I could perhaps see it with you docs and a moto jacket?
2) I really like this one though it definately needs shortening
3) I'm not keen on this one either sorry x

marianna

Veteran

From my non expert eye...

1) I think this is too long and too big on you. I like the dress itself (with some added edge thrown in) but I'm not sure the fit is right. I feel like it should show off your curves more. With alterations it could be great.

2) Retro vibe! I like something about this one. Is the white bow removable? That might get rid of the bridesmaid vibe. I agree it needs to be shorter. This might be good to have for more formal events? Again, I'm not sure.

3) I feel like you could really make this one very "Medusa style" with a moto jacket and docs. I think it has potential.

I'm no help.

CK

Here is my also non-expert opinion:

1. Shorten and take in a bit, wear with flats and a cropped denim jacket
2. Shorten and wear with a wide black belt for more dressy occasions
3. Yup, I agree it would look great with a biker jacket and boots

elpgal

Veteran

Medusa, I like the last one the best. It looks like it has seams running down the front, so you could get it altered if it . The second one has potential if you could dye/remove the piping and bow and shorten it. If you are in a ruthless closet clean-out mode, donate them all.

rute

Veteran

oh.. I would pass away on 1 and 3.
The first one is too long and too baggy.
No. 2, maybe if you hem it a little and change the white belt.
No. 3 don't like it..

Carole

Veteran

I think they could all work with hemming, they all seem too long. # 1 looks big also, so it would have to be taken in. 2 looks like an Audrey Hepburn classic to me and could look stylish with the right accessories and heming! Definetly can see 3 with a cropped jacket....

Maya

Veteran

1 and 3 do nothing for me. They don't fit well and are not really worth alterations.

2 could be nice if shortened and wear it with a funkier belt.

MNsara

Veteran

#2 - if the fabric isn't too dressy and you can remove the white belt, consider a cheeky denim jacket over it and add a funky belt. Then along the lines of Angie's summer dress ideas, add summer sandals or flats, a summer bag. etc. This would only work if the dress fabric isn't too dressy. The jacket would cover most all of the white piping.

#1 - if you "reeeeally love" it, then it should probably be shortened and taken in to flatter your shape more. I have to believe there are some pretty stylish things to do at that point, but I will defer to the more creative voices here.

#3 - Your new beige moto jacket and some boots may be a good start, but I can't tell if it is too loose on you as it is. . .

I hope you can find a way to make #1 work - it's a shame to give up on something that strikes a chord with you!

Queen Mum

Veteran

okay, I'm going to give my thoughts before reading everyone else's...

dress 1- I'm not wild about..... BUT, taken in and styled it could have some possibilities. But I lean toward saying toss.

red dress- toss. again, it could have styling possibilities, but I'm not good at seeing the possibilities with things.

purple- by itself it seems a tad matronly, but I DO think you could make it fab with boots and a moto jacket

can you try styling these and see what we all think?

..... now I"m going to go read everyone else's comments and see how I did

Queen Mum

Veteran

I love Jenny's idea about making the first one into a tunic.... that could really be fab.

Kristine

Veteran

I think #1 is interesting. The neckline is flattering on you. If you can take it in and shorten it, it would have a lot of potential. I think it'd be pretty with charcoal grey to give it a modern edge and tone down a little of the girliness (unless you want to go with that and wear it in a classic kind of way).

#3 could have a retro vibe if you keep it edgy and kind of ironic. I'm not good at styling, but maybe slouchy boots, a grommet belt or something like that.

#2 is iffy. If you need a more formal dress sometimes, keep it and make a few alterations. If not, I'd let that one go.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Hmmm. I think that #1 and #2 boil down to serious alteration. If you are prepared to do that, we can explore those options further. I vote pass on #3.

medusa

Veteran

Thanks for all the comments! It's interesting that there is not a lot of unanimity on these. Lots to think about! About dress #2: the bow could be removed, but the band/belt (it's actually a very light pink, not white as it looks in the photo) is sewn in to the dress and would be hard to remove.

Jenny, I like the idea of turning the lace dress into a tunic.

Louise, thanks for the styling idea.

Marianna, you are definitely a help, these are good suggestions. I'm intrigued that you were positive about #2.

Cindy, I like the idea of wearing a wide belt over #2. Thanks.

Elpgal, I hadn't thought of dyeing the piping & belt on #2! Good idea.

Rute, Carole, Maya, it's so interesting that you all like #2. I wasn't expecting that.

Sara, great suggestions. Thanks.

Kim, thinking about styling and taking some photos is a good idea. Maybe I'll try that.

Kristine, more good ideas! Thank you.

Angie, I would definitely consider serious alteration for #1, maybe for #2 as well. What would you recommend?

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

I'd pass on #1.

I think #2 would look good shortened.

#3 I quite like and seems your style. I can picture it with your docs!~