I'm continuing my long-overdue closet cleanout and am focusing on dresses and skirts, most of which have been in my closet for 3-6 years. There are really some doozies here but also some things that I think are worth keeping. (Interestingly, nearly all of these were bought on clearance... that tells you a lot about my former shopping habits & instincts that I've been trying to change.) I'd love to hear your recommendations as motivation to clear some space in my tiny closet! Apologies that this is so long.
First, disclaimers: I am just trying these on for fit, so I am not wearing shoes and the top I'm pairing with skirts is a basic layering cami. I just didn't have time to create an outfit around every piece today. Any pictures with a complete outfit are from archives on my computer.
You can see the whole album here with the password "youlookfab": http://s645.photobucket.com/al.....0cleanout/
The dresses -
1. Hot pink sheath dress: Ann Taylor Loft. I posted this a while ago and Nicole gently mentioned that the fit in the bust wasn't the best (too small.) It also is very big in the center back. My instinct is to GIVE AWAY. http://i645.photobucket.com/al.....G_422b.jpg
2. Forest green dress from Target. I'm leaning towards keep. http://i645.photobucket.com/al.....G_424b.jpg
(Work With What You've Got posted a more true-to-color pic of her in the dress here: http://workwithwhatyouvegot.bl.....dress.html)
3. Patterned dress from Kohl's with faux belt. It actually fits better in the bust in real life - this is an older picture when I was at a heavier weight. I think I'm going to keep this. http://i645.photobucket.com/al.....re066b.jpg
4. Denim jumper from Forever 21 - keep. http://i645.photobucket.com/al.....re334b.jpg
5. Brown dress from Anthropologie. This is probably the most boho thing I own. I love it, and my mom loves it, but I'm worried that it just looks lumpy and blah on me - like maybe it would work on me if I were 30 pounds lighter and not as wide as I am. I want to keep it, but I'm torn. http://i645.photobucket.com/al.....G_009b.jpg
6. Patterned linen dress from Romy. I love the print & colors in the dress but it is so wrong - way too small in the bust, spaghetti straps, too long. GIVE AWAY. http://i645.photobucket.com/al.....G_081l.jpg
7. Teal faux-wrap dress from Forever 21. In some ways I think maybe this could be the only thing I have that would work over leggings (though I have never found a pair of leggings that worked on me, and I don't really want to waste time trying.) Plus, the sleeve detail on this dress is terrible. I think I'm going to GIVE AWAY. http://i645.photobucket.com/al.....G_139b.jpg
http://i645.photobucket.com/al.....G_147b.jpg
8. Black polka-dot dress with ruffle/flutter sleeve detail from the Gap. I am surprised by how many compliments I get when I wear this dress which makes me think I should keep it. http://i645.photobucket.com/al.....G_421b.jpg
The skirts - I am feeling very uncertain about the skirts because I am so used to wearing pencil skirts and am not sure if my big hips and short waist can pull off an A-line at all - I'd love some feedback on this issue.
9. Reversible skirt from the Gap. Not sure about this one. (Brown print on one side, turquoise on the other.) http://i645.photobucket.com/al.....G_433b.jpg
http://i645.photobucket.com/al.....G_434b.jpg
10. Self-made skirt. I'm proud of myself for learning how to make this, but pastel florals are not kind to my skin tone. GIVE AWAY. (See, there really are colors that I can't wear...) http://i645.photobucket.com/al.....G_435b.jpg
11. Denim skirt from JC Penney. The hem detail on this is terrible, so I'd want to slightly shorten the skirt to make a new, more solid hem. But is the skirt shape okay? (Keep?) http://i645.photobucket.com/al.....G_437b.jpg
12. Heavy cotton/lycra skirt with pockets from Express: Keep, I think. http://i645.photobucket.com/al.....G_441b.jpg
13. Black skirt with heavy pleating from Topshop. I think it's too much volume - GIVE AWAY? http://i645.photobucket.com/al.....G_443b.jpg
14. Pink patterned circle skirt from Gap outlet. It has a tendency to blow up Marilyn Monroe-style in a heavy breeze, but looks lovely while dancing. More practically, it's a very nice weight for hot weather. But is the color horrible? http://i645.photobucket.com/al.....G_444b.jpg
15. Paisley skirt from Express. I love to pair this with fuschia or a bright medium purple. Keep? http://i645.photobucket.com/al.....G_446b.jpg
16. A-line black cotton (chino?) skirt from Gap outlet. Needs to be taken in slightly at the waist IF it's worth keeping. http://i645.photobucket.com/al.....G_450b.jpg
Also, an update to my ongoing search to find shoes for an upcoming bridesmaid's dress - I sincerely hope that the search is over. The bride and fellow bridesmaids all agreed that we would be okay each picking our own shoes (we all live far away from each other so group shopping is a challenge, and each of us have various foot shape/comfort/pickiness challenges, so the bride advised us to just pick out our own shoes.) We agreed on an off-white sandal. I wanted to try the Naturalizer Whistler sandals that Tarzy picked up but wasn't able to find them nearby to try out. However, I found these Clarks for a good deal ($65!) and am now sold on the comfort factor. I never thought they would be as comfortable as they are seeing as how the toe box is narrow AND they have a slight peep toe, but my toes love them and the sole is terribly comfortable.
http://i645.photobucket.com/al.....G_411b.jpg
http://i645.photobucket.com/al.....G_414b.jpg
http://i645.photobucket.com/al.....G_415b.jpg
