Kristen--
The first dress is so striking and so cute on that in a deathmatch, it knocks the second one cold. The second one has a muted charm, but it can't compete, either in pattern or in flattery, with the first one.

BTW, your "deathmatch for dresses" makes me laugh--reminds me of "The Secret Life of Dresses" posts on the blog "A Dress a Day"!

Kirsten,

I have already voted! It's so fun! And I must confess that I have the same problem (buying similar clothes).

Ooh, Kristen this is fun! I LOVE the first dress on you and you've made it work in so many ways. The second one is pretty but not even close to the first. I'd save my pennies for a dress is a color palette you don't already have.

I actually prefer the second dress to the first -- I like the sleeves and print of the second dress better. You have a tough decision to make!

I really want the second dress. My Marshalls didn't have it. :( These are so different to me, I don't see why you couldn't keep both.
I have a ton of dresses now. Four of which still have tags and have never been worn. A new rule for me is that I have to wear something I purchased within two weeks or it goes back, no questions. If I love it enough to buy it, I should love it enough to actually wear it.
Good luck making your decisions!

Kristen this is the first death match I voted keep both on. Ignoring the print the styles are different enough that they stand on their own. Like Laura I actually prefer the 2nd style. The colours may be similar but the prints are very different - 2 completely different moods!

Kristen, I vote to keep both- they're very different, to my eye. And I also prefer the second dress, but they're both great. The first is fun and vibrant, the second is an elegant, softer feel. And don't you have a purple cardi that would also look great with the second?

I LOVE the second dress. The first is much more bubbly which matches your personality, but the second is gorgeous and subtly alluring great for days when you're feeling more moody. Keep both.

I've voted to keep both x

Kristen - I think both dresses are keepers. The subtle difference in pattern and the tone helps differeniate between the two.

Keep both since you wear lots of dresses. Besides, the second one has sleeves so that makes it different, right? Although we know you can toss on a cardi or jacket with the first, for DH you could refer to one as your warm weather version and the other for cooler months.

I voted keep both, they may have a similar feel but are really suitable for different occasions.

My favourite is the first one (it's the colour and pattern;-), but the second one is lovely too, and for me they are different enough to justify keeping them both. Aren't we being helpful!-)

I'm intrigued by the sound of the red ponte dresses!!

Another vote to keep both: the colors are different, the pattern, the sleeve length. They both look great on you.

Thumbs up to keep both!

Okay, WOW. This might be my most favorite thread response EVER. I thought for sure everyone was going to go with "return", and I was trying to figure out how I could secretly not return it and instead wear it all the time and therefore never post an outfit photo again so you guys would never know.

Luckily, it didn't have to come to that. LOL!

I am so totally keeping this dress. Oh my, yes.