Dress try-on session! - YouLookFab Forum

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Dress try-on session!

Sal

Veteran

I went to a local mall today, went into five stores and tried on dresses in three. I aimed for dresses that I liked and that were day dresses. We have a mix of styles here: faux wrap, handkerchief hem, sheath style, shift, tee shirt.

I wore peeptoe booties as something I would want to wear with the dresses. The pics are not brilliant and whilst the hair was done, it looks a bit chaotic in some. I don't want dresses that I have to style, I just want to put on my shoes and go!

There are a couple I think are possibilities but I do not have my heart set on any dress in particular. I think some are clearly awful. One is probably too small, but the next size was not in stock.

I will share my conclusions later on, but I am interested in any that you particularly love, or the shapes that are the best.

Here is a list with a name to each. There are two pics of each, and two dresses per photo.

1. Blue/ white Stripe shift.
2. Grey Midi stripe.
3. SHirt dress.
4. Navy stripe body con midi.
5. Green 60s.
6. Navy handkerchief hem.
7, Draped dress.
8. Floral ruche.
9. Spotty faux wrap.
10. Patterned shift.
11. floral sheath.
12. Paisley fit and flare.
13. Long sleeve shift.

Thanks in advance, sorry there are so many pics!!

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Shopping

31 replies

Latest reply was from lyn67

Deborah

Veteran

Dresses can be a challenge! I struggle as I fit part of the dress but not other on many occasions:(

Ok, I like the midi striped dress with the long sleeves (#4). Just out of interest could you size up for a slightly less body con look? I love #6, but wonder if that is the dress that you couldn't size up in?? It looks like it might be a bitter fit it if flowed more your lovely shape.

The spotted number is very cute and fit looks good.

And I like #13

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Hey Sally,

Glad you finally went ahead and tried the dresses! I love 8, 9, 10, 11 and 13. I think the black and white polka dots is my favourite though!

Cococat

Veteran

Oooh fun! I have been excited to see if you had bought any dresses.

You look great in pretty much all of them but the ones that really stand out are 9 and 13.

Summer

Veteran

I really like the striped dresses on you, especially 2 and 4, and the spotted dress, 9 , is lovely on you. I'm not so keen on the florals and paisleys.

Brooklyn

Veteran

What fun! My favourites are 5 and 6 in terms of style. Love them. And the colours look good on you. I am not sure about the fit though. I would like to see clearer pictures! I also really like 13. Very simple and chic. I do like the Paisley in both 8 and 12 (Paisley fan here) but the shape in 12 is perhaps a little more modern. The shape and fit of the dresses in 9 and 10 is excellent and very flattering but I am personally not in love with the prints. I am a bit phobic about dots. But if you like the prints I would say they are a good choice because both styles are simple and flattering. I like 4 and have something similar but I suspect you will feel it is too body con. The shirt dress style in 3 is good in terms of length and fit but I am not wild about the print. Again, just my preference. No 1 is a bit too short I think. No 7 looks a bit crushed and fussy to my eye. And I don't care for the floral pattern in no 11. Again, just my preference You make me think I must go and check out country road. Eta hope I am not being too brutal!

JamC

Veteran

I think shirt dress #3 and spotted # 9 fit the best and would be easiest to throw on and go!

carter

Veteran

This is great fun! I like 1, 9, and 13 best on you by a mile. You and I have similar shapes, so I'm loving this exercise.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This is as fascinating for what it tells us about our own preferences with respect to fit, colour, cut, and pattern as it is with respect to what it tells us about you! Thanks for posting this variety all at once; I'm really enjoying the exercise!

I loved reading others' comments and it is interesting to note the variety.

So I'm not going to talk about me (yet). I'm curious about which dresses felt best to you, which you felt yourself in (if any) and which had that "get up and go" feel to them in your mind.

Sheila

Veteran

My favorite on you are the dots ! Fantastic ! I also like the last one.

Those subdued prints were my least favorite.

The stripes are good as well, I liked # 1 but just not the way the hem was.

You look great in contrast !

Anonymous

Well, we're all influenced by our own preferences. I tried to think of my reaction if I saw you as a stranger walking down the street; which of these would catch my eye and make me think, "She looks great in that dress": Nos 9, 11 and 13 do that for me.

My personal fave could be *No. 6* for its striking look and versatility, but it was hard to see against the dark background in the photos. Do you have a link to that one? The sleeve line appears to be great on you.

I like #1 too but would prefer to see the hem just a scoche longer.

You were a woman on a mission! So organised and focused on your task. As someone who wastes too much shopping energy being all over the map, I applaud your concentration!

Anonymous

I like the white t-shirt dress, the graphic blue, black, and white dress (this one seems really easy) and the navy dress.

My least favorite are pastel ones.

Talk about a great try on session!

unfrumped

Veteran

Dresses are so hard for me! I have very few for that reason. You're grand to do a mass try-on. It may depend on how much you're willing to look and try.

I'll make general observations. For you I like dresses with a hint of waist definition, more open neckline, sleeveless or short- 3/4 sleeve.
I like the shaping of #3 best but would like a v or wider neck. Like the simple shape of the last dress and the first( though no waist) but not sure of fit.
Would not do cap sleeves.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Wooohoooo. Fun!

I love both dresses in pic #2 best - hands down. (Dress #3 and #4). Gorgeous.

Also like the floral ruche - #8, and the floral sheath #11.

#6 has a lot of potential in a size up.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

What fun! For us, anyway! For you, it's a lot of trying on and photographing!

My favorite is #6, but I would try a size up to get a more skimming fit.
Another solid option I like is #7, again maybe a size up?

I like a lot of the patterned ones:
#9 spotty faux wrap--so flattering on you!
#10 patterned shift--really like the shape of this one on you. It has that easy, breezy look, carefree and simple.
#11 floral sheath--love the style and the colors on you. Of the prints, I think this is the most appealing palette on you.

Of the stripes, I like #2 grey midi stripe best.
And I kinda like the #3 shirt dress, though it's hard to see the details. I would put this one in the JFE category. Not the most conventionally flattering, but it totally works with the booties.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I like 4 and maybe 9. Some of the others might work in a size up.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks all for your input. I appreciated all the wisdom. It was interesting because I feel a conflict between what I like, what suits me, and what I need.

I was not planning to purchase but in person I also felt differently to seeing the pics. If I had been in a buying frame of mind I probably would choose a different dress to what I might choose after seeing the photographic evidence.

Here are my thoughts.

1. Ugh. Too short, boxy, shapeless. Does nothing for me.
2. Fabric too thin and clingy, would have needed a cami under and don't want a dress I need to wear a cami under. Quite like concept though.
3. Average, better than most shirt dresses but nothing special.
4. Like this, I think it is the right size, but not what I want. I have a couple of knit dresses that fit similarly. Could size up but think I will pass.
5. Felt this was too small, and love the dress, but I think better not on an hourglass.
6. It does look very fitted in the pic, in the reality i felt the size was okay. Love the skirt but would prefer different neck and sleeves, or at least one of the two. Close but not close enough.
7. Ugh ugh ugh. Strange dress that looked better on the hangar. Not sure about the design but like the fabric.
8. Meh. Okay but not exceptional.
9. In store I liked it but felt it was too short. In the pics I like it the best. But I would prefer something a little more modern, I have a couple of classic dresses already. I will think. It would be super useful and versatile though, a great FFBO.
10. Liked this in store, it has a nice fabric and was comfortable and easy. But print is only so so.
11. Quite Joan from Mad Men. Like it but too formal for what I want.
12. Quite a flattering style but not really me. A little too pretty.
13. This is actually very wintery and a wool dress. I tried it on as the shop assistant kept bringing me more and more dresses.....I felt it worked style and shape wise, but I am not sure that this is the wardrobe hole.

My conclusions: I prefer an open neck, slightly longer skirt, some shaping. I am 5 ft 8, so not super tall but because I have curves too short and clingy is not so great. I don't want to hide all my curves so it is a balance.

There are a couple of higher end boutiques near to me so I may look at them this week and see what they have.

Phew:)

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow. Well, that was truly instructive.

My personal faves for the purpose you mentioned (just throw it on and go) were #3 (shirtdress), #4 (but maybe sized up?), and #10 (the shift). I also liked #9 on you but thought it might read a bit dressy for the stated purpose. That's FWIW.

I love the green of #5 on you and wonder if you could try a different size if the fit felt off. I don't know if it is a "throw on and go" dress because the fabrication looks a bit crisp for that. It does look very pulled together.

Don't you think it's amazing how differently we all responded? I do think some of it has to do with the difficulty of judging from selfies in a change room. It's SO tough to tell when the lighting is often the least flattering and the angles are tight.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Suz.

The green dress is a crisp woven fabric. Sized up would be better but I think it would make me look very boxy. I can see it on a straighter shape, or maybe an IT it could be good.

4 was good and a modern style, I feel front on it looks the right size, maybe side on a little clingy in the butt!!

The shirt dress I felt was too bunched in the top, and a little short. I am happy to wear volume but with some length I think?

I am quite a decisive person shopping and if I love something I usually know at the time. If any of these haunt me I will be back in the area later in the week and could take another look. I think though as with your recent stunning CM dress, when it is right you just know it!

It was interesting which were the favourites: 9 got the most ticks followed by 13. 7 got none and I was not surprised as it was a very strange dress design. I guess priority on being fashion forward, quality of the picture, modesty issues and personal preferences play a part. Paisley is a fairly divisive pattern for example. Interesting exercise and good to try on a few shapes that I would normally discount, such as the shirt dress.

thanks all, I better start my working day

Anonymous

I'm late but I think you look really pretty in the green and I don't see why you'd have to add anything to look dressed. The neatness of the dress contrasts with the texture of your blond hair and I think the shoes are great with it.
But it's a much less casual look than the others.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You know, Sally, this trying on without buying is probably the smartest thing you can do. I finally figured that out about 2 years into YLF and went to the big city and just tried a ton of stuff and took photos with no purchases. I learned so much about what works, what is iffy, what might look good (in theory) but doesn't feel right, etc.

So all of this has been time well spent for you. I do think you'll be happy in the long run, and I like how you are able to identify that you like a style but not the pattern/ colour, etc. I am guilty often of buying simply because something is "in my colours" and it has always been a mistake.

Style Fan

Veteran

Okay I am late for this party but I will throw in my 2 cents. I like the 2 dresses in pic #2 best. I also like #1 because it is shorter. I am weird that way. You have nice legs. I am 5'7.5" and I prefer to wear my skirts above my knees. I think it looks better. Maybe because I am a 60s child (mini skirts).

Joy

Veteran

My favorites are the dresses in photo 5 ( dresses 9 & 10). I like the shift dress style best. This was a great idea, to try on lots of different dresses to compare.

Sal

Veteran

I have two further plans for August (aside from wearing my orphans and dresses/skirts).

I am going to take decent pics of the dresses I own and love and share them. There are 6-8 I have in mind.

A friend just this morning recommended a new local boutique that opened and online I can see a couple of dresses with potential. So I will head in there tomorrow and try on some more dresses.

Thanks Suz, Isabel and Stylefan. It has been interesting as the preferences vary so greatly. I have learnt a few things. At another time I will talk about my style goals, but in a small nutshell I want to dress better consistently - not great one day and averagely the next!

Sal

Veteran

Oh and thanks too Joy, we cross posted.
I think those styles have potential too. I am considering the spotted one still, but unless I feel I have to own it, I will keep looking.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

You have such a great shopping philosophy, Sally. I love the fact that you tried on everything, asked for feedback, mulled over the pictures yourself, and eventually plan to make a well informed decision. What a smart shopper you are!

I hope the new boutique has something worthwhile. And I WISH I had your patience to shop! But.....I believe patience can be an 'acquired' virtue....one I better start working on. Thanks for inspiring me!

Sal

Veteran

I have become wiser with age Maneera!! I am decisive if I love something, but unless I love it I can walk away. This is the first time I have been through this exercise and the goal was for me (and maybe others ) to learn. I realised that I was not considering a lot of the dresses out there (due to flattery considerations), so I thought by just trying many on, I would see what I could find out. I don't think the retail assistant was super happy that I did not make a purchase though....

And having two expensive boys at the moment and a renovation that we are just completing makes the clothing budget fairly small this year......

Banoffi

Veteran

The polka-dotted dress looks great on you!

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

I can imagine that, Sally. I think you've got a good plan - click picture of the dresses you currently own and love, so we can all see what kind of dresses you already have, so you can add new dresses that bring more variety to your wardrobe. I've noticed that you absolutely love pants and have a more casual kind of lifestyle....so too many dresses that are dressy may not even be needed.

LucyRose

(website)

Spotty Faux Wrap! Spotty Faux Wrap! I like the contrast it gives to your hair.

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