Wardrobe Overhaul 2: Dresses (Keep/Reject?) Bonus: Morticia & Sheena - YouLookFab Forum

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Wardrobe Overhaul 2: Dresses (Keep/Reject?) Bonus: Morticia & Sheena

ManidipaM

Veteran

Back story: I'm trying to trim my wardrobe of excess fat and gristle (you know, the knobbly bits that are so hard to deal with?). As Meredith put it in my hyperventilating epiphany thread, the aim is 'lean and mean'.

Yesterday I made a spectacle of my shoes here: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....keepreject

Today, I dragged out my dresses (bar one, in the wash; will add later):

#1-2: Couple of years old but unworn orphan...until I went and got a pair of camis over the last weekend. Unbelted in #1-2; belted in #3-4, be-ribboned in #5-6. Brown cami in #1-4; switched to pink in #5-6.

#7-9: Tie-dye A-line dress is crushed cotton, supposedly no-iron; but curling hem needs to meet with iron (or dress hung up so as to leave tie-dye crush intact). Was difficult to get it to fall straight on windy day, hence extra photo.

#10-11: Fuchsia A-line dress, with pockets definitely needs to meet the iron, sorry.

Bonus #12-13: My crushed silk georgette & lace Morticia Addams dress. A gift from the Significant Other, who remains significantly pleased with having got me this wonderfully flattering look. I'm beyond words, clearly...

Bonus #14-15: Came as stowaway in Morticia's trunk, the latest costume incarnation of Sheena, the Indian Jungle Queen! Too large, as obvious from shoulders and falling sleeves. Also in Soul-sucking, Flesh-eating Beige! Can anyone see ANY reason to save this? If yes, I suppose I could try lopping off the sleeves and shortening to knee length or midi...maybe add a bandana and bone necklace. Ha! (Could not resist adding grassland bangles)

Thankfully this is pretty much it in terms of dresses (though there are three LBDs hiding out in my cross-country wardrobe). Comments, please? Feel free to be ruthless. It *does* help, even if I feel like I have all the fashion sense of a worm. (And I AM 100% serious! I need to learn what not to wear, to borrow a turn of phrase :-/)

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Dressing

27 replies

Latest reply was from ManidipaM

Kirti

(website)

Veteran

I love #1 with both camis, belted and unbelted! It is a lovely colour and a very flattering shape I also love the fuschia dress in #10 and #11.

I'm not a fan of the cotton tie dye dress - I feel like it looks a little too 'frock' like.

I love that you included those last two the morticia one would be perfect for a costume of some sort I'm not sure if the last one can be salvaged by alterations, so I'll leave someone more experienced to advise you on that one!

ManidipaM

Veteran

Kirti, the curious-est thing is that dress #1 and the last two horror show props are *all* chosen by the same person! If I have merely lost my style mind, my husband's is clearly bipolar :o)

Kirti

(website)

Veteran

Men! They can be so unpredictable I think it is awesome that he chose #1, it is my favourite of this bunch!

Mrs Moo

Hi MdM, so, on to dresses now? You'll have the whole wardrobe done in no time :0)

I really like the first dress, Mainly belted (either belt is fine). I much prefer the purple/lilac cami underneath as the colour is reflected prettily in the dress. Keep this one but always wear it belted I think.

I'm not keen on the next two. The colours/ pattern are fine but they are just too shapeless. We can see from number 1 that you *do* have a waist but it completely disappears in 2&3. If you are able to belt either of these - maybe with leggings underneath as belting will shorten them - then perhaps give them a reprive.. Otherwise, out.

I know the Morticia dress is there as a 'bonus feature' and I agree with you on the style but can I just say how awesome this colour looks on you! You look amazing in this black! Cn this be made into a tunic top perhaps? It is too dramatic as a floor length dress but the lacy sleeves and neck may give a tunic top a cool boho vibe. Maybe try it if it won't hurt SO's feelings!

Now onto the last one. It is too big but I think some thing can be salvaged. I would chop it right off and make it into a safari style shirt nip in the waist and use the extra fabric to put some military /safari style detail on the shoulders. And change the buttons. I under stand I'd this is too much hassle. I only suggest it as I never bin something if I can make something else out of it - or at least give it a try. ( My sewing box has been full of failed projects but hey, that's how we learn!)

Keep em coming! :0)
Xx

jayne

Veteran

Make the safari dress into a vest.....

ManidipaM

Veteran

Jayne, I LOVE your idea, but it might be too drastic for my SO to stomach --- which is a real pity, as I don't have a vest and would really have liked one; *and* it would be easier to wear that colour if put over a flattering colour.

On the other hand, I mayn't be as much in the doghouse trying to change a dress into a tunic or shirt as Mrs Moo suggests. (Which thankfully will NOT call on my non-existent sewing skills, if my father agrees to take on the project.)

Doro

I like #1 and #10 on you, and I absolutely agree with Mrs Moo on maybe shortening the Morticia (GREAT name! Mwahaha) dress into a tunic, because the color, neckline and sleeves look good on you.
I don't like #7 a lot, because it sticks out so much, but if you need a light and airy dress for hot days, by all means keep it.
#14 suits you style-wise, especially with the brown belt, but I can see you're uncomfortable wearing it. But I think if you come across safari style or shirt dresses in the future, it couldn't hurt to try them on!

Traci

Veteran

I wanted to echo the others here and say that you are stunning in black!

Meredith1953

Veteran

#1 looks lovely. Great colors and defines your waist nicely.
#2 out fit is a lovely color. Maybe with leggies or skinnies underneath?
# is a little plain but a lovely color. Possibly could add a wonderful scarf and style it with leggings or skinnies underneath?
The Morticia outfit is too much! Too much full length black. Not that you don't look good in black, you do but I feel it is too much. You could of course add a scarf and even have it transformed to knee length or midi which I think might
give it more styling options.
The soul sucking beige does need both color around your face as the beige is indeed "soul sucking flesh eating". Have you thought of hemming it shorter and teaming with a turtleneck and boots in the winter and wedge sandals in the summer? Shorter would probably be better.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Before I talk about the dresses, I just wanted to say "good for you" for going through this exercise. It's exhausting but oh so worth it and you will be left a manageable wardrobe you enjoy wearing. You are making such headway!

I love the first dress every single way you've shown it. Definitely a keeper! The dress in 7-9 I don't feel is very flattering for you, although the colour is lovely. I think I'd pass on this one. The pink dress in 10/11 is perfect for a casual day and I say keep - even though it's waist surrendering like the dress in 7-9, overall it fits better and has a lovely neckline on you.

The "Morticia" dress is actually pretty darned stunning on you - any chance it could be shortened into a midi so you could actually wear it?

The last dress is just too much dress for you - although I love the idea of having it shortened into a vest. Definitely something to think about!

ManidipaM

Veteran

I'm so surprised (and v pleasantly!) at all the support for returning Morticia to pride of place! :-p Too funny! Yes, I'll see if she can be cut off at the knee (the dress is princess seam with triangular lace inserts, so if I can cut just above those, it would be best).

Doro, I have a lot of love for shirtdresses, it's the colour and fit of this one that's really bothering me. Unbelted, it becomes a sad sack; even belted it as a bit much of beigeness... Yes, a better one needs to replace this...

THOUGH, that said, I really like Meredith's idea of making a *winter* garment of it very much! I think I wasn't seeing past the safari styling --- hadn't thought of that option at all! Winter also means I can add scarves etc easily near the face. And of course definitely planning to shorten it. I didn't want to influence opinions before, but the two horizontal creases are where I'd pinned and pressed to determine if I wanted to try making a dress or tunic of it. I wonder if the tunic-length could behave like an oversized jacket, belted on top...

HelenInCanada

Veteran

MandipaM, best of luck pruning your wardrobe! I know how painful it can sometimes be. I would donate dress #1, but keep #12 & 14! I like the pattern and shape of #7 for a scorching hot day, but I would shorten it to just below the hips (make it a tunic/top) and wear it with loose cotton pants or jeans! It looks VERY young as a dress.

Beth Ann

Veteran

There must be lot of early risers on the forum! How helpful you all are in the morning! My two cents: The first dress is really nice, particularly as styled in 5/6. 7-9? I vote buh-bye! 10/11 -- can you try it with a belt? I love the color, but not the shape. This might also make a nice tunic, then unbelted would work and be deliciously cool for summer. Morticia -- we're all telling you that black works for you. I like the idea of a tunic from this, unless you really will go to a Halloween party. SSB Shirtdress? I think the tone of your skin (beautifully warm and even) makes this OK for your face, but you don't seem to feel fab. I, too, think it could be taken in and take up and be a nice addition. You could always add color in accessories!

crazyone

Veteran

I LOVE dress #1, especially with the brown belt as in #3-4. #10 is a good breezy dress for very hot summer days. I'd ditch the rest (or hide because they were gifts from SO). I don't think I'm a fan of that much black on you, even if the dress were shortened.

cinnamon fern

Veteran

Just adding to the consensus: keep #1, alter Morticia, purge the rest.

Elly

Veteran

I think that 1 and morticia have something in common-- they show off your beautiful figure (1- with the waist and flair skirt, and sleeveless-- and morticia with the fabric and princess seams). #1 is absolutely the most flattering piece I think we have seen you in yet-- it looks great on your body type. You also are successfully wearing a midi as a petite, which some of the ladies here took quite a while to figure out! I would imagine that that dress would be rather comfy for cross-legged sitting.

Anonymous

I love the first dress on you. With the purchase of a few camis, you have turned it into the perfect go-too dress. The second dress looks like something to sleep in (sorry!). It could be salvages for cooler weather with leggings or skinnies, a belt and a scarf if you really love it. The third dress is a bit better. Love Morticia on you. You wear black so well. Perhaps save it for romantic dinners at home with SO? We used to do that before there were kids....if he's up for it you could eventually have Dad shorten it. I actually love the last dress for winter wear! Shorten it to the knee, wear a long sleeved brown or black T or turtleneck, add an animal print scarf or belt and roll the sleeves a notch or two. You could even pop black leggings undearneth if it's really chilly. It's a great structured dress. Lovely!

ManidipaM

Veteran

Elly, lovely point you make about sitting cross-legged in dress #1! I hadn't thought of it, and indeed one reason I have few dresses is because they can be a bit of a palaver there if short or slim!

Claire, you're brilliant even when you don't love something! New nightie switching sides in the dresser *now*! I just chucked out a pile of old kaftans and nightdresses last night... So timely! And of course it's very comfy for sleeping.

I am *SO* surprised no one hates soul-sucking beige on me except Meredith! Do you guys mean to tell me I threw out my mud-hut capsule in vain?
... But hey, if it's salvageable, I'm more than happy not to be wasteful! ::pops 'safari' dress in alterations bag::

rae

(website)

Veteran

My favorites are the last three!

The bright color in 11 is so pretty on you, and it will be great after that iron.

12 - yes, it is dramatic, and maybe not your style as-is, but it is the most flattering IMO. Could you hem it up, maybe to knee length? Then it would be a flirty LBD, ready to be paired with denim jackets, lightweight and colorful scarves, and happy colored sandals.

13 - This doesn't suck your sould as much as you think! I vote to hem to a midi and remove the sleeves altogether. Kind of like this:
http://www.landsend.com/pp/wom.....adType=pla
Then you can layer it over bright tops or dresses and such maybe add a bright belt or necklace.

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ButterflyLady

(website)

Veteran

Riding on the other's coat tails LOL I love #1 with the different camis - very pretty shape on you. #7-9 and #10-11 - aren't as flattering to your figure (although the colour is fabulous with your skin tone) - maybe better with leggings/belted? Or to sleep/lounge in? Morticia - my goodness she is a great shape for you - I think she will alter to a long tunic very well - you look fabulous in her as she is, too. The safari beige dress - I think there's too much of it, maybe shortened with a more flattering colour underneath?

Well done on sorting our your wardrobe!

ironkurtin

Veteran

Oh I just love these fabrics! I wish I could find tops in those patterns here - I love them so much more than florals!

The fabric in 7-9 is so pretty, but the cut isn't the most flattering; ditto for 10-11. Withholding judgement on the last dress - the fit isn't terrible, maybe you could dye it?

The others are all thumbs up. Of course, if you don't love them, they're NOT nice and need to scurry away.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Rae, you are super-duper brilliantly resourceful! That first photo is so helpful, because if I take the sleeves off, there is a taupe knit tunic I have that should replicate just that look under the dress. I could hug you to bits right now, Rae! THANK YOU!

ButterflyLady -- gotcha! More of those colours, more of these shapes! That's why I love this forum. People don't just tell you what looks good, they point you at what would look better still!

Dana, are you in shouting distance of any of these? http://www.anokhi.com/anokhi/a.....sts-1.html
That's where both the fabrics come from, though the garments are tailored by different brands that source the textiles from them. Anokhi retails garments in lovely shapes and silhouettes (textiles are only sold wholesale, alas). I can't afford their garments very often, but they *are* delicious.

ETA: Heavens, how did I miss Shannon and Helen earlier?! Ladies, thank you SO much for your support, and for your inspiration --- I wouldn't be even *doing* this exercise if not for you and the other lovely ladies on this forum.

Helen you are so right! I can't say this undertaking *isn't* painful; it's like bandaid --- they're lying when they tell you it doesn't hurt; but it does help to rip it off fast and move on... to a healthier and happier life! Trying to do just that, with encouragement and hand-holding from all of you, from Angie all the way to ladies even newer here than I am!

Indeed, a big, big 'thank you!' to all of you ladies for being here for me, for being fab yourselves and such great examples of dressing for success (I'm reminded of Claire's work story now). I am SO touched.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Mandipa, dress #1 looks great on you. I like the camis you picked out to go with it. I'm not keen on the rest of your dresses. Some of the alterations suggestions above sound interesting. Please let us know if you try any of them and how they work out for you!

cora*♥*

I love the colors of 7 and especially 10 on you, and black! I think you might be a cool or bright winter, if you like this sort of thing: http://pinterest.com/pin/211880357438467286/ http://pinterest.com/pin/211880357438467289/

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

OMG! Moticia Adams! That is so you, with your killer hair. I think that is your look. I am speechless.

OK, recovering.

I love the sweet orphan shown in #1, especially belted with the bow.

Dresses shown in pictures 7-11 (the two fuchsia numbers) are lovely on you. Does the one with the unruly hem take to any belting?

The safari style dress would work best shortened to knee length. I know midis are popular, but that is my opinion given this style.

ETA: don't touch the Mortitia dress. I think it's uber-cool and looks great on you. My opinion.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am late to this party but may I just say that you are such a sport for going through this gruelling exercise, and you have GORGEOUS hair!!

Now that we've got that over with, I am united with most in my fondness for dress 1 worn with a belt. It is a terrific every day go-to dress for you. Love the colours of 7 and 10 on you but not so much that cut. ADORE you in Morticia; you look stunning in black. You are absolutely right that it's dramatic on you, but not in a bad way. It just looks good and draws attention to your beautiful eyes. And I think that safari dress is salvageable styled as Rae has suggested and lopped of a bit of its length. It could be a useful item in your closet. The tailored look is crisp and businesslike.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Denise, no worries, Morticia stays --- the Forum has Spoken! ::giggle::

And safari-style *will* come up to the knee; that's the only way a button-down will survive my clumsy scrambling.

I need to put a slim, coloured belt on my shopping list to experiment with shapes like those pink 'tent' dresses. My two existing belts look to severe with those. Though, it may be time after all these comments to find a piece of ribbon... blue, maybe?

Suz, you credit me with more bravery than I possess! This project is long overdue. And if I don't get it over with, I can't get to the good part -- organized closet and identified style direction!

ETA: Cora, you're so right! Though I just can't decide if I'm true or bright! Perhaps you can help me clear that up as I show your more of my closet colours?