Why can't I wear my Brulees? - YouLookFab Forum

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Why can't I wear my Brulees?

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

I don't know why I'm feeling so insecure and indecsive about what I'm wearing lately. Maybe I have too many other stressors going on at the moment. Sorry for all these questions.

Anyway, my problem is: I can't seem to wear my brulees out of the house. I put them on, look at my outfit, then think something feels off and immediately go for a more casual pair of sandals. What's wrong with me???

Yesterday I was wearing a mid-calf length black dress I've had for close to 10 years. (As an aside is the length of this dress passable?) Initially I put on the Clarks, and then decided there was too much pretty: pretty dreess, pretty shoes...I couldn't do it! I had to put on a more casual pair of sandals.

Dress with Clarks:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yublocka/4262258478/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yublocka/4261505615/

Dress with other sandals:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yublocka/4262259552/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yublocka/4261506067/

Am I right in thinking this is too much pretty with the Brulees? If so what can I do to actually get to wear these sandals. And if not, how do I go about overcoming this mental block.

Comments on the dress are also appreciated. I am a bit nervous about whether it will be YLF approved or not!

tam

24 replies

Latest reply was from yublocka

garmenta

To my eye, the Brulees are structured and geometric. When I think of clothing shapes that would be good with them, I think of tailored, structured things, like pencil skirts, walking shorts, clamdiggers with a slim line. Your dress, pretty as it is, has volume and drape. Perhaps the two items are working at cross purposes, aesthetically speaking. Does that make sense?

April

Veteran

Tam, I'm not sure what's getting in your way with the Brulees -- I actually think they look great with the dress. And because they are really a gladiator style, to me the don't look "pretty" in a frilly, girly sense. Maybe it's the metallic color that's bothering you? I have those same ones and wore them with everything last summer. They never seemed overly feminine to me.

The dress itself is a bit long; it's hard to tell from the photos whether there would be a way to shorten it (I can see that it has a "fancy" hem so plain hemming probably won't do.) It appears to have a casual, boho, picnic sort of vibe. As is, I would think it's not an item to wear to work. In addition to shortening it, maybe you could toughen it up with a boyfriend jacket?

If you've had the dress for ten years because you love it and feel good in it, it's probably worth figuring out a way to make it work.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I see no problem with the Brulees worn with this dress, I'm not sure what is causing the block Tam.

With regards to your dress, I think you carry off the length due to your height.

Queen Mum

Veteran

I think it looks great with the brulees- I agree with Julie that you can pull off the length of the dress with your height. I personally think you looked cute, comfy, cool, ready for a relaxing day- not too dressy at all.
If you really want to shorten the dress, it should be easy to do by simply moving the ruffle up higher- don't shorten the ruffle.

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Garmenta, hmm food for thought. I have tried them on with bermuda shorts and didn't "feel" that look either. The only pencil skirt I have is the snakeprint one, but I think they could work together if I can force myself to wear a pencil skirt as a casual outfit one day

April I don't know whats giving me the girly vibe. I certainly don't think it when I see it on others. I think it is the combo of the more pointed toe box and the slight heel - both very unusual for a sandal for me!

R&J, I may just need to "get over it" huh if these shoes are ever going to make it out of the hosue again! (I have worn them once, with jeans!)

Queenie I don't know that shortening the dress would work because like you say there is a lot of embellishment at the hemline. This dress is so old now that I don't know that the price of alterations would be worth it!

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I think once Angie and a few other Brullee lovers (Jean, Shiny, Sarah, Sandy, etc) jump in you will be convinced because I know last summer they were all loving theirs and wore them with everything. Myself, I really could not jump on the gladiator bandwagon visually and so they looked off to me with everything too, so I know where you are coming from, Tam. But I think in this case it is really a matter of your "eye getting used to it"; the Brullees don't look BAD with your outfit, but your eye (and mine) is more used to the other sandal with it.

Sihaya

Veteran

Hi Tam - I completely agree with Kristen. They look fine with the dress. The dress is a bit long but with your height you could get away with it. I also love how it looks on your gorgeous shoulders.

Louise

Veteran

I think the dress would work better shorter though julie posted about longer skirt lengths the other day. The concensus was it needs higher heels perhaps that's the problems with the brulees and the dress. However i do think it works with the flat sandals it's got a bit of a boho vibe going on that which works for me x

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You are moving away from your Birkies cold turkey! That’s the issue in my not so humble opinion. The other sandals are a better transition between the two styles WITH the pretty dress. Try this:

o Wear the Brulees with a more edgy outfit: skinnies, tunic, waistcoat and that special Tam sass. Know what I mean?

o Don’t wear them with a pretty flowing dress.

The Brulees look great with the dress, but you need to add the edge, otherwise you don't feel like Tam. Hope that makes sense.

Maya

Veteran

I'm not in love with the dress to be honest. Maybe I'm the odd one out. It's just a lot of drapey fabric at that length and with the flat sandals says "gypsy" to me.

I'm not quite sure what the block against the Brulees is either. Perhaps the tiny wedge heel? The metallic color? They are definitely not conventionally pretty or dressy sandals to me. Perhaps

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Kristen seeing Angie, Maya etc rave about the shoes all summer is what made me get them. I know they're comfy. I know they look good. I just don't see it on me! I have no problem with gladiators at all. I am loving and wearing the ones I got at Aldo recently. Argh! All mental I think!

Louise the boho vibe works for me too. I don't think I will get this one altered, but I do have a red copy I got made in Vietnam that I haven't worn for ages. I might try that on today and see if it looks shorten-able

Sihaya thanks I like the wide straps on the dress...I think they work with my wide shoulders. So many dresses have spagetti straps and they just make me look like a line-backer (um whatever that is but I think its a US football player right??)!

Angie I think your advice is spot on. I have indeed worn the Brulees with jeans and that felt fine. It's frustrating me that I can't wear them on a day thats too hot for jeans though - perfect sandal weather! You didn't comment on the dress Angie, does that mean its thumbs up or thumbs down?

Maya I hear you on the gypsy vibe....I think thats why I like it!!! Plus I like the wide shoulder straps! For me the Brulees are def. more pretty and dressy than my birkemstocks....there lies the culprit in my block. I am gradually weaning myself off them, but a pretty sandal that also has a heel....that's a big hurdle for me!!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sorry, Tam! I think you ROCK that black gypsy dress. You totally get away with the length pushing 6ft and with the added presence your strong shoulder line. AND, the colour is perfect. It would have looked twee in another colour. Perfect for a hot Summer's day.

Turquoise jewelry would look very yummy with this dress!

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Angie I'm pleasantly surprised to hear you say I pull it off, as I was very worried the mid-calf length would be frowned on. I do like the shoulder line, so I would be loath to part with it. I do have a blue turquoise-ish necklace I could wear with it - good idea!

I do have a red version of the dress I got made in Vietnam...I hope its not too twee. I just tried it on and the material is a bit streaked though - eek. Hopefully washing it will fix that!

Queen Mum

Veteran

haha....I had to go google twee- I thought at first it must have been a typo but then you used the same word Tam.... what an education I get here

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Tam,
I love that dress on you and the length is just right. I also love the gypsy feel of it.

You look soo gorgeous!! I like both of the sandals but actually prefer the brullees with the dress. I think the length looks better with a slight heel. I understand how you feel. My brulees got some use but never felt exactly right on me. I liked my platforms and other sandals more. I never really felt like myself. I think we have a similar style and possibly lifestyle. I am very casual.
Anyway- you look terrific!

Kristine

Veteran

I like the dress and the brulees look great with it. If I saw you walking down the street, I wouldn't think it's overly "pretty" (in a fussy or girly way). It's chic in a relaxed boho kind of way.

I love your place too!

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Hehe Kim, I guess it is the "commonwealth" side of Angie's vocab coming out? As as aussie it makes sense to me!

Jean I'm also glad to hear you approve of the dress. I think you are right in saying our lifestyles must be similar - I always love and lust after every outfit you have....in black or red of course!!! If only I was a tenth as artistic as you I'd be happy

Kristine that is such a lovely compliment too. I love this apartment and will be sad to leave it soon. I have completely fallen for my flatmate's retro furniture too...this sideboard and dining table used to be her grandmothers. I don't know what era they are from.....50s? 60s? 70s? but I'm going to be tempted to try and find something similar once I move to Melb. The red couch is mine though.....love it!!!

Vani

Veteran

Tam, I have the same problem with wearing the Brulees. I love them with jeans but have a bit of a mental block when it comes to wearing them with clamdiggers and dresses/skirts. Also, I gave my mother the pewter Brulees I bought first as she found them to be "the most comfortable pair of shoes ever". After I came back, I bought a pair in white as Angie had suggested I most definitely try them in white. They stand out a bit more than in pewter and that contributes more to my mental block (something about cutting off the long lean line esp since they have ankle straps). I have to give some thought as to how I want to incorporate them in my wardrobe come spring/summer.

On the other side of the fence is my sister who borrowed them from mom to traipse all over Thailand on vacation. She's more of a girly girl so she loved pairing them everything.

Jen

I agree with garmenta about the Brulees being geometric - she expressed it way better than I could have. That's why they don't work for me with that dress, but I feel like they would work with the items she suggested.

jessica

i'm not as familiar with your style as the others, but my first thought was that the clarks are perfect with a dress on you because they look oh, so Greek with your hair up and your facial features. perfect!

i understand though the feeling of something just not feeling like "you". you want to have some cohesiveness between what you wear day to day...

agrace

I like the combo but the important thing is it doesn't feel like 'you'. Sounds like everyone has you squared away. totally off topic, but I adore your furniture in the picture!

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Vani, Jen, Jessica & agrace! I had typed out a long reply just then but lost it. Grrr!!! I think I am just going to try and "get over it" and wear them. I'm frustrated not being able to wear them on hot days with breezy dresses!!!!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Lets see the dress with turquoise jewelry and red specs!

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

I'll try soon Angie I promise. Weather has *finally* taken a dive for the cooler, so not today! I'm enjoying my jeans after more than a week of sweating in skimpy dresses!