WIB: Splurge Dress - is it worth it? ETA pics K/R - YouLookFab Forum

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WIB: Splurge Dress - is it worth it? ETA pics K/R

Staysfit

Veteran

I have had my eyes on Zero and Maria Cornejo for a while now. Her styles are intriguing. Many of them look like they might be too overwhelming for my frame, but many of them don't. I particularly love her cocoon like silk dresses and have waited patiently for one in my color palette. there was one in white and grey recently and I almost purchased it, but decided I wanted something more lively, so I waited......

My patience seems to have paid off but with a heft price tag! There's finally a print in shades from my palette of mid tone blues and my tone of grey. With my new budget, it was a major splurge purchase, and it took a big chunk out of my NAS allotment. Is it worth it? Can I wear this dress in enough ways (Ie, casual/formal) that it will be worth the cost? Should I return and go for something more traditional and classic?

You'll have to trust that it looks good on me because I am too lazy to take pics tonight.

ETA: Pics now added of the dress alone and the dress styled for cooler weather with my navy cocoon sweater and navy suede leggings. I would probably add a necklace but I didn't here.

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Zero + Maria Cornejo 'Ulla' Lotus Print Stretch Silk Charmeuse Dress

$925.00 $554.98

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67 replies

Latest reply was from lyn67

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I'll look forward to seeing this on you. Love the colors. I've tried a couple of the Maria Cornejo dresses but feel a little swamped in them. I think they will work better on you because you are tall.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

The colours are gorgeous for you. Will you wear to work? Does it work with any toppers (should you need them)? Do you need a summer dress like this?

I agree with UmmLila that it won't likely swamp you due to your height.

dashielle (Ann)

(website)

Veteran

I LOVE this in all respects and it does work for you color-wise AND the fabulous shape is something that is hard to judge until you have it on, so if it looks great as you say, then no contest!

Anonymous

If you love it, I think it's worth a place in your budget. It looks like a unique piece.

Bijou

Veteran

The colours are beautiful and suit your style descriptors beautifully. Given the unique shape I think this will have a high longevity factor. If you can see yourself still loving this in 5 years time, then it is worth it.

BrieN

Veteran

I am in love with the idea of stretch silk charmeuse. Whoa. Beautiful colors and material.

Eliza

Veteran

I think that dress is beautiful. Love it.

rachylou

Veteran

The dress is amazing. I think it could really be a hard worker and you could get the money's worth out of it.

Style Fan

Veteran

Gorgeous dress. I could see this being a real workhorse. I also imagine it as being extremely comfortable to wear. It is a real statement but you are tall and can carry it off.

Jen W

From the outside looking in, your wardrobe is in a wonderful place with your essentials and you can now focus on allocating your budget to very special pieces. I think this dress is breath-taking and love the different silhouette for you. I'm eager to see it on you!

Traci

Veteran

Oh yes! I love love love this dress!!!

Anonymous

For me, it would never be worth it.

But I have studied your style. Although this dress is less classic/traditional than some of your other wardrobe choices, I feel strongly that this particular dress does suit your style. It is quite possible that this will be the dress you reach for the most because it is so different and unique (yet within your style goals). And the color palette reads ocean.

Having said this, please do not read this comment as enabling. Only you can decide if the piece is worth the price (based on your personal budgetary constraints). I only wanted to say that the dress is gorgeous.

Anonymous

It is a gorgeous dress and I think you need to have a play in your closet by styling it in both casual and dressy ways. Find out what toppers work with it too. If it all comes good then you should keep it because you must look fab in those colours.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Agreed with Bijou, Sterling and Diane.

Here's one possible test. How anxious are you to wear it? Are you looking for a reason/excuse to wear it as soon and as often as possible? Will it make you feel fab and totally like yourself, or will you feel a bit like you're in costume? I have not batted a thousand on my splurge pieces because sometimes the idea of them was more appealing than the reality of what it feels like to wear them in my real life.

Anonymous

Love Maria Cornejo, and this is a fantastic dress. Can't say whether you should keep it without seeing it on you. But it does look like it could be a very versatile wardrobe addition, especially if you live in a warm climate.

Thistle

Veteran

How many seasons can you wear it?

How does it work with shoes you own?

Will you need toppers for it to take it beyond the few months of summer?

This dress begs for bare legs. Will you climate allow it?

How does it look on you? More importantly, how do you *feel* in it?

Anonymous

A very uniquely beautiful piece. It certainly will stand the test of time style-wise and the colours are so "you". I would imagine being able to wear it in a lot of different environments and for a lot of different occasions, provided you aren't treating it as a precious piece. My only thought is that it's not a 4 season dress because of the colours - I see it as Spring and Summer only. As long as that's ok with you - then I vote enjoy it!

jill58

Veteran

I'm sure this looks wonderful on you, as others have said, because of your height. I literally said, "Oh, wow" to myself when I saw it. Just gorgeous.

Staysfit

Veteran

I'm so impressed by people who can stretch multiple individual wardrobe items across 4 seasons. I would only expect this dress to work for Spring/Summer. Without looking, I think the only pieces I have that go across seasons are my bangles, my real gold earrings, necklaces and rings, my pearls, and my full length jeans. Oh, I forgot to include my underwear! The heat index was 104 F two days ago. In the winter temps could be -15 F. That's a lot to ask of one non-technical garment so I divide my wardrobe into two, one for fall/winter and one for spring/summer. I have a variety of toppers, but this dress may call for something with more volume than those in my closet. I need to play a bit to see what happens if I try something cropped or long and straight.

Janet, I want to think more about what you said. Your advice rings true for me because I have also had that experience. This dress definitely makes a statement and pushes outside my typical look, but I am looking forward to wearing it. I also feel fab when I put it on. It's very comfortable.

bella

(website)

Veteran

How low do you want the CPW to be? My only concern is that the dress is very memorable, so you might not be able to wear it more than once a week. Depending on the length of your summers, that might be still too few wears if you care about low CPW.

Anonymous

Staysfit. I love the idea of wearing my clothes for four seasons (even three would be great). But if I am being truthful with myself, my entire wardrobe is two season. Twice a year, I literally swap out my entire wardrobe. I just don't know how to do it any other way.

Staysfit

Veteran

Bella, that's a good question. I have never been disciplined enough to calculate my CPW. Over the past two years I have redone my wardrobe, so most everything is new. I now have some high ticket items including a lovely Jason Wu dress that I purchased for a special family occasion. I have found additional events to wear it, but it's CPW is still very high. It's a classic sheath that I expect to keep for a long time, so it should continue to serve me well. I attend multiple formal events every year. I wouldn't mind wearing the same thing to each, although I built a small capsule of formal dresses because I had the need. They will still be repeated and people will probably know. What will they say if I repeat an outfit? Is it going to hurt? Will I be ostracized? My hope is that any single wardrobe item I purchase is so flattering, striking and/or complementary that it should be repeated. I'm certain the Jason Wu dress achieves this standard. I am not yet certain about the Maria Cornejo dress, but I hope it does. IMO the same principals would apply when wearing wardrobe items more frequently, even weekly, or daily.

I read someplace about a woman who loved the design of a dress so much that she decided it was the only thing she was going to wear, ever. (Someone else with a better memory for these types of details can provide the reference) She had the dress copied multiple times. Maybe in the same color, and also in some alternate colors, and that's all she wears. In cold weather she layers underneath the dress. I could never be this extreme, but I understand her sentiment. It's uniform dressing at the far end of its continuum. There are certainly less severe versions. So, if you love something, and it suits you, than why not wear it repeatedly?

DonnaF

Veteran

I can see that this gorgeous dress would look beautiful on you and fits your style. Due to its expense, would you feel that it is too precious to wear, or would you want to wear it all the more? Or will you tire of it? Finally, do you find yourself in situations where you clothing gets wrecked? For example, I tend to wreck the backs of my leather covered heels on the flight of concrete steps down to the sidewalk level where our garage is.

Anonymous

Having made a 4-season comment, I should clarify (if I can articulate it better). Because it's a piece being worn for , say, 4 months of the year (Apr,May, June, July) , I personally would be aware of the potential for it to be a very costly once-in-awhile item. But I'm certainly not suggesting it would occur to nor bother you or anyone else. I don't get 4 seasons' wear out of anything in my closet other than jeans or black silk tanks either so I know what you mean - it's a bonus, not an expectation.

I suppose if it were me considering a designer dress, having a longer period throughout the year in which to wear it would be an ideal situation. And I expect that might happen with (for example) a black, or ivory, or navy dress. But budgetary allocations are obviously so personal and different for everyone of us that it's not worth bringing up as a "worry" or consideration ....you're right.

Greenjeans

Veteran

Beautiful dress. Your question about cost is one that only you can answer. If you can afford it you have every right to go for it regardless of how many wears it'll get. And you can't afford it, or it feels like a stretch or something you need to justify or whatever, then let it go. It's just one of many dresses you can look great in and probably not worth the emotional baggage that can come with a high ticket item.

nicoleb

(website)

Veteran

I think it's a gorgous piece that could be styled a few different ways with different shoes, etc.

It sounds like you've been waiting a long time for the planets to align...so go for it!

SandyG

Veteran

It's beautiful and the coloration will look great on you. But I'm hesitating to recommend it. Even though it's silk (which should skew dressy) the loose style reads more casual to me than the price suggests.

rabbit

Veteran

I think it totally depends how it looks on, and how it looks with both formal and more casual accompaniments. Like SandyG I'm seeing it as potentially working better with casual accompaniments (I love it with the sandals in the stock photo). The pattern, fabric, and color are lovely, the shape is interesting but it really depends how it drapes and works on your body.

Sal

Veteran

I really love the colours pattern and shape. I would love to see it on you.

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