WIW : Blue on Valentine's Day - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW : Blue on Valentine's Day

Deborah

Veteran

Hi Ladies,

On the very odd occasion, black doesn't do it for me !!!! Shocked... I know.

By the end of a long, hot, humid day (I don't respond well to the heat), colour does work as a bit of a pick me up. After such a day, yesterday, we had an engagement dinner to attend and I did initially pop on a black dress. But because i wasn't feeling or looking as fresh as I would have liked, it was just 'blah', so I reached for one of two coloured dresses in my wardrobe (just in case you are curious, the other is orange. Similar cut but jersery and more casual)

Kept it simple, with silver accessories. The beautiful earrings my Secret Santa (the lovely Karie) sent me last Christmas, a silver cuff and silver rings and a black and silver clutch from Myer.

How does this look? On one hand I worry the dress is a little too body con for my shape but on the other I figure.. "does it really matter"??

And permission to rant??

I knew it would be a 'reasonably' relaxed occasion. I am getting to know what to expect here. The dinner was at a hotel, was outdoors and was set up to look very pretty. But there was no consistency at all to the guests presentation. Tshirts and shorts were quite a prominent look:) Please don't think I am being judgmental, I think I was just a little disappointed. Any one else experience this? How does it make you feel?

Thanks for looking and your comments much appreciated.

xxx Deborah

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19 replies

Latest reply was from Elizabeth P

Sharon

Veteran

I like the blue, especially with the red lip. I don't think this is too body con -the ruching at the side makes it look quite relaxed.

I know what you mean about the casualisation of dressy occasions. But I had fun last night - went on a triple date with my husband and my sons and their partners to a restaurant in Southbank. Lots of restaurants in the area, and the whole precinct was jumping! I had great fun watching the bright young things walk past in their dressy Valentine's Day outfits (LOTS of cleavage!!!) and my son had fun watching the luxury cars drive past, so a good time was had by all.

Traci

Veteran

*gasp* I love it! I think the fact that you so seldom do color makes this even more striking. I love that this is a color that fits right in with your whites and blacks and greys too, so it's not out of character at all, it's just beautiful, and a change, but still 100% you. Brava!

Anonymous

This is such a lovely colour on you, Deborah. Really striking still - yet a fresh change, which is always a good thing, no? I don't see anything too body con here at all - fits and skims your body nicely.
And re: people showing up in shorts and tees - yes, I am disappointed when others don't make an effort. I don't want to see people the way they look puttering around the house .

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

What a striking color on you! Not body con to my eye, looks very much like your signature style with the ruching. I don't let others casualization bother me...I think I am having more fun than they are...

Day Vies

Veteran

I love the color (of course) but I also love the clutch paired with it. Very relaxed and effortless.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Alert! Color on Deb! It's gorgeous. Not too body con at all, it fact it fits you perfectly. Those earrings look beautiful on you (admittedly I am slightly biased, lol).

And I hear you on the overabundance of super casual dressing at special events. No judgement. Years ago I had a roommate whose clothes were all hand-me-downs or thrift store purchases as she couldn't afford much else. She was always dressed appropriately for the occasion. So no excuses. Whether your outfit costs $1 or $100, If the event calls for a bit of dress-up, do it.

lyn67

Veteran

Had to put on my reading glasses for this:-). This blue is very elegant and stylish, makes you glow indeed-looks perfect with your stylish and consistent )shoe, bag, cuff, earings)! And... am just sorry for the folks, who cannot/are not able to do the difference between a weekday and a celebration...

Kari

Veteran

Super gorgeous dress; it may be blue, but still very suited to your style with the ruched, drapey shape. Lovely color on you!

I often see this in Seattle, tee shirts and jeans for occasions I'd think would be a bit more dressy. I sometimes wish that there were more opportunities to dress up, but I often end up doing it anyway even if I'm the only one.

Anonymous

Deb, I love this blue on you, gorgeous! Of course I always love to see you in your signature black, but they say a change is a good as a rest, eh? Your accessories are lovely and If I may say you look very trim Re-not dressing up...it saddens me too. I do wish people would make more of an effort when going out for an occasion.

Lyn D.

Veteran

Gorgeous Deborah!!
The shape is very flattering too.
I really enjoy my peep-toe booties for adding elegance without too much dressy-ness.
You look stylish and Fab, and would stand out in a casual setting for all good reasons. Don't worry about how the others are dressed

Summer

Veteran

Deborah, you look stunning as always. I love that blue on you, and the gorgeous earrings.
I understand your disappointment about the appearance of your fellow diners. I agree it's wrong to judge, but I find it rather sad when people miss the opportunity to make an occasion a little bit special. There's enough "ordinary" in life as it is.

AM

Veteran

I can imagine the blue giving you some energy and feeling special --because I feel energy and a sense of polish (something a little special or perhaps just a little different to give you a fresher feel). As for the body con - I like your state of mind "does it really matter??". A perfect outlook. I think this look is elegant.

If I was in a room of t-shirts for an event that I thought deserved a more polished appearance -- I would have very mixed opinions. If I was dead tired, I might have thought -- you mean I didn't have to dress up. If was feeling alive and polished, I might think -- come on folks, let's take it up a notch. Or I might wonder if I was overdressed, they were underdressed, they are bit blind to appropriateness (not their thing, not something they know how to assess). My head tends to race naturally so I can see my mind going in several different directions. Then I might have too much wine -- and then the mind might be completely focused on fun vs. analytics. That would be the hope anyway.

Deborah

Veteran

Sharon, that sounds like such a nice night out.

Thanks Traci, I see very few coloured garments in designs that I like so snapped this one up without even trying it on lol

Tracey, that's excellent. Will remember for next time. I am having more fun they them!

DV, thanks. The clutch has been my go to bag for special occasions.

Karie, thank you. I adore the earrings. They are often the ones I reach for when I am dressing for something special.

Lyn 67, thank you:) I think people almost miss out by not dressing for the occasion.

Kari, go team dressy!

Diane, I think of how fabulous all the ladies look at the YLF meetups.

Lyn D, I have worn these shoes so much over the summer. It will be a sad day when I have to retire them.

Summer, there is enough "ordinary life"... well said.

AM, I share your thought process. I guess we just focus on what we do and be happy with that.

LisaP you nailed it. Real life is not always glam so I am disappointed when people don't embrace the opportunity to look fab.

abc

Veteran

Love this color on you and the cut is very you so despite that it's not black it's still authentic in my opinion. I agree re casualization. I see it more in the USA. Where I live many people love to dress up so I find myself in situations like you described less here. And I do appreciate that aspect of the culture here.

anne

Veteran

Deborah - a lovely dress and not what I'd call bodycon. And yes, lots of underdressing around..

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Lovely look - not body con just very flattering imo

ETA: So tempted to tease you about not wanting to wear black but I'll be good

Adelfa

Veteran

Gorgeous color on you! The dress fits you nicely, but if it *were* veering towards too bodycon, I LOVE the "Does it really matter"?? line!

People wear shorts and tees to my church. Sometimes muscle tees. I am thrilled they are there and that they are comfortable. But I am pleased that my motherly instructions took and DD comes to church in a nice dress and heels. With her husband in tow wearing an argyle sweater and slacks!

dashielle (Ann)

(website)

Veteran

Wowee! You look gorgeous in this color Deb...and I agree with your dismay. DH was just moaning last night about why men often dress like schlubs when they are out with women who are pulled together. Oblivious, I guess.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

This is perfect! Both on you, and for the occasion. Love how your clutch ties in your cuff, earrings and shoes so perfectly. Just the right amount of black and silver.