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WiW: Old dress-- keep, alter, donate?

shiny

Veteran

This will probably be long winded. Apologies in advance -- or just check out the pics and answer the question in the title and/or multiple choice at the end!

Occasion: a birthday party for a friend, at a friends' house. Crowd is casual. As I've been saying, I struggle the most with casual.

Weather: rainy, muggy, hot, humid. But still September. That awkward kind of situation when you don't feel quite right in summer fashions but it's still too warm for all-out fall (including jeans -- too hot for them today). And rainy enough you don't want to go sloshing around in strappy sandals.

Outfit:
1) Really old dress, pulled out of storage recently
2) Boots that were an Angie pick years ago. They are supposed to scrunch but never scrunched for me. I have not worn these much because they feel like an awkward height for me... or .. well I don't know.
3) White ATL jean jacket (worn outside only, wasn't needed for warmth but was welcome for the rainy dash to and from the car)
4) Cobalt purse. I debated back and forth between this, and a yellow purse. I wished I had Angie's florescent-and-beige clutch for this.

Long-winded commentary:

This dress is over 10 years old. It has survived many a purge, even though I rarely wear it and it's spent way more time stuffed in a storage box rather than hanging in my closet. Why I've kept it: for the longest time, it was impossible to find flattering dresses.And this one is super easy to wear.

Why I haven't worn it in ages: 1) it has sleeves and YLF taught me that isn't the best look; 2) even if I can sacrifice a bit of flattery, more importantly, the beige in the print began to seem dated to my eyes. But, beige is back now.... so I am on the fence here.

It is in good condition despite its age. I spent very little for this dress (I got it at a discount department store), and it has no sentimental attachments beyond the exhilaration of finding a dress that actually fit and flattered, without needing alterations. I have been having a lot better luck lately in that department, so maybe it's time to release it?

What do you think?

1) Keep as is, and wear it now, bring it up to date for 2012 somehow?
2) Alter it to remove the sleeves? (pic 4 and 5)
3) Scrap it?
4) Other?

Also what do you think of this for a weekend casual running around outfit? I craved wearing heels with this... red patent pumps, metallic wedges, wine heeled boots... just to dress it up a bit. With dressier purse. As I said, I don't do casual well. It's like I have a mental block or something.

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24 replies

Latest reply was from Kristine

Clarissa

I think it looks nice without the sleeves, but you don't absolutely neeeed to alter it. Just bring it up to date with modern accessories. It is very flattering on you!

Diana

Veteran

I think the dress is great and does not look dated at all. Personally, I like cap sleeves (I know I am in the minority here) as long as they are not too tight and these look fine, but it is good without them too so whichever you prefer!

Marley

Veteran

I'd ditch it! You don't sound excited about it at all - and it's not like there aren't other dresses out there that would fit you and that you would be much more excited about. I think that the neckline on this one dips so low that it throws off your proportions - makes your neck look really long. IMO - you could do much better! Its not that you look bad in it - its just I've seen you look so much HAPPIER in other outfits!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Would you buy it again? If not then it isn't for you. If yes then keep.

shiny

Veteran

Caro-- that is the best question ever. I'm going to have to post that somewhere to remind myself to ask that when I'm editing. I'll have to mull on my answer...

Marley-- looking like I have a long neck is a plus in my book, because I have such a short neck! And maybe it's the pics but this really isn't all that low. I have lower, requiring cami. This would work with a cami too but it was too hot for it. I do not sound excited about it mostly because I was not too excited about "dressing down" the dress to be more casual. I think you are picking up more on my whole frustration with casual wear in general. I know I need a casual capsule -- that is reality. I have just never ever felt right in casual clothes. If I'd worn this dress with heels I'd sound much more excited posting a WiW about it. I think. Maybe I should try wearing it with heels one more time, before I decide?

qfbrenda

Veteran

I think it's really cute on you but if you never wear it, I don't know that it's worth space in your closet.

shiny

Veteran

Okay, Caro, yes I WOULD buy it again. Because the beige is on trend, and used in the pattern in a way that doesn't wash me out (primarily black with beige print). I'd figure I could make it work, despite cap sleeves, maybe remove them, or layer white denim over it, or add a trendy color. I have steered far, far away from beige since realizing it doesn't love me, but since it's come back on trend, have learned I can do it, just in small doses carefully controlled with color added.

I think it is the boots I am not keen about. Maybe it's the boots I should cull instead.... then again it occurred to me tonight I should try these boots with my navy theory dress. That dress has higher hemline and maybe, just maybe, I will appreciate the boots more with that.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

That's fantastic Shiny - I forgot to add before; I love the dress on you (which counts for nought if you don't).

Anonymous

Shiny, guess what? I bought a wrap dress with an extremely similar print, just last winter. Yep, your dress survived a full fashion cycle. I vote keep. I wore it with cognac boots as well. I would take off the flutter sleeves, but it is a moot point with a topper. You are probably going to wear one anyway.

Deborah

Veteran

Shiny I really like the dress on you and think it looks very modern and current. Mehta I'm not keen on are those particular boots with the dress. Different footware would make the dress IMHO.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

I agree with Zap - until next summer, you're probably going to wear it with a topper and given its age and original cost, I wouldn't spend the money on altering it.

I wonder if what you need are accessories to update the dress. Black and red would look great with this dress. Black shoes, red handbag, and a statement necklace?

April

Veteran

I agree that the dress is a keeper. And another voice chiming in to defend cap sleeves. I think that in general, they are considered unflattering if you feel your upper arms are heavy or overly jiggly. If not (and you're definitely in the "not" category), cap sleeves don't look bad to me at all.

For myself, I prefer them to sleeveless because they cover that bit of skin in front of the underarm.

BlondeAmbition

If you want to alter it, you can shorten it just a bit and wear it with leggings

Thistle

Veteran

I like the dress on you. I think it is flattering, and I like the print.

Question is, d o you? Do you feel fab in it? If so, keep it. If not, it does't deserve to be in your closet.

On a side note, while I love the dress not a fan of it with boots. Maybe red ballet flats and red handbag? I a still too new to the whole process, especially figuring out why my eyes tell me something.

pil

Veteran

Shiny, I really like the dress on you too (with and without sleeves) and agree with Deborah about different footware.

shiny

Veteran

Thanks all! I agree about footwear and purse. I already know this looks far better with nude heels and the red bag. But, I was trying to dress it down, since the occasion called for casual. This group of people we were with dresses, basically, in gear or one step above gear. So heels and the red bag would have been way too dressy. I do often dress up anyway and nobody bats an eye, but given the bad weather I thought I'd take the opportunity to play with casual. You could say this is a hole for me, and I'm trying to find MY version of casual.

I was going to wear black top, olive green cargo capris, metallic wedge heels... which has been my "go-to" outfit for weekend events requiring casual wear. But the outfit was in the wash. I also have denim capris but they are on their last legs, so I didn't feel like wearing them (and I only wore them once or twice all summer). So I pulled out this dress and was experimenting to see if I could dress it down with the boots.

I have other dresses (knits) that work well for casual in the summer, simply by swapping out heels for flat sandals, and adding a slouchy bag. However, because it was wet last night I figured I'd give the boots a whirl.

I'm still trying to figure out if it is the boots I don't like, and I need to release them, or what. I kept thinking to myself that I looked like I was trying to hard, and that this is a look better suited to someone younger....

Since it's still gloomy if we go out later I may give the boots one more try, but with the navy dress/shorter hemline. Note that I never wear these boots with pants: I have tried a zillion times, but I just don't like where they hit me on my leg. If they were higher, or slouched lower, I might. But I think they hit at an awkward height.

Ariadne

Veteran

Shiny, I really like this outfit (I am so coveting your cobalt bag) and you definitely don't look like you're trying too hard or that you're dressed "too young"--not at all. I think what you're trying to figure out is whether the outfit or some components of it aren't right for you, or if it's the fact that it's casual that's throwing you off. Because of that, if it were me I'd force myself to wear the outfit at least 2-3 more times, perhaps for things like running errands where I'm not so much "on display", before making a final decision. Maybe chance a few elements--swap the white denim jacket for a blue one and the bag for a different colored one--but keep the dress and the boots. Also, try wearing the boots with a different dress (like you said you're planning to) and the dress with different shoes, at least one time per item.

I remember those boots--are they the Star Ling ones? It you push them down to force a scrunch, to they just pop back up?

Anonymous

By the way, I love this type of wrap dress with boots, perhaps a little heel would do the trick.

shiny

Veteran

Ariadne, they are these:
http://youlookfab.com/2009/09/.....uch-boots/
.. I kept them tied up with rubber bands hoping they'd slouch but they never have.

Thanks for bearing with me while I work this out in my head. I am okay with casual in the colder months; my go-to formula for that is skinny jeans tucked into tall wedge boots, flowy top, cardigan. DONE. That's simple. It's the warmer months I still struggle with, though I have been doing okay with knit dress + flat sandals +casual bag. I like that formula but I was thinking of expanding it to dress + casual boots or booties + jean jacket + casual bag as we move into the fall -- and I love the look/idea of a wrap dress with more casual flat boots.

Ariadne, one thing I discovered last night is that my options for casual bag in bright pop of color are limited. Yes I have an optic white slouchy bag but if I want to wear a white denim or pleather jacket, I can't wear that. So I am limited to the cobalt bag, or this yellow bag I have. I did try this initially with the yellow bag but it wasn't working for me -- despite it being bright, it kind of blended in with the beige and the color of the boots and looked blah. My other colored bags are all too formal a style and do not read casual.

I envy all of you who pull off casual with aplomb. I would be in big trouble if I moved to someplace like CA, FL, etc where casual reigns. And I am trying to figure out why that is. Is it that my style preference is just more urban/dressy? Or is it that these type outfits really don't look right on me? Or I haven't figured out yet how to get them to work?

I think my head is also getting affected by the BF jean threads. LOL. I see those threads and think "no not for me" and yet perhaps that is a solution and I should give it a try. Thing is, I don't even like faded or light denim. I own no faded or light denim at all, and haven't for 20 years. There's just something that doesn't feel or look right whenever I try those on. Even in a jacket. But then sometimes I wonder if it's all emotional, if such denim reminds me of a bad time in my life, and I can't get past that association.

Gah, fashion is therapy, isn't it?

DonnaF

Veteran

Hi, Shiny;

I know the weather is a concern. Have you tried a low bootie with the dress if casual sandals won't work with the expected weather?

I have seen faded cropped jeans jackets that are in a very smooth lightweight stretchy fabrication; I think they have the refined feel that you need; they are too refined for me! I don't think you have the skin texture/bone structure to wear tweed, heavy corduroy, etc. just as I can't wear angora and satin. Know that, and don't worry!

I am a bit toward the other end of the spectrum. . .I need something to be a little RATE (but not too much) to make me comfortable. The need used to be fulfilled by my spikey hair. But a few months ago, I decided to grow out my hair and stop coloring it. Now I have no spikes, but the gray is not yet showing enough to be sufficiently RATE for my taste. I would love motorcycle boots and spikey shoes, but they would look a bit MDAL and not really fit into the life I lead. . .

Anonymous

I used to have a top in this same pattern. I love it on you! If it's still in great shape and you like it I say keep! I really like it with the white jacket!

Irene

Veteran

That dress is great on you. In my opinion, it's not that cap sleeves are bad or ugly. They aren't. But they can be unflattering on women of a certain age with fat/flabby arms because they can become too tight. That's definitely not your case. AT ALL.

If you don't like it, well, then toss it. But I think that's a really flattering shape on you and that you can use it in many different and modern ways, since it's a pretty simple, 'plain' dress.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Well, I like that dress in general and on you in particular. I think the cap sleeves are great on you, and the wrap and skirt style too. I would wear that dress in a heartbeat. The boots are fine as well, but as others have said - maybe not with that dress. I vote keep!

Kristine

Veteran

I think it's very pretty on you and I actually prefer it with cap sleeves. I think you're onto something with the boots. While I like them, maybe there are other options you'd like better.