https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 11 Apr 2026 11:06:26 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return/page/2#post-2209330 Mon, 12 Jul 2021 17:37:31 +0000 judy 2209330@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Keep!&nbsp; You went with your intuition on this one.&nbsp; Do you ever find that you buy something on a whim, maybe not something you've worn before, because it's a new style aspect of yourself coming into being?&nbsp; It's like it's doing the shopping.&nbsp; &nbsp;It's a lovely surprise when that happens.&nbsp; I could also see this dress camping...and "dressier" too.&nbsp; It looks great on you.&nbsp; Enjoy it!&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return/page/2#post-2209052 Sun, 11 Jul 2021 18:48:02 +0000 Jonesy 2209052@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love it on you and could seeing it being versatile across all four seasons (and also a possibility for the ski lodge formal wedding :). Do you deeply and passionately love the color and print? That would help me decide re. longevity. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return/page/2#post-2208937 Sat, 10 Jul 2021 23:00:09 +0000 Sally 2208937@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It reminds me of my skirt I brought recently as it was out of my usual jeans /pants.&nbsp; I have loved going against my usual trends and have worn it once a week since I got it.&nbsp; </p> <p>&nbsp;I had wanted to try that style of skirt for a while. </p> <p>&nbsp;I think its nice to have the odd piece that doesn't fit with your usual style just to have that diversity or freedom to express other parts of your personality.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return/page/2#post-2208929 Sat, 10 Jul 2021 21:40:52 +0000 Jenni NZ 2208929@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>To Runcarla’s point: it was indeed Jenn who told us about considering the #30 wears at the point of purchase, which comes from the original UK campaign spearheaded by Livia Firth. Jenn tries to wear her items 10 times a year, so as to get 30 wears in by 3 years, if I interpret her posts correctly.<br /> I personally feel better if I can get the wears in quicker than that. With occasion-type outfits though, I never can, and so I struggle with them and have had to reign myself in with them.<br /> I think it’s partly the psychology of it for me- like with my new fluffy cream jumper I only bought it in May and have already worn 13 times. I KNOW it was right for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return/page/2#post-2208916 Sat, 10 Jul 2021 18:15:47 +0000 Anonymous 2208916@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have no advice to offer, but did want to let you know how much I admire and am inspired by your thoughtful approach to adding to your wardrobe. Sustainability is difficult to implement without sucking all the fun out of dressing - and your approach seems to straddle that line nicely! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return/page/2#post-2208883 Sat, 10 Jul 2021 13:52:16 +0000 Carla 2208883@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The idea of ‘30 wears’ is conservative for durability of a garment (as I learned from my counting experiment) but is commonly referenced as a goal for sustainability. &nbsp;Jenn identified thinking about ‘30 wears’ at the point of purchase. &nbsp;This was an ‘aha’ moment for me and now I consider ‘can I wear this garment 30 times?’ And more importantly ‘do I&nbsp;<b>want&nbsp;</b>to wear it 30 times?’</p> <p><div><br /></div><div>Though an easy ask of jeans or a t-shirt, it’s harder when considering a special or statement piece. &nbsp;I&nbsp;<i>did&nbsp;</i>buy a summer dress that I could see myself wearing a couple times a month in warm weather, and packing for a warm weather escape mid-winter - but I won’t get 30 wears in one year, and more likely will need 3-5 years to hit that mark. &nbsp;It’s a classic style, so I suspect won’t look dated 5 years from now.</p> <p>The style of dress you show&nbsp;has been trending since Batsheva Hay came out with her dresses based on Victorian, Amish, and Hasidic styles back in 2016. &nbsp;(She started by having a favourite vintage Laura Ashley dress remade.) &nbsp;The trend continues, with tweeks, and I’ve seen several bloggers modelling the style this summer.</p> <p></div><div>Do you see the dress as occasion wear vs day dress? &nbsp;Would you wear it for teaching (if you are going to be in a classroom)? &nbsp;For an errand day in town - library, groceries, shopping?</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return/page/2#post-2208869 Sat, 10 Jul 2021 12:34:23 +0000 Janet 2208869@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I actually thought of the mountain formal when I saw this dress! I think it could be styled for that, for sure. </p> <p>I admire your analytical and thoughtful approach to wardrobe building. I am a bit more impulsive and have the bigger wardrobe — and some semi-orphans — to show for it. But I do think that sometimes these sugar eye items come around and are good additions. Not everything in our wardrobe needs to be an everyday piece. And I find that dresses can have a healthy shelf life, but generally not more than a decade unless they are special occasion only, so I have a bit of tolerance for “less than forever.” I look forward to seeing what you decide, either way. Even if this dress is not one you decide to keep, you have a clearer idea of what you want in a dress to keep an eye out for another one. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return/page/2#post-2208862 Sat, 10 Jul 2021 11:52:16 +0000 LaPed 2208862@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sorry to post and run! I got caught up in house/car problems and haven't had a chance to reply properly. And now I'm on the road all day...</p> <p>I knew people here would get the dilemma, and you've all articulated both sides of the debate so well. Thank you to everyone for the encouragement; it's good to know that this dress looks good and it's not just me. And thank you for the voices of reason as well; I have a very strong voice of reason in my head that makes me question purchases that fall outside my norm. It usually wins out over sugar eye (sugar eye items are actually pretty rare and elusive for me), but sometimes I wonder if taking more chances would help broaden my range a bit style-wise.&nbsp;</p> <p>I'm going to sit on this decision for a few more days and, I hope, find time to workshop it with shoes/toppers. If I do, I'll post some pics! And yes, this might be a candidate for the fall Mountain Formal wedding guest outfit if I can suss out the right shoe/topper combo.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return/page/2#post-2208828 Sat, 10 Jul 2021 02:46:33 +0000 Jenni NZ 2208828@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Excellent wisdom Gaylene! Sugar eye for lots of things and happiness considered without practicality considered led me to a totally bloated closet. While not as much fun now, I am happier in the end. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return/page/2#post-2208793 Fri, 09 Jul 2021 22:17:50 +0000 Gaylene 2208793@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I get Lisa’s hesitation to give a full thumbs up because the dress isn’t what I would normally consider your personal style. But, as others have noted, it does look great on you, and your feelings about being intrigued by the style certainly make it worth serious consideration. Having fun with fashion requires an open mind when it comes to trying a look which isn’t normally found in our closets.&nbsp;My check when I’m in that state of indecision to to ask myself two questions:<div><br />(1) When would I choose THIS particular item from my closet to wear instead of other favourites? In other words, do I have occasions in my real-world life where I’d be likely to prefer wearing this item instead of other pieces I already own and love?&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>(2) How affected am I by my “sugar eye”? Has my imagination constructed scenarios where I’m wearing said piece without figuring out the gritty details of what shoes, what coat, etc. I’d need to pull off my imaged vision in the real world?</div><div><br /></div><div>In short, it’s that old “pluses, minuses, and interest” chart that businesses use to help decision-making. I find looking critically at both sides instead of just focusing on the happy pluses works for wardrobes, too.&nbsp;</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return/page/2#post-2208787 Fri, 09 Jul 2021 21:33:38 +0000 Anonymous 2208787@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fashintern : Many people are able to determine “ forever pieces “ without a lot of mental gymnastics . Also- forever means different things to different people . I was responding to LaPed’s own comments and questions about its style longevity . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return/page/2#post-2208783 Fri, 09 Jul 2021 21:16:35 +0000 Lucy 2208783@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If you have been low-key looking for a couple of years at this style of dress and this one ticks all the boxes (plus looks very pretty on you!), I'd say sounds like a keeper to me!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return/page/2#post-2208765 Fri, 09 Jul 2021 20:13:16 +0000 Grace 2208765@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Does the “happiness factor” Angie describes kick in when you are wearing the dress? If yes, then I would keep the dress. It looks fantastic on you! Layered with a black cami and warm boots and a topper, it will have more wearability in cold weather. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return/page/2#post-2208751 Fri, 09 Jul 2021 19:19:09 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2208751@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sarah, I agree with you on the gentler version of trends. Looking again at the “rules” I wrote, they might not be much help to LaPed. She certainly selects quality, takes care of her stuff, and knows herself. Will this dress be the wildcard she loves &amp; hangs onto? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ But I truly do think trying to figure that out is like trying to catch a ball while thinking about it. (Or, for those watching the NBA finals, like trying to shoot a free throw within the time allotted while the crowd shouts out the seconds, like a stopwatch—think too hard &amp; you can’t do it, even if you’re a past captain of an All-Stars team). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return#post-2208750 Fri, 09 Jul 2021 19:16:33 +0000 SarahD8 2208750@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>But, <b>FI</b>, the issue <b>LisaP</b> is raising is one that <b>LaPed</b> herself is asking questions about: "Will I regret returning it, or is this a trend piece I’ll tire of too quickly?" I think it can genuinely be hard to know if we like an item for itself or because of how it fits into trends or some other outside influence. And weirdly, I think that's especially true when a trend coincides with our longer-term style preferences! Which I think is the case here -- I think of LaPed's style as having a pretty strong and consistent 90s influence, as others have pointed out above. But where's the line between that consistent 90s-influenced style, and a sense of "that dress is so 2021" that might emerge as the 20s-does-90s trend ebbs away?</p> <p>Anyway that is all very abstract. Maybe useful to think about what are the aspects of this particular garment that risk putting it on the wrong side of the line? Maybe the length and/or volume? (Generally I think the gentler the version of a trend, the more likely it is to have staying power? Unless your style is strongly avant-garde...) Maybe one option is to enjoy it at the current length now and maybe consider hemming once the trend starts to pass?</p> <p>Anyway LaPed I think the fact that you've considered and passed over quite a few prairie dresses over the past years argues for listening to your intuition on being drawn to this one. But I've previously staked out my Team Dress position, so.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return#post-2208739 Fri, 09 Jul 2021 18:48:11 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2208739@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LisaP, with all due respect, how can anyone ever know in advance what is a forever piece? We grow &amp; change; some things stick while others don’t. I think the best we can do is ensure that it is well made, that we like it for itself &amp; not because of how it fits in with someone or something else (including trends), and that we can/will take care of it properly.</p> <p>It’s like catching a ball. Knowing that we just like a thing with our gut is a more certain way to know that it’s a keeper than calculating out complicated measurements and formulae about trajectory, flight path, trend forecasts, etc Think about it too hard, you’ll get bonked in the face. That’s how it works for me anyway. I’ve never been able to catch onto formal rules for my style, appropriate descriptors, fashion forecasts, etc. I’m just me &amp; I like what I like. YMMV. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return#post-2208704 Fri, 09 Jul 2021 16:15:18 +0000 Anonymous 2208704@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Coming back to add a thought - especially given that I'm the naysayer here. You mention longevity as being important to you &nbsp;- and I think that's what is nagging at me here. Would this be a forever piece ? &nbsp;I'm putting my own preferences aside to consider how I see you dress here on the forum..... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return#post-2208698 Fri, 09 Jul 2021 15:52:40 +0000 Elle 2208698@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Keep!&nbsp; It fits well, fun print, and you love it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return#post-2208693 Fri, 09 Jul 2021 15:47:19 +0000 Mainelady 2208693@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love this dress on you. It spoke to you. Listen. Trust that inner voice. Enjoy your camping and backpacking and then come home to discover the opportunities to wear your new dress! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return#post-2208691 Fri, 09 Jul 2021 15:32:53 +0000 cat2 2208691@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Keep, the moody floral and low key tiers make this wearable for years. You could layer a light top under it and extend it well into Fall. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return#post-2208690 Fri, 09 Jul 2021 15:28:31 +0000 catherine 2208690@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Keep! It looks fantastic on you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return#post-2208681 Fri, 09 Jul 2021 14:38:07 +0000 Bijou 2208681@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Definite Keep! This is how I wanted to look when wearing floral dresses in the 90's. I love this on you and think it could also be worn to the wedding you are attending if appropriate for the weather conditions. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return#post-2208642 Fri, 09 Jul 2021 11:30:59 +0000 Anonymous 2208642@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love it on you! I like it much more than all the bright colored ott tiered dresses that have been trending. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return#post-2208636 Fri, 09 Jul 2021 11:23:16 +0000 kkards 2208636@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love the dress and love it on you </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return#post-2208604 Fri, 09 Jul 2021 04:43:42 +0000 slim cat 2208604@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like it on you - soft, pretty and with 90s feeling . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return#post-2208603 Fri, 09 Jul 2021 04:42:08 +0000 rachylou 2208603@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m back to say, I think it fits your style and with your other clothing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return#post-2208579 Fri, 09 Jul 2021 00:33:00 +0000 Jaime 2208579@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I see 90s, I see cottagecore, and it looks great on you. Think about when you do wear dresses. Would you wear it in those situations? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return#post-2208577 Fri, 09 Jul 2021 00:27:20 +0000 Anonymous 2208577@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The colour is nice , the dress fits you beautifully , but I’m not getting a “ this is a great dress “ vibe here . I think it’s the print in combination with the tiers . I could see it working better with one of those features and not both . Something is off to my eye . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return#post-2208575 Fri, 09 Jul 2021 00:24:45 +0000 Ariel L. 2208575@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'd say it's a definite keeper. It's very flattering on you and can be easily worn in fall, spring and maybe early summer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-style-departure-keep-or-return#post-2208573 Thu, 08 Jul 2021 23:55:10 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2208573@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I had a similar thought to RL—why not wear it while traveling to wherever you are going hiking and camping? If there’s room, you could take it along to wear while you’re relaxing outdoors—camping can mean a lot of that, and after a shower on your hikes, it might feel nice to have something that’s not pants to wear. (Although if you’re only taking a backpack, this dress would take up an awful lot of room!)</p> <p>I’ve never understood the whole thing of setting rules about what you can buy now/in the future based on what you’ve had before. Yes, you have a style, but you grow &amp; change. With this dress, I think you want to avoid sticking it in a “dresses” slot and consider wearing in situations where you dress up your athletic leggings &amp; the like. </p>