https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-trip-to-the-holding-zone Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 17 Apr 2026 02:57:32 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-trip-to-the-holding-zone#post-2127027 Fri, 12 Jun 2020 14:37:26 +0000 Christina F. 2127027@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div><b>Preppy Pear and Anchie - </b>The problem with a long sleeved shirt for me (in the summer in a normal year) is that I really need to layer. Allow me to explain the climate situation with summer commuting. I go from home to the swampy streets of NYC, to the even more swampy subway platform, to subway cars (either arctic a/c or suffocating broken a/c), to the arctic a/c at work. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>In the subway in July and August, I CANNOT STAND having any sleeves on. The subway platforms in some stations can be brutal, as they're not properly ventilated. I have a poor tolerance for the humid, stuffy heat and a lack of ventilation. I think a dry heat is more conducive to sleeves for sun protection :)<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I could keep this as more of a fun vacation item or even leave it at the family summer home, where the climate is more temperate (western MI). Also, by next year I could be living in a home with better climate control and commuting less, depending how the pandemic response from my employer shakes out. I am willing to keep it for now to see how all that goes.<br /></div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-trip-to-the-holding-zone#post-2127024 Fri, 12 Jun 2020 14:31:06 +0000 Christina F. 2127024@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Angie and Sal </b>- Well, I'll hold on to the shirt for now. Since I control the a/c in my home office (ie my bedroom), it won't be something I wear unless we go to the summer house this summer. So maybe it's better to hold onto it to assess next year. I do LOVE it, and it fits well, especially for a button down.</p> <p><div><b>nemosmom</b> - the white skirt goes for sure. The black I'm less sure about, but as I mentioned just above.... it's hard to judge it this year, but based on last year, it was a failed experiment. I think I want it to be more fitted or cropped or something.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Suz and Joy</b> -thank you both, though I think I am more interested in not adding a different fabric. When Nordy's re-opens and I feel brave enough to go there, I will bring it to their tailor. Again, this probably won't be until next summer, TBH. (I hate how I already have to write this summer off in a lot of ways.)<br /></div><br /><div>Thanks for your input, <b>Jenni and star.</b> As for the blue dress, I'm just not feeling it. I saw that Boden has a linen midi dress in a similar color, so I may order that instead. The color is not the problem here--it's the shape, and I have lots of other dresses I reach for more for that reason.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Conclusions so far are that the NYDJ blouse, kitschy blouse, favorite dress, pencil skirt and green and white skirt are safe for now. I will explore altering the favorite dress when that's possible. I can further assess the skirt this summer, but the Boden blouse will be better assessed next year as it's not much use to me now (which is an anomaly, as I don't know whether my current lifestyle will change next year). The pencil skirt&nbsp; is currently too tight and so there again, we will see about next year in terms of both sizing and lifestyle. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I know the green and white skirt had mixed opinions--I will see what I can do with it. It's shorter than I prefer but not disastrously so. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The black jacket, white skirt and the blue dress are out. I will see about a blue dress in a color I like better.<br /></div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-trip-to-the-holding-zone#post-2127023 Fri, 12 Jun 2020 14:29:46 +0000 anchie 2127023@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just want to say that I really like the white shirt. Too bad that you can’t roll the sleeves. But maybe in A/c or unbuttoned as light jacket? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-trip-to-the-holding-zone#post-2127021 Fri, 12 Jun 2020 14:24:38 +0000 Preppy Pear 2127021@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think the toughest weeding is when you look really good in items like the cobalt dress and the shorter Boden skirts - and you do - but the items, while lovely, are just not for you anymore. Great job.<br /> Everyone is different, but I wear mostly long-sleeved shirts in the Texas summer. When it gets that hot, it doesn’t seem to make much of a difference if I have sleeves or not, and I prefer the extra sun protection. But, if you already know you will not wear a long-sleeved shirt in summer, I’d make a tough cut there, too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-trip-to-the-holding-zone#post-2126993 Fri, 12 Jun 2020 11:06:37 +0000 Star (Lise) 2126993@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love all the skirts, and for me a black jacket is a useful classic for evenings sometimes in spring/summer/autumn. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-trip-to-the-holding-zone#post-2126978 Fri, 12 Jun 2020 09:20:28 +0000 Jenni NZ 2126978@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like everything except the white skirt and the long-sleeved shirt.<br /> I am biased towards loving the colours, but the NYDJ top and the cobalt dress are so gorgeous.<br /> I’m not as keen on the first skirt as the second one. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-trip-to-the-holding-zone#post-2126913 Thu, 11 Jun 2020 23:58:53 +0000 Anonymous 2126913@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What Angie said. About the hem on your favorite dress. The alterations department at Nordstrom’s took a hem like this and let it out all the way by facing the hem with plain fabric. It did not add a lot of length but it really helped. If you have their credit card, it might be free. At least at The Rack you do not need to buy the garment for alteration from Nordstrom’s. You can show it to them or your usual alterations person and see what they say. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-trip-to-the-holding-zone#post-2126901 Thu, 11 Jun 2020 22:56:12 +0000 Suz 2126901@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What <b>Angie</b> said!!&nbsp;</p> <p>My only other suggestion with the Boden dress would be to find a plain fabric that picks up one of the colours of the print and have it added as a border on the hem. I think you could do that with this style successfully.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-trip-to-the-holding-zone#post-2126895 Thu, 11 Jun 2020 22:27:47 +0000 nemosmom 2126895@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That NYDJ shirt is such a pretty color on you! I think the color is what makes me think the blue dress is fine, but if you have to keep futzing or fighting with it, I say let it go. I would keep the favorite kitschy print - would you wear it out to dinner or a movie (if we ever get out of lockdown, that is...) I would keep the green print skirt - I think it looks great on you! I would let go the black jacket and white skirt. But that could be my bias against black in summer and skirts above the knee, so take that with a grain of salt! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-trip-to-the-holding-zone#post-2126890 Thu, 11 Jun 2020 22:07:41 +0000 Sal 2126890@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with Angie!!&nbsp; Keep the NYDJ blouse for spring and autumn wear - it is pretty.</p> <p>I love the kitsch print too on the shirt and think it would be a fab travel shirt in the future!!</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-trip-to-the-holding-zone#post-2126887 Thu, 11 Jun 2020 21:47:49 +0000 Angie 2126887@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>NICE!</p> <p>I vote pass on the too short skirts.</p> <p>Pass on the black jacket. You'd wear it more if it wasn't black!&nbsp;</p> <p>Keep your favourite Boden dress for the beach and pool.</p> <p>Keep the long sleeved Summer shirt for a/c.</p> <p>Pass on the cobalt dress simply because you don't love it!&nbsp;</p> <p>The NYDJ blouse is fab for Fall with black pants.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-trip-to-the-holding-zone#post-2126857 Thu, 11 Jun 2020 19:24:58 +0000 Christina F. 2126857@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div><b>Minaminu&nbsp; </b>- thanks for your input! I have some many great options that I can afford to get rid of slightly less great ones1</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Janet</b>, I understand what you're saying, and I think you have a similar summer climate. The black could go with a few outfits but this year is not really a time for me to judge that well--I am not in the office and not going out in the evenings much, so I have no chance to wear it to decide about it.&nbsp; I think it could go with a jogger and tank top outfit... maybe it would be better if it were more fitted and/or cropped, though. The green and white Boden skirt seems to get some love... I think the length is less awkward than some other stuff (the white denim skirt) and I certainly have no objection to an above the knee skirt. I think I will liekly keep it for now since people think it looks good. As for the blue dress, I agree in loving the color but something about the shape makes me hesitate to reach for it. I feel like I have tons of other more fab options and could look for something better in that color.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Sarah</b> - that's a great idea! I don't trust my local tailor to do that (they're great but the language barrier is just too hard for complicated stuff; I give them plenty of business anyway). So I will have to wait until Nordy's reopens and I feel comfortable going.... next summer is more likely for that. No rush since I won't pass it on regardless!&nbsp; The printed shirt can probably go. I wear sleeved shirts in the summer sometimes, but they tend to be even lighter and more boho. I have some other sleeved shirts that work better also as transition season items, so they earn their keep better than this one. ETA- I am also still willing to consider leaving the dress as is. Not my preferred length but doesn't look awful. <br /></div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-trip-to-the-holding-zone#post-2126817 Thu, 11 Jun 2020 17:25:48 +0000 SarahD8 2126817@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Re: the favorite dress: ah, I get it. If you wouldn't love it as much with a solid band on the hem then that's no use! In that case, I'd recommend having your tailor unpick and flatten out the existing hem, sew a band of solid white fabric to the bottom, and then turn that under to form the hem allowance. Am I making sense? That way you can get the absolute maximum amount of length from the printed material but still have a finished bottom edge.</p> <p>Sounds like the printed buttonup can go!</p> <p>Black jacket sounds worth keeping -- just make a (mental or physical) note about what outfits or pieces you'd wear it with so that you can make sure it gets its turn to shine. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-trip-to-the-holding-zone#post-2126814 Thu, 11 Jun 2020 17:14:42 +0000 Janet 2126814@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>NYDJ shirt. Love that shirt on you, and I agree that it seems more appropriate for other times of year. It wouldn't be a summer item for me either. Glad you're keeping.&nbsp;</p> <p>Gap jacket. It's cute, but I get the hesitation about summer jackets. I have a summer linen blend jacket in a similar style that I love for the color, but I never wear it. We just don't need that kind of thing in our summers here, at least not for my lifestyle, which doesn't include a lot of arctic AC. Ironically, I'd use mine more if it were black! But anyway, I think it may be a little visually heavy compared to what I see of your summer wardrobe -- maybe that's why it's not getting worn.&nbsp;</p> <p>Love that Boden skirt on you. Again, I completely relate to the length issue -- I also prefer lengths to or below the knee. But this does not look overly short to me, and the fit and pattern really look great on you. I say keep.</p> <p>Boden LS shirt. It's cute but I understand. I do find it useful to have some summer lightweight long sleeve shirts. Do you have others you wear instead, if the occasion or desire hits to wear a sleeved summer shirt?&nbsp;</p> <p>Blue Boden dress. I adore the color too, but yeah, it's a lot of gathers. I'm unsure whether taking up the shoulders will be the solution (a very common fit issue for me too). There is something about the combination of the scoop neckline and the gathers that is not my personal favorite, maybe because the waist is gathered too. But that is my personal preference. How do you FEEL in it? The color is so great on you I'm almost tempted to ignore everything else about it.&nbsp;</p> <p>Boden skirt that is currently too snug. I really like this and am glad you're keeping it, as long as there is a realistic possibility of it fitting again.&nbsp;</p> <p>AT white skirt. I agree that it can be donated. It's not bad at all, but it sounds like you're done with it.&nbsp;</p> <p>Sentimental dress. It may be worth having the hem let down to get a little more length out of it. I don't think the length looks bad at all, but again I understand!&nbsp;</p> <p>Good work!&nbsp;</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-trip-to-the-holding-zone#post-2126810 Thu, 11 Jun 2020 17:05:33 +0000 Minaminu 2126810@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'd keep the blue dress and pass on the rest. For your favourite dress, I really like the suggestion that SarahD8 made, it may be worth a try! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-trip-to-the-holding-zone#post-2126808 Thu, 11 Jun 2020 16:52:02 +0000 Christina F. 2126808@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Sarah - thank you! For the black jacket, I would choose it when the color black works better with my outfits, but that is rare in summer. Not unheard of, though! As for the favorite dress, Suz had the same suggestion previously, but as the skirt has two layers I am not sure it would work and I think frankly that I would NOT love it that way. I appreciate the idea, though.<br /> </div><div><br /> </div><div>Do I prefer printed dresses in summer? TBH, I probably do! I think the bodice of this droops a tiny bit, also, but I could have the dress straps taken up just a bit; maybe that would help. This is too hard to show in my terrible selfies, though, I know. But it's a common enough tailoring issue for me, though.</p> <p>As for the shirt, I can’t layer over it (very hard for me with sleeved) so that basically destroys its usefulness as a summer item. I can’t roll or scrunch it just past where it is for some reason either.<br /> </div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-trip-to-the-holding-zone#post-2126806 Thu, 11 Jun 2020 16:46:28 +0000 SarahD8 2126806@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Black jacket: when would you choose it over your white or blue jackets?</p> <p>Green/white Boden skirt: I love this on you actually</p> <p>Summer-print Boden blouse: can you roll the sleeves to 3/4 and wear it open or knotted as a topper? If not, pass along. (That whole "awesome print, but on a garment that is just not useful in my wardrobe" is a thing that I have done SO many times and really have to watch out for. So I get it!!)</p> <p>Cobalt dress: This looks like an easy, breezy, one-and-done summer dress to me. Great for WFH -- throw the above blouse over it if you have a video call. But maybe you prefer printed dresses in summer?</p> <p>White denim skirt: you can do better. Pass.</p> <p>Favorite-ever dress: I see why you will never give this one up. What about finding some solid-color fabric, maybe in one of the shades of blue in the dress, and having a band added at the hem to get it to your ideal length?</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-trip-to-the-holding-zone#post-2126799 Thu, 11 Jun 2020 15:57:32 +0000 Christina F. 2126799@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Hi everyone! I have a a few items in my holding zone due to their being slightly tight; I won't review those right now. I am doing a program of strength training and I'd like to wait and reevaluate a handful of summer items until late summer or even next year.</div><div><br /> </div><div>I do have some items in a mental bucket of items to review, and a few in the actual holding zone outside my day-to-day wardrobe. These represent a mix.<b> I am aiming for all my clothes to be an 8 out of 10 or above.</b><br /> </div><div><br /> </div><div>1. NYDJ shirt - I always put this up for review since it's poly, and I always keep it. The same thing happened this time. It can stay... given the fabric content, I have to accept that I can't wear it this time of year, which is fine. KEEP<br /> </div><div><br /> </div><div>2-3.Gap eyelet jacket. I thought this would be a summer workhorse as a lightweight cover-up item, but given that it's black and also something about the shape, maybe... it just isn't. Maybe that's okay and it can still play a role even if it's not as versatile as my white and blue denim jackets? UNSURE</div><div><br /> </div><div>3-4 Boden skirt. I am off skirts of this shape length; I don't feel just above my knees is flattering on me. (Oddly, for shorts I will go shorter to deal with this, but for dresses and skirts longer.) The print is cute, though, and unlike some of my skirts, it's not too right on my belly (which tends to bloat). UNSURE</div><div><br /> </div><div>5 Boden blouse - I love love love the kitschy print. But it looks like a summer item, and for me in my climate, a long sleeved button down is just not a summer item, even in a lightweight breathable fabric. So it ends up being seasonally confused for me. UNSURE, but lean towards letting it find a new home.<br /> </div><div><br /> </div><div>6-7 Boden dress. This is a nice dress in a stunning color. (Yes, it's not crease free right now sorry). I like the length and color, but am not too sure the bodice is the most flattering, and I feel like I have better dresses. If we go with the 8+ out of 10 rule of thumb, I feel this may be a 7 or 7.5. UNSURE, could probably be swayed either way.</div><div><br /> </div><div>9-10. Boden skirt. I discussed this in a previous post. It's too tight for right now, and I wouldn't wear it with the at home work lifestyle. If my body changes and I'm back in the office next year, that could change, and it's a GORGEOUS item. I lean towards KEEP IN HOLDING for now.</div><div><br /> </div><div>11-13. AT White skirt. I wanted a denim white pencil skirt so badly, and it turns out that I accepted something that is not my preferred length. It's more comfortable than the Boden skirt, but the length problem won't go away unless my body changes dramatically before next summer. I can also see wrinkles across the front that aren't flattering. I don't need a denim skirt right now but I could look for a longer one in the future. DONATE</div><div><br /> </div><div>14-17. This Boden dress is my favorite ever. Even if I stop wearing it, I'd never donate it as it has sentimental value. Here, my problem again is that this is no longer my preferred length. One option is that there is a tiny bit of seam allowance on the outer layer. Another option is to try to get a size up from eBay etc, which would be expensive because it would almost certainly come from the UK. The third is to accept this dress as is. I put this back in my active wardrobe pile for now but I welcome thoughts.<br /> </div><div><br /> </div><div><br /> </div><div><br /> </div><div>Not shown- During this process, I have also determined to donate a romper, because I got one with better fabric, and to keep another romper (I find them useful for summer in very casual contexts, especially this year.) I will also donate pair of tropical print pants that cling to my belly more than they used to, since my summer items often shrink no matter how I baby them... I can't hand wash stuff in the space I have, but I cold wash hang to dry everything that's linen, rayon or viscose. The viscose often shrinks anyway. I'm avoiding buying more viscose now.</div><div></div> </p>