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2 dresses : K/R, or have I just lost my mind?

Anonymous

As previously mentioned, I've been on a spending bender the last few weeks. Some time off work, some extra $, and the feeling that I need more things to wear have sent me off of the deep end. That said, I never post a K/R - but here we go:

I have no idea what I'm doing with either of these two dresses: first is from Zara (the pale floral in finds) , which is either really hipster-ish and funky (neither of those two words have ever been linked to my name ) OR about the ugliest dress ever made. It fits, is flowy and interesting, but I can't get a read on it. The colours are a bit strange .

The second is likely a done deal (purchased from a friend's daughter's boutique). I tried it on, got the nod of approval from the very young sales/stylist, and decided to buy it. Not terribly expensive, a little outside of my body-comfort zone with the wrap/vavoom factor but really interesting hemline and good colours. From a wholesale line called Lovestitch.

I am not emotionally invested in either dress, and could return the dark floral for a credit note if necessary (which wouldn't bother me). What do you think? I'm not trying them on and posting pics today - I'm in house-cleaning Kondo-ing mode and am sporting yesterday's hair .

What do you think? Be honest - my feelings will not be hurt. I fully recognize that these are both outside my usual zone, but I want to be open to all new looks.

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Floral Print Dress

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35 replies

Latest reply was from texstyle

SW Ann

Veteran

If you tried the dresses on, and first thought out of your brain wasn't " wow I Iove this on me!" --then pass... This is the most important lesson I've learned about myself, and so I'm passing it on to you. You know it when it's right and trying to talk yourself INTO it probably will result in a bad choice. Just my take .... good luck. I've been exactly where you are and it was awful. It will pass but is painful while going on. Hang in there.....just wear what is GOOD for you even if you have to repeat. Accessorize creatively with all the great pieces you currently have. You are beautiful as you are.

rachylou

Veteran

I feel the dark is an easy winner. I’m not so sure about the Zara. I love the chintz pattern, that’s Cool, but I see a potential for looking like a nightdress when worn to the supermarket. I’m pretty sure it must not be worn with loafers.

Anonymous

Ditto SW Ann! You don't sound stoked about either, especially using "odd" and "ugly" with the first. Sounds like you like the second more-and the hemline is kinda fun and harem pant-ish. Bottom line, if you don't love them now, brand new to you, you won't in the future-speaking from experience! Just remember, a few "meh" purchases add up to one nice Equipment blouse and Zen Lisa

Gaylene

Veteran

OK, in line with my response on your earlier thread, do you “aspire” to make this particular look part of your personal style? Or, put slightly differently, are you invested enough in these dresses to spend the time, money, and mental reconfigurations to sort out how this particular look can work with your body, your personal style, and your needs?

I know when I started thinking of my wardrobe additions in this light, it became much clearer that the odds of some items working out were much better than others. When I was looking to my fashion inspirations to give me a much-needed psychological boost, it made no sense to expend my resources when I suspected the fashion gods weren’t stacking the odds in my favor.

bj1111

Veteran

I see you wearing the shape of #1 —do you want to go goth floral as if Rick Owens and Laura Ashley has a love baby?

Return the Zara. You will not be happy keeping it and it will taunt you to try and try and try to make it work than you’ll come do a wah post on ylf —just like I’m about to.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I like both dresses. I think they’re interesting and sophisticated florals which, honestly, can be tricky to find. There must be something that’s appealing to you about floral dresses right now, or you wouldn’t have bought them. I’d try styling them both with your own shoes and accessories and ask yourself honestly, “would
I was out of the house like this, and would I feel good all day?”

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I agree with SW Ann ,gut feeling is really important.If you are trying to make something work it’s probably not for you.Of course it’s impossible to say whether these items work for you with out seeing them on but my honest thoughts are that although lovely the dark floral looks like it would be a challenging dress to wear for anyone who isn’t tall,there’s an awful lot of volume there.The second dress could be ok but again I feel the height of the wearer would be important and it could just look like a shapeless sack but in the end it’s how you feel about them that counts and you don’t seem particularly thrilled about either.

gryffin

Veteran

Lisa - I think you got some excellent advice on your other thread. Gaylene's recommendation to ask yourself (as above) whether this is an inspirational or aspirational purchase is profound in both it's insight and utility. (Thank you Gaylene - I will be taking this forward in my arsenol and am beyond grateful that you shared this technique.) Is this "you"? Is this how you want to be seen and present yourself? If yes, than do the usual outfit creation session after blowing out hair and putting on make up because everything looks awful in a bad mood. My personal litmus, if I can pack it up and put it back into its box - it goes. If it immediately goes into protective custody it stays. I know you know what I mean. In your heart you already know exactly what you really should do, whether that's keep or return. I think the important thing Lisa is at this juncture to make conscious, considered, thoughtful choices that are informed by emotion. If you really love it, if it makes you feel wonderful, if it works with things you have (because if you need to buy the support act be wary - but still could be worthy) then and only then it's a keeper. You are too special and to deserving to settle for ok - if it's not right then go back and exchange for the equipment blouse.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

FWIW:

The dark floral dress - although interesting and fun - looks like it would be very voluminous and slide around your neck. Pouf when you sit. You are sensitive to items adding bulk and volume to your frame, so that part concerns me. Also, you generally don't enjoy V-necks and low necklines, or camis to fill the gap.

The Zara floral dress has a lot of potential - volume that collapses back onto the body so more streamlining, and a neckline that you can manipulate. Shirtdresses are already something that you like and wear....

Of course, I cannot see them on, so these are straight off the bat thoughts. And if you're indifferent again tomorrow when you try them on again - return what you can.

kkards

Veteran

Honestly just the way you describe the Zara makes me say return it.
The 2nd sounds like it could go either way...& if it was cheap enough maybe worth an experiment...but if you don’t wear it within 2 weeks...pass it on. If the young SA gave it a nod, it will probably be easy to sell it/consign it.

Anonymous

Another that believes SW Ann offered you the wisest advice. I don't hear excitement in your voice. I don't even hear interest.

Anonymous

Ha. You're all exactly right, as usual. The Zara dress is so weird, to me, but Angie's right in that it has the right type of figure-hiding volume that collapses against the body. I think though, that it will be too difficult to style, and I'll be too wary of looking like I'm wearing a vintage house dress. The colour is too season-specific as well. Gryffin and Gaylene - thank you. Neither dress is particularly aspirational OR inspirational. I bought then because they were there and I am sick of wearing the same old lumpy-looking t-shirt dresses and denim sack dresses. I think the learning point here is: don't settle. Wait for perfection . It's not like I have some urgent need for a dress anyways. I"m such an idiot sometimes, I this is exactly what I value the forum for. To reign me back in.

My new style mentor (of the week, ha) is Aerin Lauder. I ask myself, would Aerin wear this? And the answer to most of the crap in my closet would be a hard NO. ( I AM going to order the Frame cropped bootcut jeans she wears though - those are right up my alley) Why do I get so distracted when shopping and veer off my style goals??

I may keep the dark floral - and wear it with ankle boots and a leather jacket in fall.

Sal

Veteran

I like both dresses and see their appeal. But I concur with SW Ann here. You need to love them......,

I could see both with sneakers or flat chunky modern sandals..... the black might be hard to layer over but maybe could be layered under?

Kate

Veteran

I think SW Ann gave you the best advice.

Runcarla

Veteran

I don't see you in this look, but what do I know?! I'm thinking you would do dresses more like what Aussie Deb would do/did.

The (free) 7 page exercise provided by Un-fancy is well worth the time - augmented with Angie's many blog tutorials, I finally got to a happy place with my closet. It took 5 years, and I had to do the pencil and paper exercises and stop the wily-nilly shopping frenzy and false starts. No more massive overhauls for me now - but YES to tweaks and thoughtful evolution of my style.

http://www.un-fancy.com/capsul.....e-planner/

Anonymous

I downloaded it, RunCarla. Thanks for the recommendation.

Style Fan

Veteran

I have a hard time picturing these dresses on someone. Angie`s descriptions were helpful. She is pretty amazing. I like what SW Ann, Gaylene and Gryffin said.

I worked through the exercises that Carla posted from unfancy as well as some others. Angie's blog, Style Bee and some others were helpful. After agonizing for years over my wardrobe I think I might have some direction.

missvee

Veteran

After years of resisting Angie’s advice about the usefulness of a Style Statement, I finally caved in and came up with one for myself. Truly it’s been the best tool ever to evaluate wardrobe items and to screen potential purchases. If you haven’t done this for yourself yet then give it a go.
And I agree, you’ve had great advice from SW Ann, Gaylene and Gryffin.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ha! Now my first thought, on seeing the Zara, was: it is 100% cotton!!!! And it is loose fitting!! That is summer gold!

Also, I know you'd style it well.

Having said that, styled poorly, it would veer into my granny's closet territory. And I am not sure a pink floral is sophisticated enough for you.

The black one is super interesting but looks like it would have a high fuss-factor. I expect you'd wear it once or twice and then despair of it. If you can get the credit note instead, then maybe that's the route to go.

Runcarla

Veteran

I owe you a big THANKS, Style Fan. You are the one who put me on to the UF exercise! It helped me put paid to all Angie's advice.

Anonymous

I looked at UF's style guide thing a few years ago - same with Style Bee's. I may well benefit from sitting down quietly with it, and doing some hard work. Suz - I know exactly what you mean about the pink floral, and I don't think it's my kind of dress. I requested a return from Zara for almost everything I bought, and will try the black floral on one more time before making a decision. Suprisingly, it is not loose and fussy up top, which is why I liked it. It stays firmly in place and isn't too exposing (this is where being larger breasted is sometimes a benefit ) . We'll see.

Thanks, all, for your thoughts. Appreciate them all.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

You start the most interesting threads. Laura Ashley and Rick Owen's love child hahaha! Who the heck is Aerin Lauder? (Rhetorical, I already googled her obviously.) My first thought with Suz and Angie is cotton dress! Maybe I need that. The dark dress with the waist looks like a very tricky proposition and there is no way anyone can say anything without seeing it on. But with G and G, even if it looks great, is that how you want to look?

Anonymous

Jaime - what is G & G ? Well , willowy and airy and chic , yes ; but in reality ....I am not willowy or airy at all.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Gryffin and Gaylene, I think.

lyn67

Veteran

We'd like to see them on you, both have potential....but better to show us exactly what you mean-and then easier to help.

Jules

Veteran

It sounds like the dark one fits well. Does it make you feel good? I think it could be a wildcard for your style.

Neha Shukla

If your 1st thought is good about the dress after seeing it a very first time then you will purchase it because you like it. And if it is not then do not purchase it. Actually I also do that. It's my personal experience.
Well according to me, I like 1st dress. You should try this.

Kyle

Veteran

Like the black floral. Would love to see it on, though. The Zara is a no for me. I think you can do better.

Christina F.

Veteran

I think you can do better than both as well. I kind of wish the second dress had the print from the first, actually....

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