9 summer dresses - YouLookFab Forum

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9 summer dresses

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Hi everyone, it is nearly the end of summer here (we count our seasons as changing on 1 March, June, Sep and Dec) and I have only worn 4 of my 9 dresses which range from 2009 to 2019. Before 2009 I had only bought one dress in about the previous decade, I didn’t wear them much in the early years of motherhood. That one died.
But from 2009 the oldest child was 18 and I had more freedom. I have just had a big try-on session and wondered about your thoughts on them? I might end up keeping all but you might help.
From oldest to newest:
Pic 1: Black/bright colours 2009. Not worn since 2020. Still like it… no occasions.
Pic 2: LBD 2010. Bought for 1920s dress-ups and loved for that but have other items I have worn instead in last few years. My only summer LBD though so probably would keep in case a LBD would be just right some time?
Pic 3: World floral dress 2013. NZ designer brand. This was the most expensive of them all, $200 on sale. I wore this twice last year and once this year. Initially for fancier events but lately to work.
Pic 4: Red maxi from Cairns, Australia 2015. Gave it to DD1 for a while when I got too big for it but it fits again. 14 wears. Worn for more casual events.
Pic 5: Red cut-outs 2015 also from Cairns. 11 wears to 2 weddings, work lunches and dinners, Christmas…
Pic 6: Retro orange 2016. Worn with my new sandals. The only dress that reached 30 wears, just recently. I note this is the only one with little cap sleeves and wonder if that is why I feel happier wearing it to work? More professional?
Pic 7: Caroline Sills grey, 2018, NZ designer brand bought very cheap at outlet store for $30 for Art Deco dress-ups. 6 wears. Maybe a bit big now? Have worn to work occasionally.
Pic 8: Bali cobalt maxi 2018, 17 wears. Worn for same type of casual social events as the Cairns red maxi.
Pic 9: Izabel London cobalt dress 2019 bought for my daughter’s wedding. Only 3 wears: her wedding, Grandad’s 90th, and her 31st.
I am very happy to hear any opinions including if you feel some do not fit or are not flattering. I promise you won’t hurt my feelings.

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Dressing

43 replies

Latest reply was from RobinF

Jenni NZ

Veteran

PS I have worn the same sandals in these pics to make it easier, except for the orange dress. But I have lots of other sandals that match some of them better.

Anonymous

Jenni, I especially like #8 on you.

If I had to pick least favorites it would be #5 or #7.

The rest fall in the middle.

Sloper

Veteran

I especially like #1 and #6.

I don't know why, but I think floral patterns look better on you than solids (though #5 is pretty!).

Also, it might be because of the silhouettes of 1 and 6 - the fuller skirts.

And #6's cap sleeves and full skirt look very modern - my super favorite! The cap sleeves and higher neckline are very flattering.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thank you Jenna and Sloper. I did wonder Jenna if the two you like least are a bit big now.
And the Bali maxi you like Jenna I do think looks good in this pic.
And thanks Sloper I have had lots of compliments on the orange dress. I was stoked how well the new sandals went with it and have matched my OPI nail polish too

Liz

Veteran

6 is my favorite, and 9 is also nice. For some reason, these two strike me as feeling like they have energy or are vivid on you.

1 and 2 are good. 3 seems to have fit/proportion issues, and the rest make me feel like they're dragging you downward -- I think it's a combo of the low scooped necklines plus the longer lengths and (on some) the drooping or lower waistlines.

Echo

Veteran

I am not a fan of numbers 4, 5 and 7, but the rest are fab! I especially LOVE #6, and #1 and #9 are faves of mine, too.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

6 and 9 are standouts to me. You look dynamite in both of them. I love the playful look of the retro orange one on you, and the cobalt solid one is so elegant. Very different but equally flattering to my eye.

I find the red ones, the florals, the abstract cobalt print all pretty on you.

The only one I find unflattering is 7, which does look too big.

Nice collection, and they seem to carry with them a lot of good memories!

Also, your hair is looking terrific!

NancyW

Veteran

I really like 6 and 9. The print and the blue are so vibrant, and the proportions are flattering. The knee length, higher necklines and waist definition add up perfectly. Somehow, you look more energized in them!

Anonymous

Jenni, yes, I think so. I am ok with oversized usually but think with those it makes them less flattering. Of course, purely opinion!

Sal

Veteran

I love 1 6 and 9 - and like 3 a lot as well.

I say pass on 2 - it looks a bit dated. I do think the grey - 7 - is a bit boring on you too.

The cobalt could be worn for occasions where you might need a LBD.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I think no 6 is the standout, then 9.

No 7 looks too big and the colour does not do you justice. (That’s my least favourite.)

I really like the patterns and colours of no 4 and 8 but the necklines look low. Are they too big in the bust now? Maybe they could be altered? If not, I’d think about having them made into skirts. They’d look great.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thank you all for the thoughts. I also showed all the pics to my husband on our desktop computer for his opinion too. The one he immediately liked least was the grey one, #7. Which is what several of you have said. I bought that one when almost at my largest.
I have decided to take that one off my active clothing list. When I checked it again it seems to have some greasy marks on the front, and now I have just washed it but they are not totally gone. I will stow it in the dress-up cupboard for now.
I am still thinking about the rest…

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

I like them but, to my eye, #1 #2 & #6 have the best combination of both fit & colour on you. Are you ok with the idea of having to wear something underneath #3 each time, or does that make it too hot for summertime wear?

I agree the fit of #7 is loose on you, but in #4 & #8 it seems the bust is a bit tight? Might just be the lighting though...

The orangey red colours are my favourite on you - but then again, I may be biased!

rachylou

Veteran

I think they’re all quite nice, but I will say #3 feels like the odd dress out… a very different vibe there.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Hmm, both Brooklyn and Zaeobi question the bust on the maxi dresses. Although the opposite way, ha ha?! I must say in these pics my bust looks very lopsided in the red maxi #4, which I had not noticed before.
I do tend to wear necklaces with these two to fill in the space. I have a bright red necklace for one and a beautiful bluestone necklace from Derbyshire for the other.
I think I will hold these two almost a year until next summer and re-think these two then. My daughter is next door now and might like the red one again then if I don’t- or we could share it

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Why, Rachylou? What’s so different about the vibe?

rachylou

Veteran

I think maybe it’s the floral pattern and the bow: pretty and sweet and homey. The others seem more sophisticated in terms of influences on their design…

Star

Veteran

6 definitely stands out (in a good way) for me. Then 1 and 9.

Bijou

Veteran

I love #6 on you and #9. #6 is just wonderful on you and I am glad that this has been worn the most.

#1 looks like a great Christmas dress, with the red and green and #2 is a fun LBD with a more formal vibe.

#7 is the one I like least, not a great colour and a bit boring - it looks like it needs a jacket to liven things up.

Minaminu

Veteran

Jenny, I really like nr 6 and 9 on you! great colours and fit.

I think number 5 and 7 would require some tailoring to better fit the top half, which seems to be too big and out of proportion.

The number 2 is a bid dated indeed, agree with Sal!.

Runcarla

Veteran

#6 is head and shoulders above the rest, with #9 a close second. The fit and colours of both are so flattering with the higher necklines, defined waist at the natural waist and the slightly shorter at-the-knee length. They are both 10/10.

#1 and #2 are ‘okay’ and I would give them a 7/10. #1 because the cheerful print suits you, and #2 because the shape is flattering, and the shorter length shows off your great legs (but plain black, even with the neck embellishment doesn’t seem like your happy self.)

Is the purple insert at the neck of #3 a part of the dress, or a cami worn underneath? I’m not a fan of the look, and the dress looks kind of crooked and droopy. It and #7 (dreary colour, stains) should be passed on.

Red is a great happy colour, but the lower waists and lower skirt lengths overwhelm your petite physique. 5/10.

I’m sorry if I sound harsh or critical, but when you can look as absolutely amazing as you do in the orange patterned retro dress and the cobalt one - you shouldn’t settle for anything less!

CarolS

Veteran

I think #6 is a total winner on you, Jenni!

nemosmom

Veteran

More love for #6 and #9! I like #1, too. Something about #3 is off - it’s as if the dress is wearing you… I notice the dress before I see YOU, if that makes sense.

kkards

Veteran

Adding my comments 1st then will go back and read others
Overall a lovely collection of dresses

#1 Love the fit, love the colors for you. For me this looks like it could be/should be an everyday day dress, so I’m wondering if there is something about the fabrication that I can’t see that leads you to comment that you haven’t had an occasion to wear it. Or maybe your just over it, and that’s fine, maybe it’s time for someone else to love it
#2 I don’t believe that everyone needs a LBD. So if you don’t love, I’d pass
#3 colors seem more muted than you usually wear, but very pretty. Is the purple underpinning part of the dress or Did you add it? If it’s an add, what happens if you change that out for a white or cream?

# 4 & 8 for me both of these seem to have a fit problem in the bust. It maybe that they both need a different bra, but they seem off to me, and thinking about it, it might be that the patten is making the fit seem off. I’d definitely try another bra and see. Because I like both of the dresses otherwise

# 5 & 7 honestly, I think you can and have better.
# 6 gosh, I love everything about this. The colors, the fit, the retro but modern feel.

# 9 love this as well. Again the vivid color and the fit are stunning on you. I’m a sentimental person and I’d keep it just because you wore it to some major milestones, but i know that not everyone is like that. But I’d keep it and hope that the future brings more happy occasions and opportunities to wear this

JAileen

Veteran

My favorite is the blue one, and then the orange one. If I had these two, I wouldn’t need any others.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Jenni! How LOVELY to see you in frocks

My least favourite are: #2, #3 (maybe it's the purple tank?) and #7. I don't think you need a LBD.

#1 and #9 are KILLER standouts to my eye!

YOU ROCK ORANGE! The pattern and colour in #6 are wow on you! I love the pleated skirt portion. And your wavy hair looks fab!

I see what Brooklyn is saying about the smocked bust in those two dresses. Could you achieve a better fit with a different bra, maybe?

unfrumped

Veteran

Great to do a dress review- good for you! I agree about 6 & 9.
The thing that stands out to me is that the low scoop necklines don’t do you justice. I can see having some in tank tops or casual dress for super hot weather, but as a style goal , especially events, work, I would move toward the higher necklines and experiment ( retail research!) with different types.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I really like #1and#6.l see l am not the only one.l think that some of the other dresses are abit droopy and the waist line doesn’t hit you in the correct place . The more structured dresses with waists where they should be are much more flattering.l find that’s it’s quite hard to get a dress with waistbands in the right place so you are not alone in that respect.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Just woke up to all these helpful comments!
Runcarla you don’t sound harsh at all! I wanted opinions.
Interestingly everyone’s favourites of 6 and 9 are both the same brand called Izabel London, which is sold in our department store chain called Farmers. Perhaps their cuts just suit my body? I can check their styles easily in the future.
Number 3 has a purple tank/camisole under because the V neck is otherwise ridiculously plunging and indecent. It is not part of the dress, but was bought to go with it in 2013. I did have another colour at the time which faded and has since been edited out. I think I didn’t straighten it up enough in the pic.
I think I will put the LBD in the dress-ups as well, honestly haven’t worn that for several years but it was rather cute with Art Deco type shoes and a wee jacket, and I could keep it with dress-ups as a wild card.
This has been really useful asking your opinions.
Thank you KKards for your detailed thoughts. I think it’s the floaty overlay on dress 1 that makes it feel less everyday. And I am just not really a dress person. I am definitely keeping dress 9 as it is the newest and I adore the colour, and it is now sentimental having worn it to my daughter’s wedding.

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