A complete practical fail

Do you ever end up with an outfit that just doesn't work, practically speaking? I don't have pics, which is a shame because it looked fine - denim shirtdress, gray belt and tights, teal suede wedges. But! The shirtdress kept on coming open at the bottom of the front placket when I walked or sat and I kept on feeling like I had to beware of flashing someone. Then the shoes, which were newly thrifted, were a tad too big so I kept on walking out of them unless I walked half as fast as normal. Basically I couldn't move or walk or sit in this outfit. Fortunately I made time halfway through the day to stop by home and change to something else. Sometimes I wonder why I try wearing anything other than jeans...

13 years ago

What I Wore

11 replies

Latest reply was from ManidipaM

Sara L.

Veteran

I used to have a skirt that buttoned up the front. It was so cute if I was standing but if I had to sit (and I work at a computer so I spend most of the day sitting) I worried the whole time that I was flashing someone. I finally just got rid of the skirt. This doesn't happen as often as it used to. I've gotten better lately about getting rid of stuff that makes me uncomfortable and I use heel inserts to make shoes stay on my feet.

13 years ago

Atlantia

Veteran

Aww, I'm so sorry. It's never fun to find out that an outfit just doesn't function. As for wondering why you try....well of course, if you didn't try, you wouldn't know. Knowledge is power and all that.

13 years ago

pil

Veteran

I have a pair of low heeled black beaded satin slingbacks that are very pretty, but the straps don't want to stay put. They should go to the consignment store. Last year at my husband's office party I fell, in what felt like slow motion, right down the two carpeted steps of the dining room we were in. In front of about 30 people. Put a hole in my hose and got quite a rug burn on my knee.

And like Atlantia said, now you know : )

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh...so sorry this happened to you. Very frustrating.

Since YLF I have been much more mindful of doing the sit, walk, move tests in potential garments. I try not to be swayed so much for my desire for this particular item and ask myself very sternly: Does it WORK? A lot of times sales associates will go on about how great it is, but if it doesn't move with me comfortably, it won't be a winner for me, no matter how cool it looks. And in that case, I won't wear it.

13 years ago

(website)

Veteran

yep, I like to think of it as wearability. Like you say, if you can't sit, walk, all the normal functions in your day, it's no good. Glad you could change midday.

13 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the boost, all. I really don't know whether I can make the dress work, which I love, but I feel self-conscious about how short it is when I move or raise my arms, and has that front slit issue. It's really not that short, and I wear it with tights and it looks fine when I don't move... sigh. Why aren't there tall-size dresses anywhere that's not horribly expensive?

Right now it's a toss-up between trying a pair of those heel cushions in the shoes, or just donating them back to the thrift store.

13 years ago

anne

Veteran

I have that issue with my shirtdress, and I wish I had bought one that didn't button right down to the bottom. It shrunk too, which has exacerbated the problem. I still wear it, but only with leggings.

13 years ago

dizzys

Active Member

Leggings should help.

13 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Your story reminds me why I wear jeans practically every day. Sorry you had to go through this!

13 years ago

christieanne

Veteran

I know how you feel! I ended up with a new pair of pewter ballet flats in the wrong size (half size too big) and didn't notice on first run. My feet must have been really swollen!
I had to add a Dr Scholls cushion inside and then some nice cushiony heel pads. I put an extra set of heel pads in the front toe and that worked.
If I could have exchanged the shoes, I would have but they were a great price and out of stock everywhere else.
clothes that are too fidget-y or have those kind of fit issues are not worth keeping in my opinion -- sorry because your outfit effort sounds like it would have been worthwhile!

13 years ago

ManidipaM

Veteran

Argh, I hate when this happens too! Wearability issues, as Mo says...

You've already had some good ideas on sorting out the shoes, if you want to put some more effort into making them work. So the dress:

Would it help to actually sew the front down where it wants to gape? Could you still put it on if you did that? Alternatively, would wearing a more flared mini skirt beneath and leaving it insouciantly unbuttoned at the bottom work with your style? I see you've already tried tights, but you don't mention if these were the thicker, opaque style --- which might help you feel less 'flashy'...

13 years ago

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