A quest for a dress - YouLookFab Forum

I've been trying to find a dress with sleeves for work and I have a HARD time with dresses. I think I tried on at least 508 yesterday! I came home with two and have another one on its way, but I'm hoping you ladies can help me out with a round of keep or return. I thought I loved both of these in the dressing room, but now I'm wondering if it was a case of everything else looking SO bad that these looked good in comparison! LOL! Also up for a vote - a blouse and the Wit & Wisdom skinnies that Angie recommended.

Dress 1: Black and white patterned dress
Dress 2: Crazy (for me) red print Abi Ferrin wrap dress
Top 1: Blue and white graphic Classiques Entier blouse - these are not the trousers I would pair this top with. I have a pair of dark blue Tahari dress pants on the way. But this blouse was NOT cheap, so it needs to be a 10 to keep.
Skinnies: so here's the deal...I only wear jeans on the weekends and I already have one great pair of C of H dark wash skinnies. Do I really need another pair? But I really like the higher waist on these. What do you think?

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14 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

the red dress looks great. the pattern in 1 wears you--too mch fir your colration. the blouse looks big. of course you need the jeans. makes your booty look good.

Meredith1953

Hi Christyg
I like the dresses in theory but the black white print dress, does it needs a belt or obi? Maybe red! Same is true for the red and white print dress. Does it need a belt or obi in contrasting color to define the waist. I'm not wild about the print on the blouse but the color is very nice. Jeans....it's your call but I have 6 or 7 pairs of jeans. Of course I'm always looking for the perfect jeans and have yet to find them. Cute little red flats in that last shot! You have very nice legs and the length of the dresses looks really good on you.

HelenInCanada

Your graphic Classiques blouse is so unusual it absolutely rocks, christyg!

Both dresses' prints are very bold and busy...which I think is the hot thing for 2012! Out of the two, I like the first best on you!

sarah

I love BOTH dresses. I vote keep them. The blouse isn't doing much for me. When your arms are down, there's just a whole lot of confusion going on. The jeans look GREAT. I have a pair of high-waisted skinnies (JCrews, actually) that I just LOVE - they're so comfy and flattering (IMHO).

Scarlet

I really like the red dress (as long as the batwings aren't hard to style with a topper). The blouse is a 10 for me and reminds me of a look in Angie's Milan street style blog that I always loved. The jeans look great, so if you feel confident you will wear and enjoy them, I would keep.

ETA: the jeans look a lot better in 8 than in 6. Why would that be? Is it possible they are too roomy in the thigh? This might just be my fit hang up and not yours.

Midwest Girl

Active Member

The b/w dress fits you perfectly and you look great in it. I think you would get a lot of mileage out of it. The red print wrap dress is fantastic on you--I hope you keep this one! I'm not crazy about the blouse because the shape looks a little boxy. The skinny jeans are great and perfect on you, but if your current skinnies are 10s, I'd pass on them.

Laura

(website)

You look fantastic in the first dress. Is that by Chaus? I think it's in my Nordie's shopping bag right now! That is a definite keeper. So flattering, great sleeve length, perfect for work. I am less crazy about the blousiness of dress #2. Those Wit and Wisdom jeans are great!

MNsara

Both dresses look pretty good to me, with the possibility that #1 is a little big in the bodice (unless it's just because you have your arms akimbo -- and how often do you get to use THAT word?!). It IS a lot of print, but if you ever wore a blazer over it, that would make a difference.

#2 is pretty sassy looking!! It doesn't look as work appropriate as #1 (to me, that is), but I really like the look on you I don't mind the blousiness here because it's purposeful and the slim skirt keeps it in balance.

I'm not so sold on the blouse. I wish I could see the look Scarlet referred to, it might change my mind. . . I do think it looks better with the denim than the trousers.

The Wit and Wisdom skinnies are perfect on you!

christy

Thanks for the feedback! Mixed opinions on all of these - interesting!

Meredith - interesting belt idea but neither dress really lends itself to a belt unfortunately. The black and white one has knot detail at the waist and the red dress is a wrap dress which would make a belt tough. This is exactly the reason I have a tough time finding dresses that are flattering - I don't have a waist!

Scarlet - I see exactly what you mean about the difference in the skinnies between pictures 6 and 8...odd isn't it? Picture 6 is the very first time I put them on and 8 is after wearing them a few minutes.

Laura - yes the black and white dress is by Chaus! Glad to know Queen Dress approves!

MN Sara - the red dress is a bit on the wild side for work. But I'm thinking I could pop a black jacket on top to tone it down a bit.

I keep going back and forth on the blouse - I saw it and immediately grabbed it and said I must have it. But then I got it home and now I'm hesitating...I'm hoping some others chime in and let me know what they think.

lyn*

I think Dress 1 looks the best on you and I'd return the blouse.

Sunita

Between the two dresses, I'd vote for the black & white one. It's very flattering and you could top it with jackets, cardigans etc. in any color. The red one is a bit shapeless in the torso.

I'd pass on the blouse...I find the print a bit much.

Love the red flats!

Sharon

I like the first dress, too. Even though the print is bold I think the shape gives it a more classic look. The blouse looks too big to me.
ETA Damn you, autocorrect!

cheryle (Dianthus)

Love the black and white dress on you. I think the red has a bit too much volume though. I'm not loving the geometric top. The jeans looks great.

cinnamon fern

Dress #1 is fabulous. Dress #2 looks good, but it also looks like you couldn't possibly wear a blazer or cardigan over those sleeves - is that a problem?

If the jeans grew noticably just wearing them for a few minutes, maybe you need a smaller size? I agree with Scarlet that they look better in 6 than in 8.

lynn

I like dress#1 and the jeans. I'm undecided on the top...is it too big?

modgrl

I LOVE the first b&w dress on you. It is spectacular. I'm not sure about the red dress or the blouse. The blouse is pretty but it seems like it is cut a little long and wide in the sleeves. How do the sleeves feel? The jeans are great.

Debbie

Love love the black white dress. I can't wait for my jeans to arrive. I hope they look as good on me.

Deborah

Christy I actually like both dresses on you. I adore the black and white and the fit looks great. I also like the red one and I see the potential a belt could add. Sometimes I wear a belt over the tie of my wrap dresses...could you do this with that dress? It would just add some waist definition. I would like to see the blouse with the pants you would wear them with. I like it bit not with the pants in the photo. I am not a jeans expert but they look good on you.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Oh my goodness! I prefer dress #2 (although it's harder to layer over with a jacket). It's so sassy! My best.

Dress #1 is a keeper for sure. No brainer.

Great jeans and KILLER blouse.

Thanks for chiming in Angie! I really appreciate your opinion. I think they are all keepers then...though I'm still debating on whether or not I need another pair of skinny jeans...

PS - those amazing Oxfords are making their way to my doorstep as we speak!

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