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Asking All: Which Color?

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I've made up my mind to buy the Eric Bompard silk shirtdress. The reason why is that I have a black shirtdress (six years old) that probably needs to retire because it's faded, and the sleeves are poufy and seem outdated to me. It has been a favorite for years, but now it has to go. This new shirtdress will most likely be an ideal LBD/LND for me in spring, summer and fall.

The question remains: Which color should I choose? I love both the black and the navy version of the dress. I guess the black one is a teeny weeny bit easier to mix and match with my other pieces, but only by a hair.

#1 My old dress
#2 The EB dress on a model
# Black and navy version

Which color for me? Please help me decide!

Yay=black
Nay=navy

Thank you in advance

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58 replies

Latest reply was from Ingunn

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I like navy, but I am clearly biased. Either would be terrific in fact.

rabbit

Veteran

given the shoes you would wear with it, which color would work with more footwear?

viva

Veteran

I'm voting black. I love navy, but that black looks really crisp and clean. (Sorry Suz. :))

Melinda SF

I can't tell from your picture if the lighter hair you have is grey or blonde.
If blonde, go with navy (lower contrast plus in general navy feels better in summer--ask yourself how really you will wear this)
If Gray, go with black (works better with winter palette)

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

My footwear is basically black or brown, rabbit. I have also red and blue shoes, and nude cork wedges, metallic pumps… A lot of basics, in other words. So no help there! I think they both will work with practically all my footwear.

I have a navy sheath, a cobalt fit and flare, and a black sheath (lined) already.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Melinda, I have medium brown hair

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Gaylene

Veteran

I'm voting for black because I think black always looks sophisticated. Navy comes and goes in fashion as a neutral, but black is always a player. If the navy was a way more flattering color on you than black, or, if it was an ink blue, I'd give serious consideration to navy, but otherwise I'm coming down on the side of the LBD. All of your footwear will work easily with the black, and you can get your navy fix with your sheath and fit and flare.

unfrumped

Veteran

Oh, this is hard--I like Melinda's strategy for one approach. If you are thinking of wearing a lot of white, yellow, red, then go navy. If a lot of cognac, animal print, camel, then black. In addition, the style skews more casual than "LBD" to me, so black may up the dressy factor just a bit. Some of that depends on how the silk fabric reads in different lighting.

Anonymous

Well I was going to say the navy, by about a mile, but then I read Gaylene's comment. She has a point, but I think you have at least one other LBD, the Hugo Boss?
Anyway, I think that light, bright navy would be especially flattering on you. Did you know that I've always thought you were a redhead? Is your hair a golden or coppery brown in any way or have I lost my mind? Maybe it's that gorgeous peaches and cream complexion you have.

Aquamarine

Veteran

I prefer the black one, if only because you have already had navy. Why not change it up a bit? Plus I just like the black one better...I think it may be easier to dress up, thereby making it more versatile.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I vote navy, I think it would go better with your hair and complexion. Black seems too dark.
But I would go with your gut...what does your gut say? If you had both, which one would you reach for first?

deb

Veteran

I vote navy. It is softer and if the fabric fades it will look more intentional. I see a long life for this dress.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Oh, this is so hard! I think the navy one is awfully pretty, and I also like the black one for being more elegant and timeless. I think deb has a good point about the longevity when it starts fading, but Gaylene is right, too. I agree that the navy one (which seems to be a french navy, i.e.quite light), will suit my colors well.

I intend to wear this dress at work, when traveling and maybe for going out in summer.

Neel

Veteran

You know you wear navy beautifully. Navy please!

amiable

Veteran

I was going to vote Navy, but I think Gaylene's argument may have swayed me to black. Now I don't know...

Neel

Veteran

Oh boy ... Read Gaylene's post ... She is a persuader :D. I think now I am swaying to black in this instance ... But I still love navy more on you!

Glory

Veteran

I am very torn on this one. You plan to wear it for work, summer, and travelling. Your bags and shoes will go with either. My vote is going to navy. I think you have evening clothes for fancy parties etc already and you didn't list that job for this dress. Let us know what you decide.

Keturah

Veteran

Wow...I would be torn too! What a great shirtdress!

I think it does depend on what you intend on wearing it with. But also...how would you feel in the navy? How would you feel wearing the black? And I mean emotions. I find color really affects my emotions and I do tend to make my choices based on that.

Since this is a summer piece for you I would go with navy. Black just isn't as refreshing to me in the summer months. Also, I feel with your coloring the navy might be a little fresher. As much as I love black, navy is my S/S neutral.

However, the other consideration is what you're going to accessorize with it more.

Gaylene

Veteran

OK, this is entirely a personal thing, but, to me, a shirtdress is a conservative style unless it is worn with buttons opened at the top and bottom like on the model in the picture. That shade of navy nudges the dress even further into conservative territory because it is a shade often associated with uniforms. The silk fabric and impeccable construction obviously goes a long way to counterbalance this conservative element, as would your glorious curls and an interesting pair of shoes. I expect you'd look fabulous in the navy, Ingunn, but my hesitation is in wondering if the navy might end up being a little too conservative for your style after a year or two in your closet, or if navy becomes less popular in the fashion world?

Missey

Veteran

Navy suits you so well, but then again, black does too...I'm no help! My gut reaction is navy!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Such interesting responses. Including Claire's hair comment. I have always seen coppery red in your hair also, as you know! Not enough to call you a "redhead" but a reddish tone. Same with Astrid, who says she is blonde. I keep wondering if the curls reflect light differently on a monitor than IRL. It's so interesting.

Anyway, you can't go wrong with either colour, really.

Gaylene does have a point about the style. Will it feel too conservative for you after a while?

Your old one had the puffy sleeves. Those may date it...but they also added a little je ne sais quoi.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Honestly I would have to see the fabric in person to make a decision. Not all shades of black are the same. I have decided, that a shiny deep black is not bad on me. While some more matte blacks look awful. Same with navy.

I really can't tell from the monitor. Sorry, probably no help!

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Really a tough call - the black may be more "dressy" than the blue. The blue would show stains more easily. But blue is softer and could be nice for summer if that's mainly when you'll wear this. I know you look great in both colors. I'd go with your gut feeling on this one.

Sal

Veteran

They both are lovely. I tend towards black because of what Gaylene said!!

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Nautical blue or black, that is a tough call.

I am going to go with black for the sheer versatility.

Helena

Veteran

I think Gaylene nailed it; in fact I was wearing a navy shirt dress yesterday and though I love the color, thought I should have gotten it in black (as I so often do think when I don't choose black).

Especially given you wore the piece for several years, I worry navy might feel tired at some point whereas black will always work. So I vote LBD as well

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

You have given me so much to ponder, fabbers! I love the navy dress, but I wonder if the brass colored buttons will bother me? Somehow I like them better on the black one. I am drawn to the navy dress, but - the horror - do you think pit stains will show more easily? I will be wearing this while teaching, after all, and breaking a little sweat is to be expected from time to time.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Ingunn, I have to say I thought of the same thing but didn't point it out as it's not an issue for some people. For me, black would be "safer" for that reason above many others. It's much more forgiving on stains in general.

Astrid

Veteran

I haven't read the other comments, but my first thought was the navy. It would be a great color on you!

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