Day at the shops - talk me out of buying please!!

For my self-invented "knee rehab" program I took myself out to Chadstone this afternoon. I figured if I could handle several hours on my feet there, I'd be able to handle 10hrs of work tomorrow.

I wanted to check out the ongoing stocktale sales, suss out the ponte pants situation, and perhaps pick up something I liked, since it had been a while since I'd looked through all these shops.

Just to kick things off, here's what I wore. Yes this is the ezibuy tunic I uhhhmed and ahhed over whether to keep. I know its too long for jeans, and too short as a dress, but with leggings its perfect. The fabrc is so soft that this is now my favourite lounge-around-the house outfit!!!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/yublocka/4687221285/

The only place I ended up seeing ponte pants was at Target, as I think Karen had suggested. They were half-price at $20. I did try them on but didn't get them because to me they didn't feel like they gave any more coverage than leggings already do, and they didn't feel as soft as my leggings or UO skinny jeans do. Other stores may have had ponte pants, but unless they have a sign or you feel every single pair of black pants, its really hard to tell!!!

Now I need your help ladies. I fell in love with 2 different Esprit dresses, both in the same fabric, both not on sale. Talk me in or out of them please!

Here's my fave one, a shirt dress that may be identical to one that I think I saw in the US online store earlier in the year. I was worried the waistband would sit too low for me, but I kind of love it - the length, the fit, the fabric, everything. It's not on a sale though, and definitely a splurge at $180. Not sure if I should go for it:

Front, long sleeves: http://www.flickr.com/photos/yublocka/4687221873/
Front, sleeves rolled: http://www.flickr.com/photos/yublocka/4687856454/
Side: http://www.flickr.com/photos/yublocka/4687856296/

Here's the second dress. Same slghtly sheeny black fabric, but this is more an a-line tunic, and it has pockets - yay!! Again its not cheap so I'd want to looooove it, wouldn't I?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/yublocka/4687221093/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yublocka/4687221207/

And here's something random - a red silk dress from Witchery. I think its too loose around the bust though isn't it? And the side view is not flattering. Please talk me out of this one as well, because it's not on sale either.

Front: http://www.flickr.com/photos/yublocka/4687855702/
Angle: http://www.flickr.com/photos/y.....888607608/
Side: http://www.flickr.com/photos/yublocka/4687855760/
Closeup of bust: http://www.flickr.com/photos/yublocka/4687855912/

So that's my shopping day. Should I go back and purchase any of these 3, or forget about them??

tam

15 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

I'm not going to help a lot because I like 2 out of 3 and vote get to both the red dress AND the a-line tunic dress. The first dress is only ok, I liked it until I saw the next two, I think dresses 2 and 3 are more flattering on you. And go well with those leggings!

Anonymous

Definite "no" on the red dress.

I really like the A-line. Do you have a side shot of the A-line?

First dress ... I like it, but I don't love it for $180. If it were on sale, that's another story ...

morethanbeige

I really like the A-line tunic. It looks hip, comfortable, and very stylish.

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

I'm not a fan of the first dress, it looks a bit heavy to me, but might have a different feel if work without the leggings.

I love the A-line tunic, it looks great on you!

I'm not a fan of the red dress, it looks too loose around the bust and if it is meant to sit like that it looks odd.

Does that help - I like your style of therapy!

Vix

I really like the A-line tunic on you as well; it seems very versatile in terms of dressing up/down.

Since the color and front view is nice on you, I was thinking the red dress' bust issues could be fixed with alterations; I have to say the side view makes me think you should pass. I think there's something really odd about they way they cut that dress!

I really like the black shirtdress with the sleeves rolled and the V of skin (could also do contrasting camisole); the shiny vertical buttons are a nice touch. During colder weather, I think you could even stop at bracelet length and get the same effect. Otherwise it reads a little too much "black block of fabric" to me.

Hmmm, that wasn't very good non-enabling, was it?

marianne

Active Member

Tam, the A-line dress look awesome on you!
I have the same black shirtdress (was it actually in YLF store?) and love it. It is a little overwhelmingly black, so I try to use scarves and rolling the sleeves helps. I can't check right now, but they might still have it on the US site on sale, and there is an additional 35% off sale going on right now. Just sayin'.
I think the fit of the top of the red dress is intentional, but I am not loving the side view.

Rosie

Dress 1: Too much black with the sleeves down but I really like it with the sleeves rolled up. That way it's really great looking.

I like the A-line dress on you. Am I wrong in thinking that you already have a lot of black dresses that are already great on you?

I want to like the red dress, but it just isn't quite right.

Inge

(website)

Moderator

Great to hear you are out and about (and doing something fun like shopping), Tam!

I'm not really fond of the red dress, although the colour is fantastic on you, of course.

I really love the first black Esprit dress! If I'm not mistaken I think Angie has this exact same dress and I also tried it on when we went shopping in Antwerp. It's superb quality, the fabric is delicious and it truly is a stunning dress. Unfortunately it didn't work on me (it looked more A-line than it does here), still a little bummed about that. I vote keep. You'll be able to wear this for all sorts of occasions, a good investment methinks.

The mod vibe and A-line style of the second one are totally you. Fab!

So if I have a say in it, you'd be the happy owner of two gorgeous black dresses;-)

Good luck with the ten hour shirt tomorrow!

Queen Mum

love that shirt dress with the sleeves rolled up. please go grab it!
It's hard to assess the second black dress, but definitely pass on the red one.

yublocka

Hmmm split opinions!!

All I know is the black shirt dress made me feel like a million bucks...am still thinking about it today. It didn't seem too much black to me, but then I do wear alot of black already. Hmmm!!

The a-line dress wasn't that much cheaper either, and I think it'd be too much to have 2 different dresses in the same fabric, wouldn't it? If I had to choose between the 2 I preferred the shirt dress.

At least red dress has been ruled out. That's one decision made - thanks guys!!

marianna

I vote yes on 1 and 2!

florida

Well, your shopping outfit is a knock-out! Taking notes for stow away for Fall!
I say the red dress is a no, and hold out for better deals on the other two.

Maya

Since I can't spend my own money, I am taking even more pleasure out of encouraging other people to spend theirs: GET THE $180 DRESS.

Also wanted to add that I am so jealous seeing you in your Star Lings. Summer hasn't even officially begun and I'm already craving boots!

I don't think my first response was really clear enough. The first dress is jaw-dropping with the sleeves rolled.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Good memory, Inge. Here I am in that shirt dress, Tam (scroll down). Maya, I wore that dress to the Russian Tea Room:

http://youlookfab.com/2010/02/.....he-runway/

So, I'm biased. Obviously I love the dress. It's killer fabric and you rock the look.

I like the tunic too!

Tanya

Lovely shopping outfit Tam!

I am afraid you have another enabler here. I vote to get both Esprit dresses and skip the red one.

anne

I just love you in that black shirtdress Tam!

Hmmm I can feel my rubber arm being twisted here....

Wow it IS the same shirt-dress, I think Angie! I remember seeing pics of Marianne rocking it too. You are right the fabric is divine, and the fit great. Aren't the buttons awesome too? I think I HAVE to get it. A shirt dress never goes out of style right? And it truly felt like a joy to wear. The other a-line one I might stalk later into the season and see if it goes on sale.

Now I really wish I gave it a go when I saw it on-sale on the US site. I can't remember exactly how much it was but it was alot cheaper. Anyway I won't be able to go back to Chadstone till next week - fingers crossed it'll still be there!!!

p.s. Maya I am still LOVING the star lings (wearing them again today). In fact they are probably my most worn boot now. I will be devastated when the die!! But don't worry I'll be jealous when I see you guy sporting pics of funky sandals soon. Especially sandal booties if anyone goes there!!!

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