Dress- did I make the right choice?

Hi All

I called into one of my favourite boutiques on Friday and bought a dress. I picked it out almost immediately as I was drawn to the tea dress style but then ended on trying on 8 of which 5 looked good. Dresses are my easiest item to fit and wear. I tried on shorter looser shifts with sleeves and midi dresses with sleeves. I definitely prefer below the knee on me although a couple of the shifts were nice. Being tall the shifts are often just a tad too short for me at this stage.....

I do not NEED this dress, it would be a wildcard, but if buying it I wanted a dress that I could wear during the day for working at the office and at home, that worked with flats and heels. I could see it working in these circumstances (my work is not dressy).

I ended up purchasing the dress below (Pic 1). It is a NZ designed and made dress so not cheap. It is a good fit and I felt comfortable with my purchase. And I think it works with a variety of footwear. It is vanilla with black and grey flowers.

I also tried on a black dress (one of the two below, I am not 100% sure). I really liked it, it hugged the right curves and hid the wrong ones, and was a good length. But it does not fit the brief - I can't imagine wearing flats with it to the tennis nor wearing it to work. Being curvier than the model it is much more vava voom but not too body con.....It is also a NZ designer dress. I see this for me as an evening dress of which I do have several.

So my questions are?

1) Did I make the right choice? (I know there is no photo of me in the black dress)
2) Does the floral dress work with all footwear? (there are six, three heeled and three flat)
3) Does the dress work with both jackets? The first jacket is green, the second a light blue/grey. It does not have to be perfect but good enough to throw on if/when the weather changes.

I do want honesty as the dress is expensive. I cannot get a refund but I can get credit or buy something else. There are lots of lovely things in the boutique. I would need to make this call tomorrow.

Sorry about two threads in two days......and apologies about the range of faces.... It was quite early.

Thanks Sally

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7 years ago

Bijou

Veteran

I like both dresses very much. Aesthetically the black dress appeals most to me as I love the elegance and simplicity of this dress. However, we need to dress for the lives that we lead. In the height of summer your ivory tea dress will be cool and comfortable to wear. It is more casual and works well with your heels (picture #1 is my favourite) and flats, with your white oxfords is fun. I think you made the right choice.

Sal

Thanks Bijou. I don't find it hard to find lovely evening clothes but my life is not so glamourous....The dress was very lovely on though. However it is a standard option for the designer https://knuefermann.co.nz/ so I think it would be available next year.

The cream dress is https://charmainereveley.co.nz/

I like it with all the shoes except the pewter slides.... somehow they look wrong to me.

rachylou

I think it works with all the shoes and jackets. It seems very wearable. That said, I find it very conservative on you, and, um, I don’t think of you that way...

Thanks Rachy - interesting. I can see that too - usually I would wear a bolder louder print.

Brooklyn

I tend to prefer a bolder, louder print too. But pattern is so personal. I think this type of floral is trending just as much as the larger florals. And it has a vintage vibe which is very appealing.
I really like the lightness of it for summer. I think it’s a much better choice than the black dress. Especially no 3. That neckline (although elegant) reads evening to me.
I like all your stylings, including the slides.
I think that shape is good too. A little looseness for the heat, but some structure too because of the waist tie. I would like to find something similar here (shift dresses can look too much like nighties on me).
So I say yes. You made the right choice

Anonymous

I like the floral with all the shoes and the jackets and think you made a great choice. It's a fresh and pretty dress and excellent backdrop for all kinds of things and you look great in it.

Thanks Brooklyn. I do not need a lovely black evening dress at all......I do need summer options that are midi length and versatile. And I know what you mean about shifts looking like nighties....... I think it is the print that is making me doubt myself as I tend to steer away from small prints - they get lost on me. This is modern but has a vintage air.

Thanks Isabel. It is appealing to find something that works with all sorts of shoes and with existing jackets I have to say!!

When you saw it hanging in the shop were you immediately drawn to the print? I think if you were that’s a good indication that it speaks to you (whether or not it’s your usual style).
The mistakes I’ve made is when I really liked the shape or colour of something and then tried to convince myself I was happy with the print.

Jaime

(website)

I can't judge the dresses you tried, but the one you picked is a winner. I think the scale of the print makes it interesting without being overwhelming and wearable in different ways as you demonstrate.

Firecracker (Sharan)

I think it's very pretty on you (and like it better on you than on the model), and I do see it as working the way you want it to. It works nicely with the different kinds of footwear you show here. Of the heeled sandals, I prefer the platforms and the light colored ones, and of the flat shoes, I prefer the criss-crossed sandal and the white oxford/sneaker. Super cute! I think it works with your toppers, as you say, for when you need some arm coverage. I think my reaction to this particular floral pattern is a bit like Rachylou's--it's not what I would expect you to choose. But that's part of what makes it a wild card. Something fun and a bit out of the ordinary for you, yet still very wearable for the situations you describe!

Brooklyn I pulled it out immediately then decided if I was going to try it on I may as well try on several......I think 8 in total. But this was my first pick.

Thanks Shevia - it is not overwhelming. I have enjoyed seeing Angie and Suz (and many others) wear midis this summer successfully.

I’m back to say I really like the long length. That’s very modern to me. I’m over short skirts... except my mini aprons of course

Lynn

I do think you made the right choices for you Sal I love the ivory tea dress on you and it looks great as you styled it and it works for your life. A keeper for sure.
The black dress is beautiful but it sounds like it would be duplicate for something that you don't need that often. Is that correct?

LaPed

Great dress! Really suits you. My favorite shoes are the strappy tan sandals and the white sneakers in #5. Both jackets look good, too!

I understand the temptation of little black evening dresses. Dresses tend to be an easy fit for me, so I often find things that look good in the mirror but really don't need because my life is so casual. If the fabric is easy care, I might be tempted by a dress like the ones you tried worn during the day with sneakers or moto boots, and a sweater or cardi on top. This seems to be my MO -- I can dress anything right down to the ground, but dressing up is harder.

Carla

Looks like the perfect day dress for the purposes you intend it - wearing for work and home during 'summer'. The length and fit look like it would be an easy dress to wear and move about in. It ertainly works with your sandals, but I like it best with the white sandals (dressy) and closed flat shoes (sporty), the the later the best. With cream, black and grey you can accessorize with just about any bright colour. Maybe red?

An LBD serves a different purpose and is a different topic...

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Sal, I think the dress is really pretty too. Elegant and Summery. I like it best with the white wedge sandals and white sneakers.

YES, it works with the jackets.

Yes, it works with all the footwear, although I have my faves.

I hope the dress is not 100% viscose! What is the fabric content?

I suspect that it looks even better in natural great light, and in motion. I think you made the right choice too.

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