Dress for my 50th: help! - YouLookFab Forum

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Dress for my 50th: help!

viva

Veteran

I just found YLF and am so excited I did, both for the content and the community! I am self-employed and spend a lot of time working on my computer at home so my opportunities for dressing up have really diminished...unfortunately just at the time I am trying to make smarter choices about what I buy. Right now I am facing an important (in my mind) purchase: a dress for my 50th birthday dinner, which will be in Boston as part of a night away with my husband; a few friends are joining us. I'm trying to avoid the LBD and wear something more interesting, perhaps with black booties and a black leather jacket for a little edge. I found something pretty by a high-end designer I covet (this is on ebay) ... simple shift shape but with a crazy citron-violet pattern ... but my opinionated daughters (18, 21) and my beloved sister (not very fashion-y) hate it. Just feeling very conflicted about a purchase that is becoming, by the day, more and more important. Any advice?

Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Hi viva & welcome

I'd be careful about buying a dress like this on ebay without having tried it on. When is the dinner? Do you have time to go shopping & just try on heaps of dresses - take some photos & post them here?

viva

Veteran

Hi Caro,
The ebay dress is fully returnable, which is the only reason I am considering it, but even still I hear you. I sort of like the idea of trying on a lot and posting pics ... may have to see if I have time for that.. Thanks!

cobaltblue

Veteran

I think you should order that dress and be trying on tons of others in the meantime. When it comes, you can decide and make whatever returns are necessary. Show us pictures when you can!

Becky

Joan Joplin

Welcome to YLF! I'm just wondering - did the people who didn't like the dress tell you why? It might be good to know if there's a specific reason.

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Welcome! This is the best place *ever,* imo I agree trying lots of different dresses... what drew you to this one? That may be worth exploring.... good luck! Looking forward to seeing more posts from you

viva

Veteran

Wow, this is really fun! Joan, I'm not sure why they didn't like it, but their tastes are not always in sync with mine. Biscuitsmom, your question gets to an important issue: I'm afraid that part of what I love about this dress is that it is a designer that I covet and might otherwise never be able to afford. So I'm being sucked in by the brand, which I hate to admit. However, thanks to the good advice here I have made a shopping date with an old friend (who I was overdue to see) and we will be trying on dresses on Saturday! I don't have photo posting permission here yet, but when I do I will post. Still don't know about the ebay dress. It will probably depend on what happens Saturday and whether it is still available. Thanks again.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Hi, Viva!

I just turned 50 in June. I also work partly from home, and only 2 days a week in a University setting, so my life is more casual than my imaginary style life would like!

I'm so glad you're treating yourself to a great dress. What retail stores are you planning on including on Saturday?

viva

Veteran

Hi Beth Ann! We're heading to the mall. So....Anthropologie, Nordstrom, Lord&Taylor, Macys ... possibly Ann Taylor but I hate to look like everyone else. Maybe BCBG MaxAzria, but that always feels too young. If I find something, my guess is it will be at the dept stores. Our lives sound very similar -- the casual-to-special ratio is not quite what I would like to be! I dress a lot better in my mind.

Here is the ebay dress I keep eyeing. What I like is that it is so unique, I love the colors, I am drawn to shift-like shapes, and the shine feels really special to me. It's a designer I am crazy about but is way beyond my budget ordinarily. I'm still stalking it, so I may pull the trigger and order it just to try it, since I can return it.

http://tinyurl.com/q6dz2vo

Anonymous

Welcome, Viva! The link did not take me to a dress but I hope that you find a dress you love for such a milestone birthday.

Niefern

Viva, I think it is this one, right?

http://tinyurl.com/q6dz2vo

It could be great, but it would depend on how it fits your body.

viva

Veteran

That's it Niefern. Thanks - just getting the hang of it here. You're right. I don't know how it would fit and that's a big thing.

kkards

Veteran

Viva, I also just turned 50 , and I love that dress. Maybe your daughters didn't like it was because its not what they are used to seeing you in. If its returnable, take a chance and order it. You'll. only hit this milestone once, and you should wear what makes you feel fab.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Gorgeous dress! Depending on your body type, it could look great!

And welcome. This is a great place and there are lots of us in the 50 plus crowd!

I would definitely be looking at a range of styles and items. Have you read Angie's blog posts on body type and flattery for each type?

What colour of booties would you go with for this dress? And how about a topper?

anne

Veteran

You have had some great advice here.. And this dress with booties and a jacket could make a great outfit

viva

Veteran

Thank you to all who advised me to get out and try things on! I had a great day at the mall with my BFF (since 5th grade) and found a terrific dress and shoes. I can't post pics yet but will have that status by the time my 50th rolls around, so you can see how it looks on me.
I tried on about 12 outfits at Nordstrom and Lord&Taylor. I realized that I am a rectangle with a touch of pear, and also short-waisted so sometimes dresses need to be taken in at the shoulder. I did consider a couple of dresses that needed tailoring, but finally chose this dress that fit like a dream: http://tinyurl.com/m3e29lh. I got these shooties (?) at Macys: http://tinyurl.com/luawwqy. I'm planning to wear my black leather moto jacket. Just have to figure out accessories. Any thoughts? I am leaning toward either major sparkly earrings OR a great bracelet.
What's fantastic is that after I bought the dress (but before finding the shoes) my friend and I realized we were pretty much creating the look of my current dream dress at a fraction of the cost (see this Erdem dress, retail $1,600): http://tinyurl.com/mm4hmmb.
Thanks again for the help!

Beth Ann

Veteran

Well you scored big time! Love the dress, and the shoes are superb. I could see a bold bracelet. Earrings depend so much on hairstyle!

Brava!

rachylou

Veteran

That's a pretty brilliant "look for less." I love the shooties. You will paint the town.