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Hot weather solutions: Bernias, shirtdress & BF shorts?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Well, I seem to be taking up a lot of bandwidth the past few days. Thank you all for humouring me.

Deborah, here is instalment two of the wild online shopping spree!

First up, the Angie suggested Bernia sandal from Sofft. I ordered these in two sizes (on sale at the Bay, Canadian friends!!). They arrived in my larger size today (smaller size coming in a separate order) -- but I think I am keeping these. The straps around the ankle are a tiny bit loose but the length is correct and so is the width. I could use a touch more lift for better arch support, but for a relatively flat sandal they are Just Comfortable Enough. (True flats and I do not get along.)

Here also is the Lord and Taylor chambray shirtdress (also on sale at The Bay). Is it Just Flattering Enough for a sweltering day, do you think? We haven't reached those temperature highs yet -- but I know they are coming.

Outfit two is the new Zara top (tags off -- yes, it is now $10 less on sale, but such is life...) and the GAP BF shorts inherited from my daughter.

Thank you for your thoughts!

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Söfft 'Bernia' Sandal

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Chambray Shirt Dress | Lord and Taylor

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Shirt With Pleated Back

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Boyfriend roll-up shorts

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Shopping

54 replies

Latest reply was from Jaime

JAileen

Veteran

Shorts, top and sandals - I really love it. Great cool colors, and kind of sassy.

The dress is cute too. When it's not sweltering, would you think about belting it?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I could try a belt, JAileen. Do you remember wearing shirtdresses back in the day, though? I seem to recall that if you belt them, they get fiddly...you always have to be adjusting the degree of "blouse" on them throughout the day. It's definitely a look I used to wear, though, so I'm not against giving it a bash.

Diana

Veteran

I really really like everything in the second outfit, and they go together super well too!

Not sure about the shirt dress but I'll say right up front that I don't like chambray much so it could be coloring my perception of the whole. I think I'd like it a whole lot better if it was white.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

One question I have about the dress is whether the longer portion in the back is too long on me. I could have that altered if need be. I took a back view photo but unfortunately it came out super blurry. Hmmm.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Wow Suz - you are on a fantastic buying spree with things working out beautifully! LOVE LOVE LOVE the shirt dress. For me, that's a no brainer for the heat. The sandals are also gorgeous and I appreciate your comment about the arch support. For me that would mean that won't work and you've saved me some $$ (much appreciated). And that Zara top is just all kinds of fantastic on you.

Carry on with your fab self...

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ha! Interesting, Diana -- there you go! I love chambray! But I'm not 100% convinced on the dress, either -- tags still on.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Just saw your question about the back length of the dress - you know, I'm not sure. Let's leave that question to Angie - the length expert.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Shannon, I hate to be an enabler, but you might want to give these sandals a bash anyway. You would probably wear the 6.5 and I think the placement of the arch might be better for me in that size -- it's just that I suspect I need the length of the 7s. I have been wearing these for about an hour now and the straps do a lot to provide the support I like, and certainly the stability. They are wearing in more comfortable than they felt right out of the box.

Anonymous

Suz, I think both outfits could work really well. I do like the shirtdress a lot and what you said about it being longer at the back., well from what I can see with my dressmakers 'fitting eyes' is that the dress is a little un-balanced and it is tilting forwards, lifting up at the front and making the back dip down and under. A tweek along the lower edge of the yoke at the back might fix it. Hard to tell without seeing it IRL.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Oh dear...I didn't need to know that...

JAileen

Veteran

The reason I mentioned a belt is that in the side view it looks like it is not hanging straight. I thought a belt might fix that. But yes I do remember having to adjust over and over. Also, if you think it might be too long, a belt would fix that. I used to love wearing belted dresses when I had a tiny waist.

Anonymous

I meant to say that I do realise the dress is meant to be a tad longer at the back but the tilt is showing it up more.

Kathy

Member

Hi, I'm new here but have been viewing your outfits for awhile. I love the Zarq top and Gap shorts but the shirt dress is not working for me. I do like the short long hem on tops but it's not a good look in a dress. I'd love the shirt dress if the hem were all the same length as the front all the way around.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Interesting observations - thank you!

Yes, it is very much meant to be a hi-lo hem. I have mixed feelings about these on dresses myself so I wondered. On the other hand, longer in back means less problem with riding up.

But it's an easy fix if I decide to keep.

Diane, you have such a good eye. I actually think the dress is sitting fine on my body, but it might look wonky from the angle of the photos or due to my own posture as I rushed back into the frame to take the shot -- I don't have a remote so have to do a bit of running back and forth. It feels nice and square across my shoulder, no bunching/ wrinkling in the yoke area, etc, and from the back seemed to drape well. But...well....let's face it. It's a bit of a sack!

Anonymous

Oh yes, I see no problem with yoke or shoulders. It's the back compared to the front where it hangs below. I usually un-pick side seams, put a bust dart in and let the back drop down accordingly and take length of the back hem only. Then the garment is balanced. Women have busts and without a dart you get an un-balanced garment. Even a small bust will do that.

pil

Veteran

I love the structure that the collar gives the shirt dress, will the sleeves be bothersome on sweltering, humid days? That blouse is great, crisp and fresh.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Diane, you are so smart -- bust darts, yes. Got it. I see what you mean now.

Hmm. Maybe I should return in favour of one that has darts.

Pil, the sleeves would probably be okay for me as long as there was some kind of breeze.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Sandals and shorts/top look great - love them! You of course look fab in the dress, but I wonder about the coolness of it too - it seems like a lot of material but maybe it is very lightweight? Of course then I wonder about wrinkling and how it would look after being wrinkled (as in sitting for an hour or so). I have the same reservations about hi/lo dresses but as you said, you could have it altered. I think only you know if you love it or not.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It's lightweight, texstyle. Probably not light enough for your summers, but light enough for ours. Chambray. I do wonder about wrinkling, too, although my chambray shirt from Halogen seems to handle wrinkles really well -- they fall out sort of on their own.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Well it sure is cute, love the color too. Maybe sit down in it for a bit ;-).

Angela K

Veteran

I love the shirt and shorts outfit. The pin at the neck really adds a nice touch. But I'm not so in love with the dress. I think it will be cool and comfortable but as you said it is a bit of a sack.

Gracie

Veteran

Your inherited shorts look fab, great fit, and I like how you styled the top buttoning it all the way up and added a brooch for interest – it gives the top a nice focal point. I agree with comments on the dress and curious what Angie will say. The color is lovely and "beachy."

Gaylene

Veteran

Love the shirt, shorts, and shoes. I agree with Diane, though, that the chambray dress falls a bit off-kilter because of the lack of front shaping. I also wonder how it would look from the back and sides after you'd have sat in it for a couple of hours on a warm summer day. If you are looking for a loose, cool shift-style dress, I love my Eileen Fisher linen one. It has a bit of shaping, hangs nicely, and inseam pockets on the front seams. It also washes and hangs to dry so requires no ironing. The darker, denim shade is also good at hiding any mishaps or seat wrinkles. Can you tell I love mine?

I bought mine in Canada at an Eileen Fisher store, but I've seen the same dress at the Eaton's Centre Bay and at Nordstrom's.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ei.....s-_-3_12_D

Eileen Fisher Bateau Neck Linen Shift Dress (Regular & Petite)

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Alana in Canada

(website)

Veteran

I love your outfit with the shorts--and I love the shoes especially. I may have to head out to The Bay tonight. The shirt is wonderful.

Eliza

Veteran

To start with, the shirt and short combo in number 4 are amazing. That top is similar to a Massimo Dutti linen one that I have, so I may be biased, but I find it magical. It is gorgeous on you and the sandals play well with everything.

I may like the idea of a shirt dress on you a bit more than the way this one lies. I can't quite tell about proportions and it may be a smaller screen throwing me off. I like the front view best, though feel there could be too much fabric under the arms. Maybe it doesn't feel Suz enough to me somehow. Hope Angie will weigh in as shirt dresses a la 2014 are beyond my experience.

As ever Suz, you look fab.

Jen W

I have fussy feet too and have really enjoyed how supportive those sandals are. I hope they work out well for you. And I LOVE the blouse on you!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Gaylene, that is a great dress and a good suggestion! I fear I might be sized out of it, alas, but I could try. This one, of course, is a whole lot cheaper! But I'm getting the sense that it's not going to work, so back it shall go. I do hear what everyone is saying about the wrinkling and the shape. I have a pretty high tolerance for sack, so sometimes I need someone to shake sense into me.

On team wear with the sandals and shorts/ top...this is a good combo for me, so at least we're striking there!

Alassë

Veteran

Not so sure about the dress...but I love your matchy-matchy shorts/new top/sandals combo!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I guess I'm alone in my love for this dress on you Suz. IMHO, if you're going to wear a "sack" or shirt dress, then it should look intentional. And this one does. I do not find it unflattering in the least little bit. I think if you start adding darts and altering it in terms of the shape, then you lose what makes the dress stylish to begin with. The color is lovely on you and it's a beautiful dress for the heat. As for the wrinkling, I would treat it like linen and make peace with the crease, as Angie would say.

I'm not trying to talk you into keeping it, I just wanted to reiterate how much I truly and honestly like it on you.

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