Is the LBD immune to dating? ETA: Pics - YouLookFab Forum

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Is the LBD immune to dating? ETA: Pics

kellygirl

Veteran

I had some time and went through my closet this morning. I have two LBD several years old in pristine condition. They are sleeveless knits. Do these kind of dresses age well? I don't want to replace them because I rarely wear them but its nice to know that I have them if needed. Thoughts?

ETA: The sandals in the first pic are Adrienne Vittadini purchased in 2000! Not the most comfortable but I paid an arm and leg for them and they seemed to go with lots of dresses. If I keep these dresses, they'd have to work with the black wedge sandals or booties. Do these dresses look current enough to warrant keeping for a few more years or should I pitch them? I'm not planning on replacing. TIA.

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Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from bj1111

JulieJohn

Veteran

I personally think they can be worn in very fresh ways. Channel Ingunn and pop a blouse underneath, or belt the dress with a long scarf. Wear with flats and a beret for a French-girl vibe.

I feel a challenge coming on: "New ways to style your LBD".

DonnaF

Veteran

Hemlines go up & down; same with seams across the bodice. Necklines change but to a lesser extent. I wouldn't plan on wearing those dresses ten or 20 years from now. But if they still look fine, keep them. LBDs probably have a longer lifespan than most dresses, especially print ones. But the idea of the LBD is to be a workhorse. If that's not happening with you, when the time comes to pass those dresses on, maybe you should rethink your need for a LBD? Mine didn't get much use, then didn't fit, and I really didn't feel the need to replace it. I had/have other items I can wear to funerals like my black skirt (which also doesn't get that much wear). Same with the black pumps that I thought I *ought* to have. So much for those *must have* lists!!!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What Donna said!

And now you have that fab black blouson sequinned dress to wear to many LBD occasions.....how much wear will the others get with that for competition?

I wore my own simple LBD to the ground. But that is because i wore it super casually - it was readily casualizable. If I can use that non-word as a word.

kellygirl

Veteran

Thanks, Julie and Donna
@Julie: I could layer over the dresses but not under. One is kind of a halter neckline with a back and the other is low cut in the back with draped sleeves. Now that I think about it, maybe they should get the heave ho.
@Donna: You make some great points. They don't look dated to me but I"m not really sure what people wear to dressy evening occasions. Perhaps I should just tuck them away for a cruise. I'm tempted to post a picture to see if I should even bother though.
Definitely not workhorses--more like "just in case" dresses. I have one dress that is for funerals but these wouldn't qualify.

kellygirl

Veteran

@Suz: You are wise! I was tidying up the closet to make room for the new dresses. I may post a Keep/Toss. I think my hesitation is these dresses are a more conventional "date night" LBD--meaning DH would prefer them to my new one. It's not like I'm running out of closet space or anything--I just was pondering their usefulness. They are also pre-YLF dresses.

I like your new word

DonnaF

Veteran

Sounds like DH needs to take you out for more date nights! Gotta get your wear outta those frocks!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hmm. Yes, definitely post pics! I find it hard to believe that DH wouldn't love how you look in the sequinned stunner! And it sounds like your LBD fall into the date-night category vs. the everyday dress category. I always say there are two kinds of LBD: the "cocktail" dress (date night) and the wear-anywhere (supposedly) dress. Mine was the second kind.

Mia

Veteran

I wouldn't rush to jettison them if they still look current in cut, fabrication and if they fit well. I got rid of two because they weren't being worn and later regretted it when I added some pieces to my wardrobe. If no room then I think that is another matter.

Kalli

I'm a big fan of wearing what you have... Until it dies and trying to make old look current and new.

Aida

Veteran

Let's see them Kelly! LBDs are not immune to dating, but if you picked rather classic cuts in the first place they will certainly last longer in your wardrobe than a very trendy dress. If they're knits, then you could probably wear them for MOTG and not have to just save them for dates (or the easier solution, go on more dates! ).

Anonymous

Something about the LBD's I've tried made them seem too hot for summer (because of the color) too bare for winter, too plain for a fancy event, too dreary for a festive one and even a bit over-dressed for a funeral (which are super casual here). I've purged them now, but I keep wondering if maybe I just haven't found the "right* LBD.

It sounds like yours are standing by in your closet just in case, which isn't a bad thing, unless they are keeping you from finding better ones. I'd love to see them on you.

DonnaF

Veteran

Ahhh, just reread. Sounds like YOUR LBDs ARE immune to dating since they really haven't been out on dates. . .

kellygirl

Veteran

Thanks! I’ll try to post pics tomorrow (if I'm feeling brave.)
@Suz: You are right--these dresses fall into the cocktail category, I think. One of them went on a cruise and the other one went to a evening wedding and to Hawaii. They are definitely not wear-anywhere dresses which is why they are pushed to the back of the closet. I have no need to replace them--they are just standbys (and hopefully, not hideously out of style.)
@Mia: Thanks. I will keep them if they still look okay. These kind of dresses don’t get much wear but could come in handy.
@Kalli: Thanks. I like shopping my closet too.
@Aida and CC: LOL! I’m not sure these are classic cuts. They are pre-YLF, afterall I think I could wear the halter style to happy hour around here without anyone giving me a second look--the other one, I’m not so sure about. Claire, you are so eloquent! These are too bare for winter and not festive enough for a truly fancy event. They are casual cocktail dresses! I just need to figure out when to wear them. Perhaps I should throw a party.
@Donna: LOL! You crack me up!

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

This is very interesting! Since I've recently purchased my first true LBD, I'm very interested in ideas on how to style it. A challenge sounds like a mighty good idea. I'm joining the request for seeing your LBDs, Kelly!

cciele

Veteran

Ha, I also read the title as the LBDs not worthy of going on dates

Anyhow, pics would help. Certain LBDs are probably classic/timeless, such as a well-fitting sheath. Halter style? Maybe so, maybe not...

kellygirl

Veteran

Thanks, Ingunn and Cathy. I just snapped some pics and will post. After trying them on, they seem kind of boring for cocktail and too dressy for happy hour or dinner. I'm scratching my head wondering if I should just pitch them. LOL! Then again, I have no plans on replacing them perhaps they could work in a pinch. I guess I should just put them out there, eh?

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I think the first one is very useful, it goes with a number of toppers. The other one is also very pretty, but not as versatile, I think. You look very pretty in both, and I suggest that you keep the first one, at least. You have great legs!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I'd pick dress #1. And those 2000 sandals look great to me! Something about the sleeve and neck of dress #2 looks kinda fussy or off to me. Not nearly as versatile.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'd keep #1, too, Kelly - it looks versatile and not dated to me. The other one looks more difficult to wear somehow. I like the old sandals, too!

cciele

Veteran

Yup, keep #1! Very flattering on you and versatile.

kellygirl

Veteran

Thanks, Ingunn, Mo, Suz and Cathy. I'm glad that one is worth keeping. After trying it with the jackets, I think I could easily rotate it into a date capsule. It's such an easy dress to wear and very forgiving. I'm going to donate the second--it does look fussy, doesn't it? Thanks for lending me your eyes

ETA: Thanks for the thumbs up on the sandals too. I think those are the oldest shoes in my closet.

bj1111

Veteran

love #1. cool toward #2. i know the dresses are supposed to be date night, but the first one is so classy that i'm not sure you will need the second, especially with your new purchase.