Keep or Donate? - YouLookFab Forum

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Keep or Donate?

Robin M

I bought an Anne Fontaine blouse on eBay. I thought it was really lovely, in great condition and fits like a dream. Hopefully the pictures show that. My DH really doesn't like it, though and he's not one to make comments about my clothes. He generally just tells me that I look cute and moves on with his activities. The blouse in question he says looks costumey.

So my questions: Am I wearing blinders bc of the name? If I purge, should try to consign it (the cost wasn't a deal breaker, just sometimes I feel better about letting go of my "good stuff" if it is consigned). If I should keep it, how would I style it? It seems like something that Annagybe would figure out how to make fresh and exciting.

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Shopping

17 replies

Latest reply was from Robin M

Thistle

Veteran

Before you make a decision, have you tried it with a cami underneath?
palso, have you tired it perhaps with some boot cut blue jeans? Maybe with a topper over it, like a nice jacket?

on its own, I see where your DH is coming from. The low scoop neck and cut of the top almost says bar wench. But I would try styling it differently to see how it looks before you decide to donate or consign.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I like it, although I agree with Thistle that it does read a tad medieval with the cut and your shape. What about changing the buttons? They are very prominent and contrasting and if you went with something less visually arresting the blouse might be more versatile.

celia

Veteran

I can see how you would feel attracted to it but I think you can do better. For me it reads as too matronly.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

Wait, you are displaying your lovely bosom, and tiny waist, and your fella is complaining? (Just kidding!) Put me on Team Keep: I would totally wear this blouse, I think it's very cute, something Marilyn Monroe might wear. I'd swap out the pants for a pencil skirt and some pin-up style makeup.

And I have to admit, I'd change the buttons out for something more neutral.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Sorry I'm not loving it. I only visited an Anne Fontaine outlet in Las Vegas once, but this doesn't even really look like her aesthetic.

dizzys

I agree with LA Bell.....try this with a pencil skirt and a cami..... See how it looks.

Deborah

Veteran

Hmm on the fence. On one hand I agree it is a little contumely, not what I expect from AF and forgive me but this reads a little dated to me. On the other hand, I can imagine changing the buttons so they blend and adding a cami.

deb

Veteran

I vote nay. It looks dated to me.

anne

Veteran

I also vote dated

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Black and white is very on-trend right now. This blouse has that going for it. I wouldn't remove the black buttons, I think those make this more current, except for maybe the side buttons which feel distracting. There I could see white buttons.

However the sleeves and half collar do read a little dated. But maybe if you create and all black and white outfit with this, for example with a black, knee-length pencil skirt, and trendy shoes or booties plus some current accessories, this could work. The key here is adding some recent pieces to make the overall outfit look intentional.

Robin M

I really appreciate all the feedback. I styled these a little differently and posted them for feedback. I'm leaning towards purging.

Photos 1 and 2: I don't have a black pencil skirt, so I posted with the only black skirt I have with a purple cami and heels. I don't think it works-- also makes me think I will have to be careful about how I style this skirt in the future as it is a bit short. Should it be purged as well?

Photos 3 and 4: I pulled my polka dot skirt thinking I could play with the button shape in an outfit. Thoughts? I think it almost works but I don't like the sleeve shape.

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Isis

Veteran

I would purge the skirt---it is too short, at least for my taste, although might work with tights....

I agree that the blouse isn't working and that the sleeves are problamatic....are you a sewer? Do you think you could cut out the sleeves and transform it into a sleeveless vest or blouse? I'm still not sure it would work ..... perhaps best to resell on ebay and put the $ toward something you love!

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I think you have darling legs, and I love that short skirt on you! I have a similar skirt - pleated and flirty, that I wear with fitted, high or boat-neck knit tops (and I always the bra straps so I don't look droopy with the high neck!), and ballet flats or my flat over-the-knee boots with tights. So I get to showcase my legs, without looking overtly, ahem, slutty.

I think a good rule of thumb is, if the legs are out, the bosoms are covered, and vice versa.

Your outfit in 3 & 4 are cute! - in my opinion - if you are going with a decidedly retro, pin-up girl look. You've got the curves and the attitude to pull it off! I can see that in your photos. But pin-up retro has to be a go-for-it look, not something halfway, otherwise it doesn't work. And you have to be comfortable with a lot of people looking at you, and women and men - especially men - complimenting you on the look. And your fella has to be comfortable with that, as well - otherwise you are going to feel uneasy.

I also think that at some point, you have to decide if you are enjoying the challenge of this shirt I certainly love seeing what you come up with! If you are having fun trying to come up with imaginative ways to style, keep going! But if you are feeling stressed, or like you 'have to' make this top work, then I must second Isis - resell the shirt. Put your effort and your money and your fun into styling stuff that you love

annaj

Veteran

I don't love it. You could try switching the buttons (I find them quite distracting), but I think the sleeves and the fit (too tight??) make it too dated. With plain buttons, it might be ok under a topper??

Anonymous

I also have never seen anything like that at Anne Fontaine. Do you know when it was from? Just seems a departure for her.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

You know, that's a good point about AF. I cannot imagine someone selling a fake Anne Fontaine - not like a fake Chanel, or fake Gucci. But it's possible that someone cut the tag out of another blouse and sewed it into this one.

That, or it's a very old blouse.

Robin M

I'm not going to pretend to know all the of Anne Fontaine catalogue and I admit the collar is odd for what I've seen of her work. If it is a fake, it is a nice quality one, and the seller didn't have enough volume sales to make any profit for the effort.

Verdict: This blouse has moved to the holding zone to await transportation to goodwill.

LBD-- thank you so much for your feedback. I have experimented with the 1950's/pinup look before, and I think your comments are so true. You either commit to the look or not, there is no halfway-- and I feel like I am in a costume when fully committed to the pinup look.