Keep or Return: ponte pants and Old Navy tunics

I am late getting on the ponte pants bandwagon, but I found a pair on sale at Macy's today and they were so comfy I bought them. I'm not sure if they're the "right" kind, though - they're not styled like pants, but rather like extra-thick leggings.

I also tried on the Old Navy shirtdress tunic Angie has in the store, and I really liked it! I picked one up in each of the two colors, blue and khaki, but I'm not sure if I'll keep either, both, or none.

Here are some photos of the pants with the tunics:

Blue one with ponte pants, gray layering tee, tall black boots:

http://picasaweb.google.com/Go.....2822570130

Here I tried a scarf with it:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Go.....8941614386

Khaki one with the ponte pants, a wide brown belt, scrunchy legwarmer-like brown socks, and my Frye Engineer 8Rs. Normally I would wear skinny jeans with this, not the ponte pants, but my skinny jeans are at the tailor.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Go.....1475975458

I wasn't sure if that belt was flattering (it's REALLY wide in the back so I tried it with a medium-width one:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_GkbfDyw7.....G_2985.JPG

Shirtdresses can give me trouble because of my bust, and these (mediums) were a tiny bit snug there, but if I unbuttoned all but the lowest one and wore a camisole, it seemed to work. I think a large might have been too big everywhere else.

What do you think?

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I love both outfits, but don't care for the tunic in khaki. It just isn't a flattering color on most complexions. Keep the blue one though! I love it belted as well as loose.

MNsara

I think I really like the blue tunic on you! (Maybe I've just OD'd on khaki and blue with black is more current, but you look really nice in blue) My fave is the way with the scarf (for a vertical touch), but I bet the blue would look good belted as well.

Then for the bottom half, I like the taller boots better than the short boots with leg warmers. Maybe I'm just not acclimated to legwarmers yet. . .

Did you try the ponts pants with flats or low heels? That might be another good look.

marianna

I really like the blue one, but agree that the khaki isn't great. Keep the blue!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Ooh! Fantastic tunic! Must get the blue - please pass on the beige. And please write a review in the YLF store! (Looks fab both belted and loose).

I can't really see the pants, but do they feel nice?

Tricia

They feel wonderful, they're super comfy, but I wasn't sure if their not being styled like pants limited what I can wear with them.

Do you think the Fryes/socks combo works at all?

Queen Mum

I'm going to *not* succumb to peer pressure here and say that I really liked the khaki one. I"m wondering though if it was the styling I liked better. I really liked it with that wider belt and I liked the contrast of the khaki with the black.
I do know that khaki is a hard color for most to wear, so I'll concede......

I did like the blue dress too, but didn't care for it with the blue scarf. It seemed to make it top heavy. I like seeing your neck. Perhaps tie the scarf lower or use a neckace instead?

I like your fryes and socks combo very cool!

I like the blue shirtdress with the boots on you! The scarf is nice too!

Oh, the khaki dress with the belt and boots has a great safari vibe!! That belt looks fab on you! I like how the front is thinner than the sides. Very waist whittling. I have some apple issues and I've been looking for a belt like that!

I'm not liking the second belt as much as the first.

If the shirtdresses are not uncomfortable, then keep them both! I've been wanting to go to Old Navy to try the blue one on and now you've motivated me to do so.

OH! Speaking of Old Navy, do you know about oldnavyweekly.com? Every Thursday they change the picture and if you use your mouse and click various parts of the picture, you can reveal hidden coupons. It's a fun game. There's always a coupon for $50 off $100, but they don't have many of those and lots of people vie for this one as you can imagine, so it goes quickly. I usually shoot for the 20% off purchase or the $5 off $25. The coupons are only good for one week but as I said, you can get a new one each week. Worth looking into if you shop ON a lot.

I wrote my first response before I read the others. After reviewing your pics, I agree with Queenie about the scarf. I like seeing your neck and collarbone exposed.

I still think the khaki color looks good on you, but if you could only keep one of the dresses, keep the blue.

Tricia, I can't see the sock and boots combo well enough to offer feedback.

The open neckline on the blue shirt dress elongates your neck which is flattering!

janetinvirginia

Active Member

I actually like the khaki shirtdress on you. I think it looks fabulous with the wide belt. I think the blue shirtdress would look good with a wide belt as well.

Isabel

Very nice. I love trousers in ponte knits, but this is a wonderful perspective and re-interpretation of the "skinny" !

The shirt dress is great - I may just steal some of your thunder, girl and copy this outfit !!!

Jenava

Honestly, I was prepared to hate the khaki, just because it's such a hard color to pull off. But when I opened the photo I actually liked it with the wide belt and I can envision it with denim skinnies. But not the thinner one. Maybe you could throw a small neckerchief on to pop a little color next to your complexion, but even without it's not bad. The blue is awesome, as others have noted!

Misia

Both are looking great, color and fit! Are you keeping both shirt dresses? I would say why not, its good to have many choices, personally I love those!

chewyspaghetti

The outfit with the blue one looks great to me. I have a cord version of this same dress from ON and I love it.

Tricia, did you get the dress in a regular length or petite? I think we are the same height it has been very helpful seeing it on you!

shana

Tricia, like Khris, I have the cord version and love it! I have worn it so much this winter.

I really like both the first and third looks! I know that khaki is generally frowned upon here at ylf but I think it works well with your coloring and dark hair. I like it with the wider belt. The blue (sans scarf) is also fabulous. You should stick with the size that you have - I had the same issue with the bust on mine and didn't like how it looked when I sized up. I just went unbuttoned with the cami like you said. I think the scarf adds too much bulk up top. Try some kind of statement necklace instead. Turquoise would be lovely with the khaki.

Maya, in the cord version, I got the regular and I'm glad I did since it ended up shrinking a bit in the wash. The bust may be an issue for you on this dress though.

I don't think the bust issue will be a big deal. ON typically runs huge on me, and if all else fails, I'll just pop a cami underneath which is a nicer look anyway. I would ideally like to wear this as both a tunic and a dress, and I like my dresses a little bit shorter, so maybe petite is better for me. I guess I'd have to try both. Also, the arm holes on the regular are guaranteed to be too big for me.

Unfortunately I just placed an ON order when I found a perfect summer LBD on sale for $12 so it will have to wait. I hate paying shipping twice!

It's the regular length, which surprised me because ON tends to run huge on me too. And for reference, I'm a 34DD - that might help you figure out if it will fit up top for you.

I returned the khaki and kept the blue. I also returned the ponte knit pants and today I found a new pair with actual 5-pocket styling, so I'm going to put those on trial here later.

Did you get refitted Tricia? I knew you weren't a 38C!

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