Keep/purge: printed dresses - YouLookFab Forum

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Keep/purge: printed dresses

Diana

Veteran

Here are three dresses in my closet that I am considering purging. I haven't worn any of them for a while now, but that is not in and of itself a reason for purging as I have a large closet and go through phases of not wearing things.

(I do realize that it is the dead of winter right now, so maybe not the best time to be thinking about more springy dresses?)

Anyway...

#1 is an old favorite, and I have worn it a lot in the past. It's a heavy stretch material. I still like the print a lot, but I'm wondering about the shape. Is it not fluid enough for the current style (both my personal style and trends in general)?

#2 is a mesh printed dress. I have always had trouble styling it. I feel like it might be too fussy for my current style.

#3 is a retro-style jersey dress. I am conflicted about this one. I always get compliments when I wear it, but it's also one of those things (combo of jersey and bodycon) that requires a good body image day to wear. I always worry about lumps and bumps when wearing it . And it has a stupid elastic band in the waist that is not terribly comfortable (ETA: it's integrated into the dress and would not be removable). All this combines to make a dress that objectively looks great but is not terribly emotionally comfortable to wear.

So what do you think? I can purge all three if you don't think they are worth keeping, as it would not create a wardrobe hole.

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Dressing

41 replies

Latest reply was from Sara L.

carter

Veteran

I really like #1 and #3 on you! Keep those.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Would you buy any of them today, right now, if you were shopping, say in a second hand store? If not, let them go.
I let go of a very flattering, but just not me, printed dress last year. I didn't have to - I had the room, it looked nice on. But I don't miss it for a second, either.

Kristin L

Veteran

I second Mo's point. Even if they look great on you (which they do), if you're not comfortable wearing them, let them go.

Or, is there somewhere you can store them for a few months? If you realize you miss them, then you still have them. But, if you don't, purge them.

Momo

Veteran

I like 1 and 3.

Joyce B

Veteran

I like 1 and 3 but if you don't feel comfortable wearing them then maybe you can find something else that makes you happy.

kellygirl

Veteran

Malina makes an excellent point. I really like 1 on you though. The cut, body skimming fit make it look current to me. I'm not crazy about 2--the print, the length and the sleeves all make for a dress with a lot going on. 3 looks good but because of the fit issue, I would probably get rid of it. Of course, my "good body image" days are fewer and farther between these days so that's just my 2 cents.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Love #1 -- it looks great on you and seems like it integrates into your current style.

I think you're right about number two --- I think I'd let this one go, or turn it into an amazing scarf! (Or I would intend to turn it into a scarf and never get around to it)

#3 -- on the fence about this one. I love the cheery modern/retro print, and I think there's room in your style for one fab slightly body con dress, but I'm not sure this is "the one." Does that make sense. If you felt fab in it, I'd feel differently -- it would look great with a cheeky denim jacket.

deb

Veteran

I vote to let #2 go. #3 is just so-so for me but may be worth keeping to see if you wear it this S/S. #1 is a definite keep.

ironkurtin

Veteran

Follow your gut. Unless something is a classic or a FFBO for a specific event, I say let it go and get something else.

Dee

Veteran

I like #3, but if it's one that takes a lot of mental effort to wear, it might not be worth it. I think it also depends on whether you have enough other dresses to cover the occassions where you might be wearing these. If you have have others you would rather reach for, follow your instincts.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I agree that #2 can go -- it seems dated for your style. #3 looks nice, but only if you feel like you still want to hold onto it. I have dresses that require good-body-image days too! #1 looks great.

rachylou

Veteran

You look great in all. But if things must go, and you'd like to keep one, I'd keep #2. It's *rad.*

Liz A.

Veteran

Yep 2 can go for sure. I really like 3 for me but maybe not your style. 1 is still fab.

bella

(website)

Veteran

Definitely keep 1! very good styling with the boots. The rest can go imho.

unfrumped

Veteran

I'm not very original.
I think 2 is somehow too out there; 1 has enough fluidity to keep if you like it; I think it looks good on you. But don't feel guilty if you want to replace;. 2 has a more body-con look than 1 somehow and more than the current style directions, it seems, so that would be a decision about comfort and style.

krishnidoux

Veteran

I am sorry to report that you do look absolutely amazing in 3. Such a shame you don't feel comfortable because you have the perfect body for it, no lumps nor bumps in sight, only grace and beauty.

BUT... there is a but... it is of a very retro in a Dita-Von-Teese kinda way, so maybe the problem is that it does not go with your personality or personal style. So on that, I would fold it, put it in storage, and keep it for maybe a very special occasion only. Once it's out of your sight, you won't miss it.

Of the 3 dresses, #2 seems the most current in terms of fashion. But here again, if it is too fussy for you, it's no good. Maybe the issue is that it is too short? Have you tried wearing it without the scarf, but with black leggings? Even then if it still feels too chic then toss it.

You seem to have a more understated, "easy" style, which is why I can understand Dress 1 has appealed to you so much, with it's sleevlessness, body skimming and A-line cut. If you remove the other two dresses from your closet, now you are left with only this one. And as you say, even though it fits and looks great, you feel you want to update you dress look. So go for it, start looking for a dress that you would love as much as Dress 1.

krishnidoux

Veteran

Mo BTYW, great point. I will use it for my own closet! Thanks!

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Keep 1 for now. Give it a try a few more times and then decide. It really is pretty on you.
Purge 2.
Maybe give 3 one last chance, but I can see not being in sync with your style right now.

lyn67

Veteran

I would give 1 and 2 one more chance this spring, then see what happens. I like them very much, and think you can solve the problem of too body con with some layering?

Mellllls

Veteran

i really like all 3 but i love dresses. when was the last time you wore each of them? and if you are uncomfortable in 3, then definitely purge.

Thistle

Veteran

I am no help as I really like all three. I think #2 requires no styling other than a pair of fab shoes. It really speaks for itself. It is a little eclectic but I feel like that meshes with your style.

#1 and #3 are beautiful on you and fit divinely. But, they feel more traditional. Perhaps this is why you are not feeling them? Perhaps your style has shifted to a bit more arty?

I don't think now is bad time to be considering spring frocks as I am seeing a lot of spring stuff in the stores! A sales associate and I were joking we have three more months of winter and they had all spring stuff last night as I was buying towels (I know, I know, but one cannot live by fashion alone!).

fuzzylogic

Veteran

To my eye, #3 is most flattering to you. I don't see lumps and bumps but if you are concerned maybe you could try shape wear to boost you confidence?! Failing that, I second Joyce B and others- find another dress that does make you happy!

#1 is lovely but needs another layer on top for balance.

#2 is fun-ky! But of the three dresses I feel this is least flattering to you.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I like the look of #1 & #3 but imo if you are physically &/or emotionally uncomfortable in #3 then let it go.

Sona

Veteran

I love 1 on you and would keep it only because what is old becomes new again and two years from now very possibly trends wll change to less layers and fluidity..

E

Veteran

#1 looks most like I'd expect to see in one of your WIW posts. But I'm not sure about fluidity; I don't have a great eye for body con vs tailored vs fluid vs just too big, so I'll leave that to others. #2 seems a bit too much, and I can see why you get so many compliments on #3 but it doesn't sound like you enjoy wearing it. What's the point in clothes that don't bring you joy?

When I'm deciding whether to purge something, I both ask the question Mo asks re: buying it again and try to incorporate it into my outfits over the next few days (weather permitting). If I try it on, fuss around, and end up pulling it off for something else more than once, I know it's just not working.

Diana

Veteran

Thanks, everyone. I think I am going to get rid of #2, although I like Beth Ann's idea of making it into a scarf!

I think I shall also keep #1, as my main concern with it was whether or not the style looked dated. Nobody seems to think that is an issue so I will continue to wear it. I do generally wear it with a jacket or topper of some sort - I just showed the pic without it so you could see the whole dress.

#3 I'm still undecided about. On the one hand, I feel like I should just get over being self-conscious about lumps and bumps, etc, because I know it's stupid. I don't want to be the type of person who worries about things like that. But on the other hand I don't really know how to turn it off, you know? Shapewear is absolutely, positively NOT HAPPENING as it makes me both physically and emotionally uncomfortable.

It's interesting - the snake print sweater dress I bought recently is just as body con and is also shorter, yet I am more comfortable in it. Part of it is that while that dress is body con it also does not have a waistband. I used to be super into waist definition, and now I seem to have done a complete 180! The snake dress and dress #3 don't really overlap in function though, as the former is a sweater dress for cold weather, and the latter is for warmer weather.

Mo, that is a really good question. So I think I probably wouldn't pick up #2 if I found it in a store today. #1 and #3 I would at least take to the fitting room. I'd probably still buy #1, and honestly I think #3 would depend on how flattering the fitting room mirrors were!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I vote purge the lot and start afresh. That's a liberating feeling.

unfrumped

Veteran

For # 3 I guess you are deciding what is your own comfort level. You look GREAT in the dress, but as has been discussed, that doesn't always translate into wearability, just as long as you aren't thinking you aren't "able" to wear the dress or "shouldn't". Also, it might be that even for this type of dress, this dress is no longer the dress that you want for that--you may want some subtle change in the style and fit that might seem very similar but makes a difference to you. So, it doesn't have to be a decision about a whole category of dress styles, just this dress. I've had that experience with items that seem very similar, but one just clicks and the other does not even though both look fine.
Holding zone maybe?

Kiwibird

I really like #1 on you - but if there's any doubt or hesitation at all in your mind about any of them then that might be the signal to let them all go.

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