K/Not K: Leopard print j. crew dress and the Julias, again. - YouLookFab Forum

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K/Not K: Leopard print j. crew dress and the Julias, again.

catgirl

Veteran

Here is the other item I bought on vacation. I don't see this in the catalog or on the website, and I wasn't sure it suited me, but my sister convinced me that it was perfect for work, dressing up for a wedding, or dressing down for a weekend. And it has pockets. This is me as a girl, for a change. I can mail it back to the store for a refund if needed. Too Southampton matron? Too conservative? Too old-ladyish? My brother thought it was retro/vintage in a good way, and I can always use some well-fitting LS dresses!

ETA; It's on the site now:

http://www.jcrew.com/womens_fe...../11330.jsp

Totally separately, the tragic Frye Julias. If Zap's cobbler can take them down a bit in height, I'm thinking I need an inch and half off the shaft. Or are they just not right for me?

Yay: Keep the dress
Nay: Send it back

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34 replies

Latest reply was from Deborah

christy

Veteran

I love the dress - I vote keep! I can see it pairing perfectly with one of your edgy black jackets.

Parsley

Veteran

I like the dress a lot! It's a lighter color than you usually wear, but it looks great on you. Keep!

Darn, it's too bad that the boots are so tall. Otherwise I really like them.

catgirl

Veteran

Yeah, Parsley - this is a different color for me, but I have so many jewel tone solids in my wardrobe and this is one of those items that seems to stand alone (simplicity!) if needed. Thanks for the feedback!

MNsara

Veteran

Keep the dress! I wasn't so sure because I couldn't see details among the print, but when I saw the pic with your hands in pockets it looks like you'd be quite at home in it

I like too that it has black in the print so you can easily add black leather over it? black blazer? black booties?

And I actually like the Julias with it! They don't even look too tall to me in these pics, but you know best what exactly you're hoping for.

MsMary

Veteran

I think the dress is aMAHzing! KEEP!!

I think the boots look great as-is, BTW.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I don't see a height issue with the Julia's unless they rub uncomfortably when sitting/walking.

Regarding the dress, I like it on you although I'm not crazy about it with the Julia's. I see the dress going better with a colored pump or plain all black boot. If you plan to wear the dress with tall boots on a regular basis, maybe think about shortening it? If worn with pumps etc I feel the present length is good.

rae

(website)

Veteran

I've been staring at this thread for a while, and I just can't reach a verdict on the dress. On the one hand, it's different than what you have, but on the other hand, it's different than what you have. I dunno... it doesn't feel very Helmut Lang, I guess. Maybe that is the conservative matron question you posed.

I'll refrain from getting back on my soapbox re: the Julias.

Deborah

Veteran

I want to love the dress on you but like Rae I have been sitting here staring at it for some time and can't come to make a definitive decision. I love the profile view. Not loving it with those boots though. The dress is quite a statement so I would go with a simple black boot or bootie. Do you have time to do so e more photos, say with a jacket and different boots?

Lyn D.

Veteran

I am unsure too. I think it needs a block colour on top to tone it down a bit.
Usually when I see your pics I see the whole stylish picture, but this one is screaming for attention and a little distracting.

Claudia

Veteran

I really like this dress on you, just don't like these boots with it. I bet this dress looks better in real life as is drapes and flows on you as you move and think the two dimensional photos aren't doing it justice here. I also think it will look great under one of your blazers or jackets. And with black booties or a more traditional shoe. Seems like the perfect dress to dress up or dress down. Layer a pullover sweater over, etc.

I also really like that this is just a little bit different from your usual things, but still you, just to mix things up -- a little style surprise factor.

I voted Yay: KEEP!

Anonymous

I have gone back and forth on this as well. My conclusion is that photos do not do it justice. I would love it more if the colors were reversed, but it is different and gives you plenty of styling possibilities. I vote keep.

Sona

Veteran

I definitely think the dress can be edged up and would be a workhorse in all seasons with appropriate layering. I really like it on you.

Not a fan of the Julia's: the color will make it hard to bookend and I don't think it will be very versatile.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think the dress can work for you, especially with one of your toppers.

As for the boots - what to say? If they feel too tall, I think you should wait and exercise PPP. If not, then why not? You can never have too many boots. But I don't like them with the dress.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I like the dress Una - yes, it's different from other items in your closet but that's not a bad thing. This can be "Una-ized" easily by adding an edgy topper (which you have) and booties or black boots. Besides - it has pockets! I vote keep but not if you don't think you'll wear it.

I happen to love the Julia's (not with this dress however). They don't look too tall but obviously they are uncomfortable or bothering you in some way or you wouldn't be thinking of shortening them. I'm totally unfamiliar as to whether shortening them would work so can't offer advice on that.

Dashrashi

Veteran

I love the cut of this dress for you but not the pattern. J. Crew does seem to release it in a bunch of patterns, though, so there may be other options down the road if you feel similarly. (Also, maybe, possibly, go down a size? I think it might look even more mod if you did--hopefully that wouldn't make it too short.)

Beth Ann

Veteran

Una: I love this dress on you. I think it easy easy to style, and can be styled to go in many style directions. It is true that it's not your typical "style," but where do you want your style to go? If if remember correctly, you said you struggle most with the "P" in UWP. Yes, this dress could be worn by someone with the nickname "Muffy," but on you it has both a feminine and modern vibe. The most crucial question is how you feel in the dress.

Love the Julias, but they must be comfortable.

BTW -- I completely get the joy of a dress with pockets!

JR

Veteran

Una as a girl... You are too funny.

I like the dress, although not so much with those boots. Because it is so simple, it would be easy to accessorize it to give it more of an Una edge. Or you could put your hair up, get some black sling-back pumps, a shiny cuff bracelet, and go out in disguise... LOL! I hardly recognized you in the first photo.

lynne

Veteran

Are you kidding? You had me at "pockets". You must keep the dress. I can see how it could be Southhampton matronly, on a Southhampton matron. On Una, with Una styling it's UWP wears a dress.

Jonesy

Veteran

Love, love, love the dress, don't care for the boots (consistent on this, since I think on your last post about them you paired them with several bold dresses and the consensus was that the boots just didn't work well with the dresses? or am I not remembering that correctly?).

Lavinia

That dress is great! And you look so good in a lighter color! You should wear it more often.
Regarding the boots - sorry, I'm not feeling them with this dress and they do seem a bit tall.

catgirl

Veteran

Thanks for all the input! To clarify:

I would not wear these boots with this dress. It was simply a two-fer opportunity with the photos, to show both the dress and the boots. The more I think about the boots, the more I think they will have to go back. The color doesn't quite seem to go with anything enough to make it worth it to have them altered. (They are physically too tall as they hit the back of my knee when I sit.)

As far as the dress, I am always looking to amp up my work wardrobe with simple, easy no-brainer pieces. All you dress gals here are always talking about how easy a dress is to throw on! I would wear this with black boots or booties to edge it up, or maybe a colored shoe. Maybe I will style it and repost. It's not very Helmut Lang or Theory, but it has a mod vibe that I like.

I tried a size down but my shoulders were busting through the seams, and the salesgal said it's meant to be a bit flowy (i.e. waist surrender love!).

Appreciate the honest thoughts!

Jem

Veteran

I think the dress is fun and cute. You can easily make it edgier as others have said.

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

I love the dress and can see how it would be an easy addition and very wearable. Keep! As for the boots, wait for PPP and forget the cobbler idea.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Una, you don't seem to love the boots, and for that reason I am converted to a return vote. Sorry it didn't work out. :T If you ever want to start up the hunt again, knee high Timberlands seem to run too short for my legs but fit nice and snug on the calf. Might be a good brand to check out.

catgirl

Veteran

Rae, I actually ADORE the boots, but I'm having a case of sour grapes since it's clear they are not meant for me. I will just have to be insanely jealous of you and the rest of the Julia successes here!

Thanks for the Timberland tip...

Debbie

Veteran

Keepppppppppppp! the dress. It is amazing!

qfbrenda

Veteran

Does it matter if they hit your knees when you are sitting? I understand if that is uncomfortable, but if not I wouldn't worry about it. The boots look awesome just the way they are.

I really like the dress but I don't know if it's "you" or not.

Meredith1953

Veteran

I like the dress a lot! I am not used to seeing you in this kind of white black print but if you added a black jacke and booties it would look totally like my (personal) vision of you!

Lyrebirdgully

I can see why your sister liked this dress - the accessorising possibilities are so many, you need never wear it the same way twice – just thinking of pattern mixing and colour combining with this versatile print is seriously exciting! Thought you might like to see Kelly Framel (who regards animal prints as a neutral) coordinating a similar print with work-appropriate colours of navy and metallic ochre. http://glamourai.s3.amazonaws......0x600.jpg-
I do think it is worth styling this frock fully (esp. work outfits) and posting pics before making a decision, since a mod frock is such a change of pace from current general trends. Your feelings about this frock will probably become clearer once you can see it as it needs to be worn. The design of any mod dress works to take the attention away from the figure (no visible curves, geometric architectural shape, structured non-drapy fabric, emphasis on 2D surface) and focus attention on the legs; (the clothes of the twenties were designed for leg emphasis too, in a different way). It is no coincidence that the rise of the miniskirt in the sixties also saw an explosion in popularity of fancy tights, and boots of every description. Drawing attention to your very fab legs (making them a statement!) and to the perimeter of your body overall, through prominent accessories, should give the frock needed balance. Noticeable earrings, bold bangles (gold?), coloured or black tights and eyecatching footwear will make the shape and length of the dress itself less of an issue.
I was going to suggest that you have the sides of the dress taken in (to define your figure a bit more) and/or to have the hem taken up a bit (to showcase your very fab legs even more) as Cocolion was saying; but the design of this dress precludes any retailoring. If this frock were made any narrower through the hips, the skirt would ride up too revealingly when you sit down. And if you shortened the hem even a little (which would certainly help with any “matronly” associations) you would reveal waaay too much when you reached up to a cupboard (due to the set-in sleeves-- a sleeveless frock would have more leeway.)

So everything hinges on the styling.. I like the sleeves pushed up, because it makes your arms more of a feature (the perimeter tactic again), and the sleeve hem then defines where your waist is. (The fully extended sleeve blends in with the dress proper and blurs your figure definition even more, adding bulk IMO.) I particularly like your hair down with this neckline - either forward or tucked behind your ears - because of the pretty effect of your hair falling across the neckline of the dress. (The neckline does not look as attractive to my eye when fully exposed by the updo.)

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