K/R…not practical! - YouLookFab Forum

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K/R…not practical!

Runcarla

Veteran

Exhibit #1: loose yellow tie front blouse. I’m looking to spark a little joy in my imminently practical, classic, minimalist, and currently somewhat somber closet and have been thinking of developing a small yellow capsule since picking up a pair of yellow shoes. This exuberant top is definitely not something I would wear to work in the garden, or messing around in the kitchen (the sleeves!) - but it would be the kind of thing I could wear for Bridge night or other social occasion during hot summer. It might be good for a resort capsule, too. What do you think? Does it give off maternity top vibes? Too impractical? Or, just the wildcard my closet needs?

Exhibit #2: Denim button down dress. I wish this dress came in light weight cotton and was about 6 inches longer! I’m worried that the denim (99%cotton, 1%elastane) is too heavy and will be too warm for the kind of summer temps we get June through August. It has a self tie, but it feels bulky. Too short? Too heavy? Keep looking?

* these are very inexpensive pieces from the Canadian line called Joe Fresh, and can be returned in person at my grocery store! Regardless of low price, I would want to get a good # of wears from them.

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25 replies

Latest reply was from Star

slim cat

Veteran

I like yellow blouse - probably craving that sunny/happy color as well
The denim dress is great on you - the weight of the fabric could be limiting in a way ( prefer without the belt but it works both ways ).

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I am leaning toward yes to the yellow top and no to the dress. The top is a stretch for your style, looks beautiful with the yellow shoes, you can imagine where you would wear it, and, I will admit this is less important, I can totally imagine wearing it! The dress is more in your wheelhouse but is just impractical in the ways that will annoy you (too heavy, too short) while not satisfying the itch for variety as much.

rachylou

Veteran

They both look great, but I do think your concern about the denim dress being too hot to wear is valid.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You look great in both, but in my opinion, the blouse is a yes and the dress is a probable no. My reasoning: the blouse will also look great with white jeans or shorts and so will get a lot of summer evening wear. And make you happy now (or soon, at least) with the darker denim or other bottoms.

The dress is too short to feel elegant and easy and also the fabrication will kill it for summer. You could try it open (or as is) over white or lighter jeans and see if you'd use it that way, but as a summer piece I think it is super limited in your climate.

In general, I think you have as much dark navy in your closet as you need for the moment -- unless the piece offers drama vs.a simple classic vibe. You would get more pleasure from a few injections of colour and yin elements, I suspect. Esp. in summer when you have a boho shadow style.

Bijou

Veteran

I love Suz’s analysis. The yellow is a great summer top and a great match with your shoes.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

What Suz said! This is my problem in general with shirtdresses or denim dresses — too heavy and warm for our very warm summer so extremely limited wearing opportunities. The yellow is fab on you. I have a similar top in blue and green shibori and it feels a bit boho for me, but I’m thinking of shortening it slightly and taking it in just a titch to rein in the volume and make it less tunic-y for my needs. I think this looks great on you though and doesn’t skew too boho! Not everything needs to work in the garden.

Brooklyn

Veteran

The top is pretty and I think it could work for you. I’d like to see it paired with white.

The dress seems too heavy for Summer. TBH, it would be a winter dress for me. But of course our climates are different so YMMV!

Dee

Veteran

Oh I think the yellow blouse is just fab fun, a definite yes and it looks great tucked either in or out.

However, the denim dress I find too short and narrow, and its a heavier denim with long sleeves, so not great as a summer wearing option either. It would be a "no" for me.

Anonymous

Agreeing with the others that the blouse is the better of the 2. The dress might be ok with tights for cold days- but short + tight = much shorter when sitting.

hereforthecake

That yellow blouse looks lovely on you! Love the colour with your hair.

I have a similar style of denim dress, and realize I haven't worn it in 2 years because it's never quite right for the temperatures we have in Ontario, both summer & winter!

ChristelJ

Veteran

Oh please keep the blouse! Looks really great on you and you have already styled it so nicely. I admit I'm biased because I love and wear boho tops like this. However, as long as you feel good in it, you can't go wrong.

bella

(website)

Veteran

I like both! The shirt is a no-brainer especially since it matches your shoes so well. The dress looks good, a bit on the short side, but you have great gams so no worries there. But it would never work as a warm-weather item in my climate - with the sleeves and the jean fabric, just too warm. It could be a nice spring dress though. Do you need those?

RobinF

Veteran

Definite yes on the top! Very pretty and summery! I have the same concerns about the dress as most others - warm arms and cold legs. Doesn't seem like it would work very well.

SarahD8

Veteran

Hmm. I will be the spanner, while the color of the blouse is lovely I think it lacks structure around the neck/shoulders (I know you have a boho shadow style in summer but I feel like your past boho tops have had like a half mandarin collar or that sort of thing). I see the top before I see you iykwim.

That said, like Angie I am on the side of the wearer! How do you *feel* in it?

The dress seems like an almost, not quite -- and with a wardrobe as precise as yours the not quite will be maddening.

Sorry to be so strict this morning!

Glory

Veteran

I really like both of these on you. I agree the dress may be too warm for our weather. But I’m torn because I love the fit. And a yes to the top. I think you can have fun with it, it’s a great colour, and something a bit different to add to your wardrobe.

CarolS

Veteran

The blouse is a keeper to my eye - it really lights you up! (I might need to toddle off in search of ‘groceries’ tomorrow!!)

My thoughts on the dress may be coloured on how I would evaluate it for myself but I do think it will be too heavy for hot, humid summer.

But I do think the shirt deserves a spot in your new yellow capsule with those fabulous shoes!

Joy

Veteran

Keep looking for your denim dress. It sounds like this is not quite right and you will still be looking. The yellow top looks great for warm weather. Will it go with your green pants? Can it be worn as a topper over your white dress?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What Suz said.

LOVE THE BLOUSE! KILLER with the shoes! How fun to see you in something romantic, boho-lite, and floaty! Such a Summery and pretty addition to your wardrobe. Fantasy can become reality

DonnaF

Veteran

Off to pull out my heavy denim dress very similar to your “maybe”. We’re finally getting spring temperatures here. Mine is a bit short too, not enough to get rid of it but just enough to bug me a bit. Also, is the dress so short that you would stick if sitting on a non-upholstered chair?

I vote yes on the blouse if the sleeves wouldn’t bug you and to think long and hard on the dress.

Runcarla

Veteran

Returning the dress, and leaning towards keeping the top. I need more yin and colour in my closet.

*Thanks a lot

Minaminu

Veteran

Yes for the top! a bit of sunshine in the wardrobe too

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Carla, just a warning about the sleeves on the top. I had a very similar orange top which I bought in 2015. I couldn’t wear the top to work as the sleeves would drape all over the patients, and I found I couldn’t wear it on a usual day at home that might have involved leaving the house for shopping etc, because I couldn’t cook/prepare food in it due to the sleeves. I ended up only being able to wear it out of an evening so its use was very limited. This might be what you’re planning (change into it for bridge night?) I finally managed to wear it 30 times after owning it about 6 years. Because it feels beautifully 70s boho to me I have stowed it in my dress-up cupboard but removed it from the active wardrobe.
Not sure if 30 wears in 6 years would be an acceptable wear rate for you, should you be the same. It’s very pretty and perfect with your new shoes…

Sal

Veteran

I agree with the blouse and not the dress. The dress is almost but not quite.

I think these romantic blouses do have longevity - they are classic in their own way and can work with different denim and shorts over the years.

Cee

Veteran

Looks great, Carla

Star

Veteran

Good decision to return the dress for all the reasons stated and for me those sleeves on the top would drive me nuts.