K/R - some boring essentials - ETA smaller size - YouLookFab Forum

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K/R - some boring essentials - ETA smaller size

anchie

Veteran

I am back from the trip, have done some shopping from my hotel room and box was waiting for me when I returned. I need to refresh some of my spring/summer essentials, especially knitwear that is looking little tired but haven’t seen a lot that I liked. I tried to be practical and resisted all the bright colors and laud patterns. But maybe I went too far into safe and boring?
I don’t want to say more at this point since I want to hear yor unbiased opinions. There are 4 items under consideration.

1-2 Navy linen dress
3-5 Cotton striped shirt dress
6-8 Denim shirt
9-10 Cotton navy sweater with stripes

What do you think? Any keepers?

ETA - added photos of smaller size sweater (11 and 12)

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40 replies

Latest reply was from Bijou

Roberta

Veteran

I cannot comment on the shirt dresses, because they're just not my thing. But that shirt and that sweater are fantastic and I think you should absolutely keep them. The little details of those two, like the subtle puff of the sweater shoulder, and the crisp details on the shirt sleeve are so fresh and exciting.

Helena

Veteran

These don't look boring to me - I think they are terrific! The striped shirt dress and sweater and particularly fabulous; the navy shirt dress looks perfect and I can imagine you will find ways to add your signature colour to it!

If I was going to hesitate on one it would be the shirt - the detail of it would make it a little less versatile *for me* ... but I suspect given your style has more oomph than mine does, that might be the detail that makes it perfect *for you*.

slim cat

Veteran

Love striped dress and sweater - nice finds! Not sure about navy shirt dress and even more so about denim shirt but that's subjective ( might be just me ).

Runcarla

Veteran

Well you can box up the dresses and the sweater and send them to me! Not ‘boring’ - these are classic pieces that will be hard working assets as part of FFBO (Fast Fall Back Outfits).

Like Helena, I find the style of the shirt less conventional (and more flamboyant?) - but that may be part of its charm and usefulness to you.

Nothing in this selection appears to be outside your wheelhouse, and styled with shoes and accessories from your great collection, they will look different enough each time you style them to provide variety and interest.

Bonnie

Veteran

Keep both dresses because they look great on you. The shirt and sweater look good too and will make good essentials if you need them.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

The only one I think is a definite keeper is the striped shirtdress — it’s outstanding! The others are not even in the same league.

Irina

Veteran

As usual I find myself on the outside - sorry but I don’t like the striped dress, seems a bit tight to me. But I love other items on you.

LJP

Veteran

I have to agree with Irina. The striped shirt dress is the only piece I don’t care for on you . The fit and fabric seem off .

Dee

Veteran

Got to have those essentials, and I think these are lovely. My personal favourites are the denim dress and the denim blouse.
I am always a sucker for a great striped sweater, love the navy and white, it’s a classic.

Sisi

Veteran

I like you most in the navy dress and the striped pullover. Just my personal taste of course.

Star

Veteran

I vote keep all of them. Nothing boring here.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Striped sweater is great - size down, perhaps - make sure you like the fit the way it is!!!

Denim shirt is great - size down, perhaps! Although the fit here is very on trend. LOVE the cuffs and sleeves.

I vote return both dresses. The navy one's diagonal sleeves seem too wide and deep. The diagonal stripes on the sleeves of the striped dress look off somehow. Snug and not sufficiently batwing, if that makes sense.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am laughing because "boring" for you is wild and exciting for me!
These are all items with new cuts/ shapes for you which I do not consider a bore at all.

I am with Angie on sizing of the sweater and shirt -- you might consider trying a different size. On the dresses, you could try a size up in the stripe? And maybe a size down in the navy linen, just in case? I really love that dress. It may be true, as Angie says, that the sleeve won't work, regardless, but I think it has potential.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

anchie, persnally it's very important to me to have knitwear with a neat neckline, and a silhouette that isn't toooooooo baggy. Hence I am making sure you like this fit - and Suz is too

Got this 100% cotton dress at Zara yesterday. Navy and white. I like tiers, volume, sleeves, a midi length and a collar - hence I loved this dress! You might like it too. I like the beachy vibe.

Zara dressing room mirror is sooooooooo dusty!

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Printed Midi Dress

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DonnaF

Veteran

I like them all, but the bigger question is whether they work for YOU.

To my eye, the navy shirt dress is a bit severe and needs something to spark it up like a scarf or jacket.

Of the four items, I like the striped dress best on you. You can wear it as is.

I love the cut of the navy shirt (for me!!) but I find the vibe very masculine and I see you as more Yin than Yang. Again, how does it make YOU feel?

I am a sucker for black and white stripes. That being said, I like navy on YOU better than black.

I’ve noticed that we on YLF can be enablers, especially since we aren’t paying the bills! Think about whether you want assurances and to be talked into some items or to be talked out of them!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

AND you might like this one. I was going to try it, but ran out of time:

Striped Poplin Dress

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anchie

Veteran

Thank you all for your feedback, there are some opposing opinions, but it helped me see things in different lights.
Here are my thoughts.
1. Striped sweater is no brainer, it is classic with little more modern details. I think size is ok, I believe it is not supposed to be more fitted but will try again and double check. It is most likely a keeper. And sweaters are on the top of the list for refresh, so really happy that I found at least one for now.
2. Denim shirt, well honestly I did not expect that sleeves are going to be so wide, and my first response was a no, but I am adjusting to the look. I think I need to try styling the shirt before I make final decision.
3. Linen navy dress, well I tried to love this dress, it is nice quality linen, it has pockets, it is classic style, so I tried to convince myself that it is practical dress, doesn’t everyone need a classic solid neutral dress? But I just didn’t feel fab in it.
4. Striped dress, I must admit I liked the dress, but was not sure if it is giving night gown or nurse uniform vibe? Regarding the fit, I think it is ment to fit like this, except that waist is little high on me. See the photo of a model in it.

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anchie

Veteran

Angie, we cross posted, Zara dress is beautiful on you. Would look great in Greece? Thanks for the suggestions, will have a look.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Oh Anchie I can see why you asked. To me none of these items have the interest that most of your outfits do. Of all of them I like the denim shirt the best, and the jumper is classic I suppose. I would not wear any of these myself, because yes to me they look boring.
But I think the responses of almost every Fabber fit with them and their style and what they like themselves- which also applies to me. I am sure there will be Fabbers who think that what I wear is boring, like how I don’t change silhouette. I am just trying to be honest here about what I think of these items, like you ask. Hopefully if you keep them you will jazz them up to make them your style.

phoebe

Maybe keep the sweater, it's a little different than the straight classic version and looks great.

And maybe return the rest. The navy dress is a little sad for your style and the striped has so much going on that it's too dominant. Same for the shirt.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I like the striped sweater the best. I like the idea of the denim shirt but not sure about the shoulder fit. Maybe it is intended to be a bit dropped, I just can't tell. The striped dress is interesting but does give me a little bit of candy striper vibe honestly.

anchie

Veteran

Thank you all for your wisdom, it helped me see issues more clearly.
I am returning everything except sweater for now, but I have also ordered sweater in smaller size to compare before I make the return.
Search for some new spring essentials continues, but I am in no hurry, we still have winter temperatures here.

Tanya

Veteran

I really like the sweater and it s wise to compare it with a size down.

I also happen to really like the shirt and think that the shoulder/sleeve fit/cut are intentional. I could be biased because I have a similar one made from faux leather. Mine is very fitted in the body while the sleeves are voluminous and relaxed which makes for a nice contrast , and it makes the sleeves look more intentional, too. Hence I agree with Angie's suggestion to try the shirt a size down, too.

Tapered-waist Shirt

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anchie

Veteran

Tanya- I did check but shirt is sold out in size down. I have turned the notification on and will order if it gets back in stock.

Jonesy

Veteran

The sweater looks like a versatile, chic addition to your wardrobe! Curious to hear about how the smaller size works.

Minaminu

Veteran

The sweater is great and also love the navy shirt dress! Not so sure sure on the dress with the stripes, personally I would return as it may be confused for a nightgown, sorry!

Sal

Veteran

Interesting thread - very late to it.

Such differing opinions!

lyn67

Veteran

Haven't read comments yet, I like them all, but my fave is the cotton stripe dress. I am also on the hunt for a long sleeve shirt dress, just don't want stripe (for me). I love the navy one, too but in my experience I always find a navy plain dress too murky in our summers-esp if that long, and closed, too. Accessorizing here will be everything, you can always brighten it up with whites (or other pops you like). Can I ask brands, please-if you were shopping nearby me in Austria (you know I am in Hungary:-)).
ETA. Read the comments and see not much love for the stripe dress--I say it would look much better with sleeves rolled up and a white sneaks or other sandals, throuw on a fab structured bag and no one will confuse it to a nightgown - I just LOVE it-it's all in the styling-which is not complete here...And, eventually I agree about the critics and your own not so fab feelings on the navy linen dress.

Angie-wow, YLF in the Zara dress! Last year I bought (and returned:-(() the older sister of this wallpaper white&navy dress. Fit and pattern, colors and fabric was all fab (esp. the swishy length).I bought it early in the spring but suddenly when trully wanted to wear it we already entered summer and then the pattern felt too busy on me....sobbing now...

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

This thread made me chuckle because I think I have wildly different opinions to what others wrote here But the most important thing is how you felt in these items! I'm glad you boxed up what didn't work for you - no room for 'meh' unless absolutely necessary. I will say though that the silhouette of the first dress looked interestingly modern with your footwear in that photo (though I suspect that isn't how you would plan to wear it IRL!)

As for Angie's Zara dresses, they really do some great maxi shirtdresses (with pockets!) MIne are still going strong, since 2017...

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