Well, thank you, everyone!
This is incredibly helpful and instructive.
First, Rae, and all those who chimed in with her - you have sharp eyes and good judgement. The first dress does not fit exactly to perfection on the top. Or rather, it fits extremely well (unusually well, for this style, on small-busted me) in the actual bust area. No gapping, no needing to tape it together, no bra showing when I bend over because it stays snug in the V. Also, the V is narrow enough and modest enough for my taste. Rare, and amazing!
But it is a tiny bit loose - not tight - in the rib cage area, which results in just a very slight ...oddness in that part. It's hard to describe. And it doesn't always show. And doesn't even always feel odd. It just depends on the way I move. I deliberately tried to stand in a way to show it because it was bugging me a little.
I am fascinated by the comments that it doesn't seem as much my style. I think you're right. It skews a bit boho for me. But at the same time, I have always been very partial to skirts cut this way, and I'll bet when my husband sees it, he'll say that it looks "just like me" because I used to have a dress that was similar in some ways.
I'm really of two minds about this one. Despite my reservations about the fit, I know I would wear it a lot. It's just the right level of casual for where I live and the kinds of things I do. Whereas the other one is dressier than the life I actually lead, and the risk with it is that while it might look great, I won't WEAR it, LOL!
I think it casualizes better in the photos than IRL. The fabric is that fake chiffon (lined, of course) so that makes it feel dressy even if you put a jean jacket over top. However, at $49, do I really care? It's cheaper than a top and skirt (well, unless my thrift stores were as good as Claire's or Shannon's!)
Anyway, I am hugely grateful for your candid thoughts on this. It really helps confirm my own ideas. Still haven't decided what to do - maybe I will ask hubs to weigh in!
Sveta, you are making a good point that had also crossed my mind.
Una - the dresses come from Mexx if you want to look for one for yourself! I would send you one if you knew your size!
Sylvie, thanks for the Fluevog love. You know, when I bought them I thought I would wear them constantly. But it turns out they're really only good with summery outfits because I have to wear tights most of the year. I guess maybe with Angie's blessing I could wear them with nude hose! That is the only way to make them work with my fall/winter clothes. And in summer I pretty much wear sandals! However. they're not going to date or wear out, so I figure eventually I will make my cost per wear with them. So I'm not sorry I bought them.
Makrame, very interesting perception - I will go back and take a look. Maybe you have hit on why I have trouble with them.
DIanthus, you are a clever woman, and just you wait for the tops story. Coming this weekend, I promise. My photographer had to go off to her tae kwon do lesson so we couldn't do more tonight.
Thanks again, everyone. On balance I think I'll end up keeping both! But the tags are still on and the jury is still out for now.