Leaving no retail stone unturned - dresses/jumpsuits - YouLookFab Forum

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Leaving no retail stone unturned - dresses/jumpsuits

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I was procrastinating on grocery shopping yesterday and popped into Marshall’s and TJMaxx out of curiosity. I found a few things that appealed to me in the dressing room, so I decided to bring them home for further evaluation.

Pay no attention to lack of hair or makeup — I’m going to jump on the Peloton so no grooming yet today.

1-3 linen rayon blend dress. I was pleasantly surprised by this, and I like the colors even though they are not my usual — I wear these warm tones better in summer when I have a little color. If I keep, I will need to have he shoulders taken up since it is roomy in the top (typical alteration for me). It is comfortable and just long enough for my preference. I think it looks better in person than it photographs — the tie part allows for a bit of adjustment, which is nice for accommodating weight shifts and loosening when I want it to feel a bit breezier. I think I can live with the linen crease because of the stripes in the fabric and the wrap, which help disguise those hipline creases I normally hate with linen. I would wear around the house a bit first to test.

4-6 this black dress is super simple but has a bit of sporty appeal with the simple cut and the mesh detail at the hem (and also a bit across the top back). It’s loose but not unflattering as far as I can see. Viscose spandex blend. This is the kind of thing I can wear as a swim coverup or around town and feel comfortable either way. Added a necklace in 6 just to get an idea of how the neckline would play with a pendant — I’m picky about scoop necklines these days, but I think this works.

7-9 palm print jumpsuit. I like the colors and in summer I can embrace a little tropical print. Fit is great. I like that prints help hide any sweat. Rayon spandex blend. Easy to take on and off for a jumpsuit because it has some stretch in it. Nice length and drape.

10-11 solid gray jumpsuit. Good fit, neutral, and flattering enough. Modal blend fabric which is soft but I wonder about sweat stains.

ETA closeups of prints because it’s dark and rainy here today and colors are photographing poorly.

Thoughts?

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30 replies

Latest reply was from RainB

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh! And I hate replying to my own thread before anyone else does, but the dress need just became a bit more acute. My beloved Cloth & Stone t-shirt dress now has a small hole in the shoulder. *sob* I baby it in the laundry, but I think I was hard on it the other day wearing it for a long, hot, sweaty day with a bag on my shoulder much of the time. I’m going to try a little mending but once this happens it’s usually a sign the item is on its way out for me. I’ve had it several years, so I can’t really complain.

kellygirl

Veteran

1 and 7 are my faves. I love the tie element on 1. It's subtle shaping that adds a lot of interest to a simple summer dress. The v neck is perfect too! I think I'd like the black dress better with a v neck but the mesh adds a sporty element that prevents it from looking plain. The palm jump suit is so cute. It looks very Anthro to me--agreeing about the sweat stains. Not sure how the plain grey would do with sweat--that's always my concern in summer.

Anonymous

I really like the grey jumpsuit on you ! Fit is good, and is flattering and interesting. I'm neither here nor there on the dresses, and the palm print jumpsuit is cute if you have a need for it, occasion-wise. Can't comment on sweat issues - never really had to think about it.

kkards

Veteran

love both the jumpsuits!
the mesh on the black dress is interesting, but wondering where it hits when you sit...
the red dress is cute..and feels like it could be/should great on those hot sweaty days.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The black dress is my fave, Janet! WOW. Excellent fit. Looks COS. I see it with sporty accents: chunky sneaks/sandals, backpack, fedora, graphic jewellery.

I like the patterned palm print jumpsuit next. SUPER cute! Can see you add turquoise accents.

I like the rust dress the least, but it's still lovely! Great fit in front. Not sure what the bunching is at the back?

I like the shape and length of the grey jumpsuit - GREAT fit - but not the colour. Maybe after it's accessorized?

Jane

Veteran

Great finds! Black dress is super (the detail at the hem especially) and I like the palm jumpsuit (pockets and will look super with your jewellery - I’m thinking of the African ring?)

Laurie

Veteran

You look great in a jumpsuit! I like them both a lot on you.

nemosmom

Veteran

I love the two jumpsuits and black dress the best!

Style Fan

Veteran

Both of the jumpsuits are my favourites. You do look amazing in jumpsuits. The black dress is next.

The rust dress is nice but seems to fit you poorly. Flattering from the front.

Anonymous

Ditto SF! I like the palm print jumpsuit the most

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I like the striped dress best. Can I just say I am jealous that you found all these great items in one morning of shopping

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, all!

After some consideration yesterday, I put two old dresses in the consignment bag — one was too clingy and the other just didn’t feel right anymore. It just so happened, both of those are solid gray. So I’m open to a couple of new options. I’m pretty sure I’m keeping the Anthro t-shirt dress I had already gotten. I’m also waiting on the Amour Vert delivery.

I have a bad habit of assuming I will wear dresses that are just a bit too dressy for my real life, and these discount dresses are all right in the proper casual category for me. They’re all super inexpensive too, so if I get a season or two out of them, I won’t feel so bad — I am over spending a lot on a dress that I’m going to sweat in and wash a ton. The Anthro and Amour Vert dresses are a little more pricey, so I’ll be a bit more demanding of them.

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LaPed

Veteran

Love the palm print jumpsuit and the black dress. I think the rust dress is gorgeous and has potential if you like it enough to have it altered.

Sal

Veteran

These all suit you well. I prefer them all to both Boden options on the previous thread.

notsaf

Veteran

Love that black dress on you! I have the same problem with overdressy dresses that look lovely in the closet and rarely get worn. Am bookmarking that AV waves dress though...

Bennett

Veteran

I would keep all of them since I know how good the prices are at those stores. Love the color and the awesome wrap detail on #1. Get the alteration done! Both jumpsuits look great, you wear them well. Keep!

About the black dress, kkards made an interesting observation you need to check out!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

The black dress is roomy enough that when I briefly sat in it, the mesh still seems to fall far enough down my legs for my comfort level. I’m going to test it further though. Good call.

Thanks for all the thoughtful input! Bennett is right — none of these were over $30, so it’s a really cheap way to get some more decent summer options in my closet, without them being too precious.

Glory

Veteran

My fave is the palm print jumpsuit- the fit is terrific- plus it’s fun.

Runcarla

Veteran

The dresses are my favourites. I would like the black one in my closet, for sure. The sarong styling of the raspberry and gold dress is lovely and the colourway is like a ripe peach.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I like the cut of the first dress with the ties - said covetously . Black dress is fantastic and I especially like the printed jumpsuit, but it may just be that the second one is unstyled and looks a bit plain in comparison.

Joy

Veteran

Janet you look fabulous in anything. I agree with Angie. The black dress you must get. It could be worn anywhere. The grey jump suit fits well but that grey color does nothing for you. I like the palm one better but would like blue even more to go with your hair and maybe your eyes. I like the red dress but also wondered about what was happening in back in the second photo.

Mainelady

Veteran

You had great luck shopping! I like both dresses, but think the black is more flattering and I really like the sporty accents on you. Both jumpsuits are fabulous!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, all!

The fit issue in the top and back of the first dress can be corrected by taking up the shoulders an inch or so, and probably an inch on the side seam as well — I’ll keep tags on and take it to my tailor but it’s a very common alteration for me to need. The fit in the hip is correct, so sizing down is not the solution.

Joy, the green in the jumpsuit is actually a bit bluish, which does pick up the color in my hair and eyes well. Hard to make that out in photos, though.

Bijou

Veteran

I like all of these. The dresses look perfect for hot summer days. I live in summer jumpsuits myself, these are my favourites, the fit of these are fantastic on you.

Sara L.

Veteran

Angie took the words out of my mouth - the black dress is fabulous, the palm print jumpsuit is flattering and fun, the coral dress looks perfect for the summer, and the grey jumpsuit is...grey. I'm off grey right now so that's a big part of my hesitation on the grey jumpsuit. If it was a different color, I would love it as it's very flattering on you.

Aquamarine

Veteran

They all work to my eye. Good haul. I need to visit my discount stores more frequently.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Sara, I am a bit off grey at the moment too. Haha, I just put two grey dresses in the consignment bag. But added the charcoal Anthro tee dress, but it’s a deeper grey, almost black, that I think suits me a bit better. The grey of this jumpsuit is a bit more bluish, a slate grey, so I think it’s better than some others, but I’m hesitating on that solid grey too. I do like prints for keeping the eye moving around and not showing the lumps and bumps in my figure so much, but I’m so picky about prints these days!

smittie

Veteran

These are all great but I love the palm jumpsuit. You wear this large print well!

nuancedream

Veteran

All of these look fantastic on you, Janet. I LOVE the black dress and wouldn't mind having it take up residence in my wardrobe. I typically avoid black clothing like the plague! Also, love the palm print jumpsuit...so flattering. You have inspired me to visit my neighborhood Marshall's.

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