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Dressing

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New photo - K/R Dress

Glory

Veteran

Hello All, I purchased this shift summer dress on the weekend at Joe Fresh. It is a heavy dress made of 97% cotton and 3% spandex. It comes to the knee and has pockets. I am wondering if it is a one summer wonder or has staying power for a few years. Even though it was inexpensive I have way too many one hit wonders (despite the huge purge). And, I find the inexpensive items can really start to add up.
I would likely have 3 opportunities this spring/summer to wear it as I would not use it on a daily basis. They would be 2 graduations and a play.
So my questions:
- does it look ok?
- will the print date the item quickly?
- is the print too big for me?
Thanks for any help you can offer.

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Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from Sveta

Anonymous

Good questions. Can we see it on you? You may get tired of the print before it looks dated because it makes such a statement. I like it for the events you mention and would wear it more often.

Anonymous

I tried the same dress on in a different pattern. My biggest concern was the heavy weight fabric.

Personally, I'd avoid a print like that. But if you're okay with a short term purchase and it looks good on than go with it.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Glory, it would help to see it on to judge the scale of the print. Impossible to say, otherwise.

My thoughts, FWIW:

It will look most current this year (with florals and photographic prints being trends).

However, its black/white/grey colour will make it versatile and give it some lasting power. You can wear with white, bright, or black/ ink toppers. You can put a light sweater over it and make it a skirt.

If I bought a dress like this, at this price point, I'd be aiming to get about 2 summers from it, with about 4 or 5 wears per summer. That's just my private inner girl-math talking -- there is nothing truly analytical about it because I haven't even put it in the context of my overall budget or needs...or anything. Just a sort of hunch thing. You know..."It's not expensive, I have this and this and this occasion to wear it to, and it is a fun way to play with the trend." So then, if I wore the dress as much as anticipated, I'd be down to about $3 per wear by the time I donated.

Then again, it might turn out that I was wrong -- maybe I'd only wear it one summer and be sick of it. But to get sick of it, I'd probably be wearing it more -- maybe once every week or two all summer. In which case I would still be at the same CPW.

Glory

Veteran

Thanks ladies
Joy - agree that it does make a statement. I am pretty low key so food for thought.
Gennifyr - thanks for being candid. The fabric is a bit on the heavy side and the print may be shortlived.
Suz - so many great points to consider. I have a few shots of me in the dress but ugh. It is such a struggle to feel good enough in it to post the pics. On its own the dress is lovely and on it is very comfortable. However, I hate the pictures - probably endemic of another issue.
I have a black summer sheath in the running (tags on) which is the one I will likely keep, and return the print. I only want one but was hoping to steer away from black.

Sarah A

Veteran

Sounds like you have it sorted, although I quite like the print it is hard to tell the scale without seeing it on.

celia

Veteran

I would have to see you in the dress to judge scale.
About the longevity of the print my thoughts are a bit different . Of course the print will be more current this year but I think what will make it last in your closet is how much you like the print and how you much it looks good on you.
I know what you mean about one hit wonders and in the past I had them. What helped me break the cycle was mainly two questions I put myself:

Is the color/print so flattering on my that I won't mind wearing it even when it is not in fashion?
Is the cut really flattering on me that it instantly acts as a pick me up?

And I do have at least 2 dresses like that. I use them time and again and will wear them until they give up on me because no matter what is on trend they look darn good on me.

Thistle

Veteran

I like the dress and the print. The cut of the dress is classic. I think you can get alot of summer use out of it as you could wear it to the office. I think it can stretch past summer if you pair it with a jacket and some tights.

All in, though, it doesn't sound like you are sold on it. If you don't think you will get enough wear out of it, I would pass. You have to do your personal math. What do you want your CPW to be? Can this be a fun trendy piece you won't mind dontating in a year or two?

Sheila

Veteran

I agree with previous posters: the dress is very pretty and potentially versatile, as the b/w print can work with a lot of colors. But will you want to wear it? That is the simple question, my dear. If NOT, then just return it.

Glory

Veteran

Thanks ladies. I have now posted some pics of me in it - I still find it tough to post. I guess the more one does it the easier it gets.

unfrumped

Veteran

I rather like it. The print is bold, but not a deal-breaker and especially in the shades of black/white/gray it reads more sophistocated and not overly bossy, to my eye, and the cut, of course, is classic. It looks summery and easy to wear. Also agree with you that this kind of print and light coloring is a real relief from basic black. But the bold print makes it harder to serve as a classic and so it's likely you won't be wearing it for years and years. So agree with doing the math--if it just dupllicates something you like better, move on, but if it fills a spring and summer dress gap in a way that gives you a go-to dress when you need it, then go for it. I can totally see this at summer parties or events. For me I also calculate how hard it is or isn't to get alternatives--I'm not a person who can walk into a store and walk out with a dress, and I find it hard to get "all-occasion" dresses. This seems to fit you very well.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I like it - it looks good on you but if you won't get enough wear out of it, or don't feel good in it, my advice is take it back.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I like it on you, Glory! It looks easy and yet current. Very fresh. I'll bet you would get compliments on it and then you would feel great about your shopping savvy for getting it at such a low price!

Posting gets easier the more you do it. Honestly. It's hard for us all at first. You just kind of get used to it after a while.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I like it on its own! It won't date quickly at all, and the scale of the pattern looks good to my eye.

Peri

Veteran

I think it's pretty. It doesn't seem all that trendy so maybe it wouldn't look dated so soon. I think that shape is pretty classic.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I like it! I love black and white prints, and I don't think this would date terribly fast at all.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I think this pattern is very cool and unique and black / white color keeps it from being too loud. I also think it is in a good scale with your body proportion wise.