Please help vet my recent purchases

I shop for myself most of the time, so I guess it’s not surprising that when I go Christmas shopping I’d find more stuff for myself than for other people. Feedback on what should stay and what should go back is greatly appreciated.
(In addition, I had a few things at the Nordstrom cardholder presale that I haven’t seen in a couple weeks, and now I’m regretting some decisions. I’ve already said ‘not right now’ to a pricey pair of NYDJ, since money’s a bit tight and I’m actively losing weight, so they’ll be going back.)
I hope that the photos are good enough to distinguish; it was gloomy out today and I did the best I could.

Sweater 1 - olive drapey - open and belted
(I’m leaning toward no on this one; it’s comfy but it appears to engulf me, and the next smallest size was too tight in the arms)

Sweater 2 - purple w/ cropped sleeves - open and buttoned. The pictures are horrible as far as color goes; it’s a true purple, not nearly as dark as it looks. Cute or too cutesy?

OK, so now the dress - I found a chambray dress on clearance at Chico’s and couldn’t decide between two sizes, so I brought both home for further opinions.
Size 2.5 (normal size equivalent ~14, I think): front, side, back, with different belt.
Size 3 (~16): front, side, back, with different belt.

A) the first one (2.5) looks better
B) the second one (3.0) looks better
C) can’t tell a difference
D) neither looks good, return them both

15 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I really like the olive sweater. I don't think it engulfs you at all. I would keep that one and return the purple.

Mac

I like he dress and i have very similar but I always wear it over leggings- why don't you try yours with a pair of black leggings and black flats?

Aida

I think for the dress, the 2.5 fits better than the 3; look at the back picture especially, there's a lot of extra fabric with the 3.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Great feedback, all, thanks. Mac, I like the idea of wearing it with leggings or tights, but do you think it's too short/unflattering to wear alone? I hate to buy something and not have the option of wearing it with bare legs in the warm months.

I really want the dress to have the top half of the smaller size, and the bottom half and length of the larger. And am nervous about shrinkage because it's 100% cotton. Bleh.

Sveta

I like the dress in smaller size and I think it is completely appropriate to wear by itself but it will also look good with tights and leggings. Have you tried it sans belt? It tents a bit in the side view on your bum and belt emphasizes it. It can look better without the belt - just like Angie's dress:
http://youlookfab.com/2010/05/.....or-spring/
I vote return the purple sweater but olive may have a potential.

celia

I like the olive sweater although I understand your concern because I have one with a similar shape and it took me something to get used to it.Now I find it fabulous with dresses.
The dress looks better in the smaller size.I think part of the reason we are talking about leggings is because now it's cold :)I like Sveta's idea of wearing it without the belt.
Regarding the purple one I'm not in love with it although I understand that the color might look great on you.

Wow, nobody likes the purple sweater; I'm surprised. I guess it's the shape. I liked the olive sweater when I first got it but just wasn't feeling it today. Right now I'm feeling financial guilt and like I should return *everything* including my Christmas gifts, so I think I'll just let things sit until I'm less overwhelmed.

I agree that the smaller size dress is better, assuming that nothing shrinks too much. Interesting idea, I hadn't formally tried the dress without the belt; although I don't usually like self-belts usually I need something to give some kind of waist definition or I look really blocky. I'll try it out and maybe get a pic tomorrow. Thanks everyone.

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