Possible summer dress for me - your thoughts? - YouLookFab Forum

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Possible summer dress for me - your thoughts?

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Christy's current WIW post features a lovely Suzi Chin dress (pic #2) that I've put in and out of my Nordstrom cart a number of times (http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-of-things). It is no longer available with the longer sleeves but there is a lovely cap sleeved edition available in petites (whoo hoo) in a gorgeous colour called Dolphin (http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/su.....n=wishlist).

Now I've said all I need for my summer wardrobe is a couple of flowy blouses but I also mentioned at one point the desire to add one more summer dress to my wardrobe. I think I would be willing to decrease the number of blouses for the sake of this dress if you think it would be worth trying. Christy mentioned it working well for her apple shape due to the waist/side ruching.

What do you think? Is the dress a good possibility or do I stick with my original plan of more blouses?

Shopping

28 replies

Latest reply was from goldenpig

christieanne

Veteran

Very pretty dress - I like the neckline.
The only question is how versatile will a dress be vs. three blouses (approx) for same price. Or can you swing the dress and two blouses? I mean in a week and half (June) of course lol.

Makrame

Veteran

Not sure; like Christieanne, I wonder if the blouses would get more wear since you can pair them with different bottoms.

On the other hand, it seems like this dress might work for your style. But if you don't like it, won't it be a big hassle to return it because of the international shipping?

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Christieanne - I think could swing two blouses and the dress, depending on the price of the blouses. I can always watch for sales. The one thing I'm wondering about with the dress is putting a jacket/blazer over top with that beautiful neckline. Sometimes the AC in my office is freezing.

Makrame - yes, it would be a big hassle and some additional expense if the dress doesn't work out. Good point.

Meredith1953

Veteran

The dress is very pretty and would work well with white or black blazers maybe even a red or purple as it is a neutral. You might even be able to layer a long sleeve t or blouse under it for winter. I like it!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I love the dolphin dress! Probably not as versatile as more blouses, but maybe you can decide to sacrifice that for now if you really are drawn to it. Keep adding just one blouse a month maybe?

Tanya

Veteran

Hmm, a though one. I do like the dress and would say that you should at least try t, but with he shipping costs and everything. I think getting the dress and two blouses should work perfectly fine.

Sarah A

Veteran

I was just perusing but had to log in to say get this lovely dress! I find dresses get a lot of wear in my summer closet and they aren't too hard to layer over and I think this on is no exception. The neckline looks fairly flexible, if the edges were pressed flat by a blazer I think the center might just drape a bit more. I think there is also potential for layering under as Angie sometimes does too...

Debbie

Veteran

My 2 cents worth. A Good fitting summer dress is worth it's weight in gold. I would go for the dress and try to find blouses on sale.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Hm, I do like the dress, but I question how summery it is.

As for versatility, would you need to wear a jacket or cardi at the office? I would need to try in person because sometimes those draped necklines go all awry when you try to layer over them. I would also say that I find my simple sheaths a lot more versatile because I can wear them as skirts as well by layering under pullovers.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I vote for the dress - even though you could get more blouses, you wouldn't feel as amazing as you would in this pretty dress

AJ

Veteran

I'm going to be a dissenter here and say keep looking. I don't think the neckline will play well with blazers/cardigans.

I do think accessories in orange, coral, blush, tan, nude or yellow would make the dress more spring and summer appropriate, but my main worry is layering over that neckline.

Kiwichik

Veteran

I like the dress. I think it's kind of season neutral so you may get the wear out of it because you won't only wear it in the summer it would work for spring & autumn also.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Shannon, if I were eyeing it, I'd be worrying about that colour and that neckline. I can't seem to recall a lot of taupe or grey in your wardrobe. Do you think it might be worth looking at local stores to try on tops or dresses in that colour or with a cowl neck to see how they behave with a cardi or jacket?

(Though, keep in mind the pitfalls of window shopping on SYC! But hey, if it finds you a blouse...?!)

Deborah

Veteran

Shannon I love the dress! However I am on the fence about the color. I am having trouble seeing you in it, maybe because I am used to seeing you in the more vibrant colors. How would this play with the rest of your closet i.e. jackets, cardigans etc.

I am feeling I would really need to see you in the dress to make a proper assessment.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I am loving the ease of dresses this year after a year of few dresses. I have a JNY blue dress with a similar but slightly simpler neckline and I wear it with jackets and sweaters. One of the reasons I bought it was that it will easily transition into at least three seasons and possibly all four.

Having said that, I am also on the lookout for soft blouses. Did you look at the ones at J Jill? There was a post recently and a follow up review. They are similar to the Nexx silk shirts but without the double pockets with flaps which makes them more friendly to those with boobage. They are on sale for $30 and they have 20% off. You could probably get one or two of those and the dress.

This is not intentional enabling but I felt this is the direction you would like to go.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Fantastic feedback ladies - thank you! Yes, I do worry about layering over that neckline as well but Dianthus has given me some hope that this could work. As for the colour, I read in the reviews that it is a greyish leaning towards purple colour. Grey is a great colour on me because of the grey in my hair but I guess it will depend on the exact shade. But I think a good point has been raised about what jackets I have that will play nicely with the dress in terms of colours - that may be a bit of an issue.

Hmmmm....more thinking.....

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

It comes in yellow
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/su.....tback=6441

and blue
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/su.....tback=6441

I like the grey but would probably get the blue.

Parsley

Veteran

I like the dolphin dress, but I see what everybody's saying about the neckline working with jackets.

Here's one from the same brand that would look great with a jacket. No dolphin color, but the Fiesta blue sure would look pretty on you.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/su.....ss/3036369

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Dianthus - those are beautiful colours but unfortunately they don't come in the petite sizing and I suspect the waist wouldn't hit me in the right spot in the regular sizing.

Parsley - oh my...I LOVE this dress! How could I have missed it? I love the Fiesta colour and there's also another colour called Irisa, a dark purple. Both available in my size in the petite. Plus it's cheaper and the reviews are very good. Might have to pull the plug on this one!

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I forgot about the petite issue. Sorry about that.

I have been wanting to get one of the dresses Parsley posted for a few years but never seem to get it. Corporette listed it as a best pick not long ago.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Literally in the 15 minutes since I posted back, the Irisa (dark purple) became unavailable in my size. I love the Fiesta blue - I wonder if I should wait until May Madness is over or BBQ?

Anonymous

Shannon, you have some fantastic dresses already. This one is just meh to me for your style, anyway. I vote to stick with your original plan to look for blouses.

ETA: You look so good in dresses, and it seems like you have any easy time fitting them. If you tried on every dress out there, you might look great in them all! That's when it starts to get tough to decide.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Thanks Claire - may I ask which dress you think is "meh" (the one I originally posted or the one Parsley linked to)?

And thank you for the clarity - it really is blouses I need and want!

ManidipaM

Veteran

Like Parsley's pick lots better!!! Look at Midnight too!

ETA: Not as cross-seasonal perhaps, though. HARDER to layer under.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I ended up ordering two of the J Jill silk shirts today Manidipa so have put Parsley's dress pick in my wish list and maybe in a couple of weeks if still available, will order. I also like the Midnight colour too!

ironkurtin

Veteran

I like the dress a lot, but I wonder if a dress with a strong vertical line (like a placket or open vneck) and more seamining/shaping might be more flattering to your body shape? I love knits like this but any ripple below the neckline from *any* kind of seam stretchery is going to detract from the cowlneck. The only way to find out is to try it, though! And I know this brand gets kudos from many.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

IK - you are one wise woman! I did some thinking about your comments here and you are dead on the money honey! Generally speaking, more structured items (like seaming, darts, etc.) are more flattering to my body shape. The dress Parsley linked to is gorgeous but it definitely wouldn't hide any lumps or bumps and I do tend to look better in a more open neckline to give me a bit of length/height. Thank you so much for your input.

I ordered two of the J Jill silk blouses so am putting a dress on the back burner for now anyway.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I like the second dress better. The first one is OK but I agree with IK on the lack of structure. And the grey dress just doesn't seem as exciting to me (but then again I love color!). I like the second dress because of the V neck and defined waist. Hope you can still find it when you're ready to buy a dress!