Repeating Dressy Outfits - YouLookFab Forum

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Repeating Dressy Outfits

Aquamarine

Veteran

I have a handful of events coming up in the next few months, and am looking into purchasing a couple of new dresses. Although these events may or may not include the same people, or subsets, I am anticipating that the photos from these occasions will end up on Facebook (gah). I lead a very casual life so do not need 5 different dresses. I feel this brings up a new social worry...having to think through not only who will be at the same events, but also who will see the photos ("She's wearing that same flowered dress again..."). I am feeling 15 instead of 50!

Am I alone in this worry? How do you feel about this? Do you only purchase neutral items so that they are not memorable? I am drawn to some of the pretty flowered dresses this year, but worry that they aren't as versatile. Interested in your thoughts.

Dressing

19 replies

Latest reply was from Aquamarine

Liz

Veteran

If I could wave my magic wand, I would love for you to be OK wearing exactly the gorgeous memorable dress you want, as often as you want, with no concerns at all about Facebook. Or, at the most, thinking, 'Hey...I look great in that dress -- pictures of me in it SHOULD be up everywhere!" : )

Liz A.

Veteran

I do worry about this.... well not exactly worry, but it influences my decisions. I compensate by having more dresses, because that's what I really want anyways and I barely needed an excuse as it is

Golden

Veteran

If you look fantastic in the dress, you should try to not worry. I feel like I look that way in vacation pictures, I always wear the same outfit! I think we worry about these issues far more than others. Would you notice someone wearing the same outfit to different events? I probably would not...

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

That's one of the reasons to invest in mix and match party separates.

I think that one dress to five events with the same subset of people is excessive. But two frocks is fine.

Beth Ann

Veteran

What about 1 dress and 2 toppers? I have a zebra sheath that I can pair with a cobalt jacket or a black moto. Or, one dress and a dressy skirt with jacket combo? I have a robin's egg blue skirt that I can pair with a silky shell and peplumed black jacket worn with a belt. It's as dressy as a true "dress." Or, what about one print dress and one in a classic solid like navy or black that can be accessorized in a myriad of ways?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am 100% with Angie. For me, personally, one dress to five events with the same people and I'd be getting a bit tired of it (however much I loved it) and that might spoil the dress a bit for future seasons of wear. On the other hand, I absolutely get what you are saying -- who wants to spend a ton of money on items you're hardly ever going to wear, and all because somebody *might* think, "Oh, she wore that last time, too!" -- and post your photo.

I think two dresses would be fine and not excessive, and if one could be a two piece "dress" that had mix and match options, even better!

NDMom

I have this problem too as a SAHM who need to go to my husband's work events. Mix and match separates were the way to go! Oh, and shoes....although they don't show on pics.....it's a good excuse for new shoes!

Aziraphale

Veteran

I'm with Angie, Suz and NDMom on this one. I rarely wear dresses, but have enough dressy separates to feel properly dressed at almost all dressy social functions (except weddings). That's the sensible way to go.

doubleh

Veteran

I'm so glad you posted this, as I have the same dilemma again and it did happen to me once upon a time. I was in my early 20s and it was "wedding season" with about 5-7 weddings that summer. I had a beautiful, statement skirt and was thrilled to have so many occasions to wear it. This was pre-facebook days, but looking back on the photos of that summer and those weddings, I squirm.

This summer I have 3 events all with family so I can't really repeat, but I have already made it clear that I will be wearing the same outfit to wedding #1 as rehearsal dinner #2 most likely. But I am going to look into this "dressy separates" thing....

Diana

Veteran

I agree with Angie, I'd do 2 different dresses and rotate them. You can always swap out toppers or shoes or bags, etc. (Although given my particular issues I'd be more likely to wear the same pair of comfortable dress shoes to all five and switch dresses!)

This summer I have four weddings (and probably at least 2 rehearsal dinners planned so far); luckily they are all different groups of people! I'm actually kind of happy about this because in the last year I've managed to acquire several party dresses (3 of which were for things related to my own wedding, so not really negotiable, and I have just ordered 3 more to try for this London thing).

Marmee

Veteran

I'm wondering whether I'd notice someone in Facebook photos was always wearing the same dress. I might, if it were fabulous. I vote several dresses and several toppers. And if you wear bold jewelry, mix that up.

Terry

I'm with Angie! You may (easily) have a much better visual memory than I do but I can't remember what any of my co-workers wore last week. Even if it were a very striking dress I'd have trouble remembering it after a month.

Aquamarine

Veteran

Just getting back to this. Thank you all for your thoughts. These will all be dressy affairs so I was hoping to wear a dress/dresses.

Liz....I would love for you to wave a magic wand and impart self-confidence in repeat outfits I thought I had it all together, but gosh that FB and those darn pictures that last forever...I am probably overthinking this, I know.

Liz A....That's what I am trying to avoid, if only because I have so few occasions to dress up. I don't want to have 5 unworn summer dresses in my closet. This is not my dominant season, as Angie would say. It's cold now and it will be cold again in another 5 months.

Golden,Terry, and Marmee..Of course I am overthinking this...first-world problems, you know? Honestly, I would definitely remember a stand-out dress/outfit. I am a very visual person and never forget anything. Just ask my husband

Angie...I can do dressy separates in pants, but have a heck of time with skirts. I have two skirts in my closet, and they are orphans. They do not really suit my life and I dislike how much work it is to style them. I am intrigued by the two-piece dresses you have talked about, but I have not seen many in the stores around here yet.

Beth Ann...That's a great solution too, and I already have two solid colored sheaths. If I added a memorable print dress, I could make it more versatile with a topper that could be used with the other two dresses. Need to ponder this.

Suz...I would definitely want more than one dress for the upcoming occasions. I would stop at 2 prints if I could figure out toppers that would work with my two sheaths, also.

NDMom...Yes, SAHMs need to have versatile mix-and-match combinations, or an unlimited income. Men have it so easy, don't you think? A couple of suits and boom they're done.

Aziraphale...Some of these occasions are weddings/showers. I'm feeling my summer separates are not that nice for these events. I can do myriad winter events much more easily.

doubleh...I remember those wedding daze in my 20s! It seemed like there was a wedding every month. I had a black print dress with a peplum that I loved so much....it was in so many photos And now the peplum is back, but I can't go there again.

Diana...I have the exact same problem with shoes, and am avoiding that piece of this issue for now. I have one pair of comfortable nude heels that should match most everything. I don't think I can drum up the energy to find different shoes. I dislike buying summer footwear since my feet are so cranky.

Aziraphale

Veteran

OK, well, you probably don't need a dress for the showers, but I imagine you would for the weddings. How many weddings are there? I think two dresses would be enough. Buy the floral ones if that's what you want. How often do you get to wear pretty wedding-appropriate attire? If you're like me, you probably think, not often enough. So buy what you like. If you've got more than two weddings to go to, I don't think it would seem odd if you wore the same dress more than once. Also, is it possible for you to wear different accessories? I have a black tiered dress that I've worn with black-and-white spectator heels, red pumps or black calf boots -- it changes the look.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

How about buying one dress, of course an LBD or LND (navy) or LRD (red). One that would span more than one season and is easy to accessorize to create a different vibe.

Then rent the other 4 from Rent the Runway. I've never tried them but have heard good things.

Deborah

Veteran

Dressy separates is a great idea and maybe you could consider this. As far as worrying about people seeing me in the same thing, it really doesn't bother me. Given my wardrobe is pretty neutral I might just mix up the accessories to create a slightly different look.

kalazone silkmill

(website)

Member

Great suggestions shared here. Thanks for sharing.

viva

Veteran

If you wear jewelry, a statement necklace can completely change the look of a dress, and you can get them so inexpensively now. Also, a different way of wearing your hair.

ETA: Also, if you have to buy, try to buy a dress that in itself is not dressy but can be dressed up with accessories. Then it might be more useful in the future. I'm thinking of something like this one Una posted yesterday, which I can see with sandals and a clutch now, but also with a jacket, tights and booties in colder weather.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/vi.....cm_pla=sit

Aquamarine

Veteran

AZ...2 weddings, 2 showers, 1 christening, a couple of graduations...my head is spinning. I am thinking one new print might be OK, and a solid jacket over it would change it up.

CocoLion...yes, a solid sheath or two would be good. I have some in my closet and will have to play around with them. It's just that sometimes you just want to bust out of the same old same old and change it up. That's why the prints are calling me this year.

Deborah...you always look so elegant and streamlined and you really own your minimal, neutral look. I admire it yet personally am feeling the need for color this year. Perhaps it's because of our long, cold winter, which appears to have segued into a long, cold spring.

Viva...that's a lovely dress. I am a minimalist with jewelry and accessories, but I agree they can be the key to changing up my look.