Shopping Part 2 - Is this dress awesome or awful? - YouLookFab Forum

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Shopping Part 2 - Is this dress awesome or awful?

Arya

(website)

While cruising the Labor Day sales, I fell in love with this fugly dress that isn't even on sale. I have it on hold, because I'm not sure if it's too borderline sweet - in a 1960s mining town kind of way. DH says it looks like an ugly old tablecloth (he's not a fan). It's the ugliness that I adore!

What do you all think - awesome, or awful?

Pros: I feel like it's a good fit, it's made of 100% cotton (I love natural fibers), it's awesomely ugly
Cons: it's ugly, DH thinks it's ugly, the fullish skirt may look too schoolgirly

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Shopping

18 replies

Latest reply was from Arya

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I have this dress in blue with white polka dots. I love the simple shape and it's really easy to throw on and go. I always get compliments when I wear it, so I'm probably biased.

I actually like the plaid (even though I don't like brown). It seems very retro to me. That might be what's making it seem "school-girlish" though. How does it feel around the top? I had to size up to fit my shoulders and then belt it to cinch the waist, but I plan to eventually have it taken in a little so I can wear it without a belt.

Also, if you don't like the print, the dress if available in other prints and even cream lace and a chambray fabric that is really cute.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think it's cute! I wouldn't wear it myself because it's not my style, but I see the appeal. Years ago I had a top and skirt combo in a plaid like this and I actually loved it. I wore it as a dress and as separates.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I like it.

kellygirl

Veteran

I'd pass. It's kind of cute in a school girl kind of way but I like the Eileen Fisher asymmetric hem dress way better. From what I've seen of your WIW posts, this doesn't read "Arya" to me.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I would pass on the plaid but the cut of it is nice on you.

Arya

(website)

Ana - I agree that the brown plaid makes it feel very retro - like the Brady Bunch rec room - which is a huge part of the appeal to me. It's the same appeal as the two below, I think.

I am concerned, though, about the schoolgirl vibe of the dress. I like the fit, but it also looks very "young" to me. I'm 36 and not sure that this dress passes the "do I look like a grown-up in this dress?" test. In contrast, the dress in photo 1, below, does pass that test and maintains the retro vibe I adore. The dress in photo 2 falls somewhere in between, I think.

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Ana

(website)

Veteran

That's true. Love the plaid dress in photo #1! I guess it's up to you. I think it looks nice, but you have to feel comfortable in it, too.

Jjsloane

Veteran

I like the dress, I like the retro vibe, but the full skirt and shorter length would make me feel exposed. (I know I have a similar dress - just not plaid) With tights and flat boots maybe, but I don't know if you require this to be office appropriate (it would not pass my office test)

Ariel

That shape flatters you. But the shape, material, and pattern are all school-girly in their vibe. That's a bit too much school-girlyness in my opinion. I think you should take the shape into consideration and find that shape with a more sophisticated fabric and color/pattern.

As for loving it because it's ugly, I understand that I just don't think it's ugly, so much as young. That dress longer and with a mermaid skirt--now that would be ugly chic, in my imagination (which, admittedly, is certifiable).

celia

Veteran

As strange as this may sound, to my eyes what makes me say no to the dress is a combination of the neckline and sleeves.

MsMary

Veteran

I want to like it, but I think the cut makes you look like you have Too Much Bosom.

Gaylene

Veteran

I think it's the shape and length of the skirt that gives it a young, unsophisticated look. And I agree with MaryK regarding the top of the dress. It's an odd combination of matronly on top and youthful on the bottom.

shedev

Veteran

I love how ugly is a pro and a con.

Arya

(website)

Oh my goodness, MaryK - I see what you mean, but I *love* that you wrote Too Much Bosom. I don't think that's ever been said of me. Ha! Gaylene, your addition that the bodice ends up looking "matronly" was insightful and helped me look at it with a different eye.

Thanks for the input!

Deborah

Veteran

I like the dress but it just doesn't look like you. I think I would prefer it in a different print for you. I see what Maryk sees to regarding 'the bosom' . The dress just doesn't create the best in proportions in my humble opinion.

Kirti

(website)

Veteran

I like it.

Vildy

Veteran

It's truly an awkward dress. I like ugly, too. And novelty. But sometimes it's good to get your initial thrills from that and then pass on. Because it can be like hearing a joke.
Less funny the second and all the subsequent times. You can tire of even ugliness.

Arya

(website)

I'm going to pass on this dress. It's a strange combination of matronly on top and too-young on bottom. IF the plaid were smaller (I am only 5'2", and this large plaid is overwhelming me), the skirt a bit longer & fuller, and the bodice more interesting, it would be a go. That's a lot of IFs, though, so I'm not going to go back for it.

Thanks for all your input!