Survivor: Jersey Dresses (k or r)

One of these jersey dresses must be returned for budgetary reasons...help me eliminate! (I am not committed to keeping one or the other...I could return both.)

I wanted a passably summery jersey dress that met the following criteria:
*casual "day-to-night" piece (w/ accessories help from YLFers...)
*could maybe work in winter with the right layers?
*would look 100% fab on me

#1 Tart. Pros: draws eye away from my (teeny) bust? Cons: overemphasizes shoulders? skirt shorter than I'd like (makes arms look longer?) on fence about wide waistband.
#2 Rachel Rachel Roy. Pros: I like the print and the more fitted skirt. Cons: boxier; do I look shorter in it?; cowl neck moves around unpredictably (enter fashion tape?) Less layerable?

Please don't worry about being critical or nixing both dresses...I'm just super anxious to avoid spending money on something less than great.

Thanks so much for input!!! And three cheers for YLF.

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14 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I think the back drape of dress #1 is gorgeous on you If you were going to keep one of the dresses, I'd definitely select #1.

#2 I don't think really fits your criteria as well; it wouldn't work very well for the winter, and I do not think it is as flattering as #1.

Jjsloane

I think both look amazing on you so it's hard to decide. #1 is sexy/classy but with flats can be sort of casual. #2 is more fun and more unique and could be more successfully layered in winter with leggings, boots, tshirt under. It's hard to get a feel for you looking short without being in person, but your long slender limbs do not read as short to me at all. I suppose #1 would also work with over layers.

PS. you are the only one noticing things like long arms or emphasized shoulders. Most people would be overjoyed to have your gorgeous figure.

Freckles

I think you look fabulous in both of them.

If it were me I would not wear something I intrinsically felt was too short or had an unpredictable neckline.

Jonesy

Keep the RR! The first one doesn't seem as much like a day dress, IMHO, and I don't see it being as versatile as you transition to fall/winter. It reminds me a bit of a nice bridesmaid dress. The second one has lots of personality, seems more like a day dress, is a bit longer (a plus for daytime IMO) and I could totally see it working with layers as the weather cools (e.g., with a slim-fitting black turtleneck, tights, and tall boots, or with a black jacket over it, etc.). Just my two cents, of course!

CocoLion

My vote goes for the first one (Tart). I think it is great as a day dress because of the knit fabric. It looks so comfortable. It also looks like it will stand the test of time better than #2. The fit issues you write about are non-issues or imaginary on your part, you look great.

The RR looks great on you but the shoulders and neckline look fussy to me. This dress is more trendy, however, so if you want a more statement-type dress, this is it. #1 is more neutral and therefore easier to accessorize.

I don't see either of them as winter dresses. But fall, yes -- with tights and a jacket.

modgrl

I am with Jonesy. The first one wouldn't work as a day dress and you can't layer that neckline. I love the cowl neck. Both look fab but the second one is more versatile. I don't know what kind of work environment you have, but there's no way you could show up in any kind of office in the first one. The second one is sexy but not revealing.

I love #1 and can't get past my love of it to decide whether it fits the 'criteria'. As a matter of fact, may I ask where you got it? It is beautiful on you but I'm not sure it can do double duty, day to night, summer to winter. But I don't have any dresses that can cover all those basis, personally.

Sarah

Active Member

I loooove #1. If you returned it I'd buy it in a heartbeat!

Fruitful

1 looks amazing on you. If I hadn't seen it, I would be able to see merit in 2. But having seen it there is no contest. 2 is definitely boxy and slightly awkward in comparison. It seems to hide your shape and slenderness. 1 drapes perfectly with your shape and looks made for you. That doesn't answer your practicality concerns at all

Linn

#1 is WOW!

Anonymous

I'm all about #1! That is a knockout on you. It drew my eye even from the tiny thumbnail on the homepage. Keep! I think the solid would be much more versatile than the print, too (and I love prints).

kellygirl

I love the second dress! That looks like an easy summer dress that can be worn day to evening. The first dress looks more "evening" to me. I think the silhouette of the second one is killer on you. LOVE it!

annette

Too bad one has to go back...you look great in both! They are so different. I think #1 looks amazing and the fit is perfect. Not too short for a younger woman at all. #2 is more fun and playful. Are you more classic or edgy in your style choices? Or does one just make you feel happy when you put it on? You can't really go wrong...both are fabulous!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I vote #2 hands down. It's very cool.

Lavinia

wow, great dresses and a fab body! I vote for dress 2, beacuse I can really see it being layered up and down. It looks gorgeous on you!

Irene

I like both, but #1 looks amazing on you

What did you decided? I am on the edge of my seat! Both are gorgeous, I wouldn't be able to choose except for your requirement that it be very versatile.

Debora

They both look gorgeous on you, but I think dress #2 is absolutely stunning and meets your criteria for a dress that can go from day to night. The only thing about it that gives me pause is the shifting neckline. How revealing is it when it moves? I know that tape would drive me crazy, especially in the summer. Could you wear a camisole-bra with it such as this?
http://www.zappos.com/natori-z.....4020-ivory

Pristine

#1 looks gorgeous on you. Beautiful colour, interesting neckline AND back. I like how well it drapes on your body. There's a softness to it that balances the subtle sex appeal. Pop on earrings or a bracelet/cuff and you're on your way for a night out. With a pair of flats, they'd be made more casual rather easily. If you work in an office, the colour would make an interesting combination with a neutral coloured jacket (black, grey or even cream).

#2...well, I'm not really a fan of the look. The print is alright, but if budget is a concern, this might not fit the bill because the print might date quite quickly. It also does seem quite boxy. Something about the proportions just isn't working for me. I think the waist sits a bit too low, making you look wider than you actually are.

Do keep the first dress. The second dress just doesn't do your figure justice.

mgshakes

Wow, you ladies are real pros at this! You think of so many things that never would have occurred to me about layering and accessorizing. But opinion was so evenly divided I was in purchasing agony for a while!

Both dresses are out of my comfort zone--#1 "flirtier", #2 trendier and bolder than is usual for me. (I'm a solid-shirdress kind of gal...I realized I only have one print garment in my entire wardrobe, and it was a gift! Gasp!) I set out to push my style boundaries but the print + the cut of the top half of 2 proved too big a push. So...a bit of fashion timidity plus the (slight) majority vote of YLFers (and that of my SO...men can be so predictable...) convinced me to keep dress 1.

But you raise good points about the practicality of the dress, Jonesy and modgrl. I may shelve the multi-seasonal layering project until I own more than one cardigan/jacket (I know) and try to work on summer day-to-night looks first. Luckily, I am a grad student and do not teach during the summer, but I would like to come up with some kind of non-bridesmaidy casual day look! Your styling suggestions are great, Pristine...I'll adopt some of them and work on it, then probably request the aid of you all again...your help and comments were *much* appreciated!!

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