The dealbreaker - YouLookFab Forum

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Shopping

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

The dealbreaker

Ivy

I was looking recently for a dress (thanks for the great ideas in my post on that topic!) and found one that looked terrific: good length, great color, appropriate fabric for being outside in the heat... and then I literally recoiled when I saw it has an elastic waist. NOPE.

What's the one thing that makes you pass on an otherwise perfect item?

Shopping

19 replies

Latest reply was from Jazzy Dance

rachylou

Veteran

Ohmigosh. I just did this recently. Pulled something off a rack and was 'Oh no no no.' Out loud. But I can't remember. My mind has blocked the horror.

Anonymous

- Being made of rayon.
- If a dress, being less than 38" long.
- Split backs (Free People, I'm looking at you).
- Racerbacks ... I guess anything that requires a special bra.

Anonymous

I don't like exposed zips in dresses. Was there a belt you could have worn to disguise the elastic waist?

BrieN

Veteran

acrylic. It makes me itch and I'm always amazed how they are using material that has small amounts of it in a lot of nice, nicer, and higher end items. I have to check all the tags.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Elastic waist. Clingy fabrics. Anything that is sheer enough to require an under-layer in summer.

Last shopping trip I found this super cute denim tunic/dress. Fit so well (longer on me than on the model) but that detail on the arm really rubbed against my underarm area. Was. Not. Comfy. I tried 2 sizes and still found that to be a stupid detail to run all around the armhole!

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Ivy

Susan, it's not the look of the elastic waist that I object to, it's feeling like my middle is being strangled. I want a dress to fit but not cling anywhere or I get twitchy.

BrieN and Anne, I'm also on Team No Acrylic! Ditto Team No Itch.

RachyLou, it must've been pretty bad!

Diana

Veteran

Elastic waists on dresses are always a huge dealbreaker for me. Even if they're not visible they're still so bunchy and uncomfortable!

Also itchy anything, most particularly in pants. For some reason my thighs are the itchiest part of me, lol.

Anonymous

Anything sheer. I can't tell you how much tops I rejected this year because I won't settle on this front.

Oh, and pet peeve, sales people that tell me "you can wear a camisole" or "it isn't that bad!!" I know from experience that I won't wear them and they are purged.

Thistle

Veteran

Elastic is one.

Acrylic is another. No matter how soft it feels, I will be scratching before the day is out.

Nebraskim

Veteran

Sleeveless is a non-starter for me. Skirts must be at least 21 inches and dresses no shorter than 38 inches (which is too short but I wear them over full-length leggings). I also do not wear ankle-length pants, so I can no longer wear pants at all as I cannot find any that are 32-inch inseam or longer because full-length pants apparently are no longer made. I'm not a fan of rayon (aka modal) nor acrylic but will consider blends. Alas.

Traci

Veteran

For me it's touching the fabric. Icky polyester crepe or stiff elastic.

Anonymous

Clingy, stiff or scratchy fabrics
Necklines gaping open
Arm holes too low
Skirt part made in such a way that emphasizes my tummy
Bling

Windchime

Veteran

Tacky phrases or pictures on the front of tee shirts. If they're displayed hanging on a circular rack, you don't see what's on the front until you pluck one for closer examination and then see it has some goofy phrase or some tacky picture on the front. Then I end up feeling embarrassed, wondering if anyone noticed me reaching for a dumb/tacky shirt!

DonnaF

Veteran

1. Dry Clean Only tag unless it is outwear like a coat. I hate trips to the cleaners, and if something is DCO I somehow feel the item is too precious to wear and I *save* it.

2. Necklines or armholes that hit me so low I have to wear a cami underneath. Nope; I want to have wearing a cami MY choice and don't want a garment bossing me around.

Anonymous

Yes, I'm with *Anne* on the split backs. I often don't notice the split back until I almost have the top on! So annoying.

Ivy

Wow, I'm still a relative newcomer to YLF, but clearly I have found my people You're all listing the criteria I've recognized over time that make me cringe and drop a garment back on the rack without a second thought. in particular, I recall the years when wearing branded Tommy Hilfiger shirts was popular and I flatly REFUSED to be a part of that trend.

Gigi

Veteran

Dry-clean only.
Elastic waistband on pants (I like a more tailored look with belts).
High polyester content on jeans.
Huge logos or other branding (not my style; I like subtler details).

Sisi

Veteran

A lot of things, but one above all:

the ever-present too low neckline !

Jazzy Dance

Short poofy sleeves, any kind of back that requires a special bra, and obvious logos or branding.