Thoughts on this potential dress?

Helena

Hi friends, just a quick question for you - what are your thoughts on this dress for a vacation - it would be for a smart (but non-formal) dinner out at a resort.

Pros:

love shirt dresses as a rule - they tend to work on me
like the sleeves - no bra issues
fun print and colour for a tropical environment
it's a breathable fabric

Cons:

is it too office attire-ish for a resort setting? (nothwithstanding bright colour) - I often skew too 'conservative'
will I ever ever wear it again?

Appreciate your thoughts; thank you!

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2 years ago

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37 replies

Latest reply was from Aurore

Star

Veteran

I love shirt dresses and I especially love this one. The colour and pattern is fun and funky. I live next door to a resort town and do feel too formal in a shirt dress in summer though.

2 years ago

Helena

Veteran

Thanks Star ... hmm, and my only other dress is a similar style (collared and button up, though sleeveless) ... zut alors, perhaps this isn't the one, much as I like it

2 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Lovely dress! Reads casual to me though, but might be fine for a resort where things are casual.

2 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

This was 2 years ago, but might help?

https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....rt-and-syc

If/when DH and I do the winter escape type vacation again (maybe 2023?) I would eschew t-shirts and bring woven button downs - like my sleeveless ones, and pick up a sleeveless shirt dress in a ticking stripe.

2 years ago

Helena

Veteran

Thanks for your thoughts Angie and Carla!

Angie, casual is better I think ... it's a family-oriented resort, so a decent dress should be dressy enough for dinners - just need something that's not shorts or beach-cover-looking; no formal and very dressy events to go to.

Carla, thanks, I'll take a look! Hard at this time of year as there are limited summer options as you well know!

2 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I think the dress is fab then!

2 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

@ Check Simons. They’ve done a summer drop with lots of bathing suits, matching shorts sets and some pretty trapeze dresses.

https://www.simons.ca/en/swimw.....ear--c5760

2 years ago

Helena

Veteran

Ah thanks Angie!

Carla, I'll look ... never ordered from Simon's! Thanks

2 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Gee, it looks good to me! Can unbutton the lowest skirt button ( depending I’m on where it hits on you, wear sandals of any level of casual to dressy, same for jewelry, topper and bag.
May depend on what type iteration of “ resort”— the duhsigner- dressy cruise night type vs more beachy type, to say whether it’s too formal vs informal.
“Would I wear it again ?” — is it office- appropriate for you with adding classic support act, or do you need more casual BBQ/ summer party attire?
I do think it’s reasonable to be practical about new wardrobe items— aiming the basic item toward needed categories and using accessories to skew toward the special occasion.

2 years ago

Sisi

Veteran

I don't know Helena ... I should see it on you. On the model it doesn't look fab to me.

2 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

Also, I was in a Winners 3 weeks ago and it had racks of resort wear. Not sure if your ‘Finds’ represents your wardrobe, but I see a couple of candidates there - particularly a solid olive dress and a black dress with small floral print.

2 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

If the fabric is cotton or flowy, I think it would be fine. Shirt dress style per se does not read business to me. I think it’s pretty!

2 years ago

Helena

Veteran

Thanks all! As I'm reading the comments and pondering, I'm thinking it might be a 'pass' ... as much as I think the colour is lovely, I think it could easily end up as a one-hit wonder ... can't imagine where else I would wear it ...

unfrumped, your words really articulated it:
"I do think it’s reasonable to be practical about new wardrobe items— aiming the basic item toward needed categories and using accessories to skew toward the special occasion."

Thinking maybe a more versatile LBD and some fun accessories might be a better angle ... I did find a black sort of 'elevated t-shirt' dress that might be worth a try ... will keep you posted!

(Carla, the olive dress was just a 'liked it', and printed dress was passed along as it didn't quite fit perfectly).

2 years ago

kkards

Veteran

does it have pockets?

its cute, and i think with the right shoes you would get a "not office wear" vibe.
(if you really want to not be office wear, wear it open over a tank and bike shorts)

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2 years ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Do you not already have something else suitable? It doesn’t sound like you are really that keen on this?
It looks good for the purpose though.
I have bought dresses at the actual resort previously, my Bali cobalt maxi is a case in point, 17 wears since bought late 2018.

2 years ago

slim cat

Veteran

I think it’s lovely- I like it. It’s pretty and cheerful- could be just the summer dress that you wear different ways depending on situation ( lots of white accessories for resort, or denim jacket and sneakers for city walks , etc ).
Of course it only works if you like it .

2 years ago

Sal

Veteran

With flat sandals or gold slides or espadrilles I think it could look holiday. I would also wear this for weekend bbq or casual work days. But I also think you want to be excited by a dress.

I added these two this summer - white has had 8 wears in less than two months. The floral has had 6-8 over three months (since true summer arrived).

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2 years ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Thinking more… why would you say “Will I ever ever wear it again?” Do you just not like dresses?
Do dresses have to be worn for dinner at this resort? Could a skirt or cropped pants work instead with the right support acts?

2 years ago

Kathie

Veteran

What about separates? My sense is that you don't wear dresses very often, so the dress would be hard to incorporate into your regular life.

2 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love the colour! It looks as if it might work for your purposes....what is the fabrication, though?

2 years ago

Jules

Veteran

I was going to say it's fine until I realized it's a possible purchase, not something existing you already have. And it's still fine! If you're going to the typical all-inclusive frequented by Canadians, formality is not a requirement. But as others have said you don't seem excited about it. Have you considered mixing and matching any separates you may already have, with pretty sandals and jewelry?

The Bay also has a resort selection (narrowed down to dresses at this link). There's a black and white embroidered one that might be outside the box for you but did remind me of you 2022 Colour of the Year pick

https://www.thebay.com/c/custo.....red_newest

2 years ago

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I think it’s the colour that’s calling to you as this would be a gorgeous colour on you.Do you wear dresses?If you are more of a trouser girl why not try some dressy pants or a dressy top that you know you will wear again.Easier said than done l know to find something!

2 years ago

Helena

Veteran

Ok, great food for thought here; thanks everyone!

What I'm taking:

I prob need to see this in person to make sure it's a 'love' vs. a 'I need a bright dress because resort'
I am going to go through my closet to make sure nothing suitable isn't hiding in there (but I don't think so - I don't have many dresses at all)
I do have some separates that will work, but thought a dress or two would be nice to add to the mix
I do actually have another dress-worthy event coming in the spring (God willing the pandemic stays calm) - my daughter's elementary school graduation ceremony - so that's something to keep in mind (Jenni - I like dresses but don't wear them much because my lifestyle is uber-casual)
Good point on the fabric and I believe it's some sort of Tencel or similar - so should breathe but I'll double check.

Planning to do a try on this weekend so we shall see ... and ordered a couple of neutral dresses to try also, so we'll see how those go (black/black&white - Jules!)

Thanks all for helping me think my needs through more thoroughly!

2 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I love the colour, but do think it reads a bit ‘house dress.’ I’d undo another button and add noticeable jewellery.

2 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Listen as far as I can tell anything goes at a resort. If it is hot I think a sleeveless dress would be more the vibe, but who cares. I do think there should be a dress suitable for the elementary school graduation and a resort dinner - based on what you like and feel comfortable in.

2 years ago

Brooklyn

Veteran

I think it would be fine for resort wear and the colour is pretty.

But my thinking is - if it’s for your vacation, buy something you love and that is going to add to the experience. It’s a holiday after all. If you have to analyse whether it’s right for you, probably it isn’t.

2 years ago

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Let's be honest, @Helena - you don't have a very 'beachy bohemian' style. And you likely never will - right? In which case, would a more 'resort style' dress REALLY get a lot of wear from you outside of the resort? I think something like this, in a more 'you' silhouette but a soft fabric & fun colour, is more likely to be worth your while.

I'd approach this question from the above long-term perspective, instead of the context-specific short-term resort perspective, if I were you. Both the soft fabric & colour seem more casual, but how could you rewear it for other contexts? The examples shown here are for a stiffer shirt dress (sorry I still can't paste links, for some reason...) But I think they could apply here - wear the dress as is with bare legs, as a lightweight topper over swimwear, open & belted as a 'cardigan' over shorts, or just with some of either the top or bottom buttons undone (or both !) if you're feeling flirty, lol. What do you think?

Either way, you likely won't know for sure until you see the dress! Sorry to be an enabler

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2 years ago

RobinF

Veteran

I like it, definitely worth a try. I can see it casually with sandals or a little dressier for your daughter's graduation.

2 years ago

Helena

Veteran

Thanks so much everyone for your feedback! I've just received two dresses that I had ordered, so I'll start a new thread - these may just have the versatility that I'm worried the bright colour will lack ... but I still plan to try it on this weekend when I get to the shop

Zaeobi, you nailed it ... that's exactly my thinking ... thank you!x

2 years ago

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