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Wardrobe Edit - Dresses : which to keep? ETA - ME in the dresses

Raisin

Veteran

Here is my entire wardrobe of dresses. I am editing, so which ones are obvious keepers or tossers? Sorry I didn't have time to set up the camera to take pics on, some I found old pics of me wearing them. But based on pattern, shape, etc which ones should go? The 5th and 6th ones are more like tunics....and I always have trouble styling them.
I can see that I'm missing the LBD. I have a favorite one that will likely stay, but I won't tell you which one it is right now.

ETA - More photos at the end of me in the dresses. Sorry for crappy iPad pics, but you get the idea of how they look. #1 dress I feel like it's a bit of a potato sack unbelted (pic 9) but also has too much material belted (10)...it may be too big. Dress 4 I always belt ( pic 11). This one I like but the pattern feels 80's to me.... Dress 5 I use as a tunic and it's very light an summery so I have it over cropped jeans here (12), though you can't see them all.

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Dressing

25 replies

Latest reply was from Astrid

Atlantia

Veteran

I love 6. It is my favorite. I would love to see #1 on you, because I quite like the neckline. In fact, I really would like to see more of this on you. I would have said pass on 6 if you hadn't included picture with you wearing it.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

It's hard to say since I don't have a keen idea of your style yet, beyond seeing the mustard shirt and Wang shorts But I like #1 for a mod nod (he he) summer dress.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

You should give us a framework for why you're editing! Do you have a certain style goal...number of summer frocks you'd like to keep and have too many? Are there any you are partial to? They all look like they have potential...

For the tunic ones I think a pair of leggings in neutrals (taupe, navy, etc) but not necessarily black, would work best.

Raisin

Veteran

Jenava - just trying to cull out the crap. I have a few gripes about most of the dresses, but I'm also partial to each one for some reason. They have escaped my usual ruthless editing. Hmmm...this probably will not work unless I try each one on and show you guys, right? I just need to get rid of the ones that don't work, and I will need a LBD when I find the right one.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I like #1 a lot; and I wasn't fond of #2 until I saw it on you in the pic! It's quite cute and my favourite of the lot!

Sidenote: I love Mounties! *Squee* A lot of the girls here marry Mounties, and we call it "Scarlet Fever" ... we also have a military base for German troops, so some girls have "German Measles" as well

rachylou

Veteran

The dress in #8 is the one in #2 & 3 right? You are tremendously beautiful and appealing in that one.

You look good in #6 and yet I don't like it for you. It's too Courtney Cox for me. Too... speed freak. I lean towards a no on #5 because it seems similar to #6.

Not sure about #1.

Raisin

Veteran

Lyn - lol, yes we joke about Scarlet Fever a lot! It was rampant when we were up in Labrador. We're at a wedding there, and I wasn't in the red serge, but I am a member too. Never heard of German measles though, that's a good one!

Rachylou - thank you, you're too kind. That grey one is actually my favorite and the only one I have no gripe about. I prefer it in the summer, it's silk so it's light but it has a lining, it covers my upper arms and chest, and I'm pale so I burn easily. That one will stay. I get what you mean about #6 though. I am drawn to it, it works good on me, but yet, it's not me....it's weird.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

The only one I have an aversion to is the tunic in #5 and #12. So helpful to see them on! #1 seems a bit vintage-y for your style? A little less so with the belt, but still pretty 1960's to my eye. From the looks you've posted you seem more of a modern gal...so maybe consider that FWIW. #2 and #4 belted are great! I like #6 if the leggings were navy blue...

ETA - read RacheyLou's responds and I agree about #6...this might be look a wee bit dated, even though it looks good on you.

Carole

Veteran

Keep 6, 3, and 4. You look sensational in 6.

Jules

Veteran

I like them all and I don't personally mind having dresses in my wardrobe that don't match my style that well... I feel like dresses are special somehow since we wear them for special occasions and they don't need to mix and match with the rest of my stuff.
That said, #2/3 is the only one that really stood out to me as being your current style based on the new stuff you bought.
Hmm on second thought, #1 can go, it's too girly on.

Thistle

Veteran

None of these really stand out to me as a 10. I am not sure where your style journey is going, but honestly, I am not sure any of these should survive your ruthless purging!

Of all of them, I think #8 is probably the best.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I'm not so key on 1 and 6, they seem kind of dated. The others look like they can be styled in different ways, over jeggings, with a jacket on top, etc.

rachylou

Veteran

I like #11 and... 12 after all. The more flowy ones. #1 is another that looks good, is hipster, but I don't love it like the flowier ones.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

#2 would only work in a Chloe Sevigny ironic kind of way. She does this dowdy chic look that I'm very mixed on. If you do keep it must only been worn with clunky shoes.
For example

http://www.openingceremony.us/.....8;view=all

#5 is very Tory Burch, not sure if that's your style aspiration.

JR

Veteran

I liked #4 the best.

You know, you don't have to purge just for the sake of purging. If they are still making you happy and you're still getting wear out of them, why not keep them? They don't have to be perfect to earn the right to stay. Having said that, #12 is the first one I would recommend purging. It just doesn't look as good on you as the others.

On the other hand, learn from the imperfections so the next one that comes in is that much closer to perfect.

Raisin

Veteran

Thanks for all the feedback. It is really is quite helpful.

JR you're right that I don't need to get rid of them just for the sake of it. But a few of the haven't seen wear in years, and a few I just don't seem to be comfortable in. But I didn't know why. Reading everyone's insights has been very eye opening and helpful. I set of see them in a new light now. I'm pondering them. Some are going for sure.

Anna your insight on the Grey one is funny because my DH always says I dress too frumpy..well he says like a grandma. He, of course, wishes all my clothes were super tight.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

You could wear #2 with a long sleeve tee under it and flares! That would be kinda frumpy-cute...
And maybe some nerd glasses? LOL.

#4/11 is my fav. You must keep that. I could see it winterized with tights and a grey turtleneck layered under it and some black booties? Maybe a white moto jacket over top?

catgirl

Veteran

You look so good in anything that it's really hard to tell... I think they all have potential - I don't see any crap here. That's helpful, isn't it?

Raisin

Veteran

Lol, Una, that's still helpful, thanks.

I think #1 is not my style and a bit too large, so it will go. I haven't worn it since my oldest son's first B-day party....and now he's 5.

#2 is probably my favorite. It's the one I wear in #8. I usually go with that one when I'm in need of a dress for the occasion. Someday I need the LBD though. Lol, that's the frumpy one Anna! I guess DH was right, I'm have grandmama style.

#4 I wear , but I always wonder if the pattern is a bit dated...kinda 80's? And the neckline has a little folded under edge, and it flips up a lot and drives me nuts.

#5 I hardly wear, I just sort of liked the pattern though I'm not sure now...and it was a nice silk material

#6 Dh loves because it's tight and short :). I can see now that it is a bit of a dated pattern. It's very stretchy and comfy, but hard to wear on it's own, its short and rides up. And not really winter appropriate. So there is the odd day it's good with tights.

So I could potentially see me only keeping #2, and hunting for LBD. But I'm not fully decided on them all yet. The feedback has been very helpful though, thanks to everyone!

Mochi

Veteran

I'm not feeling 2 and 5. They're just a little dull as dishwater to me. I really like the first one! You pick dresses I would never consider and look really great in them. #2 is actually probably versatile; I just find it drab with the coloring. Please don't cull #1. (oops, just read your comment above--oh well, if you don't like it, give it to a good home. It looks great on you, though)

Raisin

Veteran

Nothing is in the cull pile for sure yet Mochi....just considering each one and how it works for me. #2 is dull for sure, which is the one I wear in #8. I guess that's my comfort zone because it's seen the most wear. DH would agree with you though!

Does anyone have an opinion on the pattern of #4? How does that one come across, and why do I think 80's?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have to say, your new shorts have set such a high bar for your style, I'm honestly not *loving* any of these. You are so cute you make all of them look better just by wearing them, but I'm really wanting to see you in some more vibrant colors and modern cuts. I kinda like #6 but it may be a little dated.

I certainly wouldn't throw them all out right away, because they seem like fine pieces to do a little styling with while you build a new dress wardrobe. However, I think it's time for some dress shopping!

rachylou

Veteran

Oh oh oh! It kills me that not everyone likes #2! Lol. You are so beautiful and ethereal in that dress! Immensely appealing. I think if you wore dresses like #1 and #7 all the time, you'd be living in my neighborhood with a crochet owl on the wall and a dog named 'Derrick.'

Yes. That's right. I said it!

Raisin

Veteran

Janet - you make good points, I need to see what flatters me better, but I can hold on to a few for now.

Rachylou - I like #2 too, I will keep it at least for now...it's the one I take when I have a dress occasion. My husband thinks the same as you about the "grandma" dresses...haha....

Astrid

Veteran

I actually love #2 too! I see what Rachylou sees. I would say the rest can go.