I think it looks lovely on you. It is timeless and gorgeous.

I love wearing dresses and am happy to wear them when many others are wearing pants or shorts or jeans. So I would buy it , and wear it 5-6 times each summer, maybe more. I think you are a similar dress lover so you may be the same. It would be perfect on vacations and might get even more wear (two three evenings in a week for example).

However you have to want it and feel it fits with your shopping mentality and position right now.

Wow!!
It looks really great.
Could you maybe wear it with a jean jacket to dress it down and just wear it for your regular life?

This was actually a hard post for me. I want to support you. You do DESERVE gorgeous things. But I am back to that 30 wear thing. Talk to me a little bit about that. Where are we on that getting that many wears out of it? Does it even matter? I bought pants that were specifically for my "wedding guest capsule". I wore them twice. We can't always be sensible.

I think I have known you long enough. CONVINCE ME and I will support you.

Does it being rayon rather than silk make a difference? And you could call the store to get them to check the tag? That happened to me once, the printing on the inside said this very thin layering black T had merino in it, and when I wanted another the next year the store said that had been an error and there was no merino in it. I've still worn it 28 times since 2014 but that did lose my trust for that store/brand ( the top was a house brand). Cause if they are actually different on the tag and the website, that loses your trust, and makes what others say about quality a concern. And maybe makes a difference on what you would be willing to pay?

I am also with Sterling. What we have all learned this year with the #30 wears thanks to you is not to be taken lightly. Having said that, they could happen over many years. I had guessed 50 wears for the Mondi jersey at the start of my tracking, as it was stored for about 10 of the 30 years. But I know it has added 14 more wears since May 2016 which is pretty good I feel. And we don't have to be sensible every single minute, because that would take all the fun out of fashion which we clearly all love, since we are on this forum. Though thinking of Anne, maybe "love" is too strong a word. If we are here we are all at least interested in fashion x

Beautiful dress and beautiful on you

If that dress was rayon, it was very high-quality rayon. I'm extremely picky about fabric, and it felt like a dream. It is weird that I would get it wrong in the store, though, because I generally look at fabric content before anything else. I could just have glanced at a tag on a different item, I suppose.

JenniNZ and Sterling, you are my voices of care and caution. Here's my plan. I'm going to sleep on this, and make a list of events and activities I could wear this to. Delurked's argument about buying dresses when they come to us is compelling, as well, so I'll include likely occasions in addition to expected ones. If my heart is still Potter-pattering after all that, I'll order it and play with styling at home before making a final decision. Sundance doesn't have free shipping/returns, but that fee is worth it to me to make the right decision.

Could you check with the store about the tag too? I think it makes a difference if they have made an error, either way. I think you could still buy it if it's rayon. I actually like rayon and it is a plant fibre rather than from plastics, although needs a lot of chemical treatment. But then so does cotton, and cotton can be really bad for the environment too! All my reading on these matters is tending to paralyse me a bit and partly why I haven't bought any clothes or shoes since the 10th of May!

Either way, You look gorgeous in it.

Great dress. The print is sublime, the details on the straps is beautiful + the cut is so flattering. I'm interested to see what you decide

This is a special occasion dress and it looks to be very versatile. I love having a few wildcard items in my wardrobe because they keep my love of fashion alive. It is great that you are making this a considered decision rather than an impulse buy. Bravo!

Jenn - also following up to say, if I tried on a fancy formal long gown and felt amazing in it, I would still pass on it because I couldn't envision when I could realistically wear it. However, if it's something I can see working into my actual life but I don't have the occasion yet, that's when I think very hard. I love dresses and turn to them more than many. I know you enjoy your more casual dresses a lot.

That dress does seem very YOU, and I can really see it with your leather jacket too. However, I also agree with sleeping on it and mulling it over to see if it still excites you. From the picture it looks like a winner, but you know best how it feels and makes you feel.

Oh yeah, trying on things just for fun. That's why there is a $300 pair of booties sitting in my closet right now!

I like smittie's suggestion of wearing the dress with a denim jacket to dress it down and make it appropriate for more venues.

One thing I consider when thinking about buying a special-occasion item is how hard it is for me to find something that fits well, that I like, and that is truly flattering. If it is difficult for you to find truly dressy items that check all your personal flattery boxes, then I would seriously consider keeping this dress to have on hand for a nice event. I know that in my case, even if I had a few months' notice for a special event, I might end up settling for something that is less than fab, simply because I have difficulty with proper fit in dresses and am very picky about what styles I like.

I recently was in a similar situation. I ordered the WHBM dress below, and when I tried it on, it looked gorgeous. It had so many elements that I liked stylistically, I loved the colors (which are not well represented in my closet), I loved the pattern (I have only one other floral item), and the fit was spot-on. The only problem is that it is not going to be warm enough for the fall weather coming up, so it might be of limited usefulness, at least in the short term. But it checked so many boxes for me on what I consider to be flattering that I decided to keep it, and I ordered a denim jacket to wear with it. I will find a way to make it work!

Well, I was expecting a red-carpet-only dress, but it looks like a casual Summer dress to me, to be worn simply with flat sandals.
Looks great on you, but would need hemming and there's no way of knowing how it will end looking after hemming.
Fabric might be a problem too : looks like a warm Summer dress to me (bare arms and chest) so silk doesn't sound so good ("rayon" can cover so many different fabrics, it's hard to tell if it's a good or bad thing).

Gorgeous dress Jenn and I would love to see it with cowboy boots. I could see wearing it with a denim jacket, leather jacket and by itself. Love the detail on the straps.
If you buy it the events will come.

It's beautiful on you! So perfect.
To me, this is the kind of dress that won't date very quickly. it's a little bit timeless. This is something to consider with the 30 wears. I'd say wear it 10 times this summer, then 5 times a summer over the next four years, and you have hit the 30.
I agree that it will go well with casual jackets too - I like the idea of both the leather and a cute denim jacket. I've also seen a lot of wrap cardigans lately, and they might be fun, too, for a change, and to extend the season.
#Team enablers

Late to the party, but add me to the list of enablers. This looks so great on you and really suits your style. Personally, I have such a tough time finding dresses that work for me, I tend to jump on the ones I love and wear them for years. This one is a great candidate for dressing up a bit for an occasion or dressing down with a denim or leather jacket for a casual day. Keep us posted!

I have slept on it, and I'm back at my computer where I can type out a more nuanced response. Thank you all for the feedback and food for thought! I'm sure some of you are thinking, "Just quit with the angst and buy or don't buy the dress, already" and I'm feeling a little like that too. It's just a dress!

However, this is a good opportunity for me to really think through an individual purchase, and I want to buy with both heart and care. Plus, I love hearing your thoughts on occasions, styling, and eco/social impacts.

So! Rayon vs. silk. As JenniNZ pointed out, thinking through the implications of various fibers can be paralyzing. I generally prefer natural fibers (silk, wool, organic cotton, linen) but I'm not opposed to rayon/viscose--in moderation, as I'm aware of the processing required to turn it into a usable fiber. The big thing for me with rayon is long-term durability. I'm not easily willing to pay as much for it as I am for silk. Does higher-end rayon hold up better than the stuff you find at H&M? I'd hope so.

Fashiontern, you asked about quality. I have only owned one Sundance piece, but I've tried on many, and I generally find the quality to be a bit above Anthropologie on average, and definitely more consistent. They do sell floaty, boho pieces, though, so you have to be more careful with them than, say, a flannel from Duluth Trading Co.

I've been thinking about occasions. Here's what I've come up with:
Shakespeare Festival - one of my favorite parts of the summer
DCPA events - We've occasionally gone to shows at the Denver Center for Performing Arts in the past, but we've vowed to increase our attendance in the coming year, so "dinner and a play" should become a more regular event.
art openings - When I had my work in an art show last year, I had to scramble a bit to find an outfit, though I was able to construct something out of my closet. Nothing on the schedule, but this could certainly happen again.
awards ceremonies - Son is a junior in HS this year, and I feel like these events start popping up for upperclassmen
Denver Botanic Gardens - We do events at the Denver Botanic Gardens every now and then. I think this dress would work for a garden stroll. I also do a craft show at the Gardens in early November, where the first night is a members-only evening event. I could definitely change into a dress like this after setup.

Even after moving my NAS trench coat purchase to spring/summer, I still have a slot open in my summer five. I just didn't buy many statements this season. Right now, my inclination is to wait and see if there's a discount offered this weekend, and then order and do some styling out of my closet.

You wrote: "Just quit with the angst and buy or don't buy the dress, already" and I'm feeling a little like that too. It's just a dress!"

I disagree. Sometimes these are big decisions and you need to reach out to Friends for advice and counsel. I reached out to the Forum for advice when I was agonizing over buying an Eileen Fisher Duster and Michael Kors Tote. I got lots of really good advice. Ultimately, I decided against the Tote thanks to the collective wisdom of the Forum. I didn't buy the Duster either. It was a timing thing. I couldn't get to the mall last week to buy it and then I literally forgot about it.

You went on to write: "This is a good opportunity for you to really think through an individual purchase, and to buy with both heart and care." I couldn't agree with you more!!!!!!!

AND think about all the thought that went into the replies. The Forum really wanted to help you make the best decision for you and your life style.

You're right, Sterling! And honestly, I'm not caught up in overanalysis on this, but I do want my purchases to be made with care, and my commitment to that is only growing as my understanding of the industry at large increases.

Having boundaries outside of desires and budget has worked fantastically well for me and my wardrobe is more high functioning and satisfying than ever.

If it meets all your other requirements but not the one described in your last sentence I would leave it behind without regret having decided that if I find the right version I'm getting it!

Here are some thoughts no one else has mentioned yet.

How lightweight is that dress? I could easily see myself wearing it beyond the summer season (if it looked as good on me as this). I would wear it in fall over a black turtleneck or long-sleeved T, with boots and leather/boho accessories, and in spring over a white short-sleeved T with a bright purse or cardi or ballet flats. But especially, it would be my go-to for at-home entertaining over the festive season, topped with a jewel toned chunky sweater so it looks like a maxi skirt. I have a rayon dress I use this way. (At home I don't have to worry about the snow and slush.)

The dark floral and the rayon are less seasonally limiting imho.

And I have totally worn that type of dress to church in the am (with casual accessories) and kept it on all day to lounge on the sofa and read a book!

Oh, L'Abeille, you are clever! The fabric is substantial enough, I would consider wearing it to the husband's company Christmas party, blinged up with appropriate accessories. I also have some pullovers that could be used for the maxi skirt look.

It's a gorgeous dress and so very YOU!
But, being painfully honest, I would never pay a premium price for a rayon item with the expectation that I would wear it a lot. The potential for it to fade and/or lose its shape after a few wearings is just too high. I might make an exception from a manufacturer like Eileen Fisher with a reputation for extremely high quality. In my experience, Sundance is not particularly discriminating in that regard.
Sorry to be a downer - my opinion is obviously a minority one!

Ryce raises some very important points.

Normally, I would agree with you, Ryce! However, based on the care instructions and feel of the fabric, this is not viscose rayon, but a higher-end product that should retain its strength while wet, at least that's my understanding based on my rayon research over the past few months. I wouldn't take the risk if I hadn't seen/felt it in-store.

I am leaning towards ordering, but only if it drops below a certain price I'm comfortable paying.

I'm sure some of you are thinking, "Just quit with the angst and buy or don't buy the dress, already" and I'm feeling a little like that too. It's just a dress!

Not me. I appreciate hearing everyone's thought process. For me, that price would end it. Maybe it would come back to me (ie, I'd come across it later at a lower price) or maybe not. Maybe I'd come across something equally stunning in my price range, or maybe not. Maybe I'd get tickets to a show and scramble in my closet for something to wear, but that price is more than I'd do for a dress. So it's interesting to hear other ways people think about it.

But it is absolutely stunning on you. I don't know how much you worry about "repeating outfits", but it sounds like the people at the places you're thinking of wearing it would be different each time, so that's a plus.

Fashiontern, funny you should say that, because I would have said the same thing two years ago. My perspective has changed, and I think it started with this discussion:
https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....-under-150

We all have our price breaking points, though. Mine has just crept up a bit as I buy fewer items each year.

Jenn, I just posted something to you on this topic on Thistle's thread. Can you reply here or in a message, so I don't keep dominating her thread? I'll read that post from the archives.

I started on YLF thinking I just wanted advice on an outfit for a wedding. I was surprised by the wisdom about finding your own style and building a wardrobe (not surprised that you all are smart--surprised that that kind of knowledge is even a thing), so I've stuck around to learn more. I don't know if I'll change my mind on this or not. Where I am right now (as evidenced by Thistle's thread) is feeling that a lot of people refuse to believe that price can be added onto other criteria. There is a diversity of opinion, of course, but I can't count how many times people have responded in various threads as though there were a limited number of things you can consider in a purchase decision, so if you add in price, you must throw out other criteria. That just doesn't make sense to me. Joy's attempt at a caricature is a perfect example of refusing to believe that you can find something good for a low price and then spend the other money on something other than clothing. I think she intended it as a stinging rebuke to something I'd just said in another thread, but instead it was just irritating that she refuses to see what I'm saying. I wouldn't buy six cheap dresses that would fall apart instead of this one. I'd buy nothing, unless I happened to find a good quality dress that fit me well for the price I was willing to pay. (I probably didn't need to explain that to you. Sorry). Your comment that you want to see if the price on this dress drops makes perfect sense to me, but is the kind of thing I feel people on here warning me against.

I think people don't want to be harsh, but I wonder what everyone who said nice things about my eclipse/rafting packing post or my wedding packing would say if they were being honest. Can you really see how much I paid for those things/do they look like the kind of cheapness and careless decision-making people insist come with low prices? What would/could I have gotten differently if I'd been willing to pay more?

If I may intereject here, Fashiontern, I think you can safely take comments on the forum at face value. In my experience, if someone says something nice, they mean it. There is a very wide economic spectrum represented here, in regard to overall clothing budgets and what people are willing to spend for any given item. I've found no evidence of anyone here judging others' style based on what they are presumed to have spent. So I hope you will fee free to post without fear of judgment about expenses in any way.