Wins from the Holding Zone - and a dress I am lusting after

I had a wee look in my holding zone yesterday (10 yr old son's wardrobe - he has nothing to hang in it, poor lad, as he lives in sports gear).

And I had three wins:

a raspberry silk A line skirt, part of a two piece. It has sequins scattered on it. The top I suspect is too fitting across the back (as I have been going to the gym I am more muscular around the shoulders). I will try it but I also think it might be too short for my preferences. But the skirt which was too tight last summer fitted perfectly. I will have to experiment what I have that works with it but I have always loved it.
a swimsuit that I always loved, but made me look too paunchy last summer looked good. So I can cross that off my necessary shopping list!
a black long sleeve kurta/kaftan with white embroidery. I used to love it and wore it a lot over my swimsuit. But I overdid it. After a wee hiatus for two summers I decided I liked it again, especially with my new (thrifted) khaki shorts. Ideal for long hot days outside, and very boho lite.

So three cheers for the holding zone!!

I did try this dress on yesterday and loved it. I am trying to decide whether to get it or not. It is not on my shopping list. What gave me pause was:

- it is quite dressy, maybe too dressy for BBQ/casual dinners
- needs a strapless bra, I have one, but it is always less comfortable than one with straps

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance for reading!

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10 years ago

Anonymous

Sally - three cheers to the holding zone! And a laugh at your son's closet:) This dress is gorgeous , love , love, love it. Do it!

Brooklyn

Veteran

Hooray for you! Congrats on the weight loss and other wins. I agree that putting something aside for a while can renew the love when you bring it out again.
The dress is lovely. I can see it looking good on you. I personally would not worry about it being too dressy (I think it is casually elegant) but would worry about the bra issue. That is because I really HATE strapless bras. I find them uncomfortable and am always trying to resist the urge to fiddle. But you may not feel that strongly about it!

Caro in Oz

Great finds in your holding zone Sally The strapless bra problem would put me off the dress but as others have said if it doesn't bother you go for it. I don't think it's too dressy - what is the fabric?

Sal

Thanks Lisa!

Brooklyn, strapless bra's are a pain, but I do love this neckline on me, I will think about it some more because it is not cheap ($194 NZD on sale at Country Road).

Caro - 100% polyester. A good thought because whilst I wear polyester it is best not in the hottest of months, and this dress is really a high summer dress. I can't imagine layering it....

Cococat

I think I will need a holding zone while I go through my transition....hmmm

Anyway, the dress is gorgeous and I love that style of neckline too. I agree that strapless bras are a pain but worth it sometimes to wear beautiful necklines like that. I haven't seen that dress in CR here, but I do shop in CR quite a bit and I find that their polyesters are good quality and fine for the heat.

I think it would look amazing with a simple collarless jacket over it for cooler weather. Depending on the jacket, you could wear your normal bra and a little bit of skin would peak out between the neckline and the jacket edge.

That would finish it for me I can't stand poly in summer but we can have days of 40 +

Deborah

Yay for the holding zone:)

I love the dress and I can absolutely see you wearing this. Do you need a new strapless bra?? Are their alternatives, like those invisible straps you can put on your bra? The dress has your name on it:)

Helen11

Good thinking on the holding zone! The dress is gorgeous and the neckline will suit you (and your shoulders) so well. However, I'm with Brooklyn on the strapless bra issue.....

Stephanie

Active Member

I'm with the others - I think the dress would look fabulous on you. Because it is a looser fit, I'm not sure the polyester would be as much of an issue. I have flowy tops I wear in the hot Florida summer weather that are 100% polyester but it doesn't bother me. I also wouldn't worry about it being too dressy - do you have a few occasions in mind in which it'd be appropriate? You can dress it down with some flat sandals and simple jewelry, and be the best dressed at any BBQ

unfrumped

The dress looks wonderful but yes, fabric and UW can be issues.
For me it would lack that " easy" feel and breathability, but YMMV, and true, being sleeveless and loose helps( polyester with sleeves and no breezy armholes is a bigger comfort- buster outdoors) . You know your " wear opportunities" and what you reach for.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Fun that you shopped your holding zone. Good for you.

Ah to be a boy, and be satisfied with shorts all year round!
Really like the neckline, colourblocking and pleat details in the posted dress.
This is a good dress to wear for events where you're eating a lot of cake!

Suz

Yippee! That is a superb way to economize on time as well as money. Shopping for bathing suits is a huge pain.

I wish there were some way of knowing which pieces might rekindle our love. I've had that same experience of wearing something "to death" without wearing it out -- only to find that if I leave it alone for a season or two I can fall in love with it again. But not every item turns out that way. If only I could predict better!

Thanks Coco, Caro, Stephanie, Angie, Smittie, Unfrumped, Helen,Suz, and Deborah.

I haven't gone back for the dress, I may do so tomorrow...but I think I will hold off. While I really liked it I think I can live without it! I do have occasions where the dress would work brilliantly (dinners out, a work Christmas day at the races, a party we are holding)........ but I already have a couple of suitable dresses for the races and dinners out. It is not super expensive but it is not a bargain either.

Maybe a jumpsuit would be more fun and different?

I don't have much in the holding zone, aside from out of season clothes which I store away (about 10-20% as most of my things can be worn across seasons). What I am always reluctant to hand on is special occasion wear because as a teenager I used to wear my mothers and grandmothers' old special occasion dresses. Whilst I do not have daughters I think that maybe nieces or friends of the family may like to wear them in the future. Or maybe son's girlfriends? (that seems a while off!).

Suz, I agree, I have had both experiences with holding onto pieces, and probably more have come out of the holding zone and gone straight to the thrift shop. I was pleased that it worked this time!

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