Winter's last gasp, and looking ahead to summer - YouLookFab Forum

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Winter's last gasp, and looking ahead to summer

Parsley

Veteran

I'm so ready to put winter behind me, but it was still cold the other day, so my pinstripe slouchy trousers got one last outing to my medical group's administrative meeting. Hopefully the bright jacket gave at least a little nod to spring. Is the leopard belt too much with it?

#2 is my what I'm hoping will be an age-appropriate dress for hot weather. I'm wanting something for going out to dinner on summer evenings, but I'm not feeling great in sleeveless dresses any more. Does this one work? Is the length OK for a woman of "a certain age"? It's super light-weight silk and should be very comfortable and cool, but does it look like a nightgown?

Here I'm wearing red heels, but I'm looking for some strappy black sandals with low-ish heels for summer. What do you think of the ones in 3 and 4?

I would love to hear your comments and suggestions. Thanks!

1- J Crew trousers, Rag & Bone jacket, Eileen Fisher silk tee
2- Vince silk dress, Van Eli pumps
3- Aquatalia sandals (are they too young with the studs?)
4- Nine West sandals

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Dressing

30 replies

Latest reply was from Vix

Day Vies

Veteran

Mustard and gray is one of my favorite combos -- I love the addition of the leopard belt. I also prefer #4 over #3 --- #3 looks kind of dowdy even with the studs. #4 looks very refined I love them

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Wow, Parsley, you look fabulous in both of these! I love the mustard/grey/black combo on you, and the dress is terrific. Especially with the red shoes. I see no nightgown.

As for the sandals, I actually really like both. I don't think the studs are too young, since the rest of the style is not extreme. They may read a little more casual than the Nine West sandals.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm so with you about wanting to put Winter behind me, Marci.

You do want me to faint don't you. I adore, #1! But you in that frock whacks it out of the ballpark. *WOW*!

Try both pairs of sandals. Comfort will win the competition.

Ginkgo

Veteran

I love the dress, it just blows me away and I usually don't care for loose dresses -- you look amazing in it. I like how both the design and pattern lift the eye up. Looks cool and elegant.

Another vote for the gray and mustard combination in #1 and I also like both sandals.

Tanya

Veteran

You look stunning in that dress Parsley! Really perfect for the summer. I also adore #1, such fabulous colors together.

I like both pairs of sandals. I have a slight preference for the first pair as I think it might be more comfortable.

Parsley

Veteran

Thanks for your comments!
I've ordered both sandals, so hopefully one of them will work. I'd like it to be the Nine Wests, since they're about a quarter of the price of the others (!), but I'd place bets on the Aquatalias being more comfortable.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Parsley, I love the mustard blazer as you've styled it. What a great business look. You are so professional, yet stylish at the same time, and the drape of the blazer looks relaxed. I think the belt makes the outfit.
I agree with Angie that the dress is just amazing on you. Wow. I like it with the red pumps and the jewelry you've chosen. You could wear the same jewelry and either of the sandals for a different look. I like both pairs of sandals. I'm drawn more to the ones with the studs, partly because I like the addition of cork at the heel. But the Nine West do look a little dressier. Comfort is key, and also for me, where they hit on the ankle would make a difference. Often that is the crucial point on my foot and leg; on yours it may be different!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

P.S. I'm with you on wanting winter to move on. I'm wearing a dark gray long-sleeved t-shirt under an oatmeal wool long-sleeved boyfriend cardigan, to reflect the drab sky and lingering damp outside! Course I did add purple ballet flats and purple bag, because even I can't stay that curmudgeonly about Seattle spring weather.

Makrame

Veteran

You look great in #1, and the dress in #2 looks perfect - elegant, whimsical, lightweight etc. I like both pairs of sandals, especially the touch of cork in Aquatalia sandals.

bj1111

Veteran

I would have picked the 9west too.

You look amazing in that vince dress. Like a dream only better.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

This silk dress is amazing and completely appropriate - you look so effortlessly beautiful and chic in it!
I also adore #1, yellow jacket really helps to bring in spring. BTW I am not putting aside my trousers until late May, just wear them with lighter and brighter colors.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

That dress is to die for. Completely chic, completely A.A. (age appropriate).

And I love your end-of-winter outfit, that jacket is another amazing piece of yours!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Forgot to comment on the sandals. The studded ones are fine, again AA. However I would keep the rest of the outfit simple with that detail. The Nine West are more neutral.

Parsley

Veteran

Thanks for the affirmation! I appreciate everybody's comments.

I'm so glad the dress is getting approval here, because I really like it, but it's a little different from anything I've had before. I was in the VInce store last weekend and a tall, statuesque, pregnant woman was trying it on for a maternity dress/ tunic! It looked wonderful on her, and I felt too intimidated to try it on. I went home and ordered it from Bloomies with their Friends and Family discount, just crossing my fingers that it would work!

Firecracker, It's funny, it's so hard to know how to dress for our meetings. People in my group come in everything from scrubs, shorts and t-shirts, to shirts and ties! Doctors are often the worst dressers! I try to wear something a little bit professional looking because that feels right to me.

Denise, you are a trusted source for judging if things are AA! Thanks!

The Nine Wests got some iffy reviews, but I'm hoping that they'll work. It's so hard to find sandals that aren't too casual, but are comfortable and at least a little walkable and have a little bit of current style.

Isis

Veteran

love the dress!!! Thin silk sounds like it would feel divine!

I also like both sandals, with a slight pref for the nine west. But those kind of straps have to fit just right, so trying them on is key! Seems like I've seen similar DV's to the Nine West's that might fit the bill if neither of these work...

Aida

Veteran

Umm that silk dress is beautiful on you, please do wear that out to dinner a LOT

(#1 looks fab too, but the dress is 100% distracting in a good way.)

Thistle

Veteran

Te jacket is nice. Nothing spectacular to my eye, but nice.

The dress is so pretty! I am normally not a fan of such loose dresses, but wow, you rock it!

As for the shoes . . . I can't believe I am saying this . . . .i like the look of the Nine West better. But I would try them both and see if either is comfortable.

crazyone

Veteran

you always look so good in mustard! Very tricky color to pull off, but you do it.

Love the silk dress! Wear it out and enjoy!

I prefer the Nine West to the Aquatalias, but there are probably more sandals like this out there, so keep looking.

missvee

Veteran

I love both outfits on you and I'm making a note to look for a similar loose dress for myself. Darn YLFers, you keep giving me inspiration!
As for the shoes, I like both pairs but as soon as I saw Aquatalia I thought " guaranteed comfort " and " there goes the budget".

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Oh, this is so inspiring! The yellow jacket with the grey trousers AND leopard belt is totally fabulous. So fresh! I love it as is, but have you tried the same with a white top instead? I think that would work really well, too. The dress is gorgeous, and I hope you get to wear it a lot. I prefer sandal #4, but they are almost a tie. Great choices!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Wow - that dress is stunning on you! Absolutely gorgeous and completely age appropriate. I like both pairs of sandals so go with the most comfortable pair.

I also really like the mustard and charcoal outfit - fabulous colour combination on you.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Stunning, Marci! I LOVE the dress. It is absolutely gorgeous on you, and I think you need to tell hubby to make some reservations in mid-summer so that dress gets a proper outing! I am also with Angie on the sandals. Both are great, but comfort will rule, so try both.

On the age-appropriateness issue, I would say that this one actually has some longevity. I like that the arms are covered, it is essentially knee length, and it is not too body con (yet shows your lovely shape). But I do believe that sometimes when we try on lighter summer clothing in cooler temperatures, we can be fooled into thinking it is too "flimsy" even when it is not, and that impression of flimsiness might be what has given you pause. As far as looks are concerned, this is a winner, and the quality is obviously there in the fabrication as well.

krishnidoux

Veteran

Beautiful all around! I think you are ready for summer outings.Those sandals are so beautiful.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Of course the silk dress is age appropriate, to say nothing of how gorgeous you look in it! I also love the mustard jacket outfit. I slightly prefer the look of the studded sandals but it really depends on how they feel and look on your feet.

Parsley

Veteran

I appreciate the kind and helpful comments!

Missvee- I'm afraid you're so right! Aquatalia does seem to mean "here goes the budget!" If they're superbly comfortable I'm OK with that, but I'll be holding them to an extremely high standard to decide if I'm going to keep them. Luckily, Amazon has 20% off on shoes right now, so that helps a little.

Ingunn- Good idea: a white top would be a great idea instead of the black, and I think it would look springier. You've identified a glaring wardrobe hole that I have. I really need some white layering tops or white shirts!

Suz- You've hit the nail on the head. The silk feels so lightweight and unsubstantial that it made me feel a little bit naked! It's not at all sheer, revealing or clinging, so that's not rational, and the fact that it's loose and lightweight is a real plus for the heat of summer. But the lightweight fabric and loose fit make it feel a little like a nightgown, even if it doesn't look like one.

Lantana

Veteran

I vote you wear the leopard belt. I think it ties the colours of your outfit together beautifully.
I understand what you are saying about your arms and I respect your feelings.
I am a lot older than you and I've abandoned "bare arm avoidance" .
I figure it this way, I am 63, my skin is 63 years old, it is floppy, sun splotched and wrinkled. If I am more comfortable going sleeveless- because it's so darn hot- I will bare my arms with no apologies. Tant pis.
However, just to demonstrate how inconsistent my value system is, I don't like to reveal my knees. I don't like my knees and strenuously avoid displaying them. But that's not because they're old, it's because they are pudgy and always have been. If I had nice knees like you I would put them on show.
The upshot of all this long-windedness is that I think the dress looks beautiful on you. Wear it with confidence, bare arms and all.

Deborah

Veteran

#1 is just stunning and the belt is perfect with the outfit. The dress is just devine, it looks very beautiful on you.no hint of nightdress at all:)

Parsley

Veteran

Lantana, I like your attitude about your arms!
I do go sleeveless sometimes, but I guess it's situational. In very casual settings, playing tennis, or at the beach I don't hesitate to show my arms.
I just know that it's not my best look, so if I can lightly cover them and still stay cool I prefer to do so when I'm dressed less casually. And btw, we are very close in age- I'm 59.

sarah

Veteran

Good grief, Marcy. You're stunning in both outfits! Angie's advice about the sandals is very wise.

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