WIW --- Dress Challenge Day 3 -- Keep or Demote? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

What I Wore

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

WIW --- Dress Challenge Day 3 -- Keep or Demote?

Beth Ann

Veteran

Well, I opened my eyes this morning to a migraine aura. And I had a day full of improvisational drumming and the "cup song" with 100 3-6 graders. Lord have Mercy! (He did).

It was cold, and I needed dress over pants, since I was playing a djembe between my legs! The dress is a little long, as is my jacket. (On the prowl for a lighter weight "cheeky short" denim jacket BTW). The skinnies are a little short, but I think the heels help the proportions.

I've included other views of the dress, a H&M $15 find from last season. It is so comfy, but empire is not the best for me. Do I keep it in rotation, or perhaps demote it to loungewear?

This post has 3 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

20 replies

Latest reply was from Sarah A

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I love how you've styled the dress & think it looks really good - but only you know how you feel in it.

Anonymous

Beth Ann, I can't get past how gorgeous your hair is! You look beautiful! This looks comfortable and perfect for your day. I'll leave the views on the empire style to others but don't think it's your best silhouette. Still, with the scarf, jeans, jacket and cute heeled boots, it is a very pleasing outfit.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Caro: I like the flow of the dress, and the versatility of the black. Feel a little "maternity" in the side view!

Joy: I think you'd hit on it. I'm better at using what I have in my closet, even when each element isn't perfect, than I was before YLF.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I like this outfit especially for the kind of day you described! Yes you definitely needed jeans under a dress, as leggings can look like thick tights and might send those 100 kids' minds off of drumming.

I also like that the dress looks comfortable so making a migraine day a little easier. (I used to use Migrinal nasal spray, it worked really well. Now my headaches aren't as severe.)

As for the status of the dress, I actually like how it looks with the jeans. The real sign is, how often do you wear it? I had a knit dress/tunic thing that I only wore twice so I decided to demote it to loungewear and now I wear it all the time and my bf loves seeing me in it.

jayne

Veteran

I agree with you, that dress isn't doing you any favors. Pass it on!

Kiwichik

Veteran

I like how it looks - don't get maternity at all.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

You've styled it so well, Beth Ann, that I hardly can tell that empire isn't your best silhouette. I like how the jeans balances the dress. You impress me by keeping up with you day when having migraine. I know I couldn't.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Feedback has been helpful, thanks, all! It seems like the consensus is the silhouette of the dress isn't my best, but my styling is improving it. The flow of the dress IRL is probably more appealing than in pics, but I don't feel entirely like "me" in it. I think I'll try wearing it when I'm home more, and see how that goes!

No migraine today! Sometimes being a musician is challenging!

Anonymous

I like how you styled this -- try wearing it at home to see if it is really you. I have a similar dress from H&M that I never wore as a dress, and now it is part of my comfy summer PJ rotation!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

That is quite the challenging day for sure! I agree with the others that the empire silhouette of this dress is not my favourite for gorgeous you BUT you have styled the dress brilliantly with the skinnies, denim jacket and scarf. - fantastic outfit and perfect for your day.

Glad you're feeling better!

rae

(website)

Veteran

On the one hand it seems like a functional basic that looks good with a layer over. On the other hand, it sounds like you don't feel great in it. Do you have any other black dresses?

Beth Ann

Veteran

Rae: I have two others -- on a sleeveless summer weight. The other a ponte "jumper" that I'm wearing today. It has a funky cowl neckline, a bit of an empire band with inverted pleat. I think, with my frame and style, I could use a BR ponte like Shannon's. Whadya think? Something that would layer over or under.

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

pil

Veteran

The way you've styled it so nicely with the denim jacket camouflages any perceived drawbacks of the dress. You've mentioned in other posts that you aren't loving the empire line. Maybe hang on to it until you find something better?

Oh, and I have heard of Botox for migraines.

Thistle

Veteran

You have styled it well, but it really needs the jacket, IMHO, to look nice. Not sure if you have room in your wardrobe for that. You have such a nice figure, I just really don't feel like the dress is doing anything for you. I honestly think you can do better.

Beth Ann

Veteran

PIL ---- I've heard of botox, too, and I might try it if I can get it covered by insurance. Two for one deal! Just tell me if I get those angry botox eyebrows. Promise you'll tell me!

Carole

Veteran

It's making my head pound thinking about what that must be like for you, yikes! You look fantastic and win the award for most inventive way to style your dress over skinnies. I never think to do this and it's such a great way to get more wear from dresses when you have a very casual life.

Sarah A

Veteran

It took my 3 times thru the photos to ascertain the dress was the same btwn 1 and 2. Styling is key and you have done an amazing job making it look great! But I do think it needs a topper for that to be achieved... If you just demote it, it's not like it is going anywhere right? Does demotion free up room for a new more fab spring dress?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I think you look great! Loving #1 especially. But if you don't feel great - pass on the frock.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Angie: This dress feels fab -- flowy and light, and I like the draped neckline, but it's fullness makes me fear I look -- um - rather full myself. If I couldn't see myself, I'd be happy as a clam and feeling groovy in it.

Sarah: Demotion would involve using this more as upscale loungewear -- I could see the look with the jacket for car travel days, too. I don't have to kick it out just yet, and I can reevaluate next fall.

Sarah A

Veteran

Makes sense to keep it if it serves a purpose. I have a few items I am trying to decide similar things about (but secretly just hoping my sister will want them and store them at her house, then I can go visit my loved but not perfect items a few times a year)