So here's the deal with the dresses...I ordered the Ruffled Cotton Sateen Dress in an 8 in the Navy (10 was a bit loose) and the Stretch Cotton Sateen Daphne in a 10, as that's what fit perfectly in the store. I ordered both because that gave me 20% off, and even if I returned one, I was still a few bucks ahead on the shipping charge. (And I was a math major, so figuring out the purchase/return combos was fun for me.) I had also ordered the pique swing shift dress that was so cute on Dina.
Thank you again to everyone for your input last week when I was deciding between dresses. I took it all to heart and that's why I ordered both dresses - so I could give them an IRL try at home.
First of all...The Good. The Daphne dress. I really feel like a million bucks in this dress. Actually I feel like a character in Mad Men, and that's always good. This is so totally work appropriate, should the need arise. It would be great for dinner out, church, or just meeting a friend for lunch. It's a versatile, classic piece. I do have a black dress with a similar cut, as I mentioned, but I don't know how much longer that one will be in good condition - and the other one is knit, so this is a bit different.
Front view:
Side view:
Now, the Bad. The Pique Swing Shift Dress. Pardon the hair - it's especially bad in this pic as I had a limited time and ran upstairs to get all the pics. I was trying to talk myself into keeping this dress, but seeing the pic made me realize it was just bad, bad, bad. I look either pregnant or about 20 pounds heavier. It was so darn cute on Dina, but so not cute on me. Funny because she and I are the same size, just very different shapes. This did not work on my rectangular, flat-chested, large-shouldered frame. I can't believe I am sharing this pic, but at least the other 2 dresses are better.
Finally, the Not Quite Good Enough. The Ruffled Cotton Sateen Dress. I love the navy. I like this dress. But the more I try it on, the less I love it on me. I don't know that I would be wearing this in 4 years when I am *over* 40. (The Daphne clearly has that longevity.) And the fit is an issue. I ordered the 8 because the 10 was just vacant in the top (to the point it was noticeable) and there was room in the bottom. When you see the side view below, you can clearly see the angle the end of the zipper forms over my butt. Not exactly the look I was going for. And it cuts in at the armholes a little more than the Daphne, which I don't really love. And I couldn't really come up with as many places that I would wear this one.
Front view:
Side view:
Bottom line - Daphne wins, Pique & Ruffled go bye bye. I am at peace...for now.
19 comments:
YAY for you, Heidi! I think you made the right decision...the Daphne dress looks gorgeous on you! :)
You picked the right one, it looks great on you! Though, I do like the color yellow on you and I did not think it looked that bad!
I've only met you once, but girl, you do look good in a shift dress!
I love the first dress on you too, but I do have to admit that I like the 3rd one too! I think it is flirty and fun, and from the pictures, it looks like it fits you nice. I'm sorry to hear you aren't a fan of this one :( It looks good on you!
Plus, what is all this silly talk of ... well when I'm over 40...I don't know if I'll wear... STOP THAT! You are so pretty and so young looking! You always dress so classic and cute! Don't start thinking you are some kind of "old lady" ... No, no, no! Don't do it! Not that you need to keep to satin dress, but if you wanted to, I hope you know that you would ROCK IT. Seriously. So quit that silly talk missy! :)
Yeah, the Daphne is awesome. I looves it.
You will not be thinking about this dress in 4 years, so you math should be based on how many wear will I get this season? Am I cool w/that number if I don't wear the dress next year? I.e. Wearing 5x = $22/wear, which is pretty good. Just doing math w/you. I fully support you returning it. You would do better w/a more fun color anyway. You have the strapless jersey in navy, don't you?
FFM - thank you!
Kathy - thank you! I love yellow, just not the cut of that dress.
Cloggsy - thanks!
GingerSnap - you are so sweet. I'm not tied into much old lady talk - I mean, hey, I still totally do my minis (just not the uber-short-on-me JC minis), but I just don't see myself being as in love with this dress in 4 years, whereas the other one, I will love for a long time. And as in Gigi's comment on the math - just can't justify it, esp with the not-perfect fit. (but yes, lecture duly noted and appreciated!)
Gigi - very excellent point on the math. I don't know that I would get 5 wears out of it this summer. Definitely a few, so the math doesn't really support keeping it - esp when the fit is not great. If I sized back up to the 10, I get the vacant bust. But the dressy jersey strapless dress - I've already worn that 4 or 5 times and it's barely been hot. (I, ummmmm, returned the navy strapless the other night because I was questioning how much I would wear both dresses - but I see it's on sale now, so I may pick it back up, esp as I've worn the charcoal one twice in the last 4 days.)
You'll get so much use out of the Daphne! I love having dresses I can reach for again and again, for any occasion ...
I think you made the right choice. I think the Daphne dress looks fabulous on you. It's all about choosing which dress makes you most comfortable.
And in regards to your comment back to Gigi I would definitely pick up the navy dressy strapless now that it's on sale, especially because you've worn the charcoal a good amount already. I haven't worn either of mine yet - what am I waiting for. I must wear one this weekend!
I love the first dress on you. You have to go with what feels right! I still really like th third dress too, but that zipper is a little odd and you're right, maybe it doesn't have the classic lines of the Mad Men dress. Can I call it that from now on? You look great in both, though!
Oh, now Heidi, I think you look just darling in the dresses. But you are right...#1 is definitely made for you. And since I am such a big believer in fit (as I know you are), you made the right choice!
It is truly amazing how two women with similar height and weight and all can be so very different in build! I am beginning to think all my height is in my calves, lower arms, and head and neck. Does that sound weird or what? Why else would someone my height be able to wear petites? I think we should rename our family the BigHeads. Seriously. :)
I dunno that ruffle dress is super cute! Still, it really isn't as versatile as Daphne and you mention the fit is not that comfortable. I think you made the right choice. I'd love to see it spiced up with some colorful jewelry!
Stylestance - I think I will reach for this once again and again.
Summerilla - Comfort is key for me. :) I did get the navy strapless dress today at Tysons. 49.99, yay! Slate Esplanade was a no-go, however - hoping that the black one, scheduled to arrive tomorrow afternoon, works better - sometimes pieces like this do work better in black.
Stephanie - that zipper is odd, isn't it? My butt is not an obtuse angle. Yes, call it the Mad Men dress, that's how I will refer to it from now on, too.
Dina BigHead (hehehe) - thank you, dear. Yep, fit is king...or queeen, I guess. So, re: body types, I guess you are the pear and I am the brick?
Zoe Moet - I will definitely be spicing up the black dress with jewelry - and I think there are so many different ways to jazz it up. Lots of versatility.
'Love, love, love the Daphne on you! ;)
And that shirred pique did NOT look as bad as you had described! But if you don't feel comfortable, then I say you made the right choice. ;)
Congrats on the strapless! I would so go and get myself one (or two!) if I didn't already have 2 Sanur dresses that I haven't even taken out of the closet this year yet! Shee. (I seriously have to start shopping in my own friggin' closet!)
Seeing you, Gigi, Summer and Dina...uhm, Mrs. BigHead... in that ruffle neck dress is soooo enabling me right now....
I love Gigi's math - it's book learnin' smart. But I'm a dumby, so my math is more simple:
Heidi + Daphne = bellissima!
(:
Drewablank - thank you, and get thee to thy closet, STAT!
PBP - I get to be in JC Math? Squeee, so excited! *blush* Grazie!
Yay, I voted for the Daphne all along. It looks fabulous on you! And don't feel bad about the ruffle dress - I returned mine too, even though it fit me fine and came in petite. Not everyone looks good in that shape. Enjoy the Daphne!
3-PP - thanks! I love the ruffled on everyone else - just not as much on me.
You should wear more dresses, it always look fantastic and sophisticate on you!
Outfit of the Day - thank you! I really love dresses and have slowly been building my collection. I live in sundresses in the summer. And I have a couple of sweater dresses that I just loved this past winter. The "hole" in my dress wardrobe is the middle of the seasons dress.
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