A Perfect Piece - J Crew Daphne Dress

Don't you love it when you try on something and it really, truly feels perfect? It makes you stand up straighter and hold your head higher. Why then, did it take me so darn long to do an IRL wearing of the J Crew Daphne dress. Longer-term readers of my blog know that I was hemming and hawing about which dress to get back in the spring...and oh, thank you all for your input, this was SO the right decision.

I *finally* pulled it out to wear last Sunday for church. And yes, I did stand up straighter. I added the confetti necklace - I just love this piece - so glad I got it on sale - like pearls but matte, not shiny or iridescent, so they are kinda fun. And then the Joley flats in bronze twig. I felt kinda Mad Men-ish in this outfit. (not pictured is the cream cotton sweater jacket I wore with it since it was chilly - but you know how bad I am about getting a pic of my top-most layer).

This is definitely something I should wear more often. Simple. Easy. Perfect. And that's why I love dresses.

Polyvore from last Sunday:

Wearing This AM - 8/30/09 by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

A Dress Story - the Good, the Bad, and the Not-Quite-Good-Enough

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.

Some More J Crew Dresses - Group 2 (Under Consideration)

To follow up on yesterday's post, here are the dresses that I am really liking and having a hard time deciding among. And I have decided I can only get 1, so it has to be the right choice. (all you enablers, go home.) I included the catalog pics in non-dark colors, so you can see the detail better.

#1 – Ruffled Cotton Sateen Dress (#15199, $110). This is the dress that Summerilla was wearing for the DC JCA tea in dark mushroom. It also comes in classic navy, papaya, and warm shell. Well, of course, I made a beeline for the navy when I went to try it on.

I don’t usually do belts, as you know. And I don’t usually do anything that ties at the waist. But this dress ties a bit above the waist, so it sits in a good spot. I love the feel of the cotton sateen. The ruffle around the neck is a fabulous detail.
But the best detail, that you don’t even see in the online pics, is that the lining is finished with a pleated hem “for added flounce.” Too cute!!

You can see Summerilla’s pic in the dress here.


#2 – Tiered Linen Playa Dress (#15191, $138). This is the dress that Slastena was wearing for the DC JCA tea in papaya. I tried the papaya but it was not saturated enough on me – it just was kinda blah with my skin tone. But I really liked the white.

The main question is how often would I wear this? And, is it too young for me? But, as I commented on someone’s post about this dress…I felt so light…almost ethereal – and finding something that can make me (5’10”, size 8…in the dress) feel ethereal…that’s quite an accomplishment.

You can see Slastena’s pics of the dress here. And reviews by Gigi and J’Adore These Stores.


#3 – Stretch Cotton Sateen Daphne Dress (#12600, $128). This is very similar in cut to the dress I wore to the DC JCA tea. (Have you sensed the theme here? It’s a good thing there weren’t more ladies there or this list would be a mile long.) My dress was a knit from AT Loft about a year and a half ago, so this would be an upgrade. The Loft dress will be starting to show its age very soon. But it always makes for a perfect backdrop. And it always feels “right” no matter the occasion.

I loved the way the Daphne fit, so I think it would be a great replacement. The shirring in the bodice is so pretty and gives some added detail to the rather simple shape. It feels a bit Mad-Men-ish to me (which, of course, is a good thing).



So what do you think?

#1 – Ruffle dress in navy
#2 – Playa dress in white
#3 – Daphne dress in black
#4 – None of the above