Morning All!
Am getting this done earlier than anticipated as I am sending some things back later this afternoon and need your opinion. Or perhaps moral support!
My J Crew box arrived with the two dresses and a ride along thing or two.
Before I show what arrived thought I would share today's outfit, which is simple and designed to keep me warm - a lightweight merino v neck, beige cotton skirt and my black Pliner boots which are old and comfy, It is freezing after yesterday's blizzard, so I definitely needed the scarf!
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| Don't know why I took this - I have a thing for circles I guess. |
I ordered the Linen Ribbed Knit sweater to try. On the site, it looks much darker:
IRL, not so much, but I really liked it and have decided it is a nice sweater for spring and summer
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| Yes, that is my childhood teddy bear, who has had his eyes and most of his fur, loved off him.. |
I don't know why I ordered the linen tee below. I blame it on a moment of madness. Not that it horrible or anything, but it neither me nor the style I aspire to. Back it will go, but wanted to share in case someone else is curious..
Ah, here is where we get on the fence. The eyelet shirtdress in white:
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| Yes, those are club fairy shoes... |
A close-up of the blue:
It is pale blue/ecru combo, which you can get a better sense of when I pair it with my cotton Clare cardigan in Champagne:
I have decided there is no sense purchasing sandals till end of May, but these I will be able to wear much sooner and have been on my wish list for quite awhile. Thanks Rose, for the gift card, which, when added to 30% off, put me over the edge!
So here's the thing. I believe I will send back the white dress. I do not really need two summer dresses. I am wondering if I will see something else in the next couple of months that I will like better. Or conversely, is this so fabulous on me that I ought to keep it? Thoughts?
Since it has been so long since I have bought and shown any clothing I am quite in a dither!
Thanks in advance and have a great day! Stay Safe out there!
When does this happen that they are both great?! The blue is an obvious keeper (it's GORGEOUS) but I think the white is as well. Not helpful I know but I love it on you and the sleeves are amazingly pretty. Nice to have a summer dress with sleeves as so many are sleeveless. On a real hot day you'd be very pleased indeed to have that white dress. The length is perfect and white looks great on you, I like it with your hair.
ReplyDeleteIt's not see-through at all, is it lined? With cotton?
Dani - it is indeed lined with cotton! Wahoo! I know you love your breathable linings!
DeleteThat settles it as far as I'm concerned. Wow well done JCrew.
Deletei'm with dani on the white dress. i'm white as a ghost too and i plan to wear an unbelievably gorgeous white dress that dani gifted - yes gifted! me last year. i've been dying to wear it and will as soon as it warms up.
Deletethat's why we love our Dani!
DeleteAgree as well, the eyelet with little sleeves are so cute, much prettier than the dress looked on the hanger. Good for you for having an eye for what will look good on you. I vote to keep...
Deletethanks Audrey! Will let you know about the shoes!
DeleteFor what it's worth, I really like the eyelet dress. Perhaps you should try the navy so you don't feel as ghostly in it :-)
ReplyDeleteI ordered the Emerson Viet dress in white - will update when it arrives. I'm quite fair and really wish there was an option that was a pretty color. I can't wait to get it!
Thanks Julie - the navy is all sold out in my size as is the white now. Amazing how quickly things have been flying out of there!
DeleteI thought of the Emerson Fry dress as well and would have gone for that, though I believe it is quite long (according to the salesperson I chatted with and would have required alteration for sure if I didn't want it to look mumsy!
Glad you called EF. You have great gams and I do not, so the EF length should be happy for me. My thighs do not need to see the light of day ;-) I wonder if the stores have navy???
DeleteSeersucker is such a classic for summer, so very good choice. I also like the white dress - I think it looks great with your hair and I don't think it will matter if you don't get a tan (those would be some interesting tan lines anyway!). The only reason not to get it would be if you'd always be worrying about getting it dirty (I know I would!). Love those shoes!
ReplyDeleteI did think of the dirt factor, but it is machine washable, so that makes it hopeful!
DeleteI really love the seersucker eyelet w/ your styling choices. I do not think that white eyelet makes you look like Caspar. In fact, based on the photo I think you would look great in white. However, I am not a fan of the dress (don't like the sleeves). But OMG, love the shoes, esp that color. Are you planning to wear it w/ the seersucker eyelet? I would love to see a photo of the dress/shoes together. .
ReplyDeleteHi Anon! If the shoes fit, which I hope they do, I will pair them with the seersucker eyelet, along with other dresses, my white and blue jeans and some of my flip-ier skirts. I have always wanted this colour of oxfords!
DeleteI saw the seersucker dress in store yesterday and thought of you, I was sure you would love it. I am not a big fan of the eyeley dress (and shift shirtdresses in general) but I have to say it looks good on you. It doesn't look ghostly at all. Bit if you are in doubt maybe return it and wait to see if something else comes out. To use your own wordd, do you LOVE it or do you simply LIKE it?
ReplyDeleteEma - you made me laugh! Actually, I love it, but was feeling guilty about keeping both but have decided to! On the other hand, I am consigning a Michael kors pink spring dress I wore all of once because I don't love it! The love thing is so important! Once you go love, you don't go back!
DeleteOK looking gorgeously curvaceous in that new jumper.
ReplyDeleteI love the second one, so classic and I like the black bow, the first not sure, I think it looks a bit young, I think its the sleeves that are doing it but if I saw more pics I might change my mind.
Maybe it's the length of the sleeves I don't like, they hit at your bust and seem to cut off your arms, they are an odd length, but again that may just be my taste.
Deletehi wendy- I agree with Tabitha...it is too twee and wee. The seersucker eyelet is a no brainer.
Deleteha! Well it's staying, and I am quite pleased and will fulfill a slightly different role than the other, but I do like it a lot and everyone in my family loved it on!
DeleteThe seersucker eyelet is really special and definitely a keeper!
ReplyDeleteThanks Hex!
DeleteThat seersucker eyelet dress is just lovely on you! It's a winner for sure. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura!
DeleteHi Wendy, the seersucker eyelet dress is perfect on you!! I bought the eyelet shirt dress in navy a few days ago. It was a surprise love for me - tried it on and knew that I'd be wearing it for sure this summer.
ReplyDeleteHi Louise! I kept the white as well in the end and am happy I did. I really like it a lot!
DeleteHi Wendy
DeleteAs I am Canadian as well...I know what we pay for J Crew
I have to say send both back and wait for sale...its coming soon.
if you want something right now the Joe Fresh new summer dresses are in and they are really nice for $29 or so...you and I both like Joe !
I have been burned alot by the crew for ordering too soon ( the first promo ) and have ALWAYS regretted it.
unless your wearing that dress tomorrow...I bet you get it cheaper in May or find other dresses you like much better.
I love the linen sweater...is it sheer ?
Hope I am not sounding rude...but I am very much like you...my style is changing and I want comfortable...I worry these dresses are too short and not the perfect in fit...good luck with whatever you chose..and I love those shoes too !
HI Unknown (love that -so much more existential than Anon!) I thought about waiting but my experience is that the petite sizes are hard and since they were 30% off, I was okay for the price. I like the length for the summer as well, they hit only slightly above the knees which I like. I do hear you on the the JC sales, which is why I waited for round two for the brogues! I did see something similar at Joe Fresh, but sadly, my size(s) were sold out! Thanks for the great comments!
Deletedid you know you can order on-line from Joe Fresh
DeleteYes, thanks - I actually ordered a little taffeta skirt before Christmas and was pleased with how quickly it came!
DeleteHi Wendy,thanks for the pics!
ReplyDeleteI do not think you look too white at all and i love both of them on you.
For me,like Ema,Shirtdresses do not look great on me. So glad you are keeping them,because i think they will be easy summer dresses for you.
You should get the navy eyelet dress when its on sale:)
DeleteThanks Ina! I will keep my eye out for a navy popback, though to be honest, I think that I have enough summer dresses now. I could use another spring one, but this may not be the year, nothing has appealed to me at my price point!
DeleteThe seersucker dress was made to slip right into your wardrobe but the white dress is just average and has a rather shapeless silhouette IMO. I do like J.Crew's linen sweaters but every single one that I've had has twisted after one wash, even when hand washed and laid flat to dry.
ReplyDeleteToo bad on the linen. I noticed my linen from several years ago has held up very well, but will cross fingers carefully!
DeleteI may be too late to submit an opinion, but I think you made the right choice keeping the seersucker shift dress. It looks like it's made for you and it's great with your other things (and with the club fairy shoes!). I don't think the white dress is doing anything for you. I tried it on and wanted to like it too, but it was just not quite right. I thought it had a bit too much going on on top. It didn't drape, it was kind of stiff, and the lace sleeves were kind of stiff too. Then you add in the buttons and the collar and it was too much for me. So I am biased, but that is my opinion.
ReplyDeleteHi Cate! I actually kept it in the end - I quite liked it and it will be a great running around town dress which is what I was looking for as I am moving out of shorts in public! Or at least most shorts. I liked it unbuttoned and more open but see I didn't wear it quite like that!
DeleteI too am searching for a white dress this summer. Sounds like you have made up your mind about the dress...it does not wash you out, just make sure to wear lipstick.
ReplyDeletewill do ma'am! Actually I pretty much always wear lipstick so I look healthy!
Deleteoh and i really love that linen t shirt. i have super broad shoulders and that sleeve stripe placement is not good for me but i think it looks really good on you. i know i'm not helping...sorry. :)
ReplyDeleteI have broad shoulders too! I think I might have liked the darker colour better on me, but in the end, something had to go back! ;-) And another dress left the house because of these new ones!
DeleteHi Wendy. I love both dress, but if I had to choose one (which is not the case anymore from what I have read) I would choose the second one. It looks absolutely gorgeous and I love this shade of blue. Plus, it looks like it goes with many things you already have... Now, if the summer would agree to come...
ReplyDeleteSteph! I hear you! these are hanging in my summer section of the back closet. I do not feel badly however, as I searched all last summer for dresses like these and could not find them, so I am feeling quite pleased that my work there is done!
DeleteLove the seersucker eyelet and its versatility! Looks comfy.
ReplyDeletethanks Barb! Folks either loved or hated the white one, but I fell into the former camp and am quite pleased!
Deletelate to comment, but I love the sweater, blue dress and those shoes!
ReplyDeleteI'm not 100% sold on the white, but it's hard to see from the pic, and if your family say it is good, I'm sure it is!
Love your outfit!
thanks Ruth!
DeleteWendy- I love the eyelet dress. I wouldn't have known from the JCrew picture how cute it was. Could it possibly be a match for your sparkly Kikis?(Again- I know- I love them.) It is wonderful with the shoes you have chosen. I also like the white dress- a different look, but I think that one can never have too many comfy summer dresses. I always feel that a nice dress is always worth keeping, because it is never hard to find cute separates, but never easy to find a nice dress.
ReplyDeleteKnit Yarns, as soon as the weather is warmer, I am rocking those babies! Agree on dresses and reason for the keeper!
DeleteI think the white eyelet looks gorgeous on you! In times like this, think what would Anne do? Shirley (wow, that worked well!), she would say to keep it even though it doesn't have puffed sleeves! :)
ReplyDeleteInjanuity, you made me laugh out loud! I agree completely!
DeleteI love the blue seersucker on you. I will have to try it now too. Bigger busts make dress fitting and buying such a challenge. I am always in the hunt since it is the only clothing category where I own far too few. Plus dresses are so great in the summer. I hope the shoes fit. They look perfectly you! Enjoy it all. I know you have become a much better shopper.
ReplyDeleteTeacups, you said a mouthful. In the end, what prompted me to keep both as I only had one summer dress left and it is a fancy one, not one for running errands. In the purge, I've gone down to 4 summer skirts, 1 pair of shorts, so in the end it didn't seem excessive to me!
DeleteI love both dresses. I love all white as it's so crisp in summer. Looks like you decided both are keepers so you will simply have to make sure one leg of your book tour is to warmer climes !
ReplyDeleteJen - you are right! I need to go somewhere warm! Florida now seems as if it was years away!
DeleteThat blue dress reminds me of honeycomb-- love it! Embrace the whiteness; I don't think white washes you out.
ReplyDeleteI'm striking out for the cold today; I miss home. Goodby for now, T's and capris and sleeveless dresses.
Safe travels! the state hasn't been the same without you!
DeleteWell I got excited about your new dresses and forgot to comment on your outfit of the day! It's unfortunate that you are still having to dress for cold weather, but you look very chic in this outfit!
ReplyDeleteoh love you Cate! We are expecting more snow Sunday, so think I will be dressed like this till labour day!
DeleteI'm very pasty white skinned. I think that a fresh, true white looks good on we pasty gals. I always stay away from the 'off white' because it washes me out. Love the dresses you chose and they will be soooo nice once the weather gets hot. xox
ReplyDeleteThanks Diane! Do you think we will ever see grass again?
DeleteHi Wendy, I've been a longtime reader but have never commented. I'm a bit late for offering input, but I just wanted to say that first little white dress looks FANTASTIC on you. I do hope that you keep it! White brightens your face and makes your eyes pop, so no need to worry about looking like a ghost.
ReplyDeleteThanks for chiming in evening reader! Love that name!
DeleteI definitely prefer the blue eyelet dress. But I love the blazer the most of any of those items. Is it J Crew? Recent ot not available?
ReplyDeleteI admire your guts for asking for opinions-interesting how varied the responses are!
Hi apple pie - it is not jcrew bought locally here last summer. Isn't it the nicest shade of ble? I adore it! The label is Lily Moss.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving the seersucker eyelet dress on you! Try it also with the white brogues you just got. I am not feeling the first dress on you, to be honest. I think it is a bit too short.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rose - I don't mind the length myself, it is about 2 inches above the knees, which for hot july and august is often a good thing!
DeleteCamp lace! I love it on you. I don't know if it's your expression or earrings making it better than "like" for you, but it looks great. I would stick with white. navy would be too dark and not a summery as the cut on you, imo. Thanks for the pics. Haven't seen these irl yet. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Gigi!
DeleteVery resourceful! I read your blog On Linen Shirts and it is brilliant. I went through many articles but none of them are as good as yours.
ReplyDeleteToo late for me to chime in, I'm sure, but I LOVE the eyelet seersucker dress on you! The black bow in the back is such a lovely detail too. I tried on the eyelet shirt dress in navy (you can see pics on my blog), but I found the material to be extremely clingy. No drape at all, as cate above mentioned. You look great in white though but there are plenty of other white dresses out there. The light blue seersucker though is more unique looking. Thanks for the great reviews!
ReplyDeleteReally it is a nice blog, I would like to tell you that you have given me much knowledge about linen shirts. Cool...
ReplyDelete