Thrifting Queen

If you were choosing...

September 5, 2014

...which one of these EF dresses would you pick for me? Both dresses are sleeveless which I realize most folks wouldn't choose for fall/winter. However, I will be layering a jacket or drapey cardigan over top and my office is ridiculously hot in the winter (yes...ice cold in the summer and crazy hot in the winter...). This does not bother me in the least. So picture both with some type of topper, tights and boots.

Pic 1 is made of the same fabric as my EF drape front dresses, has an asymmetrical hem with a chiffon edging on the hem. The stock photo is in black but the one I'm considering is in grey - one of my colors for my fall/winter wardrobe.

Pic 2 and 3 is a slightly heavier jersey blend than the other dress and although short on the model, would be knee length or even slightly longer on short me. It is cocoon shaped and has a detachable full slip.

Okay - let the choosing begin...and definitely holler out if you would choose neither.

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Posted in the Shopping category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

22 Comments

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    Although I like the frocks, buying sleeveless now - as you head into a Canadian Fall and Winter - seems a little off. Do tell me that's bollocks if you think so, Shannon. 

  • Elly replied 9 years ago

    I would pick 2 for you because you wear this type of edgy drape really well. 

  • Neel replied 9 years ago

    2/3. But I am still not sure of the neckline and the sleeve straps. The sleeve straps seem to be cut really close to the neck. Would that bother you?

  • texstyle replied 9 years ago

    I'm not sure on either of these to be honest. The second is definitely more interesting to me. The first seems too basic up top and just maybe too flowy on bottom. If the top were covered it might as well be a skirt. The second doesn't seem like it would be a good shape to wear a topper over. The whole idea of it seems to be the shape itself, so if you lose half of that, you pretty much lose the dress.

    All this from someone who really doesn't wear dresses.

  • replied 9 years ago

    Number 1.

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Hmmm. 

    To be totally honest, I'm not sure I would pick either. 

    Partly for the reason Angie says --- I know, I know -- you can wear a topper -- but how is a topper going to look with those dresses? I feel as if both are really designed to be worn mostly topper-less. (Not to be confused with topless, LOL.)

    And partly for the reason Neel raises -- the neckline of #2 is a bit high and the straps set in so you would need a racerback bra. Which seems like a small thing but could add to the expense unless you have one. 

    Meanwhile, when it comes to #1, I think tights would ruin the chiffon detail on the bottom -- it is alluring precisely because it goes with bare skin. 

    In other words, I guess what I am saying is that I don't think either of these dresses are ideal for a Canadian climate, at least not a winter. 

    Sorry to be a spanner.....

    I DO like them both and understand the appeal. 

  • rute replied 9 years ago

    well, I just saw this at Mango, this would be the perfect topper for dress 1, but if your office is hot, it's not suitable, it's too "rock" also.
    well.. not a big help.. just posted because I LOVE IT!

    1
  • replied 9 years ago

    I have to agree with Suz here. I love them both - really do, but......number one looks like it might end up being quite long on you, no?  If it's this long on the tall model....lots of fabric tangling around one's tights-wearing legs.

    And I don't see the cocoon shape playing nicely with a topper either - and that shape is tricky to begin with. To me , both of these dresses look like they would be best worn exactly as is - with no topper to take away from the lines.  

  • Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

    See? This is why I post this kind of stuff - so y'all can talk me off the ledge!
    Of course you are all right - I got caught up in the simple beauty of these frocks. I'm crawling back from the ledge now, grabbing a cup of coffee and thank you for your collective wisdom :)

    Rute - love that entire look! Yes please!

    Lisa - dress #1 does come in petite so I don't think the length itself would be an issue.

  • Sveta replied 9 years ago

    I see you already crawled into a safe zone :-) but I echo everything Suz said.

  • catgirl replied 9 years ago

    Another winter climate chiming in here. These dresses with their particular features look good with bare skin and that is not an option for us!

  • Deb replied 9 years ago

    I, on the other hand think number one could work for the office. Firstly, on its own in warmer weather with sandals or heels. Then it could be worn for work with or without a soft shirt or a long sleeve tee underneath, belted (something metallic and hip ) or unbelted, with or without jewellery. You could also make it a skirt by wearing a sweater or a top over the top. These combinations could look good with long boots or booties. It would combine well with a biker jacket or a full length relaxed coat too. It seems like a possible staple to me with its nice soft, feminine drape. I'd try it to see if it suits.

  • Vildy replied 9 years ago

    I know you've already decided against  but I'm on board with everything DEB just pointed out. OTOH, I think #2 would lose all the drape under a topper and just end up a buncha bunchiness.

  • Rambling Ann replied 9 years ago

    The thought that comes to me is "What would Ingunn Do?"  She wears dresses with sweaters and toppers (and "unders" like blouses-yes I just made that up) in her climate all winter it seems. Not Canada but not an easy climate either. But she done it with this silhouette?

  • claire replied 9 years ago

    I know you've been talked off the ledge, but just have to add another canadian voice of reason.... Lovely as #1 is, and I can totally see why you're drawn to it, with tights I can see it being a tangly mess and getting all bunched up, and with boots? You'll go mad with frustration. And #2's silhouette is gorgeous on its own but loses everything under a topper. Save it for next summer? Hope that wasn't too blunt :)

    I did a little trip to the local EF store the other day (as everyone recommended on my thread of frustration!) and there were some beautiful three quarter sleeve and long sleeve dresses that had just come in for fall/winter, so hold out, they would be perfect for you!

  • Ingunn replied 9 years ago

    Rambling Ann, you are so sweet! What I would do is to work REALLY hard to make those lovely dresses work for winter, with layering under and/or over. However, these particular silhouettes may be quite hard to get right without losing the design of the dress. I have a couple of very thin wool tees with long sleeves and a hint of lace in the neckline that could work. As toppers, I think Shannon has a great selection of bombers, motor and blazers, but I don't know if it works until I see it together. 

    Shannon my dear, you already know how to do this, so no need for my lessons. I love the dresses, and I love your guts, but I think I would advice pass on these, like you've already announced.

  • catgirl replied 9 years ago

    Just to add, long hems sometimes catch on my boots which is annoying as heck. And the sheer hem could get trashed that way!

  • Parsley replied 9 years ago

    It looks like you're sorted out, Shannon, but I had to chime in to say that I have the dress in #2 and 3, and I absolutely love it!

    BUT, it is very much a summer dress (to me, anyway). I don't think it would work well with a topper- it would cover up some of the best detail, and would likely stop at a wide point of the dress and be unflattering. Also, it does require a special bra; I wear a strapless one with it. 

    Now, Im not trying to talk you out of the dress, because if you want/need a nice summer dress it's great. But it sounds like that isn't what you're looking for right now.

  • Deborah replied 9 years ago

    Shannon I love #2 for you.i know your winters are much colder than ours but I would layer with that dress in the cooler weather. I also have no hesitation buying out of season if I believe it's a really suitable piece for me. Long draped toppers could look fab with it. I would reconsider your decision. You could also potentially layer under it, with a long sleeve black tee. Layering is pretty core to my wardrobe so this would be an easy decision for me:)

  • Thistle replied 9 years ago

    Looks like you have already been talked back off the ledge  :) Which, I totally agree with.  I love the look of both of them, but as others have stated, both want to be the starts of the show and not give way to toppers. Especially #2. #1 I don't think would be kind with tights and boots. I can see the sheer bit having a tough time shining against dark tights and boots.

    I am sure there will be other lovely pieces coming out as we getting deeper into fall!

  • Joy replied 9 years ago

    I agree with Suz. This EF dress is really great to dress up or down if you run across it:
    http://www.vonmaur.com/Product.....&pg=2
    It can be worn easily with cardis and jackets. I wish that it came in more colors.

  • Traci replied 9 years ago

    I currently have total sugar eye for the silhouette of #2, so that's my vote, although it looks like it's already sorted that you won't get either.

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I started playing dress up when I was 4 years old and haven't stopped since! My income doesn't match my tastes so it's all about figuring out how to thrift my way to a fashionable life while tossing in a few delectable items.