Thrifting Queen

K/R: Bailey 44 dress and BR Martin Trousers

September 6, 2012

What's better than finding a parcel at home after work? Finding TWO parcels at home after work!

First up is the newest incarnation of the famous Bailey 44 dress. It's definitely body con and I would not wear it without a jacket/blazer of some sort to work (at least until I lose some of that belly of mine!).

Second up is the Banana Republic Martin fit skinny trouser. The fabric is quite stiff so I'm not sure if the fit is a bit off or if it's just because they need to loosen up a bit. They are obviously much too long and would require hemming.

Not going to say anything more about either of these - over to you...

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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.

27 Comments

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    Shannon, never mind the clothes. Your smile could light up the world!

    Seriously, though - I like the dress a lot. Do you notice how it shows off your pretty clavicles and MATCHES your hair?!? Sheesh!! I can foresee you getting wear from it; yes, it's body con, but in a comfy way, especially dressed down by booties. In the spring you could wear your white denim jacket with it.

    The pants, I just don't know. It is always so tough for me to judge pants when they aren't hemmed. So I will listen in to the others.

  • rae replied 11 years ago

    Loooove the dress with all your toppers and all your boots! The blue boots especially!

    Are you able to pin up the pants? I can't quite tell if they are fitting strangely in the legs or if they are just bunching up because they are long.

  • Kristin L replied 11 years ago

    I think the pants may be fine. For me, BR pants have always had to loosen up a touch. How do they feel?

    I like the dress with the back jacket. I'm not sure about it for work, but it's be great for a night out.

  • greenglove replied 11 years ago

    LOVE the dress. I do not think you have to wear a jacket, it looks great on its own. I like the jackets a bit longer, somehow the jean jacket hits in at a place that I do no think works as well as the longer fitted jackets.

    The pants seem to fit in the hips but I would prefer a much slimmer leg. You would look great in a slimmer pair of black pants with a high waist. I am surprised they are called skinny.
    You look so adorable- love the smile!!!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    Jean - you've said what I'm thinking about the pants. Something just seems a little "off" - I think part of the problem is when I choose the size that is correct for my waist/hips (a larger size), then the legs tend to be too wide. Maybe I should try the Gap ones instead...

  • Deborah replied 11 years ago

    Shannon I was only wondering last night when we see this dress:)

    I think it looks stunning on you. Very flattering and I do think the way the dress 'layers' upon itself removes any real focus from the tummy area. I don't think you need to worry and I think you could wear this sans jacket. Love it with the colored booties and adore it in 6/7.

    I am not sure if its just that they are too long but the pants are raising a question for me. I am just not sure they are the best cut for you. How do you feel in them?

  • sarah replied 11 years ago

    Shannon, the dress is GREAT on you. HOORAY : ) And it looks good with the jackets, IMO.

    I have those pants, too, and they are pretty "stiff" - I don't think that they every really soften up such that they "drape". Mine are quite snug in the legs, almost like leggings, so perhaps it's a good idea to keep looking a bit. Sigh. Pants are such a problem, aren't they?

  • Kyle replied 11 years ago

    Well, aren't you the fab one? LOVE the dress. Bam. You look great. Talk about a head turner. I am not sure the pants are fitting correctly, Shannon. They appear to be bagging in the leg, and I think this is a very fitted, almost legging-like, pant. Perhaps it is an issue of the length needing an adjustment?

  • DeclawedJaguar replied 11 years ago

    The dress is amazing on you, Shannon! Love it. I'd prefer to see it with shorter jackets to be able to see the diagonal lines across the upper hip and waist -- those are the best, most slimming feature of the dress, IMO. The longer jackets work too, though.

    Not liking the pants at all. They seem too stiff and too wide in the leg.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    We're definitely all in agreement that the fit of the pants is off - back they go!

  • Sveta replied 11 years ago

    Shannon, try Gap straight - they were narrower than Martins. Martins are too wide in the legs for you, too baggy.
    The dress is great even though I would prefer it to be a bit over the knee: body-con and above the knee would be too much for me. I also hear you on not wearing it to work without a topper - I would have the same hesitation. It fits really well though.
    I prefer it with longer jackets for some reason - it looks more elegant to me this way.

  • MsMary replied 11 years ago

    ZOMG the DRESS!!!

    I die!!

    So.

    Fab.

  • Angie replied 11 years ago

    The dress!!!! Good grief. No need to cover up with a jacket. You look like a billion bucks :)

    I think the Gap Real Skinnies are going to work out a little better, Shannon.

  • Ana replied 11 years ago

    That dress was made for you. Fit, color...everything. Really fab.

  • ManidipaM replied 11 years ago

    Shannon, what an awesome, awesome dress! And so perfectly toned with your hair --- no wonder you're grinning! It's absolutely smashing with the peplum jacket and the black one, but I second the ladies who say you can absolutely wear it on its own, body-conscious though it is --- you look so svelte in it, you can't *not* try!

    The pants, alas, are not your style I have to agree --- they either need to fit more smoothly and closely if they are to be 'skinny', or they ought to drape more softly for slouchy straights, I suspect. This fabric in this cut isn't doing its best by you.

  • lyn67 replied 11 years ago

    Dress is FABULOUS!!!!

  • replied 11 years ago

    Dress is great! I am so impatient for mine to get here!

    I agree, there are better pants out there for you.

  • cheryle (Dianthus) replied 11 years ago

    Love the dress. I like it best all by itself which is a great sign with a body con dress.

    It seems the decision has been made regarding the pants. Do they need to be solid black? Nygard has quite a few pairs of flat front slim fit pants right now. The ones I wore in the pattern mix outfit come in a grey plaid that is really nice and they are in petites as well. Might be worth a try. They are soft, washable, and have the stitched down front crease which makes them easy to iron.

    http://www.nygard.com/bianca-n.....,R21132121

  • modgrl replied 11 years ago

    Love the dress! Pants have potential too. I just wouldn't tuck into them.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    So - the dress is a keeper then??? Just kidding! I do like it and I appreciate your compliments that I can wear it. Just keep in mind you didn't see a side view so there is definitely some tummy showing when looking from the side so will either wear a jacket or some tummy flattening knickers until I get my weight under control.

    Dianthus - thanks for the Nygard tip. Will need to check that out for sure.

  • April replied 11 years ago

    Agreeing with the suggestion that the pants look too big. Will you try the Gap version?

    And if I remember correctly, the Gap pants are also machine-washable, which is a major bonus. I know people do wash their Martin skinnies, but mine definitely shrank when I tried that.

  • LadyBirdK replied 11 years ago

    Shannon,
    Wow! Wow! Wow! That is one hell of a dress on you! The cut, the colours, the fit, the pattern... You score in a big way with this, lady! I love the picture from behind in the red jacket - look at that booty!! Lol

    Seriously, though: I do think you can wear it on its own if you are comfortable. I agree with others about jacket choice, and I think the red (perfect colour, adorable peplum waist) and the black (creates a beautiful line when unbuttoned, slight nice sharp edge) are especially lovely.

    I think you are making the right decision on the pants :)

  • catgirl replied 11 years ago

    The dress is fab on you! I'm so excited for you. Agree with the others regarding the pants. Fie on pants!

  • Sona replied 11 years ago

    say yes to the dress, no to the pants!!

  • Vicki replied 11 years ago

    Yikes! This dress is gorgeous on you and I agree with Jean that it looks great, as is, right out of the box and without any topper! But, if you prefer that, I additionally love the brown and black jackets best. Simply divine.

    As for the BR pants, I have no experience with them, but it seems like you're getting good recommendations to try the Gap skinnies or straight.

    I'm so happy to see that the dress worked out for you and thanks the thread from the other link or I would have missed it. The blue booties look great.

  • replied 11 years ago

    Yes for the dress! It's fabulous on you!

    The problem with the pants is the fabric I think (says the woman with no dress pants). Jeans can be a little stiff, but I'm holding out for drape in a pair of trousers.

  • Elly replied 11 years ago

    The dress is so you--- and very very attractive, esp. with the boots. With the black leather jacket and the doc boots it screams "edgy but retro fall Shannon" (the one I know and love), imo.

    Pants . . . are difficult.

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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.