Dress Challenge: 2 new ones

I ordered from the Rack. I almost never do because returns are a pain where I live, but I thought I'd give a few items a try. 

Here are the dresses. What do you think? 

First up, Angie's (and Jane's) Free People dress, marked down considerably so a real steal. I like it a lot! (She says that like she's surprised when it was an Angie recommendation. Duh!!) It needs a good steam out of the bag but I think the fit is right and It seems easy to wear. Do you like? 

Next, a Lafayette dress in linen and cotton. This one was on major mark-down. A more expensive dress to begin with, so more expensive than the Free People on sale as well, but we are talking quality. 

Is it too "ticking stripe" do you think? I actually like ticking stripe, but you know what I am saying. The quality and fit are gorgeous, I have to say. Beautiful fabric and finishing. 

It's quite long on me, though, so really needs a bit of a heel. And maybe too "work-like" for someone who works from home? 

(I make it sound as if I don't like this dress, but actually, I really do.) 

If I keep, these will replace a Topshop dress and one of my worn out Boden dresses. 

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50 Comments

  • SW Ann replied 4 years ago

    Suz, those dresses look great on you, and no, I don't find the striped one to be "too".... They look versatile and comfortable to summer. 

  • Sal replied 4 years ago

    I think they are both great but I slightly prefer the second. The stripes are fun and summery and I see this as a really easy to wear dress.

    The first is a great fit and a lovely elegant dress. What is the fabric? Would it be a fall/ spring dress rather than summer?

    Either way they both look super on!!

  • Suz replied 4 years ago

    Sal, the FP is mainly viscose, so a natural fabric, but not as cool as cotton or linen, and of course it has sleeves. 

    It would be perfect for a day like today...currently cloudy and 16C in Vancouver. 

    We can go from 26C in May down to 16 in nearly July and then up again...so I find I need a different assortment of summer dresses than I did in hot and humid Ontario, where cotton, linen and sleeveless were the only way to go. 

  • Sal replied 4 years ago

    That’s good then! Probably useful in Vancouver - not so much in your old climate which was more extreme. It looks great!!

  • kellygirl replied 4 years ago

    Both look great but I especially love the striped one on you. It’s refined and polished casual! It doesn’t read too anything to me—it just looks like a great summer dress! That FP is tempting me.

  • AJ replied 4 years ago

    Keep both!  I actually like the length of the striped dress on you.  Nice midi length.  Nice red accessories!  YLF!

  • JAileen replied 4 years ago

    I love both on you - keep!

  • Jane replied 4 years ago

    Yay, Suz waving to my non identical dress triplets. I wore mine yesterday. 

    It looks very good on you; the colour is super. It looks like you are comfortable in it? FWIW It does need pressing every time I wear it but washes well.The viscose does kind of nap a very little but not so much it worries me. 

    I like the striped dress, but not as much as the FP.

  • Janet replied 4 years ago

    I really like them both on you!

    I’m keeping my eye out for another summer dress (not more gray or black), but am not seeing much out there for me — I say two excellent dresses all at once is a great score!

  • rachylou replied 4 years ago

    Lovely!

  • Runcarla replied 4 years ago

    OMGosh! Do you ever look fabulous in those dresses. Keep both for sure.

  • Glory replied 4 years ago

    Oh hands down keep both. Looking fabulous and I can see lots of versatility.

  • taylor replied 4 years ago

    I would definitely keep both ! :)

  • Angie replied 4 years ago

    KILLER x2 

    *waving at my dress twin*

    Both dresses are Amalfi Coast worthy and PERFECT for high heat :)

    No need to hem the stripe, Suz! Elegant as is. LOVE both frocks with the red sandals, and the red earrings are fantastic.

  • Angie replied 4 years ago

    p.s. I see NO REASON why you can't wear these dresses working from home. I do! 

  • replied 4 years ago

    Both are great  on you Suz - keep them! 

  • Gretchen replied 4 years ago

    YES TO BOTH! I love the red, but I think the stripe is even better. You look fresh for summer in both. Keep please!

  • nuancedream replied 4 years ago

    2 big thumbs up for both dresses. They're timeless, versatile, look fabulous on you, and you got them a significantly discounted price. What more could you ask for? Well done, Suz!

  • replied 4 years ago

    Yes and yes, so nice! Agreeing that the red is really great but the stripe is even better

  • kkards replied 4 years ago

    FAB 2X.....funny that you think the ticking dress needs heels as in the pictures it actually looks to be the exact same lenght as the FP....keep both, wear both with flats, sneakers, espadrilles whatever....

  • Anne replied 4 years ago

    Both of these dresses are just lovely on you!

  • SarahD8 replied 4 years ago

    I like both dresses on you a lot, Suz. Dress #2 doesn't have a ticking stripe effect to me at all.

    Especially love the red sandals with the striped dress.

    Personally I love a dress/skirt with some length and fullness for working at home...the better to curl up in my comfy writing chair. But horses for courses, of course! :-)

  • Roxanna replied 4 years ago

    SLAM DUNK to both. I'm glad you sent the other items back - these are made for you!

  • Windchime replied 4 years ago

    Two slam dunks, indeed! A fabric like the striped dress has could, in some styles, become too prairie-style ticking, but this dress is far from that! It looks very fresh and flattering on you, as does the beautiful red FP dress.

    I love your red footwear with both dresses! You could certainly also wear white footwear with the striped dress...or a lot of color choices, for that matter.

  • Elle replied 4 years ago

    Keep both!  They look great and would work for your summer weather.  I particularly like the striped dress (not too ticking like...).  Dont hem.  That's a good length on you and hemming would change the proportions of the dress too much .

  • Bonnie replied 4 years ago

    Both dresses are perfect and what a great savings. 

  • Joy replied 4 years ago

    Both dresses are beautiful on you. My favorite is the blue stripe as is. Your red accessories are extra fab.

  • Bijou replied 4 years ago

    Angie has said it perfectly, a big yes to both. You know your style so well, these are beautiful on you.

  • BlueJay replied 4 years ago

    I like both of them on you as well. I especially like the blue one. Like you said, with the changeable weather they're both great dresses. I really like your red earrings too!

  • Laura replied 4 years ago

    Love you in both and the red color is especially striking! Hurray for new dresses!

  • Jenn replied 4 years ago

    They're both great, but like others, I have a slight preference for the second one. I think you could get away with wearing it with flats, too, but you know your own comfort level and flattery priorities best!

  • Karie replied 4 years ago

    Sweet sister! These are both gorgeous. My fav is the red.

  • Suz replied 4 years ago

    I love how it's about an equal split between those who prefer the red and those who prefer the stripe! Nice! 

    I wore the red one tonight, because Team Wear! It was super comfy and perfect for a casual supper with friends. 

    Thanks for all your kind words. I feel good about getting them at a decent price and now I can retire my sub-standard ones. :) 

  • Barbara Diane replied 4 years ago

    Not reading the prior comments, but you look great and so happy in both dresses.

  • Kyle replied 4 years ago

    LOVE the stripe!

  • LaPed replied 4 years ago

    PLEASE keep the stripe! It does not look office-y at all. And I love the extra length. I would not hem.

  • Jaime replied 4 years ago

    I really like them both! And the red sandals. For summer heat I love the striped but the red print will take you into fall and cooler weather and will be fun to style with jackets and boots later. Great picks!

  • Joyce B replied 4 years ago

    I don’t think you should have to go through the trouble of returning as these look like keepers to me. They look fab on you.

  • Gail replied 4 years ago

    Both look great. I have the Free People one and I find it super comfy to wear.

  • Style Fan replied 4 years ago

    Love both. My favourite is the striped.

  • Lucy replied 4 years ago

    You look gorgeous in both! Definitely both keepers, but I also have a slight preference for the stripes. I think the stripes would look fab with white flats, too. 

  • Lucy replied 4 years ago

    Also - I had to laugh at the varieties of weather. I live in sub tropical Australia - we would get to 16 degrees celsius once a year and everyone would be horrified at how 'freezing' it is - out in puffer jackets and beanies lol. Definitely not summer! 

  • replied 4 years ago

    Another vote for keeping both! They both look great on you!

  • lyn67 replied 4 years ago

    Wowza!!! 2x slam dunks! Please keep!!!

  • Aquamarine replied 4 years ago

    The stripe dress is fabulous! Looks cool, crisp, and summery. The red dress is a totally different look but red is obviously your color and it seems like it would be useful far longer than the stripe. So, definitely a vote for both.

  • DeAnna replied 4 years ago

    You look so cute in both dresses, I vote keep both!

  • anchie replied 4 years ago

    I like them both. Very different but equally gorgeous. And length is fine, no need to shorten. Every time I see this Free People dress here on the forum, I start checking if it is available her- but - it is not.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 4 years ago

    Suz, these are both beautiful on you! I love the red sandals with both of them.

  • Vildy replied 4 years ago

    Like the stripe dress on you waaaay better than on the model.

  • Mainelady replied 4 years ago

    Both of these dresses look like they were made for you. You look fiercely fab! So happy for you, that you found two great dresses!

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