June 20, 2014

Well, I seem to be taking up a lot of bandwidth the past few days. Thank you all for humouring me.

Deborah, here is instalment two of the wild online shopping spree!

First up, the Angie suggested Bernia sandal from Sofft. I ordered these in two sizes (on sale at the Bay, Canadian friends!!). They arrived in my larger size today (smaller size coming in a separate order) -- but I think I am keeping these. The straps around the ankle are a tiny bit loose but the length is correct and so is the width. I could use a touch more lift for better arch support, but for a relatively flat sandal they are Just Comfortable Enough. (True flats and I do not get along.)

Here also is the Lord and Taylor chambray shirtdress (also on sale at The Bay). Is it Just Flattering Enough for a sweltering day, do you think? We haven't reached those temperature highs yet -- but I know they are coming.

Outfit two is the new Zara top (tags off -- yes, it is now $10 less on sale, but such is life...) and the GAP BF shorts inherited from my daughter.

Thank you for your thoughts!

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.

54 Comments

JAileen replied 9 years ago

Shorts, top and sandals - I really love it. Great cool colors, and kind of sassy.

The dress is cute too. When it's not sweltering, would you think about belting it?
Suz replied 9 years ago

I could try a belt, JAileen. Do you remember wearing shirtdresses back in the day, though? I seem to recall that if you belt them, they get fiddly...you always have to be adjusting the degree of "blouse" on them throughout the day. It's definitely a look I used to wear, though, so I'm not against giving it a bash.
Diana replied 9 years ago

I really really like everything in the second outfit, and they go together super well too!

Not sure about the shirt dress but I'll say right up front that I don't like chambray much so it could be coloring my perception of the whole. I think I'd like it a whole lot better if it was white.
Suz replied 9 years ago

One question I have about the dress is whether the longer portion in the back is too long on me. I could have that altered if need be. I took a back view photo but unfortunately it came out super blurry. Hmmm.
Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

Wow Suz - you are on a fantastic buying spree with things working out beautifully! LOVE LOVE LOVE the shirt dress. For me, that's a no brainer for the heat. The sandals are also gorgeous and I appreciate your comment about the arch support. For me that would mean that won't work and you've saved me some $$ (much appreciated). And that Zara top is just all kinds of fantastic on you.

Carry on with your fab self...
Suz replied 9 years ago

Ha! Interesting, Diana -- there you go! I love chambray! But I'm not 100% convinced on the dress, either -- tags still on. :)
Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

Just saw your question about the back length of the dress - you know, I'm not sure. Let's leave that question to Angie - the length expert.
Suz replied 9 years ago

Shannon, I hate to be an enabler, but you might want to give these sandals a bash anyway. You would probably wear the 6.5 and I think the placement of the arch might be better for me in that size -- it's just that I suspect I need the length of the 7s. I have been wearing these for about an hour now and the straps do a lot to provide the support I like, and certainly the stability. They are wearing in more comfortable than they felt right out of the box.
replied 9 years ago

Suz, I think both outfits could work really well. I do like the shirtdress a lot and what you said about it being longer at the back., well from what I can see with my dressmakers 'fitting eyes' is that the dress is a little un-balanced and it is tilting forwards, lifting up at the front and making the back dip down and under. A tweek along the lower edge of the yoke at the back might fix it. Hard to tell without seeing it IRL.
Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

Oh dear...I didn't need to know that...
JAileen replied 9 years ago

The reason I mentioned a belt is that in the side view it looks like it is not hanging straight. I thought a belt might fix that. But yes I do remember having to adjust over and over. Also, if you think it might be too long, a belt would fix that. I used to love wearing belted dresses when I had a tiny waist.
replied 9 years ago

I meant to say that I do realise the dress is meant to be a tad longer at the back but the tilt is showing it up more.
Kathy replied 9 years ago

Hi, I'm new here but have been viewing your outfits for awhile. I love the Zarq top and Gap shorts but the shirt dress is not working for me. I do like the short long hem on tops but it's not a good look in a dress. I'd love the shirt dress if the hem were all the same length as the front all the way around.
Suz replied 9 years ago

Interesting observations - thank you!

Yes, it is very much meant to be a hi-lo hem. I have mixed feelings about these on dresses myself so I wondered. On the other hand, longer in back means less problem with riding up.

But it's an easy fix if I decide to keep.

Diane, you have such a good eye. I actually think the dress is sitting fine on my body, but it might look wonky from the angle of the photos or due to my own posture as I rushed back into the frame to take the shot -- I don't have a remote so have to do a bit of running back and forth. It feels nice and square across my shoulder, no bunching/ wrinkling in the yoke area, etc, and from the back seemed to drape well. But...well....let's face it. It's a bit of a sack!
replied 9 years ago

Oh yes, I see no problem with yoke or shoulders. It's the back compared to the front where it hangs below. I usually un-pick side seams, put a bust dart in and let the back drop down accordingly and take length of the back hem only. Then the garment is balanced. Women have busts and without a dart you get an un-balanced garment. Even a small bust will do that.
pil replied 9 years ago

I love the structure that the collar gives the shirt dress, will the sleeves be bothersome on sweltering, humid days? That blouse is great, crisp and fresh.
Suz replied 9 years ago

Diane, you are so smart -- bust darts, yes. Got it. I see what you mean now.

Hmm. Maybe I should return in favour of one that has darts.

Pil, the sleeves would probably be okay for me as long as there was some kind of breeze.
texstyle replied 9 years ago

Sandals and shorts/top look great - love them! You of course look fab in the dress, but I wonder about the coolness of it too - it seems like a lot of material but maybe it is very lightweight? Of course then I wonder about wrinkling and how it would look after being wrinkled (as in sitting for an hour or so). I have the same reservations about hi/lo dresses but as you said, you could have it altered. I think only you know if you love it or not.
Suz replied 9 years ago

It's lightweight, texstyle. Probably not light enough for your summers, but light enough for ours. Chambray. I do wonder about wrinkling, too, although my chambray shirt from Halogen seems to handle wrinkles really well -- they fall out sort of on their own.
texstyle replied 9 years ago

Well it sure is cute, love the color too. Maybe sit down in it for a bit ;-).
Angela K replied 9 years ago

I love the shirt and shorts outfit. The pin at the neck really adds a nice touch. But I'm not so in love with the dress. I think it will be cool and comfortable but as you said it is a bit of a sack. :)
Gracie replied 9 years ago

Your inherited shorts look fab, great fit, and I like how you styled the top buttoning it all the way up and added a brooch for interest – it gives the top a nice focal point. I agree with comments on the dress and curious what Angie will say. The color is lovely and "beachy."
Gaylene replied 9 years ago

Love the shirt, shorts, and shoes. I agree with Diane, though, that the chambray dress falls a bit off-kilter because of the lack of front shaping. I also wonder how it would look from the back and sides after you'd have sat in it for a couple of hours on a warm summer day. If you are looking for a loose, cool shift-style dress, I love my Eileen Fisher linen one. It has a bit of shaping, hangs nicely, and inseam pockets on the front seams. It also washes and hangs to dry so requires no ironing. The darker, denim shade is also good at hiding any mishaps or seat wrinkles. Can you tell I love mine?

I bought mine in Canada at an Eileen Fisher store, but I've seen the same dress at the Eaton's Centre Bay and at Nordstrom's.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ei.....s-_-3_12_D
Alana in Canada replied 9 years ago

I love your outfit with the shorts--and I love the shoes especially. I may have to head out to The Bay tonight. The shirt is wonderful.
Eliza replied 9 years ago

To start with, the shirt and short combo in number 4 are amazing. That top is similar to a Massimo Dutti linen one that I have, so I may be biased, but I find it magical. It is gorgeous on you and the sandals play well with everything.

I may like the idea of a shirt dress on you a bit more than the way this one lies. I can't quite tell about proportions and it may be a smaller screen throwing me off. I like the front view best, though feel there could be too much fabric under the arms. Maybe it doesn't feel Suz enough to me somehow. Hope Angie will weigh in as shirt dresses a la 2014 are beyond my experience.

As ever Suz, you look fab.
Jen W replied 9 years ago

I have fussy feet too and have really enjoyed how supportive those sandals are. I hope they work out well for you. And I LOVE the blouse on you!
Suz replied 9 years ago

Gaylene, that is a great dress and a good suggestion! I fear I might be sized out of it, alas, but I could try. This one, of course, is a whole lot cheaper! But I'm getting the sense that it's not going to work, so back it shall go. I do hear what everyone is saying about the wrinkling and the shape. I have a pretty high tolerance for sack, so sometimes I need someone to shake sense into me. :)

On team wear with the sandals and shorts/ top...this is a good combo for me, so at least we're striking there!
Alassë replied 9 years ago

Not so sure about the dress...but I love your matchy-matchy shorts/new top/sandals combo!
Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

I guess I'm alone in my love for this dress on you Suz. IMHO, if you're going to wear a "sack" or shirt dress, then it should look intentional. And this one does. I do not find it unflattering in the least little bit. I think if you start adding darts and altering it in terms of the shape, then you lose what makes the dress stylish to begin with. The color is lovely on you and it's a beautiful dress for the heat. As for the wrinkling, I would treat it like linen and make peace with the crease, as Angie would say.

I'm not trying to talk you into keeping it, I just wanted to reiterate how much I truly and honestly like it on you.
Suz replied 9 years ago

It's definitely a "look," isn't it, Shannon. And not to everybody's taste. I'm on the fence, myself. Love the colour, the fabric, and the fact that it buttons up. I think it would be an awesome thing to throw on over top of a bathing suit at the shore this summer on my down east trip. So what if it is wrinkled? I can still head to the grocery store and be decent. Also, my mama has a soft spot for shirt dresses and it might please her to see me in it. So...those are my thoughts so far. :)
Angie replied 9 years ago

LOVE the shirtdress outfit. Gorgeous with the sandals too, Suz. Lengths look good to me. The most important part is that your knees are showing. That curved hem adds even more structure. Proportions look great. This is modern dressing. I vote killer.

(Also, the shirtdress outfit looks even better in motion).

Fabulous shorts outfit too. You are Sizzling Suz. xo
Suz replied 9 years ago

Ha! Well, there you go!

I tried it with my white sneakers, too, Angie, and quite liked it.

The sandals are fabulous. I had my doubts right out of the box, but they have formed to my feet in the hours I have worn them and they are keepers...oddly enough in the larger of my sizes. I guess I may have higher volume feet than I thought. Except for my super narrow heel, that is.
Angie replied 9 years ago

Sooo glad the sandals worked out, Suz. And, I hope you love the dress even more now. I LOVE this type of look. To my eye, it's modern casual elegance.

Hah. Fun that the sneaks made a new wardrobe friend too. xo
Lyn D. replied 9 years ago

Angie has saved the day again!
I have changed my mind about the white shirt top- seeing how you have styled it here Suz- just Fab!
Transcona Shannon replied 9 years ago

*high five* Angie cause I love this dress on Suz!
Angie replied 9 years ago

High five, Shannon and Lyn.

Fixed my typos, Suz.
unfrumped replied 9 years ago

DRess and sandals are very fab!
The Gap shorts look great--I tried them on but they are not quite curvy enough, or something, for me--pooh.
Beth Ann replied 9 years ago

What an amazing fashion show! Love everything. Now, I do have a soft spot for chambray. There is something self-effacing and timeless in that James Dean sort of way about the fabric.

Off to look at those sandals........
Karie replied 9 years ago

I have a sweet spot for chambray so I really like the dress. At first I thought it was a little long in the back, but I would take Angie's advice on that - as long as your knees are showing, it's all goodie :) I think it would look fab with or without a belt. The top in the last pic is gorgeous!
MsLuna replied 9 years ago

Wow the Bernia's are finally on sale! I thought about getting them but discovered recently that thick rigid soles are what works best for my arthritic feet, so I'll have to pass - I'll just have to live vicariously through you! :)

Aaaand the outfits... I'm especially loving that white top and shorts on you. It's very polished and dressed up yet still perfect for a casual setting. I'm not used to seeing you in something like the chambray dress, but it works. It's looser than what you normally wear!

Can't wait to see more warm weather WIW's Suz!
Marley replied 9 years ago

I've been reading through all of the comments and was getting a little worried until I read Shannon's response - and then Angie's. - cuz I love the shirtdress on you. - I was turning my head all different ways to try to figure out what the "problem" was and I just couldn't see it! Whew! (I've got one very similar to yours - mines from BR and Iove it.). Also, guess what? I have that same Zara blouse. Hahaha! Our styles really do intersect somehow don't they Suz?
gradfashionista replied 9 years ago

I really like both outfits as is--I can see why the suggestion was made for a belt, but I think the lines of the dress are long, clean and flattering.
Suz replied 9 years ago

Marley, our styles really do intersect. I think we have body type similarities and we also have a high tolerance for loose clothes that are not conventionally figure flattering -- plus, we've seen a few styles come and go over our lifetime, so we kind of "get" some of these looks (like a shirtdress, say) that younger members may not ever have experienced and may need time to interpret and assimilate. Hahaha -- the benefits of getting older!!

Thanks, all, for your comments -- helpful indeed, and I think I am cutting tags, although I might re-order the dress since it is now on sale for $10 less!! I can take back the higher priced one to the store.
Elizabeth P replied 9 years ago

Hey, I missed this - busy day yesterday! I'm glad you are cutting tags - I like that dress a lot. It has that "I want to be cool and comfortable but I still care about how I look" vibe to it. But yes you must reorder then return on the higher receipt - you feel so good when you do that :)

Top and BF shorts also winners!
LoriFLA replied 9 years ago

Glad you like the shoes. They are super comfortable. I own them in black and want the metallic pair!

I love the shirtdress. It totally works on you. You look fab in both outfits. I always enjoy seeing your outfits -- lots of style inspiration!
Angie replied 9 years ago

YAY. More love for the frock.

*happy dance*
lyn67 replied 9 years ago

I loved the dress from front view very much, and now that Angie approved, starts to grow on me the side look, either. She's probably(always) quite right! This is a curent trend, so we have to adjust our eyes to it! No brains for the second outfit! That white top and the sandals are awesome, Suz!:-)
CocoLion replied 9 years ago

I like the shape and cut of the dress on you Suz. My suggestion was going to be to wear it with higher heels and/or shorten it to be just that much better. But I also like it as modeled. I especially like it in the latter two pictures -- from the side, as well as 'in action" -- I bet it looks great in motion. So all around I vote keep and I agree it's fashion forward. You know you will never get a unanimous vote on a silhouette that's ahead of the curve.

Love the sandals, shorts and Zara top. The sleeve reminds me of my pique knit Zara top that I love. I just ordered two more of them due to the Zara summer sale! One replacement for the white one I already own, and a top in blue. I just love this top, but do not think it will hold up well hence the replacement. I am hoping this silhouette will be around a bit longer, with the extreme angle sleeve, as I really like the structural aspect of it.
Suz replied 9 years ago

Ooh - Denise -- I might have to order some of those Zara tops, too. I love the sleeve on them. Thank you for the tip!!
CocoLion replied 9 years ago

Suz I got the M. Here you can see it on. I just guessed at the size, the S sleeve would end at a different point I think.

1
Suz replied 9 years ago

Thank you, Denise! That is helpful. There is no white left in Canada and I think I have enough blues, but having said that, it's still in my basket as we speak...I think I would probably still need the S since I have no bust to fill it out.
Angie replied 9 years ago

Oh no. The white is gone.

*sobbing*
Elizabeth P replied 9 years ago

Denise, it says that top is off-white, but it looks pretty darn white on you, and on the website. Can you comment on that?
Jaime replied 9 years ago

Love the dress! Love the top! Will read debate later but hope you are keeping.

Pix-Elated

Hot weather solutions: Bernias, shirtdress & BF shorts?

54 Comments

You need to be logged in to comment

Categories

Blogroll

Archives

About