10 July 2013

Imperfect Hems

white eyelet

I really love this dress. It's light, summery, it's got a cotton lining, a forgiving fit and a really cute hem. Plus it was cheap. So of course I had to order it pretty much as soon as I saw it online.

Then I got the dress. The material was a little stiffer than I thought, but that's OK, it's got little eyelet sleeves. It is a pullover fit so I kind of have to hulk it over my apparently huge shoulders to get it off, but that's OK, look at the scalloped hem. I kind of look preggers in the dress, but that's OK ... ?

white eyelet  white eyelet

I know, I know, I can probably spend a little money to have the dress tailored to fit, but not only would it need to be slimmed but I'd probably have to add a zipper so I can get it off, and do I really want to spend additional dollars on a Forever 21 piece? (Doing anything myself is not an option, buttons are about all I can do).

So this dress doesn't really fit me as well as I'd like but I still love it. And want to wear it, despite that I think it makes me look a bit heavier than I am. But it's got a cotton lining! And that hem!

Do you have pieces that don't quite work for you but you can't give up? What do you do to make it work?

white eyelet

white eyelet

Dress: F21 eyelet shift (deal, sim, more sheer)
Necklace: J.Crew fan fringe (worn here - sim -ish, solid, smaller, Etsy dupes)
Bracelets: Sage K and Co via Etsy (sim, sim)
Ring: c/o INPINK turquoise stone (worn here - sim, sim)
Bag: Coach poppy flight in mirror metallic (same solid, sim cas, actual mirror, clutch, tote)
Shoes: Adrienne Vittadini yancy (worn here - sim, sim, wedge)

49 comments:

  1. Even though it isn't the perfect fit, it still looks adorable on you!

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  2. personally, i think any piece is worth the investment if you really love it, regardless where it came from. if you take good care of it, it will last you long enough to make the investment worth it!
    i have been looking for a replacement for a very similar dress that i thrifted a few years ago, which is sadly falling apart on me, so now i think i may hafta check out F21 to see how this one works for me!

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  3. I definitely do NOT think you look pregnant. Right now I am torn because I would love to have my clothes altered to have them fit better, but I can't afford it. That being said, for my blazers that are from Gap and other nice places, those I take to get fitted!

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  4. I think it looks good on you, doesn't look preggers from the front!
    I've started to give up on things that I love but aren't perfect. I don't have the patience to "make it work" anymore...especially if the piece is cheap and I like it but don't LOVE it. But if I LOVE it, I'll do what it takes to make it work, but it's pretty rare.

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    1. Well I guess this dress is a piece that I can probably make "work" easier than others - layering!

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  5. I think it looks great! The dress is adorable and you look perfect in it!

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  6. I kinda love that awkward relationship we have with clothes that don't quite align with the mental image we have of them! I think this looks pretty sweet, so as long as you feel good once the darn thing is on... I hate how it takes awhile to adjust into something after it was hard to get on!
    And cotton lining! :)

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    Replies
    1. I know! I always hate it when brands make these pretty linen or cotton dresses then line it in poly! What's the point then?!

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  7. The dress does look great on you, but I feel like I'm going through the price vs. quality quandary in my head. I'm often so fixated on price I end up with disposable fashion, which I'm over two months later.
    Ginny

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  8. I think it looks fabulous on you. Love how you accessorized it. I have a tan dress that is like wearing a soft cardboard box that I love. Does nothing for me, but is so comfy to wear.

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    1. "Soft cardboard box." That cracked me up - I totally have pieces that feel like that!

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  9. seeing you in the dress, it looks like so much more than it is (I checked the website), and I am in awe of your eye for finding things. It looks so great, I'd think it was worth the effort. And very few people gain weight on the tops of their shoulders ;)

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  10. You don't look preggos and this dress looks very high end. Love the dress on you! For me personally, if I have a hard time putting it on it becomes a pass. I think I would have a tough time justifying spending a lot of money on altering the dress if the alterations cost close to the cost of the dress.

    BTW, I styled the J Crew scallop dress inspired by you today - hope you will stop by and check it out.

    Alice
    www.happinessatmidlife.com

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    Replies
    1. I have no problem getting it on - but off is kind of awkward!

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  11. Lisa, it looks great on you! I love the new bags COACH has come out with! Yours is sharp girl!
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  12. The dress looks cute on you! (no, you don't look preggers.) I have a similar H&M dress that doesn't quite fit as well as I'd like. My solution is to always belt a garment to give it a more fitted look. It also always adds a dash of color and a way to accessorize. :)

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  13. I think the dress is really pretty and you don't look remotely pregnant! I have learned my lesson not to order from F21 online even though I'm always tempted. I have to go to the store and try their stuff on or else I wind up returning everything.

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart

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    Replies
    1. I'm the opposite with F21 - I get so overwhelmed in that place. There's stuff EVERYWHERE!

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  14. The dress looks really cute!

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  15. You DO NOT look prego, my dear! Far from it. :) Darling dress!

    Sequins&Stilettos


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  16. So pretty! And what do I do to make something that's maybe not-quite-right work anyway? A confident attitude! ;)

    Jen @ Librarian for Life & Style

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  17. For what its worth, I think the dress is beautiful and that you wear it as cool as it gets -
    n fact i like it so much i am heading over to the F21 site.

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  18. I've had my eye on this dress...seeing how cute it is on you makes me really want to get it!

    Katie
    Style Diary

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  19. Love your eyelet dress and I SO get where you are coming from vis a vis the alterations..
    I really like your blog.
    XX, Elle
    @
    http://mydailycostume.com/

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  20. You absolutely do NOT look pregnant in this dress! Even without alterations, I think this eyelet shift will look great layered for fall (that is, if you don't mind wearing white after Labor Day).

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  21. Super cute, Lisa! Funny how a few other retailers besides J Crew got a hold of that fabric.

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  22. Absolutely adore this look. The turquoise is such a fun touch for summertime.
    Isn’t That Charming.

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  23. Haha you definitely don't look pregnant in this. I thought it was a J. Crew piece! Whenever I have something I don't really love but want to keep, I tend to layer it with a sweater or jacket, or find a heel height that makes it look better!

    Kaitlin
    www.teaandsequins.com

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  24. That's so funny, it's the same kind of mind games I play with myself all too often. But the dress is cute and cute on you and I don't see the preggers ...

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  25. The dress looks fab on you! Love those hems too- I have lots of clothes that doesn't fit me but still I keep it, lol! I just use whatever pieces that I could pair with them :)

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  26. love a simple LWD and a punch of color! great look!

    XO Meghan

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  27. It's cute!! I think it looks fine, but if you want a different fit, I would get it tailored, especially if it is something that you will wear a lot. I love white summer dresses!!

    Taylor

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    Replies
    1. Maybe I'll bring it to the tailor and inquire about it ...

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  28. Love the accessories! You look great!

    http://simplysassysstyle.blogspot.com/

    Dawn

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  29. This dress is beautiful and I think it looks great on you! LOVE the way you have accessorized!

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  30. Ahhhh love the metallic Coach bag! I've been eyeing the collection.
    The dress looks lovely on you! Your comment about having "huge shoulders" made me chuckle since I think the same sometimes when I try/wear stuff. Like, when did I start feeling like The Hulk? =)
    xo,
    nancy

    http://adoretoadorn.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. I have a hard time taking off some pieces that are side zip or pullover fit. We must be little bodybuilders!

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  31. This dress is so beautiful. Go away!

    Yes I do have pieces like that... they need to see a tailor. Sometimes I try a belt, but it doesn't always work out.

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  32. Cute dress!! I love the delicate lace details... and I've been eyeing that necklace from jcrew forever! :) It goes really well with the outfit! Haha, you don't look preggers at all, silly!

    Christy
    Sunnywithasideof...

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  33. Ohh I know the feeling all too well! When something is just cheap enough that you want to forgive it's short comings and just have it anyway! I think the dress looks adorable in these photos and don't notice any of the flaws you mentioned.
    Chic on the Cheap

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  34. The more I see you in this dress, the more I want the navy for me! Need to go in store to have a look see :)

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  35. I think you look great! And I'm totally with you on the cotton lining, it's just too freakin' hot here in the south for anything else like say polyester. I have the shirt and love it AND I wear a cotton cami. Love the necklace you paired it with, you truly look chic. :)

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  36. If its a cheap(er) piece, I will usually just wear it as is or attempt to tailor it myself. I don't like to spend extra money on cheaply made pieces if I can help it :)

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  37. Don't you worry. You only look pregnant in your mind. Just accept that the fit is different from what you usually wear, pull a confident face and go. It looks pretty and nice on you.
    Adore your bag and shoes.

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  38. Well it looks like it fits you well to me! I think this is a cute little dress! and I always feel like I look pregnant when I wear breezier dresses. I love white eyelet.

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  39. Psh. You don't look preggers at all.

    Such a cute dress. I think I'm moving from lace to eyelets!

    7% Solution​

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