Anyway, shopping for clothing is never fun for me. And when I do think I really look good in something, I tend to bring it home, wear it out, get photographed in it, and then wonder What was I thinking? I look like a hot mess!
So I figured I'm going to do it right this time and bring along a few girlfriends for the trip. OK, well, I only brought one with me (Heather from Domestic Extraordinaire), but she had a camera, so it's kind of like you were all there with me.
Anyway, here are some photos of outfits I tried on. I need feedback on what you think works and doesn't work. And please, remember I was under fluorescent lighting - colors are off, and it's the most unflattering light to be seen in.
Outfit 1:
It's a pretty dress, but I don't think I have the boobs to carry it off. Without something filling out the top, it only draws attention to my tummy. But I could be wrong. Do you like it?
Outfit 2:
My least favorite item, but I decided to include it anyway just to see if anyone actually liked it. It felt too tight around the hips, but a larger size up would have caused gaping at the top.
Outfit 3:
I thought it was a cute dress in person, but Heather disagreed with me. "Frumpy" was the word she used, I think.
Option 4:
The tank is actually a shade of hot pink, but under those lights looks more of a salmon/orange color. Trust me - it's bright pink. The pants are true to color.
Option 5:
Same tank, different pants. These are a little longer, and made out of a smoother material. I liked both pants - not sure which would be best for me, though.
Option 6:
The pants are not to be judged here - they're a pair of Lee capris that I already own. We're only looking at the tank top in this photo. (Unless you really like my capris and tell me I should wear them at BlogHer.) It's a lightweight tank that would probably be perfect for the hot Chicago weather.
Option 7:
Same brown pants from option 4, but a sweet hippy t-shirt. Heather said she could tell I felt most comfortable in this. She's probably right. While I love playing dress up for events, a t-shirt and capris are my standard everyday clothing. And tie-dye? Right up my alley. But maybe too casual for BlogHer?
And finally...
Option 8:
This is not from Lane Bryant. It's from JC Penney's and I'm adding it in here because I've walked past that dress every single time I've been to the mall in the past two months. I tried it on once and loved how it fit, but didn't buy it because I wasn't sure I looked as good as I thought I did in it. So I dragged Heather in with me to try it again, and found I could wear a size smaller - YAY!
I like the dress, but I really need some additional opinions on it. (And, uh - ignore the chubby arm. I was holding my arms in some weird way that shoved all my arm fat front and center.)
Also ignore my ugly feet in all of these photos. Shoes will be decided after I choose clothing.
So that's the run-down. Let me which ones you like, and which you don't. Be honest, I can take it. Or if you see anything on Lane Bryant's website that I should have tried on, let me know that, too. If they're going to help pay for some of my clothing, the least I can do is look good in it for them, right?
Oh fun! My opinions -- I like the longer brown capris. I think the tie-dyed t-shirt and the patchwork dress are fun and cute. And of the LB dresses, I think the first one is cutest/most flattering.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the tie-dyed shirt would look good with jeans or a black skirt for blogher--to dress it up a bit more than the capris. But really, I don't think it is too casual as is.
Since I was there, you know what I thought ;O) I still love the top brown dress and I loved the one from Penney's as well, It was very flattering on you. Now those lights on the other hand, not flattering on anyone. I had a wonderful time. I will probably be back down this summer, I don't know if before BlogHer though. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThat dress from JCP is awesome! I like the wider legged brown capri's and the first brown dress. The second looks very comfy, and not frumpy. Not as wow! as the first though.
ReplyDeleteI like the tie die too, but I've got a soft spot for it.
Lucky you getting the sponsorship! Maybe you can talk them in to more A line skirts while you're at it. ;)
The tie dyed shirt is fantastic and not too casual at all! If you must go with a dress I like the JCP one. The pink tank is great too - I like it with the longer pants better.
ReplyDeleteI was at Lane Bryant this weekend but I seem to be in between sizes and nothing fit quite right. I did find some cute things at the Avenue if you happen to have one around there.
Okay - Love the JC Penny dress. It gives you a great shape. As for the Lane Bryant outfits, I liek the dress in option 2 and the pants in option 5 and the shirt from option 6. I think you could wear the brown shirt and capris together if you had a light jacket or a long colorful necklace to break it up. The longer capris are good though. They make you look taller and slimmer.
ReplyDeleteI like 1 - you just need a bright fun necklace to wear with it to pull the eye to the neckline.
ReplyDeleteI like the JCP dress a lot. It's quite flattering.
Option 5 capris are better than 4. More flattering.
I don't love the tshirt in 7, but if you do, then do it!
Option 4 is the best out of the bunch. I tried on that first brown dress and it looked frumpilicious on me.
ReplyDeleteI did my shopping trip yesterday. Twas TEH awesome.
LOVE the JC Penney's dress. Number 2 is Awful, and the other dresses are all too dark and dull. Unless you have great colorful accessories to brighten them up.
ReplyDeleteThe pink tank and the tie-dye tshirt look the most practical for during the day. I don't sweat dressing up much anymore.
I'm wondering -looking at the other photos- if you've had a good bra fitting recently? Think that might help a lot.
Option 8 is beautiful. It emphasizes the narrowest part of you, it is pretty and flattering, and you look comfortable in it.
ReplyDeleteHonestly I agree w/anonymous above. You look so pretty in option 8. None of the other options do anything for you, and you are such a pretty gal. You say yourself that you walked by the dress several times and liked it. Also, in the pix you don't look like a Lane Bryant candidate at all. Sure hope you opt for the Penney's dress, it's really pretty.
ReplyDeleteI love the dress in option 8 but I also really like the dress in option 3. If you took a lime green ribbon and used it as a sash, it would brighten up the brown a lot.
ReplyDeleteOption 4 and Option 8. The capris in 4 give you a not-tapered look (unlike 5), and actually draw the eye away from the midsection. LOVE the patchwork dress. Great style for you! I have learned to love the empire waist.
ReplyDeleteI can pick more than one, right? :)
ReplyDeleteI like 1, 5, 6 and LOVE 8.
I think you look great in options 7 and 8!
ReplyDeleteI like 3 -not frumpy at all! And the tie dyed t-shirt is great too. You need to buy the JC Penney's dress - it looks great on you!
ReplyDeleteThe JCPenney dress is the perfect cut for you. The first two Lane Bryant dresses are all wrong, but the "frumpy" one is a better cut for you and could be dressed up with accessories. The tank is too bright, the shorter pants are too casual, the longer pants are nice, the brown tank is cut too narrow at the bottom, and the hippy shirt is cute.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I *am* opinionated. Why do you ask?
Love the JCP dress, very flattering. I also like dress #2...can't you go with the larger size so it's not so tight at the hips and then have it altered so the top isn't gaping?? Altering clothing is the secret to great fit :)
ReplyDeleteAlso why so much brown?? Brown on its own is so dull and drab.
I agree that if you added a ribbon as a sash on #3 it would liven it up. I don't think it looked at all frumpy on you. A cute pair of sandals in a bright color to coordinate with a ribbon sash and it will be great!
The capris are great...the bermuda shorts, not so much. Also the brown tank...too plain. Does it come in a brighter color?
The tie dye shirt...very cute and comfy looking. That's a definite.
My opinions are similar, but I think the JCP dress looks great on you, really cute. And I like option 5, longer pants, plus the tie-dyed shirt. I would not worry about being too casual, feeling most comfortable is what will make you look great.
ReplyDeleteLove #2; makes you look long and lean, and the color is just fun.
ReplyDeleteLet's not talk about #3.
I like the capris in #4 versus #5, I think they make your legs look longer (they also look comfier).
Not loving #6, though I'm no sure why.
#7 and #8 are adorable!
Did you see this one(Surplice flutter sleeve knit dress) at the store? It looks hot! (Note, I have a weakness for red and awesome sleeves)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.lanebryant.com/pagebuilder/lane_bryant_product_page?pagesize=4&my_nav=apparel_accessories&cat=dresses&subcat=see%20all&item=2353498&s19b=Dresses%20|%20All&s19c=5
I like #2 and #8. Number 8 really looks great on you!
ReplyDeleteI like the brown dress a lot - the patchwork one fits you well, but sorry I loathe patchwork. If it was a plain fabric, it would be a winner.
ReplyDeleteDid you try on the pink or red dress? What about one of the blue ones? (I went and did more dress shopping last night)
ReplyDeleteHope you will let us know what you chose.
ReplyDeleteI love Options 5, 6, 7, and 8. I say go with comfort. I know we all want to get new clothes that fit right and to look good, but if we're not comfortable we'll all be a bunch of miserable dressed-up chicks!
ReplyDeleteIn other news, I finally got motivated and I'm back in the workout game. I went through a horrible slump, but I'm going to try to motivate myself to continue towards the goal.
By the way, we all need another goal after BlogHer is over. Hot by Labor Day? Hot by Halloween? That kind of has a ring to it!
I like 1, 7, and 9. I agree with Kristen that the pattern of the patchwork is not totally awesome but the fit is good and you look happy.
ReplyDeleteJCPenney all the way. With the first dresses I could tell you would look great in a dress...just not those. The capris, tanks, etc. are fine, but not special.
ReplyDeleteGo with special. Bring a little cardigan in case it's cool inside and you'll have a total Peggy Sue thing going.
Get the JCP dress--you look super cute in it and it is so obvious that you're happy wearing it. I liked the longer brown capris better than the shorts. I thought you looked cute in the blue/gray dress but if you don't like it, don't get it. the tie dye shirt is cute too and might look dressier with the longer capris. i bet at a conference like blogher every outfit imaginable, from business suits to cutoffs are represented. but i've never been so i'm no expert?
ReplyDeleteA) I LOVE the patchwork dress. I tried it on at Penney's tonight. The reason I didn't buy it? I didn't want us to be dressed alike at BlogHer!
ReplyDeleteB) I saw this awesome dress at LB tonight, thought it was ADORABLE and thought of you...It won't let me copy the link, but search for surplice flutter sleeve knit dress. Trust me. It's cute.
I love the dress in opt. 8, NONE of the others.
ReplyDeleteAlso the capris - All pair look cute. including the ones you already own.
Not the tye-dye top
The pink tank was cute too!
I'm cracking up b/c the things I think look great on you (3, 7, 2, 8) are not the same as what most everyone else likes, but even more b/c I had NO IDEA that we had to worry about what to wear at BlogHer! Wear what makes you feel happy and comfortable, and a big smile. Carry with you a sense of curiosity, a few quick sentances about why you love to blog, and I promise you NO ONE will notice if #2 is a little snug in some areas.
ReplyDelete:-)
Who's "worrying?" She just wants to look pretty. What's wrong with that?
ReplyDeleteI've passed by that dress in JCP many, many times and I've always loved it. I hope that's the one you got because it looks fab on you!
ReplyDeleteI know I'm chiming in very late here, but I just wanted to remark how much I love the JCP dress on you. It is very flattering. Someone said that it gives you a great shape and I totally agree!
ReplyDelete