What do you think of this dress?

[katydid1971]

I need a dress for my 20th HS reunion. I want something that is "dressy casual" that I will wear again. I'm a SAHM so my usually uniform is polos and capris. I found this dress at J.Jill today and I thought it looked cute. I put it with a belt. I put it on for DH and he said he didn't like and it wasn't very summery. Please give me your honest opinion. Thanks for your feedback.
http://www.jjill.com/jjillonline/product/itempage.aspx?item=QU031C&PFID=10&BID=S20101812150546BC26D2675B347339B6C6F&h=M&sk=M

[SnuggleBuggles]

Even with a belt it looks kind of frumpy, I think. It just doesn't have a shape. I agree with your dh too that it isn't very summery.

Sticking with JJill, in olive this maybe could work (possibly with the belt). I think it is a fine day to day SAHM dress: eta- I don't see this dress really working unless you really snazz it up, btw
http://www.jjill.com/jjillonline/product/itempage.aspx?item=QU059L&PFID=10&BID=S2010181224606C9A6B1AFBB794AD68B997B&h=M&sk=M

I think that as a dinner out addition to your wardrobe that could also work for the reunion, this dress would be great:
http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=39292&vid=&pid=769992&scid=769992002

Check Athleta, White House/ Black Market , Ann Taylor Loftand the Gap too.

eta- some more ideas
same price as your JJill one. Piperlime has a ton more cute dresses but not sure of your budget.

http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=47898&vid=1&pid=798610&scid=798610012

http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=47898&vid=1&pid=782220&scid=782220032

http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?searchCID=47898&vid=1&pid=790737&scid=790737012


Beth

[AshleyAnn]

Honestly, I don't like it. As the PP said its kind of frumpy. How do you feel about something more a-line? Macy's had some adorable summery a-lines when I was there today.

[SnuggleBuggles]

I guess I also wanted to say that it just doesn't seem quite special enough for a 20th reunion. If you want to go to your reunion, I think you should go set to look fabulous. :) I don't know what sort of event the reunion is but I would still look for more of an occasion outfit.

Beth

[DietCokeLover]

It's ok looking, but I agree with pp that it doesn't seem special. Looks like something you could wear to run errands in and still look kind of cute.

[DrSally]

I'm not a huge fan of it b/c it seems a little baggy. I know you said you put a belt on with it, so I think it would depend on what you accessorize it with. I've seen some cute casual summer dresses at Target.com. This comes in different colors, some brights and prints. I could see it with a colorful wrap and nice sandals http://www.target.com/Merona-Sleeveless-V-Neck-Dress-Smoke/dp/B003IUGQSY/ref=huc_ic_4_pn

[DrSally]

J Crew also has nice, casual dresses.

ETA: THis is more dressy, but sooo pretty
http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/dresses/weddingsparties/PRDOVR~96061/96061.jsp

[ett]

I don't really like it for the reasons stated above. You definitely should find something more special for your HS 20th reunion. PPs have given you good suggestions for other dresses.

[hillview]

Nope -- looks like a bag sorry :(
/hillary

[hellokitty]

Nope -- looks like a bag sorry :(
/hillary

:yeahthat:

If you want something summer, I'd find a dress that is more flowy.

[arivecchi]

Check these dresses out:

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/category.jsp;jsessionid=624E9B596B80AFBC40F295B2E8 D07DFE.app45-node8?_DARGS=/anthro/catalog/common/highlited_itemcount.jsp_A&_DAV=true&_dynSessConf=-29140935591897597&viewAllOnOnePage=yes&itemCount=-1&pushId=CLOTHES-DRESSES&selectedProductSize=&startValue=1&id=CLOTHES-DRESSES&selectedProductColor=&defaultSort=&navCount=90&sortView=&templateType=&navAction=top&displayNumber=8&selectedProductSize1=&sortby=&prepushId=&popId=CLOTHES

I love Anthropologie!

[daniele_ut]

I have to agree that the dress you linked isn't quite right for a 20 year reunion. My 20 year was a few weeks ago and most of the women (all-girls' HS) were wearing dressier summer dresses. I bought mine at Nordstrom, and I know my HS best friend got hers at AT Loft. Here's a pic of mine:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v609/daniele_ut/Reunion-1.jpg

[yournamehere]

SAHM's deserve to get dressed up once in a while and a HS reunion is just the place to treat yourself to something a little more special.

[lorinick]

J Crew also has nice, casual dresses.

ETA: THis is more dressy, but sooo pretty
http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/dresses/weddingsparties/PRDOVR~96061/96061.jsp

Love Dr. Sally's choice. Very nice cut and not to short either. I didn't like the the dress you picked it's frumpy and boring. Looks like weekend casual.

[Fairy]

I'm so sorry, Katy, but I have to add my voice to the others saying all I see there is baggy frumpy and not HS Reuniony. I do, however, like every single other dress that was linked for you, and danielle's, as well. I think my faves are the Anthropologie dresses, but only by a smidge more than the others, I truly liked all of them. Except the one you chose. Sorry! Good luck.

If it's any consolation, I was a basket case looking for my 20yr dress. I chose three of them and eventually found something that worked. But it was a process!

[Melbel]

I have to agree with the others about the dress you liked (not dressy enough for a reunion, not flattering). I did like the other dresses linked by PP. To give you more options, there are a few from Ann Taylor:

http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=25824&N=1200007&pCategoryId=3939&categoryIad=180&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_180&loc=TN&gridSize=sm&showAll=true&defaultColor=Black&defaultSizeType=Regular

http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=26398&N=1200007&pCategoryId=3939&categoryId=180&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_180&loc=TN&gridSize=sm&showAll=true&defaultColor=Black&defaultSizeType=Regular

http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=24370&N=1200007&pCategoryId=3939&categoryId=180&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_180&loc=TN&gridSize=sm&showAll=true&defaultColor=Walrus&defaultSizeType=Regular (I purchased this one in store in a pretty bluish green color for an upcoming dressier party)

http://www.anntaylor.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=25822&N=1200007&pCategoryId=3939&categoryId=180&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_180&loc=TN&gridSize=sm&showAll=true (spruce)

There are AT coupons for 25-35% off right now.

[TwinFoxes]

I'm so sorry, Katy, but I have to add my voice to the others saying all I see there is baggy frumpy and not HS Reuniony. I do, however, like every single other dress that was linked for you, and danielle's, as well. I think my faves are the Anthropologie dresses, but only by a smidge more than the others, I truly liked all of them. Except the one you chose. Sorry! Good luck.


:yeahthat: I don't want to pile on, but I do think you would feel underdressed in a dress that casual. I wouldn't call that dressy casual, it's just casual.

This dress is a similar color, and is a cotton blend so it may be casual enough for you. But it has a little oomph.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3122125/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014133?mediumthumbnail= Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014133&P=1

Nordstrom is really my go to store for dresses. They have dresses that are fun and sexy, but made for those of us who are no longer teens ;)

[kozachka]

J. Crew dress is my favorite. I am sure you'd be able to wear it again for a date with your DH and other dressier occasions.

[DrSally]

Alright, my 20th reunion is coming up too. This thread has inspired me to do some shopping. I'm going to order several of the JCrew dresses and try them on. I hope they won't have a problem with me returning to the store the ones that don't work. It's really hard to know what they'll look like on. I've only gotten causal clothes at JCrew and they seem more fitted (run small), does anyone know if this is true of their special occassion dresses? (I imagine it is).

[AnnieW625]

I think it looks a little frumpy.

[cvanbrunt]

I'm going to order several of the JCrew dresses and try them on. I hope they won't have a problem with me returning to the store the ones that don't work. It's really hard to know what they'll look like on. I've only gotten causal clothes at JCrew and they seem more fitted (run small), does anyone know if this is true of their special occassion dresses? (I imagine it is).

It's no problem returning stuff to a B&M store. I ordered six bathing suits and returned five. The guy said people do it all the time and they expect it. In terms of sizing, I have found JCrew to be cut really huge but very consistent across casual vs. nice. I don't know if you need petite sizes but if you do, go up one size from regular. I wear a petite 4 or a 2/2 short. Same for dresses, no need to size up. HTH.

[Fairy]

Poor OP. Katy, you still with us? I hope you're not feeling badly!

[DrSally]

It's no problem returning stuff to a B&M store. I ordered six bathing suits and returned five. The guy said people do it all the time and they expect it. In terms of sizing, I have found JCrew to be cut really huge but very consistent across casual vs. nice. I don't know if you need petite sizes but if you do, go up one size from regular. I wear a petite 4 or a 2/2 short. Same for dresses, no need to size up. HTH.

Thanks for the info! Now I won't feel embarrassed about returning a bunch of dresses. I would actually get petite, so that helps.