Forwards and Backwards: Fragrant Valley Dress by Corey Lynn Calter

Other than the print, the thing I loved most about the Fragrant Valley dress from Anthropologie was its back detail. Specifically, the dramatic deep v and the fabric ties. But from where I stood, this also created a minor limitation.

I tend to only buy something if it has the potential to be seasonless. And I immediately worried that the deep v back neckline and the ties would appear bulky after layering a cardigan or jacket over top. That gave me the idea to try wearing it backwards. And it sort of works, but maybe you can give me some feedback.

The great thing about the ties is that they give the backwards worn dress a sailor look.  Here it is with a cardigan:

It is clear in my size 10 that the dress was cut to accommodate a bustline. This is a good thing because I need that accommodation. But, when I move it to the back, the darted bust has nothing filling it (and so the fabric ripples a bit). Does it look too silly or obvious?

Even if it does, I don't think it is a big deal since I will mostly wear it backwards when I want to layer over top. I also will not likely wear these particular patterned tights with it. But they were part of my OOTD so I left them on for ease of going back out in a bit.

Serial Returns and Compulsive Online Shopping

One of the limitations of living in a small city is that the lack of retail variety. Many of the stores here don't carry my favorite lines so I find myself lusting and coveting the mere opportunity to see a garment in person, and try it on. To that end, I will occasionally succumb to favorable online promotions, free shipping, and strong return policies, ordering things that might not be kept unless they are purposeful, reasonably priced, and flattering. Lately I've had a spate of bad luck and ended up returning a lot of things I knew were risks. The benefit of this method is that I won't be tempted by low ebay prices because I will know how unflattering these particular items were on me. Exhibit A:

I blogged not long ago about a See by Chloe dress called The Favorite, in a lovely sky blue with ruffled sleeves. I hadn't realized that the bubble shape was held together with an elastic gather placed uncomfortably around the upper thigh area. This caused the dress to hike up quite a bit during any movement. And an already short dress quickly moved into scandalous territory. Back it went to Bloomingdales.com!

But it left me feeling guilty. It is not as though returns are a victimless endeavor. Particularly when you consider the environmental wake of online shopping and transportation of goods. Why had I purchased something sight unseen, anyway? I didn't need a dress. I just wanted it. And that compulsive move goes completely against what my resolution for this year was: To WANT less. But I try to remember that this project is not linear and I have good and bad weeks because I am fallible and human.  It is a good reminder that consumerism can feel so instinctive and exigent when its roots and its objectives are completely the opposite of both those descriptors.  I guess my summer should be spent contemplating: How does one unlearn that wanting? And why/when am I nagged by consumer desires most?

OOTD and More Reviews - Plus what I bought from Anthropologie

The Homegrown Dress by Moulinette Souers was so charming on Anjali of Golden Means that I was excited to try it out myself. But because it was on sale, my store only had a few sizes left. This was a 12 or 10... (can't quite recall which it was). Either way, it was too big on top and relatedly overwhelmed me on the bottom. It was a shame because the dress is really lovely. I think it would be even better with a belt as demonstrated by Rosa.

I was thrilled to try on the Fragrant Valley dress by Corey Lynn Calter! After posting about wanting it here, it inspired me to suggest a trip to the burbs to scope the sale with a few girlfriends. We went on Friday and had a blast. They encouraged me to choose this dress to bring home. Although I had fitting room fatigue by that point, I was glad to find a size 10 which fit nicely. Had I ordered sight unseen online, I would have probably grabbed an 8 but the 8 would likely have been too tiny. I would say this dress runs small (aka true to Corey Lynn Calter). It is darling in person. And I discovered today that you can wear it forwards and backwards, which I will document later this week!

I wore another favorite from an Anthropologie sale of seasons' past: The Bold Boutonniere. This dress yields compliments everywhere I go. I've worn it to shop for wedding dresses. I wore it for cocktails on Cinco de Mayo. I wore it to holiday parties. I wore it to fancy dinners while traveling (Publican and August to name some).

I wore a dress from Anthropologie. Similar style, on sale here or check out this Anthropologie dress with close aesthetic sensibilities here.
Levis denim jacket (shown in my arm)
Chloe zipper flats
Jenny Yuen Gatsby bag