Spring has sprung and that means dress season. There’s just something about a sunshiny day that brings out the girly in many of us, and for me, it also makes me a little more daring. All that to say, I am shopping for dresses.
Which, if online or even department store shopping were my usual practice, would seem easy; after all, currently LOTS of great dress styles are available: baby-dolls, sheaths, sundresses, shirtdresses. For me, though, it’s not so simple. Unable to bring myself to part with any real money most of the time, I generally shop thrift. Thrifting can be overwhelming, so I’ve identified some practices that make it easier.
How to quickly scan for dresses to try:
- Color is the easiest thing to scan for, so narrow down the colors you are looking for. This is how I was able to shop the entire Old Navy store while my hero was waiting in traffic to get out of the parking lot. And know that a dress is the easiest thing to wear in a flattering color that doesn’t work with anything else in your wardrobe. No mixing and matching necessary!
- Next, look at silhouette. If it makes you feel fat just by looking at it hanging on the rack, it’s probably not for you. Of course, if you are feeling adventurous, by all means use the opportunity to try on a new shape.
- Patterns should harmonize with the scale of your facial features AND appeal to your personal sense of style.
- With the current practice of layering dresses over leggings or other pieces, length may not be as big an issue, but it is something that’s easy to identify before getting to the fitting room.
- Finally, if it feels icky to the touch, don’t bother trying it on. This has to do with learning to recognize the feel of the fabrics you like to wear. Knowing I will never wear a polyester blouse, no matter how beautiful the color or pattern, has saved me literally hours in fitting rooms.
Of course, just because I shop thrift, doesn’t mean these techniques won’t help in traditional stores.
Look what I got yesterday for $15 (plus a pair of swim shorts and a pair of linen shorts thrifted last week for $10). Apologies again for the fuzzy picture.
You might enjoy the website Dress by Design (www.dressbydesign.com). which allows you to design a dress which they produce, using their own or your fabric. Though way more $ than thrifts, you can get an idea of what you like, and it’s a great resource for people who can’t wear off the rack b/c of their build, or are sick of false hems, gaping armholes or never a long-enough skirt. From what I see of your dress, it looks lovely.
I’ll check it out. Really, who can wear off the rack? Hardly anybody. “never long enough skirt” – I can really relate too.
This dress is a bit of a departure from the norm for me, but I did say I’d been craving fun prints and dresses. Plus, I never again want to nearly choose not to attend a wedding because I have nothing to wear. It’s all cotton, with it’s own lining. I actually plan to wear it like a skirt, kinda, with a cardigan over it.
I still think the most affordable thing to do is to just make a dress – I already have a pattern for a sleeveless sheath style which I used before and altered the shape of the skirt to fit my shape better. My problem is that when I have time, I blog instead of sewing!
I live in dresses and skirts all summer long. And I a a big fan of cardis to go with — I get cold in air conditioning, so I like to have something I can slip into a larger bag or drape over my purse to carry.
I have the same idea (dream) of making all my dresses — still looking for the perfect pattern though… something easy, sleeveless (w/ little cardis too) fitted but not tight, and can be modified to either thin straps or a v-neckline… well, one day… for now, whenever I find a dress style I like, will get it in ALL the good colours and patters… sometimes four or five if I *really* like it… on sale of course~
This post fits me right now. I’ve been dress shopping for a wedding I’m supposed to attend next week (daughter of a dear family friend..I used to baby sit her…I am getting old!!!)…I got a thrifted dress but it’s a bit snug and just wasn’t quite right for some reason…Billy and Elizabeth pointed out that the pattern was just too big to be flattering. I guess I might have to pay closer to full price for this one, since I don’t really have anything wedding appropriate. I will keep your tips in mind. I agree on the color thing. When I know the color I am looking for, I can narrow it down a lot more quickly.
My new dress has the same problem – the too big print But with a little cardigan over it, it works. It’s one of those half-sleeve cardis with crochet sections, so the colors of the top of the dress show through, but it’s brown, so it looks good on me. And buttoned up, it smooths the top of the gathered skirt down enough to be flattering. Basically, I’m using the dress as a skirt.
Hope you are able to find something! I noticed at my daughter’s wedding almost no one wore a dress. Even the elegant church ladies wore a pretty skirt topped by a sweater.