Eclectic Joy

K/R: Two Eileen dresses, Now with finds added

May 19, 2016

Dresses with sleeves are almost impossible to find, so these two EF dresses on sale followed me home. I need your objective eyes to decide what to keep..both, one, or neither.
On the plus side, they are both not black. The first is EF color "ash" or a medium grey. The second is an olive or EF color "oregano". Both could be dressed up or down and could be worn for at least 3 seasons. The shirt dress could be worn open as a duster. It is linen, viscose and spandex woven fabric. The first is viscose and spandex. It is hard to tell if it is woven or knit, but has a nice non-cling drape.
On the down side, I have a casual life so don't wear dresses as much as I'd like to. What I buy needs to stay in my closet for 2-3 years.
What do you think of these? Keep or return and keep looking? For styling I have bootie type footwear that I could wear with either and would probably wear a scarf. The second dress could be worn over slim pants, open or buttoned.
1/2: ash grey dress
3-5: oregano green button down

Finds.  I think these are the same dresses although I can't find the grey one in ash grey or the shirtwaist in oregano.  The first is available in the red, smoke grey and a deep blue; the second in black.  I gave much less for the ones I got so those colors in these dresses may be discontinued.

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Posted in the Shopping category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

40 Comments

  • Transcona Shannon replied 8 years ago

    Wow Joy - you look fabulous in both of these dresses. Seriously. The colors are quite similar in tone but due to the different fabric combinations and shapes, give you two very different dresses. Both are extremely flattering in fit and color.

    To your concern about your casual lifestyle - I still think these could both work brilliantly for a variety of occasions. For example, the first dress topped with a denim vest or jacket and casual sandals and then booties in cooler weather, or even sneakers for that matter, can be worn for coffee with friends, hanging out on your patio, etc. But add a lovely pendant necklace, a pretty wrap and dressier heels and you can wear it out for a lovely dinner. Same goes for the second dress plus you have the option of unbuttoning and wearing it as your third piece.

    I say keep both :)

  • El Cee replied 8 years ago

    Joy -- I love both on you. I think that they will be very versatile. Ditto everything Shannon just said.

  • Angie replied 8 years ago

    I'm with, Shannon. Keep both. They are 10s. 

  • Joy replied 8 years ago

    Thank you, Shannon. I may do that but need to know if I am wearing sales blinders. They have a very different feel but both could be worn for multiple functions. I need sleeves! Especially as we are moving to Boulder County, Colorado this summer where it is cooler in summer and with longer transitional seasons than I'm used to.

  • Tanya replied 8 years ago

    Gorgeous dresses, both of them, and the fit is pure perfection. I vote keep both.

  • Joy replied 8 years ago

    Thank you, ElCee and Angie. We must have posted at the same time.

  • Joy replied 8 years ago

    Tanya too. You are convincing me to keep both.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 8 years ago

    I still say keep both. The sleeves are a definite plus in a cooler climate, both can be layered, worn with tights and booties, dressy, casual. YES YES and YES. Please don't make me yell at you :)

  • Ledonna N. replied 8 years ago

    Both are keepers. ,love the drape on the first. Looks like it will be a dream when walking and in the second love the highly length and that it can be worn multiple ways.

  • Joy replied 8 years ago

    Shannon, as a fellow Eileen admirer, I really appreciate your thoughts. And Angie agrees! I think I will keep both. The second dress can even be worn over the first for a dress and coat look!
    Ledonna, you are so right. The first dress is best seen in motion and I can stride in it. Thank you.

  • replied 8 years ago

    They are both perfect.  Great for a Colorado lifestyle, easy to layer.  Keep!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 8 years ago

    *clapping hands wildly*

  • replied 8 years ago

    Looks like it's unanimous to keep both. And definitely nice to find two non black, sleeved, not too short dresses.

  • jill58 replied 8 years ago

    Oh yes, keep both. I have a pretty casual life too but I find dresses comfortable and versatile.

  • replied 8 years ago

    Wow - keep both , most definitely. Those are outstanding dresses, and you wear them PERFECTLY.  

  • Suz replied 8 years ago

    Joy, both are fantastic on you. I think you should keep them both. I feel they are different enough and will serve different if overlapping functions. 

    Can you please put them in Finds? And (if you don't mind my asking) what sizes did you get? I am always in search of great dresses that will work for my casual life especially those that have travel potential. And I can never be sure of EF sizing. These both look like they work on you so there is potential for me as well. 

  • Colette replied 8 years ago

    Keep both! They look perfect on you. I really like the idea of styling the shirt dress as a duster/jacket. 

  • unfrumped replied 8 years ago

    Keep! You look fab.
    I am so envious. I cannot get EF dresses to have enough length.
    Maybe I did not try the right styles.

  • carter replied 8 years ago

    So glad you're keeping both. I want the gray one!

  • Vix replied 8 years ago

    Hi Joy -- 

    Looks like you've decided to keep so no need to persuade. I think you'll find them very useful for the new climate.

    The first does drape beautifully and will look great with sandals now and booties/boots when it's cooler.

    I've been wearing my shirtdresses as a layering piece -- often just buttoning to the waist -- so as you said, that's definitely an option (though I could see you potentially chopping a few inches off the bottom depending on how you find you like wearing it).

  • Vicki replied 8 years ago

    Joy, I love them both, because they "flow" so beautifully on your body and the colors are extraordinary on you.

    Yes, please keep both!

  • replied 8 years ago

    Now those are my kinda dresses.  You are the bomb in both.

  • RobinF replied 8 years ago

    Another vote for both! The styles are quite different but can both be used in multiple ways which would give you a lot of variety.

  • Debbie replied 8 years ago

    I am SO glad you are keeping both. They are perfect I really like the shirt dress. It would look great over white pants as a duster.

  • columbine(erin) replied 8 years ago

    Wow. You make these dresses look amazing. I love the first on you especially.

  • CocoLion replied 8 years ago

    Great dresses on you, both.

  • Maneera replied 8 years ago

    Definitely definitely keep BOTH! #1 is simply smashing on you, Joy. What a gorgeous color, fit & drape! The 2nd dress is perfect for a casual day.

  • Joy replied 8 years ago

    Thank you all for your helpful comments. I wanted to keep both but was not sure.
    Suz, I will try to do a Finds. The grey dress ( first) is a scoop neck viscose jersey and I am wearing the Small ( regular, not petite). I was afraid the scoop neck would be too scooped, but it seems fine. I usually take an XS regular in EF.
    The second (olive) dress is called a mandarin collar dress. It is also a small. I tried this dress at a Dillards sale in black in an xs and it also fit maybe better, but the small is more forgiving of my apple mid section. The dress is quite straight. An xs on me might require Spanx if buttoned. So for EF, I think they both run a bit smaller than normal.

  • Elizabeth P replied 8 years ago

    They are both gorgeous on you Joy, I'm glad you are keeping both.

  • Suz replied 8 years ago

    Thanks, Joy, that is great to know. Now I know what I am looking for. I was admiring how that scoop neck didn't seem too deep. It's so hard to tell from the models. 

  • Peri replied 8 years ago

    Wow, 10! Glad you are keeping them. I love both on you so much!

  • Glory replied 8 years ago

    I haven't read the other comments but I would keep both if your budget allows. I think they are fabulous and now covet your wardrobe! I have a special fondness for the grey as I think it could be worn to so many events - especially the type of event I never know what to wear! Perfect!

  • replied 8 years ago

    Yes, I agree with others who say keep both if you can. The grey one (first pic) is my fave. I love how it hangs, and you'll be able to read it up with jewellery. I spend a lot of time in Boulder (my Mum is in a retirement community there), and have a similar EF dress that in wear all the time, it's a perfect weight to deal with the temp changes. The second dress sounds versatile. You'll appreciate those sleeves as the sun is super strong.

  • replied 8 years ago

    I love the woven one! Fabulous with the shoes. I'm less enthusiastic about the grey knit one due to the lack of structure.

  • SarahTheWhite replied 8 years ago

    Wow. I second everyone else on keeping both! They look like they were made for you. That first one is the dress I have been looking for all my life... Thanks for the info on sizing. That is helpful. I can see you having and loving these for years.

  • Jaime replied 8 years ago

    Well I am glad it is all decided. Of course keep both!

  • Joy replied 8 years ago

    Thank you all for your helpful comments. Sarah the White, I think these dresses will accomodate some weight fluctuations. I should be able to enjoy them for years.
    Aliona, thank you for the information on Boulder. I hadn't considered the stronger sun at that altitude. I would appreciate any clues to what older women generally wear in the area. What I have seen I would describe as quirky.

  • Sal replied 8 years ago

    They are just lovely on you, and I think versatile.  I am pleased you are keeping.

  • JAileen replied 8 years ago

    Joy, they both look great on you. I had the same dark grey and also a light grey with handkerchief hem and no one liked the dark grey on me. It killed me because it was on massive sale. Your two dresses are very different, and look good, so you should keep both.

  • Sally replied 8 years ago

    They do look great and they look multi-seasonal too.

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