I hope that all the anons who criticized me in the previous post will read this one and comment, but I will outright delete any comment that I find offensive.
I would like to stress the fact that I don't have anyone to impress, it's just me, my husband and my closest friends (who are more into books and arts than into clothes), so it's all about my personal pleasure to make the occasion and the outfit special to remember.
Having said that, this is the dress that I'm going to wear:
I bought it at Intermix on Madison a few weeks ago and it's by a brand that I've never heard of (Marley, like the dog) but being sold at Intermix it must certainly be a very hype brand worn by I don't know who in Hollywood. The original price was $325 but I got it for around $100. This color and a few other ones were on sale, while the black and the electric blue (my first choice) were not. I tried the blue one but I didn't like it for $325 (and anyway I wasn't going to pay that much), so I got this color instead. I think it's very delicate and chic but it needs something to spice it up for the evening and that's where the necklace can help.
First, I tried it with the dangling pearls one, so you can see the difference:
Granted, it's not the ideal necklace to wear to spice the dress up but I don't have that many necklaces options (I have a "statement" necklace very similar to the Libretto one but it's too of a heavy one for this dress).
And now the Crystal Symphony. First, I didn't remember that the ribbon was this long:
But because of the ribbon, the lenght can be customized, so I would wear it this way:
And this is the effect of the whole outfit (sorry, I just noticed that I cut the shoes in the pic but as you can see in the first pic, taken at a different moment when I first tried it on, they have faux rhinestones that match the color of the crystals. They are very cheap shoes that I bought at Loehmann's for $25 but they look like $1000 Giuseppe Zanotti IMO):
So, what do you think? As I said in the previous post I don't have any other occasion to wear it any time soon but it's a beautiful necklace in itself that I would love to own (but I'm still bothered by the price).
Hi! I love the pic of you wearing the symphony necklace short! However, if you feel one night won't justify the purchase, I would probably return it. Just my 2 cents.
ReplyDeleteLove your dress! What a steal for $100.
Also wanted to say that your fashion rule #1 has helped me so much. In my case, I fill in Jennifer Aniston's name, and I've been able to say no to some items that I knew would end up sitting in my closet. So thanks! :)
I'm very surprised, but I don't like the crystal symphony necklace on you or with that dress. I think the dangling pearls one is better. The crystal symphony overwhelms you a bit, IMO. It is better short than long, though.
ReplyDeleteI'd return it, personally.
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ReplyDeleteLove the dress. Flattering color on you and very beautiful!! Love the dangling pearls necklace (1st one) with the dress.......im sorry, i don't like the symphony necklace at all! I would return maybe...keep eyes open for something you really LOVE. You deserve it!!
ReplyDeleteSince the neckline of the dress is so pretty itself, why not skip the necklace and wear some pretty dangly earrings instead?
ReplyDeleteI like the dangling pearls better. It's delicate and goes with the color of your dress and your frame. I agree with mrs. anketell, return the crystal symphony necklace.
ReplyDeleteHi Ema, I agree with the other commenters...the dangling pearls look lovely with the dress. I loved how you layered the pearls with the other gold necklace in a previous post as well. I do think that the symphony necklace is a bit too "heavy" for such a delicate dress. Also, if you don't love it and can't see wearing it often, send it back. I personally think it's one of those pieces that you won't even want to wear in six months.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your decision, and have fun at your dinner!
Great dress and shoes Ema. I really like the pearl necklace on you, the symphony is way too big and chunky.
ReplyDeleteI like the dangling pearls best with the dress too!
ReplyDeletehi ema,
ReplyDeletei like the dangling pearl neclace so much better on you than the symphony neclace.
have you considered wearing chandelier earrings with the dress?
i am thinking of ordering the libretto neclace, but am not sure if i can pull it off.
ina
enjoy your bd-dinner!
Couldn't agree more with anon @1:55...Excellent idea to wear pretty dangly earrings and skip the necklace since the neckline is so pretty!
ReplyDeleteThe neckline of your dress is so beautiful by itself. I have to agree with others who think you should pair it with some type of dangling earrings and let that gorgeous dress speak for itself! It doesn't need any competition from any type of necklace. Have a great time and happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteI think bare neck or the 1st necklace. The symphony necklace is too distracting from your beautiful dress. Whatever your outfit, have a lovely evening! :)
ReplyDeleteHi, I'm relatively new to your blog and think it's great for its review of J. Crew pieces. However, your post yesterday really got to me. I was NOT one of the folks who commented (check my location on your web stats program to confirm this), however, as a former J. Crew employee who has had to deal with folks trying to return OBVIOUSLY worn merchandise and pass it off as unworn I totally agree with the folks who were in an uproar about the idea of wearing and then returning an item - even if it's a "just a necklace that you're not going to sweat in". When we purchase items at J. Crew, especially for full price, we like to believe that they're new and unworn beyond the obvious trying on in a dressing room. Just because you have an item at home with you, doesn't change the amount of time you should be wearing it to "try it on". You have a great blog, but you touched a nerve with a lot of us shoppers because it's just wrong to wear something and then return it - or worse yet (and i understand that you didn't do this based on today's explanation but still...) buy something with the full intention of returning it after wearing it. To give it some perspective on whether it's right/wrong/appropriate/ethical to wear and then return something, would you tell the sales associate at J. Crew when you went to return it that you had worn it out to dinner but now wanted to return it? When I worked there we would not have taken it back. What if it was Mr. Drexler himself? Would you tell him that you'd worn it for "just a dinner"? If you wouldn't be up front about that part, then it's wrong. J. Crew is not in the clothing-loan business. Returns are based on good faith that items are in new, unworn condition.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the great work with the blog and if nothing else, thank you for providing an outlet for folks to voice how they feel about wearing and returning. To a certain extent, I think your honesty put you in the cross-hairs on this one, but if someone out there thinks about how wrong it is to wear and return the next time they do it, then this has served a purpose.
p.s. forgot to add - after all that, the dainty pearls are totally better. the chunky jewels are too heavy for the fluttery neckline of your dress.
ReplyDeleteI agree with others - the neckline is so pretty you need statement earrings rather than a necklace. I don't like the pearls with this dress. Those plus the pale shell color of the dress seem granny to me (not that the cut of the dress is granny *at all*). I vote neither necklace and that you need to get you and your dress to the mall asap to find some earrings instead to go with it.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous dress on you!
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ReplyDeleteI love the necklace!! I think it would go with all kinds of things. Even with just a simple tshirt to dress up a casual outfit. However, I also agree with some of the other commenters...the dress has a beautiful neckline so you could get away with some great earrings and bracelet and not wear a necklace at all. Keep us posted on what you decide and have a great dinner!!
ReplyDeletedefinitely keep the necklace- I love it and I think you could wear it more than once. plus, if you didn't want it anymore, there is always the exchange or ebay. very cute outfit.
ReplyDeleteHi:
ReplyDeleteI love the dress on you, and I think as the others have said...it looks best with the dangling pearl necklace or any other short necklace you might have.
hi ema-i die for the dress! and loved the pearl necklace as well as the symp. necklace but tied high up w/o ribbon showing-too distracting from cut of the dress. which will u were? and happy bday!
ReplyDeleteI agree w/the dress on its own. Maybe some complimentary earrings and/or a bracelet. But it doesn't need anything near the neck. The ruffles should be showcased.
ReplyDeleteLadies, I appreciate all the advice on the dress and the necklace. I can't answer to each of you individually as I don't have much time tonight but rest assured that I have weighted all the comments and the crystal symphony necklace is already in its box, ready to be returned.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little bit surprised that you seem not to like the crystal symphony necklace at all (I don't think it's overwhelming on me, but it's true that I only like it "short"). Unfortunately, I don't have any dangling earrings (and no time to go shopping for earrings tomorrow!) so I will have to do with what I have. Personally, I don't like the dangling pearls one with the dress, also because the chain is gold (while the shoes are silver), but I'm considering the one that I'm wearing in this post:
http://ema-shoppingmycloset.blogspot.com/2009/05/husbands-birthday-dinner-outfit-plus.html (the pearls are pinkish and the clasp has rhinestones as the shoes).
As per the other debate, I will reply another time as I'm a little bit tired right now...
Hi Ema--I am coming late to this question. My opinion is that you should choose whatever makes you feel the most fabulous for your wonderful celebration. You will look amazing no matter what jewelry you choose to wear with that dress--it's stunning. Have a terrific time!!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that dress on you! It is so elegant and chic.
ReplyDeleteI think that actually the pearl necklace looks a little bit better because it is dainty and elegant just like the dress.
It is definitely not worth buying the Symphony if you are not in love with it and only intend to wear it once. I bought it, and am loving it--have worn it a couple of times already with mostly casual oufits and dresses.
Such a pretty dress and a great bargain. It really looks great on you. I agree that the neckline speaks for itself. Dangly earrings along with a unique clutch would make it simple and elegant. I don't like that big crystal teeth/chicklet necklace at all.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeletegoing to have to be the dissenting opinion here. I actually LOVE the symphony necklace with the dress (I like it long) it gives the soft dress a bit of an edge. I think it really offsets it nicely!
ReplyDeleteEven if you decide on the pearl necklace, which I guess you have from your comment, I think you should still keep it. Think about how cute it would look with just a tee and some jeans. It could really be casual if paired with the right thing! Just MO. :)
IAs you might have noticed, I have deleted all the comments on the question of returning an item that has been "worn" (positive or negative) excepted for the one left yesterday by the anon @ 3:29 pm. I'm going to reply to that one and this is going to be the final word on this matter, at least on this blog.
ReplyDeleteAnon, first let me say that I liked the tone of your comment. You make your point, but you remain polite and you give me (us) the benefit of the doubt and the possibility (and willingness) to reply and share a different opinion. Unfortunately, after this, I have to shutdown the debate because not everyone is as polite and articulate like you.
I think that I have touched a big taboo: let's be honest, people return worn clothes all the time, they just don't tell you. I'm glad to hear about your committment towards your employer, but I'm not sure that every SA is like you. Most of the SAs don't even give a look at the stuff that we return and either you tried it on for 5 minutes, then meticolously packaged it in nice paper or return it all wrinkled after leaving it for 2 months in your bag without any protection, the result is the same: as far as the tag (that's the "law") is attached the SA will take it back and once it's returned, this stuff is going to be sold to someone else.
I once tried to return a pair of pants that I liked and wore a couple of times but gave me an allergic itching on the inside of my legs because of a metallic thread in the fabric (I literally couldn't put them on for more than 5 minutes without scratching my legs) and I was told by the SA that she couldn't take them back because I had cut the tag off, thus preventing them to be resold. I was shocked to hear that she intended to sell them to someone else (it wasn't Jcrew), after what I had just told her.
Guess what I learned: being honest doesn't pay off.
i don't want to give lessons here, but I think that we should consider the problem from a bigger perspective. As far as morality goes you have to judge the intention and the only way that you have to judge someone's intention is the person confessing what his/her intentions are, like myself on the last post.
ReplyDeleteI agree that buying something with the intention of returning it can be considered wrong in any moral system that is based on the assumption that breaking a law of the community is wrong. But it is wrong (from a moral point of view) because the majority of the people (apparently) don't do that and has nothing to do with the damage that you could do to the merchandise.
This should also set the (to me) silly debate on how long you're supposed to try on the clothes that you have purchased before returning them. If it's not your intention to wear them and deliberately return them once you're done with them, there is nothing wrong with trying them on for 10 minutes, one hour or even more (BTW, I never wear anything for that long). And what's the definition of "wearing" something anyway? I would say that when you cut the tag off you have made your decision to "wear" them, ie make them yours and it's a point of no return (unless you find out later that there is some defect that you didn't notice before. In that case you should be allowed to return it as defective, even FS items). But as far as you're careful in not damaging the merchandise in any way, there is nothing "wrong" with trying it several times/for more than 5 minutes at home.
Those who seem to be scandalized by that, clearly have never set foot in a fitting room. I personally never wear makeup, but I regularly see clothes that are stained by ladies wearing heavy makeup while trying clothes on (and I'm sure that they tried them on for like 2 minutes). Should I go after them and tell them that it's wrong to wear makeup when going shopping? The reality is that I have already bought stained clothes because there wasn't any other available in my size (my party dress? Stained). Is that better or worse then buying something that someone else had tried on for an hour without leaving any trace on it?
And when 10 ladies wearing normally a size M try on a XS, do you think that the fit of the tee is going to be the same on me?
So, let's be a little bit more flexible and let's realize that we live in a society where you can't control what people do all the time.
Let me just finish by saying that there are countries like Italy, where in the vast majority of the stores, when you buy something, you can't return it, end of the story. I guess that some of you would prefer that system (think twice before buying), while others (myself included) prefer a system where you risk to run into something that has been worn by someone else, but you're also allowed to change your mind about your purchases.
And this will be it.