Kswl,

ruh roh but we need to see them! Do they buckles irritate one's foot at all? You did say "tortoise shell" which triggers me.

Sue I love that color purse for summer. My fanny does need any more "packing" so that style is a not, but otherwise love it.

Love that bag, Sue!

Mtn... these style bags can be worn as fanny bags but also crossbody. Again, I don't wear them upfront but rather more to the side.

Good Lord I would not add a pack to my fanny either. This cute young thing was wearing it kind of like the pic Funky posted, but more toward her back.

@mtnrdredux_gw have you looked at Gretchen Scott for a blouse? Is this the thread where someone was looking for cruisewear? Was it Annie Deighnaugh? Gretchen Scott would be a good source for that too.

I’m considering this blouse in black for a cruise in January. I think with black pants, it could pass for dressy attire.

https://www.gretchenscottdesigns.com/tprnsl-jersey-ruffneck-top

That is a very cute top Bbstx, and would look great with black or white slacks. i looked at it in white and it looks completely different. I think the black and hot pink are the best options. It’s the kind of thing I would love to wear, buy, and never wear because of my weirdness about necklines ☹️

They make it in a dress too. I have a friend who is even more fuller figured than I am. She has the dress in hot pink and it looks terrific on her!

Bbstx I looked through their dresses and there is a plaid one i MUST have. The size chart looks a bit different than what i am used to and the dress is a final sale. Can you tell me if their clothes are all proprietary designs? if so i could trust the size chart much more than if they were buying other companies’ merchandise from different manufacturers.

adding, do you find the bust and waist measurements accurate?

Gretchen Scott is pretty popular in my area -- a local boutique used to (may still) carry some of her pieces. So many of her patterns are so joyous! Kswl, I do believe her designs are proprietary but I can't speak to the fit/sizing.

I have been stretching a bit lately-- I don't need anything so I am taking this time to try pieces I wouldn't have bought as "staples" or obvious selections. I have had a few fails but I have also found some new styles that work better than I expected. Love that. Along the way though, I have been veering away from patterns. I am also sticking closer to neutrals (with a few items in neon lol. Black, natural, white and neon pink or neon green. Crazy, I know!). Not sure why ... maybe subconsciously I don't want to stand out so much? (doubtful lol refer to my love of neon colors). Anyhow, this is why i am sharing this dress for you input also ... It just makes me happy. I love the colors and the pattern-- just not sure I want to actually wear them. It is going to be a very hot week ... I have casual dinner plans for two evenings this week and a casual retirement party coming up. What do you think of the dress for any of the above?

Note: it is 51" long so will be longer on me than the model..

Love that dress, funky!

I wore a wildly (for me) patterned casual sundress yesterday and got complimented by 2 strangers. The best part is that I got it at a consignment shop, cheap!

KSWL, is this by any chance the dress at Halsbrook? https://www.halsbrook.com/catalog/product/136464

Halsbrook allows returns unless the item is marked ”Final Sale.” I don’t see Final Sale on this one, but I’d double check.

I know nothing about how Gretchen Scott fits. I have never bought any of her clothing.

No, I went from Halsbrook to Gretchen Scott:

This would be a great Christmas event dress for me. I have at least five or six daytime lunches, teas and events with the grands and several semi dressy cocktail parties this would be perfect for. I’ve got a forest green dress and a red one and plaid velvet slacks that are all about the same level of occasion, and it would be nice to have another dress in the ”smart casual” mix. This one could be accessorized to a higher level with the right shoes and jewelry and a cashmere wrap. I’d be a six by the numbers but it is final sale. It’s 60% off though and i would have bought it at full price so I may buy two sizes and donate the one that doesnt fit.

Why don’t you call customer service and see if they will make an exception since you are new to Gretchen Scott? Or is the same style available but not on sale? One you could order for size and then return?

I will call tomorrow and ask, although their policy seems very straightforward. The final sale items cannot be purchased with any kind of code for a discount, even for new customer/ email subscriber, or with a promotion of any kind like free shipping, etc. The dress comes in three different plaids and they’re all on sale, but that’s the one! I have cute red velvet flats that are dying to meet that dress 😎 Thank you so much for posting the blouse that led me to it!

Funky I missed the dres you posted yesterday. I think it is lovely and the colors would be a nice complement to slightly tanned skin. But I completely get trying to be more careful and realistic about what you buy! I still have clothes (and still buy them) that I like and are pretty but do nothing for me and I STILL look at the clothes in the mirror instead of the package deal! Try the dress and see— you may love it! If it is longer on you than pictured I’d have it hemmed as the proportions look just right.

The plaid dress I posted is my favorite silhouette and the kind of dress that looks best on me, as it gives the suggestion of a waist, is slim fitting and has my preferred round neckline. And the sleeves, of course — I do not get why some people considr me 3/4 sleeves frumpy. Do any of you?

Thank you, Sue and Kswl. I did order it-- but still on the fence. I do think the coloring will work well for me but it will all come down to the fit. The dress comes in regular and petite sizes also but I show it in plus size to be more realistic on how it will fit on me. Even if I went into regular sizes (I didnt on this one), the plus size proportions are closer to mine. I think it will come down to how full the skirt is ... when perfect it will hide flaws, when too much it accentuates them.

Kswl, I really like 3/4 sleeves. I don't like fussing with how my sleeves fit under a sweater/jacket/coat and they showcase my bracelets. But ... frumpy or not depends on how they handle the 3/4 sleeves. I like them to be close to my arm... i have seen a few lately that are 3/4 but wide-- I don't find them modern or flattering.

I need to get in touch with my friend who owns the local boutique that sells/sold gretchen scott (placing some christmas orders lol). Not sure I will be able to reach her today but if so, I will ask her about sizing. I don't think I have a # to text her or I'd have reached out already -- I'll let you know if I get any helpful info.

Thank you Funky, that would be helpful!

Funky, that dress looks like fun. I agree that the fullness of a skirt can veer from flattering to very unflattering and make or break a dress.

BBSTX, have you ever bought from Gretchen Scott? I wonder about quality and sizing, too. The brand has a certain (over)exuberance like Lily P and also reminds me of a brand I had a few shirts from, Dizzie Lizzie. The DL shirts are all button down and use contrasting patterns on the body and the plackets/cuff. Mine were a little less loud than the ones I see now. Here is a DL:

This GS outfit, which is way OTT to me, is a mash up of LP and DL.

But there are other GS shirts that are quite a bit quieter. I like the nice detailing on these: (ooh scallops!)

Among the patterns, GS has another DL- style top. Might be too loud for me but I am looking for a summer shirt for black linen pants.

I also liked one of the GS tunics but I went thru a very intense tunic phase a decade or so ago and not sure if I am allowed to buy one again yet.

Funky - I think I saw your cute colorful sundress (Nik & Zoe?) in a store today and it was super cute and looked great on the mannequin, too. Hope it works out for you!

Oh, love the JMcL dress!

Me too!

I have never worn Gretchen Scott. DD’s MIL likes it. She has bought dresses for the girls that seem to wear well. I can’t say that I like the matched print blouses and pants. It’s just too much for me. I have a hard time with anything other than solids and stripes.

Sorry, I didnt have a free moment to reach out to my friend re: Gretchen Scott. Tomorrow will likely be the same but I will try (again, I need to reach out to her re: something else anyhow). Wed is much more possible. Sorry, I am sure you want to order ASAP. :(

I don't often wear button down shirts ... but I do have a gray/white striped one with a gray paisley collar lining and inside cuff lining. I like the pattern matching but in a med-dark gray it isn't anything wild lol.

Love the block print dress! Love anything block print-- perfect on the long line shirt dress!

Rubyclaire-- Yes-- Nic + Zoe! And thanks for letting me know you spotted the dress in person! It arrives this week so I will know soon enough. When I was in NYC, I discovered that my RL summer dress is too big (something about those hotel super large mirrors gives me new perspective!). This one isnt the same style but it will fill the same hole for a casual dress.

Work has me too busy to shop this week ... but I did get this super fashionable accessory lol:

booooooo!

: )

I am not a baseball fan-- I bought this one for the color. :)

“I can’t say that I like the matched print blouses and pants.”

Nor can I, Bbstx, and the shiny clingy fabric solid color matching pants and tops look a bit like Vegas backup singers or mature showgirls. And yet some of the individual items are really nice; I especially like the striped blouse wth scalloped front button placket Mtn posted. And I like most of the plaid of course, which to someone else might look like suburban highland band backup singers lol.

Funky! 😡

LOL who knew I'd cause such ire!

I don't wear hats often because I have a big ol' tomato head but I wanted sun protection and something to throw on for bad hair days.

My only criteria was not white ... and no red anywhere.

I am not much of a sports fan, but I do know that people are passionate about their teams.

It's about the colors, and not about the colors---

Funky- be careful out there! :)

@Kswl, I texted one of my friends who wears Gretchen Scott. She says it runs a tad small on her.

LOL I have a big ol tomato head too, and have a hard time finding hats that fit. (PS Outdoor Research has lots of sun hats that come in sizes up to XL.) I have ONE baseball cap that fits me properly (it says Sanibel Island on it, not a sports team) and I can't seem to find a replacement. If I wore a NY ball cap, DH would instantly divorce me.

I don't know Funky - there's always the local team!

Tomato Heads Unite! Yes, hard to find hats that fit AND look good!

Sister thinks I need a bucket hat -- like a cute sunwashed semi-distressed bucket hat. Not sure it's the look I want. It's been years since I found a straw hat that fit well. :(

I call mine a Melon Head, so it is probably larger than yours.

I am pretty sure mine is 2x the size of yours--- really! I put our photos next to each other!

Maire-cate, that would sure please my family! AND that is the brand that I know fits!

Thanks bbstx!

I have the opposite problem-I always have to find small-sized hats. It is a problem finding a hat that fits me and I get excited when they offer other sizes other than "one size fits all".

However-by accident recently, I found cowboy hat "size inserts" to fit around the brim-so they have been working in my baseball caps too!

OK I was able to slip in a call over lunch.. my friend who has the boutique no longer carries GS but only because another boutique in the area started carrying her and they opted to bring in some new names instead of sharing the market. She said she was VERY happy with Gretchen Scott quality and noted that all their dresses come with a 4" hem allowance to allow adjustment if needed. She said they run TTS.

The dresses I saw around town were not crazy wild ... but definitely colorful and fun. The ones I remember were very similar style to the one you are loving, Kswl but more summery colors and designs.

Hope that helps!

Thank you Funky!

My first two items arrived -- the navy floral dress was comically small. I was literally busting out on top (and I am not all that busty). It does have a bice shape from the waist down but just not a good fit for me. The top is odd -- you all were right. I expected it to be a crisp substantial cotton (because it would have to be for this top to work) and it wasn't. I still like the shape but the shirt itself was meh. Returning both.

Funky, I have lately seen cute casual sleeveless and short sleeved dresses with a smocked bodice and flowy skirt, and that might be a great style for you right now as your shape continues to change. I’ll post the next one I see, you may want to try one. They are very flattering on all body types. I’ll try the style in a minute if I ever come across one with three quarter length sleeves.

Ks, do you mean like this one?

https://fahertybrand.com/products/isha-dress-cream-imma-floral?variant=41059769974853

I think Quince has a version, too.

I will also add a PSA for this dress, which I bought a couple of years ago and quickly bought a few more because it is so easy to wear, especially when it’s hot. I only wish the prints weren’t mostly tropical. This one is my favorite:

https://www.columbia.com/p/womens-pfg-freezer-iii-dress-1538021.html?dwvar_1538021_color=496&dwvar_1538021_size=M&ef_id=CjwKCAjwg8qzBhAoEiwAWagLrLDcUybwRaXmzCEOtyubIWsnIjadypyJsMtxOD3uoP3Qn-IhhzJEyRoCS64QAvD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!3937!3!!!!x!!!20012679063!&mid=paidsearch&nid=COL%7CBrand%7CPMAX%7CMedium_Price_Feed_Only%7CGoogle%7CUS_New&eid=Google+PMax+US&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwg8qzBhAoEiwAWagLrLDcUybwRaXmzCEOtyubIWsnIjadypyJsMtxOD3uoP3Qn-IhhzJEyRoCS64QAvD_BwE

Always appreciate a recommendation! I usually pass over smocked top dresses -- maybe I'll try the next one.

Cute dress, Sue ...

The thing that was so surprising was that it was the bodice that was wayyy too small but the waist and somewhat slim hip area fit well. That's very unusual for my pear shape lol. It is usually the opposite and I don't think I have ever spilled out of a top like I did this one LOL. PS it wasn't a smaller size or a new brand. This fail was on the dress.

It is fine, These last few orders were about trying things that I liked but had passed on previously.

Sue the dress you posted has a pintucked front, it isn’t smocked.

Hill House (favorite)

Nordstrom

Tuckernuck (don’t love the extra ruffles)

I have a dress similar to the beige nordstrom one in black (from Chico's last year). It does work well for me. :) I think the reason I skip over many smocked dresses is that they tend to be boxy. I benefit from a tuck at the waist.

I really like that Columbia dress, Sue

Smocked dresses remind me of these dresses from when I was little!

I used to buy my girls an inordinate amount of dresses like those!

I agree KSWL, Hill house.

Sending back 3 shirts from my latest haul and pair of pants. Kept 2. This sign at my UPS is new...

Those smocked dresses were all my daughter wore for dress up. A seamstress in Alabama used to make them to order. We still have the last one she wore at age ten or eleven, a red baby cord jumper with a Christmas scene on white smocking. I could not bear to give it away!

I lent it to a friend’s granddaughter two years ago and it was returned with a ketchup stain on the white smocked insert. 🤷‍♀️