Thursday, August 22, 2013

Cotton Dress on Green









     This dress was in the back of the closet for many years. I seldom wear sleeveless dresses but I do like this graphic print so I've kept it. I found these shoes on sale and thought about pairing these two pieces because it's been 90 degrees this week.
     Somewhere long the way, I've held the opinion that sleeveless wasn't for me....ever. I've seen many of you looking great in sleeveless dresses so here I am bearing my arms. How did I form such a harden belief and why is it set in stone? I still prefer a three quartered sleeve but I'm willing to give sleeveless enough of a try to get this dress out and wear it. 
     Do you have any opinions about what you "should or shouldn't" wear? Are these opinions worth reconsidering?

dress--dkny
shoes--calving klein (here)
bracelet--bcbg 
earring--handmade

location--alley of a golf shop


links
modly chic
simply just lovely
penniless socialite
face it catalog
the mrs. and momma
plane pretty
not dead yet style
mingle monday
monday bloom
the pleated poppy

57 comments:

  1. Definitely worth reconsidering. I've been trying to push my comfort zone. Latest risk was stripes which I've avoided. I know we all see ourselves differently than others do. But if I had beautiful shoulders and arms like yours I would be in sleeveless all summer!
    K in FL

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  2. Awesome as usual, Ann. I love how the cut-outs of your bracelet and shoes reflect the (excellent asymmetrical) outline graphic of the dress (and the piping detail on just the sleeves!) I can't imagine the "why" of so many of our "shouldn'ts" - especially seeing you look so fabulous in sleeveless!

    I guess where I have "shouldn'ts" relates to preferences about proportions, and occasion-appropriateness. Great question about reconsidering.

    P.S. another great backdrop - I appreciate the saturated emerald and elements of worn wood and asphalt. :)

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    1. I been driving by this wall on the way home from the studio and waiting for a b/w outfit to photograph here. I know what you mean by "occasion appropriateness". I like clothes that are different than many people in my culture would wear, like these shoes, and I wear them anyway. I try not to be offensive in any situation but I still want to have fun with styling my outfits.

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  3. Wow! You should consider wearing sleevess dress more often, Ann! Your cotton dress is fab ( it's also my kind of dresses ):has a beautiful print and shape...you are extra nice wearing it!
    P.S. very artistic photos and great sandals!!

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    1. I thought of you because this dress reminds me of some of your beautiful pieces. I loved the green and white dress in your last post.

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    2. I agree! It's a Dan dress, and an Ann dress too! Two beautiful ladies.

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  4. Wow, such a good color combo for the photoshoots!! I love the places you choose to take pictures in! And the shoe is exquisite - I love how the patterns fit together.

    xx
    Sophisticated Lace

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  5. I don't understand why women don't want to wear sleeveless clothes, but I tend toward being too hot so I need less coverage. This dress is fun! I can't believe you let it languish in your closet for so long. It would look great with a little shrug of some kind if you really want sleeves. And the shoes - you surprise me sometimes with the most awesome, pimpin' platforms! Very cool!

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    1. Hey Val thanks, I'm all in for some edgy accessories. No fear when it comes to shoes!

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  6. Gorgeous photos...fabulous greens behind the golf store! You wear this dress well Ann. In the end, it's about what feels right for you, but from this perspective, sleeveless looks fantastic on you. I do have 'beliefs' with respect to volume. I'm about 5'2", and believe I get lost in fantastic large pieces. I'm definitely going to re-look at this belief. There's no harm in trying a look, throwing it up on the blog, and seeing how it looks. Thanks for planting the seed.

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    1. Thanks Sue for the comment. I'm 5'5 so clothing with volume or anything oversize I hesitate on wearing too. What about we both give it a try?

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  7. Ann, my opinions on tanks or sleeveless are completely true. My arms barely look good in a T. I have bad grooves along my shoulders where my straps have to be too tight, if you a know what I'm saying. So strapless, thin straps or anything in between look incredibly wrong on me. Also I can't wear blazers. The color rides on the back of my neck something horrible. They are just uncomfortable and I look like a Man wearing a suit, in a blazer. I can do jackets but not blazers.

    I love how you make all of your post pics so artistic!!!!! Yay to you!!!!!!

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    1. I respect what you are saying Renae. As I've seen on your blog, I think you have shown us many outfits that look fabulous on you! Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

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    2. Oh thank you Ann. Your compliments on my post were nice to read. I re-read my comment above and realize I meant to type 'collar' rather than 'color'. I think you knew what I was saying. Yes, the thicker collar on a blazer gets me in my neck (in the back) and is so annoying. So I give blazers the nod bye-bye! hahahahaha

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  8. I can not imagine why you don't like to wear a sleeveless dress. Particularly a shift dress like this sees to be made specially for you. Look gorgeous in it!
    I love your stillife with the water pipe and the cute bracelet.

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  9. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    1. A company I do not know placed an add in my comments. Is anyone else getting this? Guess comment moderation is a good idea.

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  10. You have many years of rocking the sleeveless dress look Ann. I love the shift dress you have chosen and the vivid green background is beautiful with it. I am several years older than you and always wore sleeveless tops until recently. Although my arms are slim the skin tone is not the way it was. If I want to wear sleeveless tops, I look for armholes that are more fitted and not indented.
    Thanks for your special blog - I enjoy it so much!

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  11. Hi Rebecca, I think you have some good advise. The arm holes are a little big on this dress, in fact the whole dress is a size too large. I'm a bit slimmer than I was when a purchased it. Thanks again for your supportive comments. I'm doing my first give away next week and I'm really excited to photograph this post.

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  12. Ann - you have such a great eye for details. I really like the uniqueness of these shoes and your bracelet mimics the pattern of your floral dress. You look great with sleeveless but at the end of the day it's how you feel that makes all the difference. If it makes you uncomfortable, then the most beautiful outfit will not look good. I say wear more sleeveless :)

    Alice
    www.hapinessatmidlife.com

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    1. Good advice Alice. I think you are right about looking good in what makes you most comfortable.

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  13. Another fabulous creation. Definitely wear sleeveless dresses more often! Love your shoes and also your bracelet. Where is that from?

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    1. The bracelet is BCBG and is on sale now for 28$. I purchased it early in June and I've worn it so much. It's great quality, looks handmade.

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  14. wow, those shoes and that bracelet are gorgeous

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  15. Ann, these photos are so spectacular!!!! And those shoes... I can't get over them. Beautiful!! xoxo

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  16. Your pictures are wonderful...and I really, really love the bracelet. Have a great weekend, Ann!

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  17. Love that dress! You look absolutely stunning in it. Your pictures are very pretty as well! I'm so jealous that you found an emerald green wall to use as a background!
    <3 Hannah
    sweeterthanserenity.blogspot.com

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  18. Stunning photos and background yet again.

    And can we talk about the shoes? Rocker glam.

    I love the simplicity in combination with the patterns and textures. Even though the forms of each item is simple, within each piece there are loads of sharp details.

    Great composition.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. Every once in a while I like to get some "out there" shoes, just for fun. The sales clerk asked me twice if I was sure I wanted these shoes and said yes I do. Thanks for your insightful comment Suzanne. Hope you feel better soon.

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  19. I love how you incorporate your backdrops and use them as another element. Great dress, great shoes!

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  20. I´m in love with your dress!!! Gorgeous! Love this line and the pattern. Sooo beautiful!
    Wonderful shoes, looks comfortable!
    A great and very tasteful outfit dear Ann.. like all your outfits! ;)

    Dana
    http://danalovesfashionandmusic.blogspot.de/

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  21. Beautiful dress and very well styled with these "awe"shoes and the bracelet. And indeed sleeveless looks good on you. No reason not to wear it.
    I don't wear sleeveless for one single reason: the fibrous tissue (I had to look that up...) of my arms is gone. My arms looks like the arms of an 80 year old. And I want to fib. I want to pretend I am a little younger than I am. By exposing my arms I will achieve the opposite.
    If it wasn't for that I would do sleeveless right away. So enjoy it while you can. LOL
    Greetje

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    1. Arms are a hard one. Just tried on another great sleeveless dress, this one with very fitted armholes and thought it didn't look so good. Well thanks for your supportive comments. Loved your blouse this week!

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  22. I love the green and graphic black/white!! My next post, waiting in the wings, features this combination!! I don't do sleeveless any more. As a lethargic type, I don't have those beautifully toned arms that some women have at "this" age. I have to agree with Greetje; I look better if I fake it. I might try it for a photo shoot however, since it's the flapping movement that gives it away in real life. :-)

    Your interview with Sylvia was really wonderful. I love the way you craft your posts as an artist. You are lucky to have a willing photographer too!! XXOO

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    1. Thanks Jean for dropping by and commenting. I am lucky to have a husband with a good eye but this summer I've been doing most of my post myself with the self timer. It takes me longer to take the pictures but winter is coming and I will definitely need Dean's help most then. It's been 90 and windy (not the best conditions for good pictures) but hey it's better than 10 below zero!

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  23. Ann, this is one of my favourite posts - your dress and those sandals... awesome! Your jewellery and the way you displayed your bracelet are fabulous; all photos are stunning indeed.

    Annette | Lady of Style

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  24. You look great in this dress, so definitely sleeveless! Wonderful shoes.

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  25. Sleeveless looks elegant and so pretty on you, Ann. Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday!

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  26. I'm with you... I hate my upper arms. I don't understand your issue though - you look amazing: no bulge, no sag, no jiggle. Wear this dress - it's gorgeous!!!
    FYI: I almost wrote my post on upper arms tonight! But stuck to my hair because it really is the bane of my existence and it looks horrendous in the post (helmet head). There will be a post about my upper arms in the future, unless it cools off soon or unless Michelle Obama arms peek through suddenly. After years of trying, they are due. You look great, you should wear sleeveless!!!
    xo ~kim & chloe

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  27. It's a good thing you finally put that dress to use again, it looks amazing on you. You have beautiful arms, why not show them off a bit, especially when its weather appropriate. Now for those shoes, well I'm trying to snatch them up but the computer screen is somehow getting in the way, they are quite marvelous and what a fun heel.
    Your green and black pairing is once again, artistically perfect. And, the photo of the cuff, brilliant, in fact I am tempted to frame that one.

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  28. So simple yet so beautiful dress! Your choice of the bracelet and the shoes is just perfect. Your upper arms look great, I think no need for you to hide them all the time.

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  29. Hello dear Ann, I love your shorter hair, beautiful dress, and always arty photos.
    So good to see you again.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  30. Great dress! Love the head to toe black and white.

    -Jenny
    http://www.babblingsofamommy.com/2013/08/2013-vma-best-and-worst-dressed.html

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  31. I always think people look amazing in everything and anything but that certain things don't suit me. Chances are people may think the same of something I wear. We are our hardest critics and imagine criticism from others that doesn't exist. You look amazing. And beautiful photos as usual!

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    1. Thank you for commenting,. your point is true.

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    2. Ditto to this comment. You look lovely! Wear whatever you want :)

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  32. I caught my breath at the sight of your graphic print dress on green. The shoes and bracelet complete this composition with perfection.

    I find my inner critic to be belligerent. And by the way, you look great in sleeveless! I've been thinking about skin changes as I age. The piece of me that carries defiance wears sleeveless at times, because I believe that it is our culture that defines these changes as unattractive. Is not fall as beautiful as spring?

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  33. I do not understand, I thought I had commented on your post and I do not see my comment. Anyway, I say it again. Your dress is lovely, I love the delicate pattern on black background, very nice. The shoes are cute. The dress looks great.

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    1. Thank you Josep for the comment. This is the first comment I have seen of yours on this post. I appreciate your support.

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  34. It's a perfect dress. Timeless and should never be tossed.

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  35. It is not humanly possible to be any cooler than you, in this dress, with those shoes and that bracelet in front of that wall. I mean it. This HAS to be one of your favorite outfits.
    Can't say enough about how much I love and admire your skills in putting this together.
    Sigh.

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  36. Such a pretty dress. And WOW THOSE SHOES! Love the contrast of black-and-white against the green.

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  37. Next time you have a dress that pretty in the back of the closet. Just leave it hanging outside and i will stop and get it. The cuff and the shoes are surprisingly feminine on too! Thanks for linking this up last week on the Verizon Voices Fashionista Style Hop. Head on over this week and link up here: http://stillblondeafteralltheseyears.com/2013/08/plymouth-style-verizon-voices-fashionista-style-hop/ We'd love have more of your style, so sign up for our weekly reminders too (if you haven’t!)

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  38. I realy like your dress! You look beautiful :) kisses Beata

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