Comments on: Tuesday’s TPS Report: Donna Ricco Belted Silk Dress

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 03:00:48 +0000

Cat,

I am anonymous #2. I agree that not all Corporette looks are appropriate for all, etc. Often times I love a C’ettte look but realize that it is not going to work for me, or not going to work at my office. That said, I still find this dress to be, in a word (or two actually), “genuinely fugly.”

Also, I was truly interested to know if anyone thought that this item was “business” atttire (regardless of dress code). Try as I might, I can’t think of a business function to which I would wear this dress (regardless of whether “business casual” was considered okay). In fact, even keeping in mind that I hate the dress but others might think it’s great, I can’t think of any non-business event at which I might bump into clients to which I would wear it. Maybe Michelle Obama could pull this dress off for a no-functions day at the office, but at my firm “three heads” would be the least of the comments.

Ick. Do not want any more silk, poofy-sleeve, lookin’ like Molly Ringwald in 16-Candles, allegedly “professional” dresses.

By: Artemisia

Artemisia — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:26:49 +0000

I love the way the dress looks – and I love silk. Still, I agree with the last few commenters – I just can *not* see this at work (and I’m in government, so not as formal).

It’s not the cowl that’s a problem – it’s the puffed sleeves combined with the very feminine – almost girlish – pleated skirt. It looks very ingenue.

If the sleeves were tailored (or removed) and if the skirt were straighter, it could be worn with a long black or navy silk cardigan, which lies on either side of the cowl nicely, and would look lovely.

By: Cat

Cat — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:24:12 +0000

@anonymous (both of you)… 1. Most offices are business casual, and not all attorneys go to court, not that any of them would try to wear this instead of a suit if they did, 2. while I don’t like to wear silk to the office (it feels dressy in the wrong way to me, and is hard to keep neat and crisp looking), I can certainly see others wearing it, especially because the graphic pattern of the flowers makes it less fussy looking, and 3. as Corporette has mentioned before, not all featured items will be everyone’s style- but perhaps monstrosity, atrocity, and “three heads” are a little much?

By: Ashley

Ashley — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:49:50 +0000

I am just lusting over this dress. GORGEOUS!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:19:20 +0000

Ick ick ick. Do not want. That said, assuming that i didn’t hate the dress, I still can’t imagine this dress for work. Question to all — I am at a large law firm that only permits business casual on Fridays. If somebody came in during the week wearing this thing, they’d get looked at as if they had three heads. Is my firm just ultra-conservative? Are there law firms at which this would be considered “business” attire? I could see one of our recruiting coordinators or other professional staff getting away with this, but not a lawyer. Could you wear this into court? What the heck would you put over it?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:48:42 +0000

Are you kidding me???? To what (!!) professional job could you expect to wear this monstosity of silky gram-maw ickiness? I don’t care who makes that da*n thing, it is (i) ugly; and (ii) more importantly, utterly inappropriate for any office that is other than business casual. If this attrocity showed up on a Friday, we would all talk for weeks. If it showed up during the week, for months.

Note to selves ladies, know your office.

By: Ellen

Ellen — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:35:16 +0000

Does anyone else have a problem with the way silk smells? When it get’s a little damp, I think it can often develop a specific, unpleasant odor, which is why I’ve shied away from it. I have a job where I’m relatively active even when I’m dressed professionally, so I don’t like the alchemy of my sweat and a silk top. Is it that I just bought cheap silk? I don’t know. . .

By: Tamia

Tamia — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:39:09 +0000

I love the neckline and the print, though I do agree that silk can be a bit wrinkly depending on the weight of the fabric. I hate those creases that appear across the hip area when you’ve been sitting.

I’d probably switch out the black belt for a colorful print scarf.

By: lawyer

lawyer — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:23:31 +0000

PP – it’s the wrinkling and shininess of silk that does it in for me. This is a gorgeous print and cut but I think a white wrinkly backside doesn’t do anyone any favors. I do have some silk dresses that I wear to work, but they’re brown and navy and I bought them in person so I could see how thick (i.e., not as wrinkle-prone) they were.

By: M

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:22:16 +0000

I agree with J that cowl necks can be very work appropriate. I’m actually wearing one today under my suit jacket, and also frequently wear them with cardigans. The key is to get fluid fabrics (silk or quality synthetic blends) where the cowl isn’t too large or bulky. I have several cowl neck blouses that I bought from Banana last year and wear all the time.