2. Trench coat w/ navy piping, item #032933, $48 after coupon, sz 2 . I’m not in need of another trench, but I wanted to show this for anyone who was. I was drawn to the dark khaki trench material, the expensive-looking tortoiseshell buttons, and the navy piping (love that they didn’t skimp on this – it’s all around the collar, on the front flap, front pockets, ends of sleeves, and down the back). Sleeves are long for someone my size. They can be shortened, but you’d probably lose the lovely piping.
3. Sheer blouse with pleated bib, item #037371, $24 with coupon. The front of this blouse reminds me of an old J.Crew top that many readers have asked about. I didn’t try this on because the color combo does nothing for me, but it might come in other colors!
5. Mint sheath dress, sz 2, item #059894, $40 after coupon. I fell completely in love with the color and shapely bottom of this dress. It’s from H&M; “Trend,” which is slightly pricier than their regular line, but I feel like the quality is noticeably better.
Features include: Seamless dolman/kimono-style sleeves, single wide pleat down the front, side bottom panels, tapered below-the-knee pencil skirt, back zipper, and lower slit (the type that’s actually possible to make longer when you hem the length). Material is a thick stretch ponte. This retro-inspired silhouette would be so effortlessly chic on someone taller. On my 5′ tall self, however, a hem is needed plus high heels to balance out the wider top half.
Between this mint dress and the emerald one hanging in my closet, I’m trying to pick one keeper. Both are below-the-knee pencil sheath dresses in a spring shade of green, and cost the same (after an additional discount for makeup on the mint). Here are my thoughts:
Mint:
+ I don’t own anything in that color, can be worn to work, stretch ponte is more comfortable
– Top half is trendier than what I typically wear & can overwhelm a small frame if not balanced out
Emerald:
+ More classic silhouette
– Can’t be worn to work (due to neckline), pulls across the back on me, thin material so some lining shows
Nick prefers the mint because it reminds him of what ShoeMart (Filipino department store) salesladies wear. What can I say – I was inspired by our recent trip : )
mint!
I don't think the dolman sleeve really reads properly on the mint dress. It just ends up looking ill-fitting on the top.
mint!
keep both! I really like both cuts and colors on you!
-Nico
i love mint! and I ADORE that trench coat! ♥
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That mint dress is so beautiful on you! Definitely prefer the shorter hemline on you….Man I love that color!!
Emerald flatters your skin tone much better and fits nicer!
MINT!!
I'm loving that dress =)
i love the first one! it's super chic and such a great price.
xo
i have emerald one and found a simple tank at old navy same colour just to wear underneath and makes it a little more modest plus color is really nice on you
I love the both!
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Great post. Now onto my 2 cents: both are great but if you were to pick one then the EMERALD one does it for me personally. SLeeves on te mint one could fit better whereas Shape and colour of the emerald one complement your body and skin colour VERY WELL. Finally what I do is put a thin white or black slip top inside to offset the low neckline and it works just fine for the offi. cheers, S
MINT!
It's a more interesting (even though it's trendy now, the top half has a classic vibe to it), the color is more sophisticate and the comfortableness of the fabric and therefore the dress trumps all of the above. The emerald dress is a dime-a-dozen sort of the dress.
emerald!
fits you much MUCH better.
Emerald! I love the mint color because it is so "in" with the trends around pastel colors. But I have to agree with the many commenters above that the fit is rather odd looking around the sleeves when your hands are not on your hip. I'd say go with the emerald and wear a cami underneath. That is what I do with all my low cut shirts to work. I actually layer them over lululemon workout tops (the power y tank) because those have a built in bra and are super comfortable and long :). Also – the emerald color looks gorgeous on you! I also love it with the shirt layered over it!
In the spirit of honesty, the mint dress does not fit you at all. It is completely unflattering on top and does nothing to give your tiny bottom any shape. And don't even get me started on that color…The emerald dress is beautiful! The color is fantastic on you and the cut is so flattering! With the right accessories you could wear it almost all year round as well. I don't think it is low-cut at all, but if you are uncomfortable just throw a scarf on. Thank you for letting your readers comment as if we are your bff's!!
Emerald looks like it fits you much better on the top. Love the color too!
I love the color and fabric of the mint one, but I think the emerald one fits much better in the upper torso.
I love the mint one as is!
I would go with the mint. It's perfectly appropriate for work and I feel like with some interesting accessories, you can totally wear this for a night out. While I get your concern about the trendier top half, I think it's still subtle enough where you won't get swallowed by the trend.
The mint looks gorgeous on you.
Emerald for sure. Even thought you don't think the fit is great for the emerald one with the back pulling, etc. I don't really notice the back pulls all that much. The proportions work better for your body and overall, you can get away with no alterations on it. It's also a color you can wear in the summer or winter months, where as the lovely minty color is pretty much only for the warmer temperatures. Also, the dolman sleeves on such a structured, thick material, is kind of strange-looking. Even when pinned up, it makes you look like you have really big shoulders with strange sleeve length.
Mint makes you look very thin I like the emerald
I'm torn! The mint color looks wonderful on you, and I love that pleat in the front. However, I think I'm just not a fan of dolman sleeves in that non-flowy ponte material. I don't know that it would look much better on someone taller- the extra material would still have too much shape! On the other hand, the mint dress does fit a little better in the body than the emerald, and being able to wear it to work is a plus. My vote is tentatively for the emerald, but I want a third choice. 🙂
Mint!! It looks so mod and trendy. The emerald is too plain. And I loooooove that trench coat! 🙂
Emerald all the way. The mint color just doesn't make up for the awkward dolman sleeves
I say keep the emerald. I love the mint color on you, but the silhouette isn't very flattering. I wish they hadn't done the sleeve and shoulders like that.
I love the mint color but the fit on the emerald is fab and the color looks great with your skintone.
The Emerald dress! So classy. You look great!
xoxo,
Emerald for sure :]
I like the emerald, but mostly because I like the color, so it may not be the most practical choice!
The tweed blazer is cute, I wish I had a need for something like that.
The emerald is infinitely more flattering on you… : )
I think the emerald dress is much easier to wear and the bright color looks better on you than the mint. Also, the dolman sleeves look weird on that dress.
I really like the mint. It is a different color than you normally wear.
Keep them both! They both look great on you.
although I've seen all the pictures I am still thinking of the first one… those blazers are incredible beautiful!!
I'm a bit torn, I'm not really sure either is the perfect item. I love the sleek line of the mint dress, and the color (which does work well for you too), but THOSE SLEEVES! Ugh, can they be altered easily? It's just too much dumpiness for your slender arms, IMO. On first glance I'd have voted for the emerald green, but the slight puckering in the back is bothering me. You are so slim, so it's a sign of a poor quality dress vs. you being too heavy for it. And the neckline is bothersome. It seems too fitted to wear a cami with it too (shame).
I would opt for continuing the hunt. A perfect green dress is out there for you. Or else, tailor the mint one (including sleeves).
The mint! It's a different style than you usually wear (more mod) which is good for stretching outside of ones comfort zone. May I suggest trendier accessories/styling than the ones you have pictured with it? I think shiny black/black patent belt, shoes would be a fab contrast to the pale green!
Thanks for the always thorough review Jean!
I love the mint green dress on you, it's a color that I have been yearning for too, and I think the dress is very different (in a good way) and will be welcomed addition to your wardrobe. I really liked the kelly green dress on you too but since I own it I sort of know all of its faults well so if you can't keep both then I would vote for you to keep the mint green one.
I saw everything else you tried on in stores recently but didn't get a chance try them on. I am loving all the Spring arrivals though…I picked up this fairly well made baby pink long blazer in a knit material (also available in baby blue) with gold buttons. I can't decide if I should keep it so I might post pics and ask you for your opinion! 🙂
I want to love it because everything is so beautiful – color, chest "stripe", and overall fit but I'm still not digging the sleeves. The dolman looks accidental (I hope that doesn't come across as too harsh). That said, I'm far from a fashion expert so if you love it, and it seems like you do, keep it! 🙂
Tough decisions! For the kelly green dress, if it looks tacky/cheap and is too low cut for comfortable wear, i'd say save your bucks. For the mint dress,I hope you are planning to tailor the sleeves cos its still a little roomy at the armpits. The colour and the fitting at the hips is great. The length after hemming is perfect. If not, go for the right fit over colour! :))
Mint surely is the "trend" color, but I prefer the shape of the emerald dress on you. Also, it gives more visual balance to your dark hair 🙂
Get the mint one hon! You look so great in that dress!
xoxo
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i think the mint is gorgeous! and it would be better to have the more covering one than to be limited to only wearing it out on the town.
The mint is an awesome color on you and seems have more versatility…but it definitely needs some tailoring.
Mint! The shade looks more subtle and expensive than the emerald. It also looks so elegant with the pearls and belt that you accessorized it with in the last photo. Plus it's not very easy to find a dress in that shade in stores.
ShoeMart! I hope your adventures in the Philippines included some shopping, haha.
Good point, SPG + Michelle! I just added a pic with arms down. I think it looks pretty normal down despite the thicker material.
Definitely mint!
I like the mint on you 🙂 The dress will look great on you with your hair up and a few nice accessories 🙂 I've just start blogging come by and take a look at my blog 🙂