Okay, internet. You helped me before. Will you help me again?
It looks as if the Pudding Family will be embarking on a situation that will require us to stand in front of over 100 people in church tomorrow morning.
(We’re going to be singing “Eye of the Tiger.”) (Not really.)
Anyway, because I rarely leave the house, I don’t really have any dress-up clothes that carry the style I’m currently striving for. Do you want three adjectives? Vintage, French, Quirky. (I know. Shut up.)
Last night I went to the store I tend to rely on entirely too much. Kohl’s. I’m never happy with what I purchase there. In fact, whenever I leave, I feel as if I have Settled. This morning I went to Target (for Valentines and tights), and ended up falling in silly love with a goofy little dress.
Internet, here are your choices:
Option Number One is a Chaps dress purchased at Kohl’s. As you can see, it is short sleeved and it sort of sashays a bit. You’ll also notice that we own the Fat Albert box set, and we keep it on the floor by the fireplace. To me, Option Number One says, “Hey, Hey, Hey! I’m prosaic!”
Option Number Two (shown here in a very unflattering photo) is the Target dress. It also has short sleeves, but in the photo I’m wearing it with a super-cute sweater, which I also found at Target. To me, Option Number Two sort of says, “I’m a (insert adjective here) flight attendant!”
Help me?
(I feel like I need to add a parenthetical aside telling you that I KNOW I look ultra tired and that I have no idea how to stand for photos. I really am super-awkward. And sleepy.)
Thank you in advance for your wisdom.
70 responses so far ↓
1 BOWquet // Jan 30, 2010 at 3:19 pm
I like both, but the 2nd one is much prettier! It compliments you better!
2 Matt Breuer // Jan 30, 2010 at 3:20 pm
Go with one. I love those dresses!
3 pseudostoops // Jan 30, 2010 at 3:24 pm
2! It’s quirkier, French-er, and vintage-er.
4 anonymous // Jan 30, 2010 at 3:25 pm
# 2 following a nap this afternoon. Your welcome!
5 Valerie // Jan 30, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Ohhhh, number 2! 2!! You’re a PARISIAN flight attendant. ;) But really, it’s super cute, and quirky–only in the best way.
6 Lindsey // Jan 30, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Number 2 for sure. It looks great on you!
7 marianne // Jan 30, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Dress 1 is very “church mom”. Please take it back.
The biggest problem I have with Dress 2 is that where your sweater hits breaks the dress up and throws the proportions off. If the sweater were a little shorter, or unbuttoned, or not pulled down so firmly? But it’s definitely the better of the 2 outfits.
A fun (fork?) skirt and white blouse would look cute with that sweater too–future options.
And the shoes are great.
8 BOSSY // Jan 30, 2010 at 3:31 pm
This is so hard, and reminds Bossy of the joke about the old Jewish mother who gives her son two ties for Hanukkah. Wanting to make his mother happy, the son goes upstairs and puts on one of the ties and comes downstairs. And his mother says, “What’s the matter, you don’t like the other tie?”
Which is to say, Bossy likes both outfits. But you can only wear one. Go with the one you feel most comfortable in — not fabric wise or comfort wise but This Is Who I Am wise…
9 Reagan // Jan 30, 2010 at 3:33 pm
Number 2- adorable and bold!
10 Susan C // Jan 30, 2010 at 3:39 pm
#2 definitely.
#1 makes me think that you are trying to disguise your body.
11 CrazyMomTats! // Jan 30, 2010 at 3:39 pm
My favorite is number 2. Very cute and very appropriate for church!
12 CAB // Jan 30, 2010 at 3:39 pm
TWOOOOOOO!
13 Robin // Jan 30, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Definitely #2. It’s very you.
14 Pam // Jan 30, 2010 at 3:40 pm
You see? Now it’s me who’s all a-dither about her taste in clothes, because I would have said #1, because it looks prettier and seems to fit you better – but I’m a lone voice, it appears.
I’m going to have to go now and lick my wounds in private.
15 Pam // Jan 30, 2010 at 3:41 pm
I din’t actually intend that to sound so unsavoury.
Dammit, now I can’t even write clearly!
16 Nicole // Jan 30, 2010 at 3:43 pm
Number 1 looks like a school teacher puked on you. Yeah, take it back! I actually love #2 especially the collar.
17 beyond // Jan 30, 2010 at 3:46 pm
oooh, number 2 is lovely and very YOU. i’m a sucker for cute collars. i also really like the opaque black tights and those shoes together.
18 Pictou // Jan 30, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Take black sweater, pair with any skirt same length as Target dress. Add colorful scarf around neck for some interest. I like the length and the sweater but over the dress it’s making you stocky. Shoes and tights are good.
Always add color around your face to warm it up.
19 heatherf // Jan 30, 2010 at 3:49 pm
I like the second one. I agree that it may feel less flight attendanty(but totally, Parisian flight attendanty) with either the cardigan unbuttoned or in another color. Because I like colorfulhood, I’d wear it with a fuschia or chartreuse. But people who aren’t as colorfulhoody may vote pink or sage green.
20 Desi // Jan 30, 2010 at 3:59 pm
I pick #1. But I would dig up some black ribbon to tie around your waist as a sash in order to show off your lovely figure.
21 kateecee // Jan 30, 2010 at 3:59 pm
I say two, too. But more importantly, what’s with the migrating tat in the pics?? Am I missing something? It moved down your arm when you changed??
22 Charisa // Jan 30, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Number 2! Good luck tomorrow!
23 Erica (crummy cupcake) // Jan 30, 2010 at 4:13 pm
NUMBER TWO!!! Wonderful neckline, great tights/shoes/sweater black coolness, sweet skirt shape – DO IT!!! I mean, if you feel good in it.
24 Susan // Jan 30, 2010 at 4:15 pm
#2.
And Marianne is a genius. I second everything she said.
25 Natalie // Jan 30, 2010 at 4:15 pm
My mother would always say, “GOD does not care what you wear to church.” Also, both are cute. Finally, I pick #2!
26 Clair // Jan 30, 2010 at 4:23 pm
Number two, but then I routinely appear in front of my entire congregation wearing jeans, so what do I know?
27 Badger // Jan 30, 2010 at 4:24 pm
I believe the adjective you’re looking for is “mutha-effin’”. And I will abstain from voting, because I think you look good in everything. I’m like your mom! Honey, you’re so pretty, wear whatever you like!
28 Connie // Jan 30, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Okay-I am in the minority, but I like #1 better.
29 Matt // Jan 30, 2010 at 4:32 pm
#2 is very beautiful on you!!!
30 Dana // Jan 30, 2010 at 4:41 pm
#2 (really)
31 JessicaD // Jan 30, 2010 at 4:52 pm
I love #2, but I think maybe the tights are a little *too* black. Possible to lighten them up, maybe wear sheer-er nylons?
PS – I actually like #1 as well, but only for the summer and w/o tights, it’s making me chilly just looking at it! (I know you live where it’s warmer, but…)
32 Em // Jan 30, 2010 at 4:53 pm
First I want to say that your hair achieves French, vintage and quirky all by itself so it does not matter what you wear (though I agree for church you must wear something).
Second (don’t you love when people number their points? No? Me either.) I vote for #2 with the sweater unbuttoned (unless the dress has a silk screen of Woodstock or Freddy Kruger or something).
Lastly, I am most confused by your Valentine tats. The little one on your left arm is not there in the first pic and I assume the big one is covered? Or is it photoshop? Or do you live with a tattoo artist and a quicky skin grafter? Or most likely, you added the little one between outfits. You should keep them for church, fo’ shizzle.
33 beyond // Jan 30, 2010 at 5:35 pm
PS: like Em (above) I am really confused about the tattoos.
34 The Coffee Lady // Jan 30, 2010 at 5:40 pm
Two. But with some insanely chirpy tights, if you possess such an item (I don’t)
35 Kara // Jan 30, 2010 at 5:41 pm
I like #2 better. :)
36 Laura // Jan 30, 2010 at 5:50 pm
Throw a skinny belt over number two, and in my opinion, you’re golden.
Good luck tomorrow!
37 bec // Jan 30, 2010 at 6:03 pm
#2!!!!! V. v. cute!
38 Brinski // Jan 30, 2010 at 6:33 pm
“mmmhmmm, That’s nice dear.” (rustles the newspaper)
Kidding.
#2. hands down. fits your adjectives… by the way those are the three of my favorites too (to describe me, I mean). Although I tend to go more “nouveau -beatnik” than quirky.
#2. Transmission ends
39 Average Jane // Jan 30, 2010 at 6:35 pm
#2 looks churchier.
40 Linda // Jan 30, 2010 at 6:51 pm
Definitely #2.
41 pharmgirl // Jan 30, 2010 at 6:53 pm
2.
Also wondering about the tat. Please elaborate.
42 No Minimom // Jan 30, 2010 at 7:04 pm
I vote #2. Shows off your personality much better, plus it’s super cute! I love it without the sweater, too.
43 No Minimom // Jan 30, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Hey! Your tattoo moves and shrinks between the two photos. What’s up wit dat?
44 Nichole // Jan 30, 2010 at 7:16 pm
The collar on #2 is delightful, but I’d go with the pickle dress even if it is hard to remove. (Of course, I may have read the title wrong.)
45 Stephanie // Jan 30, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Number 2!!! And before tomorrow morning, knit yourself a red scarf to wear with it. No, a clapotis! Oui!
46 elsimom // Jan 30, 2010 at 10:03 pm
#2 seems much more what you’re going for, based on your description. #1 is fine. How would either look with your black Feb Lady sweater?
I agree with previous poster who said the tights should be a tad lighter – we lose your pretty shoes.
I like how you stand – I think it is both French and Quirky!
Good luck!
47 Lynn @ human, being // Jan 30, 2010 at 10:33 pm
2, but unbutton the sweater & add colored tights! Fun! Maybe a beret? a baguette? a rose?
48 Haus // Jan 30, 2010 at 11:05 pm
I saw #2 at Target just the other day and was admiring it. It’s darling on you!
I think #1 would be cuter in spring/summer with no hose and cute sandals.
49 joaaanna // Jan 30, 2010 at 11:27 pm
#2 for church – but keep #1. But don’t wear it with the dark black tights (but Y on #2… why is that?). If you can funky it up with textured or different colored tights – awesome – or wear it this summer any of your Dansko clogs. But honestly – #2 is kickass. (I was gonna say precious and adorable, because it is, but I’m thinking that isn’t what you want to hear.) Go FP!
50 Anonymous // Jan 31, 2010 at 2:24 am
I love the shoes!
51 Isabella Golightly // Jan 31, 2010 at 3:36 am
Tattoo confusion appears to be overriding dress confusion… was this your secret plan, hmmm? I like them both, but #1 seems a little more summery than #2 – the clincher for me would be how warm it was going to be (or not). But I like the idea about #2 with the tights being a little less opaque, then you will look tres, tres chic, oh la la!
52 Sara // Jan 31, 2010 at 3:54 am
Two. A thousand times, two.
53 kate // Jan 31, 2010 at 7:48 am
know this isn’t very helpful…but i like both options for different reasons…i would say…what do you feel most comfortable in?…(i’m shy and standing in front at the church would scare me silly….so i would choose something to wear that i didn’t have to worry would do something weird or make me feel more uncomfortable)….am another voice asking about tattoos?….hmmm?
54 Lucia // Jan 31, 2010 at 7:53 am
Number 2, the neck line is lovely and you look great in it.
55 Shnoodle // Jan 31, 2010 at 9:12 am
I’m going for the maverick vote, and saying that you should wear the skirt you made with the trees from Oz on it.
56 Alice // Jan 31, 2010 at 10:26 am
I would do #2, but I want to see it without the cardigan. If you are all CARDIGAN-ADDICTED, open it, and maybe add a belt. Alternately, a shorter cardigan. Please use the beatific pose you’ve got in picture #1, though. So church-appropriate.
57 TheQueen // Jan 31, 2010 at 11:45 am
#2, because #1 whispers “I’m shy, please don’t look at me standing in front of church.” Oh wait – it’s 10:45 Sunday morning. I bet Im too late.
58 Badger // Jan 31, 2010 at 1:56 pm
I was going to mention the tattoo, but I was afraid I was the only one seeing it. I’ve been taking a lot of allergy medicine.
59 Meg // Jan 31, 2010 at 2:00 pm
two. TWO.
I’m with the anti-cardigan contingent.
60 Alli // Jan 31, 2010 at 6:44 pm
I like them both. Sorry, I’m not a good decision maker.
61 Kaitlin // Feb 1, 2010 at 8:33 am
You look beautiful in both dresses, but I love dress 2.
62 abby // Feb 1, 2010 at 12:04 pm
I would have gone with two as well, but I keep checking the comments on this post to see what’s up with the roving tattoo!!
63 Ani // Feb 1, 2010 at 1:11 pm
One! And love the tattoo.
64 Dooley // Feb 1, 2010 at 2:31 pm
Number 1? They’ll ask you to join a committee.
Number 2? They’ll ask you to chair a committee.
Both cute, and both can seal your fate.
65 Elizabeth // Feb 1, 2010 at 2:41 pm
I like number 2. I prefer to think Jacki O instead of flight attendant.
66 Helloheather // Feb 1, 2010 at 5:25 pm
Well, I am probably too late, since I suppose church was yesterday, but I still want to put my vote in for number 2.
67 Corinne // Feb 1, 2010 at 5:52 pm
22222222222
It’s not even close. Number 2 is way cuter.
68 Corinne // Feb 1, 2010 at 5:53 pm
Oh, right. Church is on Sunday, isn’t it.
69 lynne // Feb 2, 2010 at 9:03 am
I know I’m late, but I’m with the 2’s. The first one is cute too but not what you’re going for here. Also, when I saw this post title, I was thinking it was about a pickle costume…
70 Mitzi // Feb 2, 2010 at 10:32 pm
I’m late… and I like #2, so I hope you wore that. I’m just curious about those tattoos…
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