For as long as I can recall, I’ve loved button down dresses. There’s just something that I adore about the style, and every season I looked, often fruitlessly, for anything that fit this description. I bought one of my favorite button downs almost a DECADE ago at Aritzia, and have worn it almost every summer – since I found this one, I’ve looked and looked for that combination of a natural fabric (cotton or linen or wool or cashmere), the button down front, and feminine detailing. I’ve looked! And looked! And usually nothing…
…until all of a sudden, I found that this summer, they were finally in fashion! I think it’s the Reformation copy cat effect, and at first I was so happy, but now I’m found myself with a surfeit of dresses. Seriously, it’s getting to be a problem. I was looking in my closet the other day and realized just how many I’ve added…and new ones keep popping up all the time! I’m almost relieved when I go to product zoom, and realize that the back is insane, etc.
Here’s a (smallish) example of what I’ve added – from Zara, Mango, Aritzia, J.Crew, Reformation. It represents about a third of my collection.
This is madness, no?
But at the same time, I feel like I was in a drought for so long…I should take advantage, right? But it’s hard to not feel like you’re tripling down on a trend, in a time when it isn’t really wise to go all out on trends…but then again I also just really love this style. It makes me feel good to wear a dress like this.
So what do all of you do, when one of your favorites finally comes “in style”? Do you stock up or attempt to restrain yourself?
16 Comments
Archana
July 30, 2018 at 9:04 amI definitely feel this way about after-drought abundance. I am a very calculated buyer. I also carry some of that original sin that comes with consumption when you read a lot about sustainability / minimalism. Unless I think I will wear it till it has holes in it, I stay away. For the last 3 years, I didnt have a single short sleeve t-shirt in my closet. I couldnt find one that fit me right. Everlane made a crew neck that may as well be custom made for my body. I purchased 3 of the same. There is a Steven Alan dress that I wear atleast once a week. I see one floating on the second hand market and its tempting to acquire. There are a few items that takes me years to find and I give myself the permission to stock up.
Katherine
July 31, 2018 at 2:59 pmYou are a role model for purchasing! Bravo!
Mama, M.D.
July 31, 2018 at 5:06 pmI want to be Archana!! But yes Kat I feel the same— that’s why I love your writing, because you have A Style and aren’t just focused on fashion! (And you are another self-proclaimed old lady dresser, naturally.)
Linda
July 30, 2018 at 9:59 amI tend to stock up when it comes to color– I love burgundy and chocolate brown and they aren’t always “in” so I “stock up” when I see those colors. They’re part of my style, “in” or not. Id these dresses are part of your style and you wear them “in” or not (which it sounds like you do)– why not?
Diane W
July 30, 2018 at 10:24 amStock up! I stocked up last year on Eileen Fisher’s (woven) linen tunics. This year she did her tunics in a knit linen fabric. I don’t care for that fabric but had a closet full of regular linen tunics to fall back on. I’ll never question my tendency to buy multiples of things I really use again.
Katherine
July 31, 2018 at 3:00 pmExcellent point! I’m very picky about fabric as well.
Nvie
July 30, 2018 at 11:15 amI love sleeveless linen shift dresses, so I bought 4 for summer in different colours. Although I live in a tropical country, linen clothing are only available during the summer months. So I would definitely stock up if I love a style that suits me best. ?
Olivia
July 30, 2018 at 4:54 pmI love button down dresses too!!! Thanks for all your recommendations – I managed to snag the Moon River one!!!
Katherine
July 31, 2018 at 3:00 pmThat one is one of my FAVORITES. It sold out so fast. So glad you got it!
Anonymous
July 31, 2018 at 2:16 pmKat,
Out of curiosity, have you heard of Stitch Fix? Katrina Lake, the CEO, was also a Harvard MBA grad. Have you used her company’s services?
https://money.cnn.com/2018/07/31/news/stitch-fix-founder-ceo-katrina-lake-interview/index.html
Anonymous
July 31, 2018 at 2:38 pm^I do like the part where it says her IPO skyrocketed when a picture of her holding a baby was released. Yay! Women supporting women especially mothers.
I would love to know what you think of their service one day.
Katherine
July 31, 2018 at 3:02 pmHonestly I haven’t tried it but I really should! Katrina Lake was in my class and I remember her as being very smart and motivated. It’s been amazing to follow her success! I’ll report back if I try.
Jaime Stephens
July 31, 2018 at 8:48 pmHate to be negative but Stich Fix is really lower end clothing – I tried it a few times and most of the items were at least 50% acrylic – a no go for me!
Anonymous
August 2, 2018 at 12:45 amWow, what a small world. I thought you might have been classmates given her age, but what are the chances of that!
I figured she must be one smart lady. I read another article from years back and she seems really focused.
I agree with the poster below, unfortunately the brands in her site seem a bit low end, but I want to know how it worked for you if you ever try it. It may give you a chance to reconnect with her. Who knows, right?
mercy
July 31, 2018 at 6:06 pmHoard them! Or maybe look around which one catches you eyes. I miss this kind of dress too, this is perfect for summer and yes when breastfeeding. It’s nice to know that they are on trend with different variations.
http://www.busyandfab.com
Sarah
August 1, 2018 at 12:59 amWhat an interesting post. I seem to be alone in this, but I don’t buy multiples. (Unless it’s underwear or camisoles or leggings) if I like a style I can always get it replicated in a fabric of my choosing, using a good Taylor. I find that my style is always evolving slightly and no need to stock up in case of fashion famine….