Angie -- Can you picture this dress on me?

I kind of like the idea of the ties since things that are too loose and sack-y can be overwhelming on me, particularly if they are woven and not knit fabrics. (I don't have your height, Angie, which I think is important in carrying off the sack dress.)

16 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Great! I hope it works out. The colour is delish.

Hmmm. I think you could wear a sack dress. I *just* challenged you :0)

16 years ago

April

Veteran

Oh, dear. i just returned this: http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStor.....+Dress.jsp

because even with the ribbon round the middle, on me it looked like a trash bag. I have seen it on a mannequin in the store as well and it looked wonderful -- perhaps the key is to be six feet tall and have no head.

But on me: trash bag. So I had decided the sack dress look was not for me, but now I've been challenged...

Does the dress that started this thread count as a sack, or do the waist ties disqualify it from sackdom?

16 years ago

April

Veteran

Returned this one too. http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStor.....+Dress.jsp

Great colors, but trash bag. Maybe my eye needs to adjust.

16 years ago

Antje

Veteran

April, I think there is quite some variety in the "sack dress" style, and note that "sack dress" is a neutral descriptor for a voluminous dress, NOT a negative descriptor per se (so Angie didn't mean what you mean when you say "trash bag" for sure!)
I have a dress that I'd call a "sack dress" and I only wear it belted (it's the black and white one I wore with leggings in my recent photo post). I tried it unbelted but it didn't feel flattering at all, I guess that would it more of a "trash bag" look.
All that is meant to say: try various sack dresses and try them in different ways. The one you posted might look great due to the ties, or it might not work. I think you will have to see it on you before you decide.

16 years ago

April

Veteran

Thanks, Antje. I think I get caught in the "nothing should seem as wide as it is tall" rule, and also worry that volume makes me look like a preschooler in a party dress because I'm short.

Angie said this dress qualified as a sack: http://i649.photobucket.com/al.....304a-1.jpg and I love wearing it, so maybe I just need to do less volume and let the "sack-ness" reside in the lack of a defined waist.

16 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks, Antje.

My dear April, there are sack dresses and there are sack dresses. The one you own is definitely sack –like.

The most flattering sack dresses are the ones that hang straight or paper bag -style (taper at the hem). Remember this post?

http://youlookfab.com/2009/06/.....is-season/

Both the yellow and the black frocks are sack dresses. They voluminously hang straight down and do not flare (not A-line). And I’m pretty straight too, so they look even straighter. They are VERY roomy, but it’s ALL in the drape so that you don’t look and feel like a rubbish bag. I never belt the yellow frock and I sometimes belt the black one, but I love it muumuu too. I’m very into hiding my waistline at the moment – just for fun! But come Autumn, I’m back to a super streamlined look.

I hope that helps. Feel free to skip the challenge too :0)

16 years ago

taylor

Veteran

April, I think because you are small framed,... if you are like me you just feel *LOST* and shapeless in a sack dress....I do understand, having spent many years in clothes that were too big for me...

However, I actually own 3 sack dresses now, and yes I do belt them 99.9% of the time. I LOVE them now.They are *VERY* flattering on us small frames...like Angies black one... I also own...and belt.

I am not as fashion *secure* as our beautiful Angie ,who could pull off a paper bag, ...done right .. and still look FAB:)

But I love how she puts these sack dresses with leggings...but it just doesn't work for me (not secure with that yet)....heaven knows I have tried:(

Anyway my point being don't give up on the sack dress just yet... try and add a belt.

16 years ago

April

Veteran

Okay, Antje, Angie and Taylor, thank you for your thoughts. Instead of giving up on both of the Vera Wang dresses linked above, with your input in mind I think I will do this instead:

-- Avoid the floral charmeuse one.
-- Try this one again, but styled differently: http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStor.....Dress.jsp# If I remove the ribbon-belt and add a wider belt, as well as removing the faux-vintage brooch (if you enlarge you can see it on the left strap), I think this has possibilities.

Stay tuned...

16 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*blushing* (thanks, Taylor). I’m glad you’ve evolved your look to sack dresses. They are a fun change from the body hugging sheaths we love to wear too. And sans leggings is fab :0)

Nice idea, April. Can’t wait to see your experiment.

16 years ago

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