Dresses--where to start? - YouLookFab Forum

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Dresses--where to start?

Maya

Veteran

As I have indicated in a few blog posts, I am having an incredibly difficult time finding dresses. Part of it is just that I do not know what kind of dress shape to look for, and the other part is that there just isn't enough variety for me to find out. It's SO frustrating. Everything...EVERYTHING has an empire waist or belts or some other unflattering detail. I remember Angie's blog post about dresses for hourglasses, but the examples are much more dressy than I am looking for, and I'm a bit of a strange hourglass because I don't prefer any kind of waist-emphasizing details. I also can't (and don't particularly want to) wear skinny straps, halters, or strapless styles.

The kind of dress I'm looking for is extremely casual. As casual as a dress can be. But I also want dresses that reflect my style, which is the other tough part. I actually tried that wrap dress that Alexandra posted from H&M at the YLF convention, but found it too fussy and it didn't really feel reflective of my personal style.

OK, that was much more than I intended to write. I guess I just need to re-think my plan of attack, and I'm not sure where to begin.

Dressing

14 replies

Latest reply was from Maya

kbosh

I'm new here, so I don't really know what your style is, but when I read your post, I immediately thought of one of Angie's blog posts - Mom Wear - that has a really cute dress that may give you a shape idea. It has a "waist", but it wouldn't be binding or draw too much attention. It has a slimming v-neck. It is pretty unfussy as a while.
http://youlookfab.com/wp-conte.....ress-1.jpg

I own this dress from JCrew, and it's GREAT, although a little on the short side. http://images.jcrew.com/erez4/.....mp=prdDtIm

Anonymous

Maya I can't remember if you have told us what you feel is your personal style. I know that is not always easy to answer. I am still trying to figure out what mine is. Have you figured out a few styles that you relate to and feel are you? I know you have mentioned that flaunting sexiness is not your style and that you do admire Nanette Lepore's creations. Her clothing seems romantic to me. You've said you like the big bows and flowers and that sounds playful and youthful. How am I doing here? Are you a romantic who is playful and youthful? Does a nice jersey dress with lots of flow and good coverage sound up your alley? Sounds beautiful to me. Now if they could only be found.
If you have nice arms to show off you are already ahead of the game here on finding dresses. They all seem to be geared towards showing off arms.

Maya

Veteran

I do not think I'm terribly romantic, in any sense of the word. I'm hesitant to describe my style. I'd rather just show visuals and have people interpret them however they want. You've seen the YLF convention pictures where I wore my black jacket over arty tee, and then Angie put me in a vest with a tee. I think you've also seen my big voluminous H&M Marimekko top (I love Marimekko). Playful and youthful sounds about right.

I think a gray menswear jumper would be perfect, especially since I can layer with it and change it up, but I haven't come across one that's simple enough. Angie's would have been perfect if it didn't have a high neckline and big pockets on the hips.

I don't know about flowy dresses. When it comes to dresses, I don't like them to be overly girly. To me, a dress is already girly enough just by being a dress. I really like sack dresses even though they're not flattering on most people, including me. So getting the silhouette right is confusing for me. I found a few that I really like but they are all way too expensive. I'll try and link to them later, when I'm not at work.

Lee Hovey

Ohh I love that yellow dress in the link to angie's post. I want that!
I am not a natural dress wearing (trying to get over my tomboyishness and my hatred of my big ex-soccer player legs), but I am learning. Seems like a great dress to start with!

Nicole

Veteran

Maya I feel your pain. I find the majority of dresses--even day dresses--are just to dressy. I realize this is not going to be a popular choice on YLF, but I find that jersey knit dresses are the one dress that does not feel too dressy, too tight, too loose. I can get the overall shape I'm looking for w/out a belt. For me, the difficulty is finding jersey dreses with V-necks.

Maya

Veteran

Here are some dresses I like (whether or not they would be flattering is up for debate):

http://www.anthropologie.com/a.....TRAL+MOTIF
http://www.anthropologie.com/a.....LACK+MOTIF
http://www.anthropologie.com/a.....ame=YELLOW
http://www.anthropologie.com/a.....rName=NAVY
http://www.anthropologie.com/a.....ame=PURPLE
http://www.amazon.com/Kensie-S.....038;sr=1-2
http://www.amazon.com/Kensie-G.....038;sr=1-4
http://kiitosmarimekko.stores.yahoo.net/seco.html

They even named this one after me:
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7442051/c/3.html

Most of them are probably still a little too dressy, but I would consider them anyway.

Nicole

Veteran

I like the marimekko one. The Maya one looks more like a tunic--esp. with the shirt tail hem.

shiny

Veteran

I don't know how much help I'm going to be. Dresses are probably the most difficult thing for me to find, because often if it fits in the hips it doesn't fit in the bodice, and vice versa. And this is one item that I really must have in petite, because the waist has to hit at the right place.

I also don't like straps and halters and other shoulder-revealing styles, nor do I want something too fussy or formal. And for the heat of summer I prefer natural fibers because they are more breathable. I do not really like silk dresses because they are too easy to ruin. And I'm a stickler about prints - the print can't be overwhelming for my small frame.

Like Nicole, I have better luck with knits because they have some stretch. While my bust/hip difference is not as dramatic as hers or yours, it's enough to make dress hunting frustrating, but that bit of stretch can be all I need to make a dress work. (I.e., ZIP!)

I have had good luck with basic GAP knit dresses, they are easy to wear, inexpensive, etc. But they come in such a sorry range of uninspiring colors (black, brown, navy, black). I also have some luck with BCBG, for some odd reason. Not every dress will work, but occasionally I'll find one. BCBG prices are high but often you can find this brand at Marshall's or Overstock.

If it's not a knit, then I look for cotton with some stretch in it. My other choice, for dresses that won't be worn in the heat of the summer, is synthetic, because it stretches. My favorite dress is a wrap dress in a taupe and black geometric print and it's made of a polyester material. I got it in MD at a discount dept store. I would love to find a black BF cardigan to be able to wear this in cooler weather.

Otherwise, I've just learned to try dresses on. I find I have to try on a zillion dresses to find just one. You need to keep an open mind because often the dress looks totally different on the hanger than it will on you.

When I've found a dress that works, I've been known to duplicate it in whatever other patterns or colors it's available in.

Anonymous

It sounds like sheath dresses might work for you. I think of them as slightly fitted sack dresses. They are very simple but easy to accessorize in different ways and they are ladylike unless very short and tight. My favorites have been from Express in a heavy-enough non clingy jersey and washable.

Kari

Veteran

Maya, as a fellow hourglass, I'd second Joy's recommendation for sheath dresses. I also like ponte knit because it is stretchy but heavy weight and feels very comfortable - I'm able to dress it up, but it doesn't look like a fancy/dressy fabric on its own.

I really like the look of the Unfurling Fronds and yellow Behind The Clouds dress and the shape of the Kensie brushstroke dress. I actually splurged on the Detour Dress recently with the help of a gift certificate - it's quickly become a favorite!

marianne

Maya, are you looking for summer dresses? Because I think it's too early! I really like the Anthro dresses you posted, esp. yellow, blue and purple. I am personally not a fan of jersey dresses, unless the knit is heavy, and that isn't great for summer.
Would you wear a vest over a dress for extra coverage? Just a thought.

Patience

Veteran

Maya, I think all of the dress you linked to are great choices and I think some of them would work for you. Some of them are not too expensive either and none of them is too dressy. I'm with Marianne on the jersey dresses. I used to wear them all the time, but as I get older I'm finding I prefer more structure. High quality silk jersey is an exception. Does this meet your style standards?:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....veforlater

Maya

Veteran

Yes, I'm looking for summer dresses. Maybe it is too early to look. I can wear jersey dresses if they're the right shape. I have a knot front jersey dress from UO that doesn't cling or show any lumps and bumps, but a heavy weight is not ideal for summer.

Patience, that dress is beautiful but I don't know. It still just feels too fancy, but I think it's just because I work in such a sloppy environment that I feel like almost anything is too dressed up. A shirt dress would be perfect but they all have waist belts. Maybe that's just something I need to get over though.

This is the dress I mentioned before:
http://www.thisnext.com/item/7.....from-Urban

(It's much longer on me than on the model, and I wear a cami underneath it).

That's the kind of casual look I'm shooting for, but I can certainly step it up a notch or two. I just hate feeling overdressed.

Oh, and I'm trying to keep the cost under $60 because I want to get more than one.

Maya

Veteran

Oh, I also have this dress but I had to put it up on ebay because it's too small now I really loved it though.

http://www.kaboodle.com/review.....sant-dress