Are the choices I choose figure flattering?

dawn

I went to Express yesterday while browsing, and I tried on two skirts . I tried on a beautiful red full midi skirt (though I didn't think it was flattering because the skirt was too long on my 5'0 frame and it was too voluminous).

Fortunately the sales associate who was helping me had a wonderful eye and she brought me a skirt to try on that I thought would be too short but I think that the length is perfect for my height. I do know that the shirt I tried on was a tad bit too small in the arms (at least it was because it was folded around the elbows and there was some slight gaping across the bust).

The dress you see was one that I saw a few months back at forever 21, and I have to say the color looks terrible on me and I seriously think that the shape of the dress does not work for my body.

The gorgeous olive green pants are from Dressbarn and I personally think that while the length and color is excellent for me, the pulling across the hips and thighs look terrible. I really like the silk pink blouse, but for some reason I didn't like the color of the blouse on me. And while I was a huge fan of the white blouse, I noticed some slight gaping across the waist. So I am thinking that I might give it up.

Which items do you think are the most flattering?

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9 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from dawn

Liz

Veteran

Dawn, could you give some more information about the type of feedback you're looking for? Are you asking about whether to keep or return specific items you were trying on, or are you looking for more general information regarding what types of sleeves to look for?

9 years ago

dawn

Active Member

Oh wow, you are completely right! I am going to re edit my post so that it is more clearer. Thanks for noticing that. But to answer your question quickly, I am wondering what items I should keep. Thanks.

9 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

The red skirt is indeed very pretty. I always find that full skirts are a bit easier to wear when the pleats are stitched down at the hips (vs. a full gathered skirt). But it is difficult to know from this photo whether that is true for you. (I am looking on my laptop and the image is small, plus I can't see your whole body here.)

For my own personal taste the other skirt is on the short side, but it would depend how you are planning to wear it.

Unfortunately, I can't see the pants well enough to judge but I would say if there is pulling, you shouldn't keep them.

I actually think the blue dress looks great! It might be a bit on the snug side, but I think the shape works on you really well. Apart from the colour, what don't you like about it for you?

9 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

My favorites on you are the two full skirts. They look beautiful and those kinds of colors really suit you. My guess is that you look best in strong, clear and vibrant colors vs. soft "dirty" colors like the purplish dress. While the dress fits well in the shoulders and bust, there is some puckering going on around the hips that speaks of poor fit. It's not you, it's F21. You have a very proportionate figure.

I like the two blouses on you. The pink is not as great as the white on you, but it is not bad either. It's a better muted color than the purple on you.

9 years ago

Sal

Veteran

I like the red skirt on you- it is a real statement piece but quite lovey with the fitted shirt in my opinion and flattering. The dark skirt would look good with darker tops in my mind rather than the high contrast.

The shirts are fine, but you appear to have a lovely figure and I do think you could do better. As Cocolion said, the dress is a good shape but I suspect poorly made. I think the dress in a different fabric or colour would be stunning on you as it really shows off your shape.

9 years ago

dawn

Active Member

Suz you are correct, I do think that the pleats do look best close to the hips. The issue though is that I have a really cute knife pleated skirt that has the exact same structure, and I look terrible in it (I will post a picture when I come home from work tonight). Oh ok then, I can try to look and see if I have another picture that I can post. Yeah the black skirt is on the short side, I don't entirely mind. I am thinking though that I can buy the red skirt when it goes on sale (I have a 15% off coupon). Honestly, I wish that the blue dress was a tad bit tighter in the waist area, and I am not the biggest fan of the belt.

Thanks CocoLion, yes I do look best in strong colors. I really have trouble pulling off muted colors. Yes I do realize that some of the clothes I buy do pucker. I have noticed that with some dresses and with loose high-waisted skirts (looser around my hips) I don't usually have puckering. Yeah I do think that the pink looks better than the purple dress.

Thank you for the words of wisdom.

9 years ago

In My Joi

(website)

Veteran

I like the red skirt on you, but it really depends on what you will feel comfortable wearing and truly confident in. I may have to check out Express for that skirt!

9 years ago

dawn

Active Member

Thanks Kiwigirl, I can strongly considering purchasing the red skirt once it goes on sale (though I have an additional 15% off coupon so I might buy it very soon). Hmm, I never thought about pairing the skirt with a darker top, but I do have a black top in mind that I would like to pair with it. Ok then, Kiwigirl I truly do think that the dress is out of the picture. I will keep looking though for dresses that are in that style.

9 years ago

dawn

Active Member

In My Joi, do check out Express!

The next part of the post is for all individuals interested in high-waisted skirts where the fabric does not have any give at all.
With the red skirt and the black one I am wearing, make sure that you get the size that will fit your waist (during all times of the month, if you can). These skirts do not have any room for stretch at all! Depending on how much you bloat (and this is for any individual), you can go when your bloated that way you can figure out how the skirt will fit throughout the month! I only say that because if you are someone who gains loads of water weight (or with Thanksgiving coming up soon... ok I still have a little less than three months but I can't wait to bake so I am very excited) I wouldn't want you to buy the skirt and then it becomes too small in the waist once your done with you monthly cycle.

Hopefully no one found my suggestion about the fit of the skirt rude or offensive.

9 years ago

dawn

Active Member

I feel confident in both of the skirt In My Joi, I just don't want to look like I am half of a body with a full red skirt for legs. I was thinking that the black would be a happy medium between the two quite honestly.

9 years ago

shiny

Veteran

The red skirt: if it's that tight in the waist, I'd take a pass, but then again, I bloat tremendously. Alternatively you can take it to the tailor and have them put in an elastic waistband, however, then you'll probably want to cover up the waistband with your top, and I'm not sure I'd do that with such a full skirt. My first impulse was to try this skirt with one of the cropped sweaters, as that could be really cute. If you are taking it to the tailor you might ask if taking the sides in just a tad may work better for your height. The color is quite lovely!

The black skirt: is okay but I think the longer (red) skirt looks better proportionately, i.e., if you are going wide/flared, go longer to create height. That's just my two cents.

The dress: I think this would look much better without the belt, as the belt creates a high contrast and also cuts you in two. I am also not so crazy about the sleeves on this, not for you. Inverted triangles need to be careful with short sleeves, and the poofs on the shoulders don't often work for us - they are better for those with narrow or sloping shoulders. Also, in the side view, see how the sleeve is cutting you in the widest part of your arm? There's nothing wrong with your arms, but can you see how the long sleeve top in the first two pics, and the sleeveless tops, are more flattering, because they aren't doing this?

I'd love to see you in a VC midi skirt - that top in pic 6 with such a skirt could look lovely.

Hope that helps!

9 years ago

dawn

Active Member

Well Shiny, while the skirts are tight in the waist they aren't extremely tight to the point of being uncomfortable for me at least. I generally do have to take into account how tight some of my clothing items are because I do gain quite a bit of water weight. Quite honestly though, I don't mind having something that I can wear 2-3 weeks out of the month (I have always felt uncomfortable wearing skirts while I menstruate). I could take the skirt to a tailor, and that is a fantastic option. You are right about the elastic waistband issue I seriously would not want to wear a shirt over the skirt because I think that the skirt is such a great focal piece that it should definitely be shown off.

I have a feeling that I will buy a cropped sweater (I would like to get one in brown, or white, or black). The is lovely isn't it. It's during times like this that I think it would be awesome to see someone with pale skin or a rich deep ebony skintone wear a skirt like this because that would provide a nice rich contrast (but I am digressing). I think you're two cents are right. Hmm... I really think that I might purchase the red skirt, I did buy the black skirt on clearance and I have been wanting a skirt like it. Yet, I am going to think about the outfit idea some more.

Shiny you are right about the sleeves, I really have trouble finding tops that can create some kind of balance between my shoulder line and hips. In general I avoid cardigans (thought I think that with full skirts I can pull them off), capped sleeves, embellished details at my sleeves, and T-shirts. Thank you for pointing out the issue with the sleeves cutting into my arm, I didn't even feel that when I tried the dress on (though I will sheepishly admit that putting the dress on was somewhat difficult).

Wouldn't I love to wear one! If I have enough money I would like to purchase one, my only concern though is are those types of skirts recommened for women with full thighs. I do have larger thighs and I while I do have tight mini skirts, I can imagine it being somewhat difficult to walk in a skirt that is tight and long. When I go back to Express (hopefully it will be in the near future), I will try on a skirt like that and take a picture.

9 years ago

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