It's going back, because I look awful in dresses - YouLookFab Forum

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It's going back, because I look awful in dresses

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Enter exhibit A below: This thing looks awful on me! Yes, it's a little big, but I think the smaller size would be too small. I look like Alice Kramden from the '50's show "The Honeymooners" in one of her daytime apron dresses. Not to mention I look at least 10 pounds heavier.

Does anyone else have a hard time wearing dresses? I always look like I'm wearing a sack, and everything is all wonkers and out of place. The darts are off, the waist is low (usually it's too high), yet a smaller size would probably be tight in the waist. I know if's not me it's the dress, but sheesh….

I could try on 100 dresses and 99.5 of them won't fit (yes, there's a half a dress out there somewhere that will fit me…aka a skirt!).

I've been trying to find a nice fit and flare dress for a casual wedding we're going to on Cape Cod in a few weeks. *sigh* Back to the drawing board. NEXT!

Anyone have a hard time wearing dresses? What do you do, just stick to wearing skirts?

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40 replies

Latest reply was from Karie

nancywalters

I think you should try it in a smaller size - you might be pleasantly surprised. Are you by chance close to being a petite? The waist looks a little low. Perhaps you could try a petite just to see how it looks.
It can be very difficult to fit a dress that actually fits properly.

Nora

I feel your pain. I recently had good luck finding dresses (fit and flare is my friend) for this summer, but normally i try on a zillion with no luck. I think it's a numbers game -- a well stocked dress department and the willingness to try on almost everything in the store is the way to go for me. Waist placement is key, especially since I'm an aging pear -- the waist is higher and thicker than it used to be, but i'm still a size bigger on the bottom than on top. I had good luck at Macy's.

For what it's worth, I do not think the next size down would be too small, but I think that particular dress is too pale for you.

columbine(erin)

Veteran

I don't think the pattern placement and the low waist is helping. Can you try a dress with a smaller pattern, or a solid? That might not be the best place for pockets on most people, either.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

It's a really cool dress -- do you have a little room in the armholes? I ask because my main fit problem with dresses is that they are too long in the torso. I have learned that when I gather up an inch (or more) of fabric at the shoulder, darts and all *sometimes* fall right into place. I don't think you're short-waisted, but some dresses are cut quite long. Give it a try and see.

Gaylene

Veteran

I'm not a dress person, either, for exactly the same reasons. (Still laughing at the Alice Kramden look--NOW I know why the image in my mirror reminded me of someone!)

That said, I think the problem with this dress is more about fit than it's Kramden tendencies. Instead of trying to squeeze into a smaller size, why not see if you can find a seamstress who could fit the dress to your body? It's amazing how even a few small adjustments can magically transform a dress. Might be worth investigating because the dress could be a winner for a summer wedding.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

I think there's every type of clothing for everyone out there, you just haven't stumbled across the right one.

I actually really like this one on you, but it is different silhouette than what I'm used to seeing you on. Maybe your eye and senses need some adjusting to this change too.

catgirl

Veteran

I am right there with you - my recent dress post of agony is proof of that! I want to love and wear dresses but it is hard enough finding separates. To find an item that fits BOTH top and bottom properly? Impossible.

I think you look very nice here, and you can't put yourself side by side with a MODEL, who is probably pinned and arranged to perfection.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

My post has gotten deleted about three times, everytime I go to another tab to try to find a link to paste for you.

I think we might have some similar dress issues. I am kind of rectangle shaped, ie, fit but wide waist, and not busty at all. So it seems like every time I go to buy a dress that is a fitted shape, in order to get a waist that fits, I find that the bust is super baggy or the hips are too wide.

I did an exhaustive dress search this spring, because I was determined to find something good for my high school reunion. Shockingly, I found three dresses that worked. Two of them worked because they had an elastic waist.

I don't dare to post the links again in this block but will try in a later post.

They were: Rebecca Taylor Summer Rain dress. I also bought a matching shale mesh sweater that makes it more versatile. It is casual but still nice.

Nanette Lepore Palm Copacabana. Mostly hot pink, has the elastic waist.

Nanette Lepore -- rats I forgot the name. A floral that is mostly dark on a light pink ground. Had to go up one size because not elastic but still worked.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Rebecca Taylor summer rain dress http://www.zappos.com/rebecca-.....rain-dress

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Rebecca Taylor sweater http://www.rebeccataylor.com/s.....lue1=Shale

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Nanette Lepore palm Copacabana. I had to install a small snap on the wrap front so it wouldn't gap open. http://www.nanettelepore.com/d.....-4964.html

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Nanette Lepore forbidden love dress http://www.nanettelepore.com/dresses/332-4392.html
Like I said, need to go up a size.

Sorry for the zillion posts. I think it must be an ipad thing.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

And here is a pic of me in the summer rain dress from the aforementioned reunion. That dress is my fave. I am in the middle. Only one in a dress.

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catgirl

Veteran

Ummlila, that happens to me on my ipad too. When I open another tab all my text disappears. Irritating!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Okay -- Ummilila and Una, better talk to Greg about that stuff.

He is a genius and will fix it.

Karie, it is not YOU. It is the DRESS.

As a fellow slim hourglass/ rectangle, here is my secret, that is really no secret:

HIGH NECKED SHEATH DRESS.

Get it in jersey and if there is ruching of some kind, all is forgiven.

Seriously.

You probably don't want something as dressy as the Nicole Miller, below. But there are lots of similar dresses out there in different fabrications. The Kamalikulture ones come to mind. Those ones are cheap as chips (as Angie might say) and pack like a dream!

But if the shape just feels too dressy, no matter what, well...I don't think fit-and-flare is completely out...I just think it is trickier. For me, personally...a part of me really loves a fit-and-flare style -- it appeals to my girly/ pretty side. But I do find them awfully awkward looking on my angles. I can get them to fit my body, but they seem to argue with the rest of me, if you know what I mean.

Still, I've seen you rock that silhouette, so if your heart is set on that shape, how about that great Halogen skirt that Angie sported in the spring (if still available) with a top tucked in?

Nicole Miller Lauren Stretch Linen Dress

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Kamalikulture Sleeveless Shirred Waist Dress

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4

Halogen ® Pleat Midi Skirt (Regular & Petite)

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Peri

Veteran

I have a terrible time with dresses too...I've posted before on the same subject. I just can't find one that I like that hits on all fit points. I think it is really hard with dresses because that one item is supposed to fit everywhere. And I don't know what a tailor can or can't do to make a decision based on getting something altered. Anyway, I've been searching since March and haven't found one...really thinking that I never will. So I get your frustration.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I have a hard time with some dresses and their waist placement. The easy answer is a stretchier fabrication without a 'set' waist point that will allow your waist to decide where it goes. Of course, that becomes automatically more bodycon. I am somewhat high waisted and I choose dresses that I can tell in the photos have a higher set waist. Also, as Janet mentioned, just bringing up the torso with tailoring, even just an inch, can miraculously solve the fit issues of darts and waists in the wrong places.

MsLuna

Veteran

Karie, I'm sorry you're having dress problems! I think every woman has this kind of wardrobe issue - in my case, PANTS are the ones that make me look terrible 99.9% of the time!

This dress, however, has issues. It's NOT YOU! The dress is too big on you, and I find this cut overwhelms your slim body.

Given that you're a slim rectangle like Suz, I'd try out her advice as she ALWAYS looks smashing in dresses. Dresses do take time to figure out - even for frockstars like myself.

Don't give up! Good luck!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hahahahaha, Ms. KatieKat, that is brilliant. "Frockstars."

Karie, I also think you should continue to hold out hope. This type of dress would be virtually impossible for me to wear, too. The neckline is good, and the princess lines are potentially good, but it has the effect of broadening (despite the vertical lines) because of the slightly dropped waist and the angle of the flare.

MsLuna

Veteran

Karie, I agree with Suz. Even on an apple-esque girl like me with slim limbs, this cut of dress, despite the vertical lines has a widening effect. Think this way - if you have slim arms and limbs, the only way to balance them out is through narrow sleeves or hemlines (unless they are long flared pant hemlines where ppl is ideal). It would make such a difference!

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Suz, I love high necked sheath dresses. In fact, I tried the Kamalikulture dress below - the waist was in the right spot, the top fit perfectly, but it was a little form fitting around the tummy. Perhaps one of their dresses with ruching would be better.
And I have adored that Halogen skirt since the moment I laid eyes on it. I do kind of wish it was a floral instead of a stripe, though. That skirt is actually next on my list of items to try.

Ummlila, thanks for the links to the dresses. I will check them out after I post this. The Summer Rain dress is gorgeous!

Una, that might be the answer - I'll just walk around with my clothes all pinned up in back! Gaylene, I can do alterations, but to me this dress just isn't worth it - I don't know if I would like it even after the alterations. Janet, that type of shoulder alteration is one that I have had to do before, but in this dress the armholes fit so there just isn't room.

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MsLuna

Veteran

Karie, trying the ruched dress would be a great idea!

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Also, what about this one: http://www.clubmonaco.com/prod.....d=32810346

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Ummlila, those are all gorgeous dresses, but I've gotten kind of fussy about length. I like my dresses and skirts to be around my knee - which is extra difficult because I'm on the tall side (5'8"). I love the BCBG dress in "finds" below, but it is just too short in the middle

BCBGMAXAZRIA Jenica Sleeveless Ruffle-Hem Shift Dress

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MsMary

Veteran

Karie, you have a typo in your post title. I'm quite sure you meant to type: "It's going back, because it just doesn't get me!"

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hahaha, Ms. Mary!!

So funny - after I wrote my post I got on the BCBG site because I know their clothes "get" you. And I saw that dress and thought about it but ruled it out because it would probably be too short.

Did you try it on, though? Because you never know.....

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

You're a little taller than I thought. Those dresses would definitely be on the short side for you (I'm 5'4"). Not that short would be a bad thing, but if it's not your comfort zone...I like that bcbg dress too, colors are great, but I agree that the cut in spot has to be in just the right place.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

Ha! MsMary, when I read your post I thought, "Oh no! A typo! Not me!" I'm a bit of a word girl and get a little freaky when I realize I've made a mistake.

Suz, I haven't tried the dress - it's just waaayyy too short in the center.

I kind of like this Kamali dress - kind of - it might be a bit much. Kind of reminds me of the Aerosmith tongue tee shirt ~

Kamalikulture Print Jersey Sheath Dress

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Bravado Men's Rolling Stones-Classic Tongue T-Shirt

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Haha - you are right! But with your white topper I think it could look smashing on you. It has the ruching. I have a bottle bottom print dress from last year with the ruching and I love it. I also have one without ruching but it feels much more body con. Even though both are, technically, body con.

I also have it in what is probably a size too small for me. So ordering up a size could help.

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