K/R: Dresses (Update) - YouLookFab Forum

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K/R: Dresses (Update)

Neel

Veteran

Dresses are my HEWI! I can never find dresses that fit me and it's a stress shopping for a dress when I want one! Today I wasn't looking for dresses, just some window shopping when I stopped at this shop. I found a few dresses (I tried more than a dozen!) that I really liked and a lovely and very helpful SA helped me through it!

I do like all of them but since dresses are a HEWI for me, I just jump whenever anything just fits! So I need some critical eyes to help me keep or return! Most (All!) of the dresses would need some tucking under the arms and by the bust. But if you see anything other than that minor alteration then it would be a no go for me. I am also not wearing any spanx and might consider that if my tummy looks too obvious in any of those dresses (pic 1?). So here it goes!

Pic 1: This one has shoulder pads. I have narrow shoulders and I like this in this dress. But the top seems a bit off in the pic. Doesn't look so weird IRL. Do you think it needs some tucking by the bust?

Pic 2 - I love the fit of this dress the best! Not clingy, just grazes over the body. Not sure why the pic doesn't do justice!

Pic 3 - Would need some tucking by the bust in order to give some shape. But I am thinking gray is really not my color! Do you think the color suits my skin tone?

Pic 4 - I love this!!!!! Again a bit of tucking at the bust! Please don't say no to this one! LOL!

Pic 5 - The shoulders are lifting up. A size up was very roomy on top. Do you think a minor stitch on the top of the shoulder line will fix this? Else I love this dress!

Please be honest with your opinion as even though I love all of them ... I do not really want an orphan! Thank you so much for reading through! All comments are welcome! And sorry for the headless and footless pics! Realized it too late!

Update: I returned 1, 3 and 5 today. Although 1 was good, I realized I just wouldnt bother wearing a fussy dress that requires spanx. I did not want another wardrobe orphan. Dress 3 although a good fit, the color was doing nothing for me. So off it went. It was hardest to let go dress 5. I really liked the color and the style, but the neck line was drooping and arms had restricted movement. so had to make a choice. Dress 2 and 4 is what stayed! Thank you all for helping me with this!

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Shopping

19 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

Anonymous

I know how great it is to find dresses that fit everywhere! Going through one by one (and keeping in mind that I'm not great at assessing fit sometimes):

1: The blue is great on you and the style flatters your curves, but it does look like there's a little excess fabric on top, almost like it's maybe a little long in the waist for you. I'm also not sure about the fit on the bottom, but this might be something that would be easily solved with Spanx.

2: The fit does look great! It also looks like it would be really easy to throw on by itself for hot days and layered when it's cooler.

3: The fit is good on you and, since it's a darker, more vibrant gray, I'd say it works nicely for your skin tone.

4: It does look maybe a little roomy on top to me, but that certainly seems like something an alteration could fix and it looks like it would lots of fun to wear for fancier events.

5: I think this is my favorite! Love the black and navy and the swishy skirt. I'm not sure I even would have noticed the shoulder issue if you hadn't mentioned, and I'd guess that could be fixed easily.

So the only one I wonder about is 1, just because it seems like it has the most fit issues (and maybe the fact that it's the one I'd be least drawn to myself is influencing this as well, to be fair). Besides that, I'd say keep everything for sure!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow, Neel, what an abundance of riches! And such very pretty dresses.

First question, before examining the specifics -- what occasions are these dresses for, and how do you intend to wear them? How many would you like to keep?

Next, do you feel they're moving your forward in your style journey, or backward? Asking that question might help you narrow down the choices.

I have to admit that I'm finding it really tough to evaluate without head and feet. More so, in a way, than with separates! I'm not sure why -- maybe just because a dress gives a "whole look" but the proportions of necklines and such become so important and all of that must be seen relative to neck and head and hair, you know?

Anyway, all of that is just to say you should take my thoughts with a grain of salt. I will just describe what I see.

1. Beautiful and sexy on your shape, without being too sexy. I can't tell if the fit is off or if it is simply meant to be ruched the way it is. Is it pulling or bunching at all? Looks like a winter cocktail or date night dress. Modern classic aesthetic.

2. Pretty and versatile. Is that a slight ruching along the sides? Could be worn with a topper to extend the season. More "ladylike" vs. "sexy." Also modern classic vibe.

3. Really impossible to judge colour. Fit looks less good on this one -- there is some pulling in bust and tummy area. It has a slightly more modern minimalist look, less "ladylike classic" even though it is both ladylike and classic. Probably the colour and angular detailing create that impression. Looks like a dress intended to be worn to work.

4. Beautiful fabric/ pattern, feminine, slightly retro, looks like a "wedding guest" dress (or similar). What used to be called a "tea" dress. Could be a cocktail / date dress in a situation where you wanted to appear more ladylike than sexy. A bit more "girly" vs. "womanly" (due to the cut). Fit looks like it needs some tweaking in the top. Not sure how difficult an alteration that would be.

5. Another ladylike "tea" or (possibly) cocktail dress -- you can imagine a bridesmaid wearing this one. Stunning colour. Pretty open neckline on you --- visually broadens shoulder. I don't know about the ease of that alteration, alas.

I hope that is some help!!

kkards

Veteran

dresses are always a sizing issue with me as well, as my top half is smaller and narrower than my bottom half. so i totally get your issues… that said here is my take.
#1, love this cobalt and black color combo on you, but the top does look to big. if it can be taken in easily, this could work.
#2 maybe its the picture, but i'm not loving this. i feel like your waist is non existent in this one.
#3. does this fit come in the cobalt and black combo? i like the vibrant colors better than the gray.
#4 & #5 its hard to tell from the pictures, but these seem dressier than the first 3, are these daytime dresses or dressy dresses? i like them both, although #4 seems to be a little big on top. #5 is my favorite, but i agree, it also looks a little big in the shoulders.

Liz

Veteran

My question is similar to Suz's: Where will you be wearing these dresses? They could fit perfectly and be incredibly flattering, yet still be orphans because you don't have events to wear them to.
Angie had a helpful post about evaluating purchases as an item, as part of an outfit, and then as part of a capsule. So, after you decide which of these dresses pass the "item" test (fit, color, fabric, quality, price) for you, then you might want to go on to the other two tests: outfit and capsule.

shiny

Veteran

#2 and #4 are 10's -- KEEP!

#1 and #3 -- I am not crazy about the fit of #1. I like the fit of #3 much better, but prefer the bold color of #1. Then again, #3 is neutral enough you could easily add color via accessories, and #3 therefore would be more versatile than #1. Can we see #3 accessorized? How does it work with the rest of your closet? That may seal the deal.

#5 -- I'm on the fence about this one. I love the skirt part. I love that it's high waisted -- I think that flatters you. But I am not crazy about the sleeves. I wish this dress was sleeveless. There's something a little too... precious .....about the sleeves on this. I dunno. If I had your figure, your dainty narrow shoulders and arms (which I wish I did!), I would wear strapless like this:

https://www.jcrew.com/womens_c...../02982.jsp

I cannot wear this style at all - I look like a linebacker. But you?? You were MADE for this style!

shiny

Veteran

FYI, #1 and #3 read "wear to work" to me.

#2 reads "day dress" - pop on jean jacket, flat sandals and big sunnies and you could run errands in this, or sit outside in the sun sipping mojito's.

#4 and #5 could be worn to weddings and other dressy events. But I could also see #4 being dressed down with a jean jacket and red ballet flats. Does anyone remember how Ana did this with a satin dress? That's what I'm thinking. I really love #4 and would snatch it up in a heartbeat -- even if I didn't have any occasion just yet to wear it.

Neel

Veteran

Thank you Aubergine, Suz, kkards and Liz for your very helpful posts. It is very sweet of you all to take the time to analyze individual pieces and respond!

Suz And Liz - I am looking at adding dressy dresses to my closet. I have an abundance of casual dresses. The last two dresses (pic 4-5) I am looking at using for fancy dinners/cocktail/church functions. I dont have too many of those but they are there and that's a huge wardrobe hole for me. The other 3 (first one with a cami underneath) would be for lesser dressy occasions which call for non casual dressing (I am also looking at getting back to work this year).

Neel

Veteran

Shiny - we must have cross posted! Thank you for your detailed analysis. That dress you posted is gorgeous!

The grey dress looks sophisticated Which I like. I would try to accessorize this and repost a pic.

Also, I do understand the last dress being a little precious and might not be everyone's cup of tea. But its almost impossible to find a high waisted dress !! And those are the kinds that flatter me the most due to my very high waist!

Suz - the dress in pic 2 does have ruching on the sides. Also, I do completely understand how a head to toe picture can be easier to analyze! So yep I will use my head to judge if the dresses really do work on me!

Liz A.

Veteran

Out of the bunch, I'd say 1 and 4 are the keepers. The fit looks the best and they flatter your shape. Maybe as you say 2 looks better in real life, but I am not liking the construction and the way the pattern comes together on the three panels. 3 is too high necked for you and the color is blah. Something about 5 is not right. I think it's the neckline and sleeve combo. 2 dresses in one day is a win in my book!

shiny

Veteran

Neel, thanks for clarifying. If you need a dress appropriate for church-related functions, then yes, I can see how #5 might work, since you'd want arm coverage.

And I did notice you had a high waist - #3 bugs me a bit because I think the color blocking is hitting you too low.

I think #2 works because it's cut on the bias?

Have you thought about a wrap dress? I rarely have luck with these, for all the reasons I think you might have great luck. Have you tried a BCBG wrap dress? I love them but they seem to be cut for a smaller chest and narrower top half.

Another option for sheath dresses is Ann Taylor: I find that they are cut for a smaller chest, and the bust seams always land too high on me. In fact, AT had a "fit and flare" sheath dress recently that might be just the ticket for you.

shiny

Veteran

Come to think of it, you may like the RL jersey cowl neck ... the waist sits high...

https://www.google.com/shoppin.....ess&c

If you google around, there are variations on the same dress, different necklines, sleeves, colors. Some have a bit of padding at the shoulders, some don't. It looks like this one does. The material is very substantial, it's self-lined in fact, and lays well over any bumps etc. I don't really even need a slip with these, though I add one for warmth.

Neel

Veteran

Thank you again Shiny! I think we do have an AT presence here. I would surely have a look see. Also, I happen to have a BCBG wrap dress! I am yet to wear it (waiting for spring!). I do like the fit on it. But again my slopy shoulders do not do enough justice to the dress I might do a WIW tomorrow and see how it looks to the YLF eyes. Most of my dresses are an 8/10! And I don't even have an LBD! Forget about THE perfect LBD! I think I want to do a shopping trip to the US now :).

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

Wow, Neel, you are superb at finding your HEWI's! I really love what you found and Suz raises some good points about how they will fit into your style journey.

I love #2 most of all with #1 coming in second since you have a fantastic figure and both of these dresses look elegant and stunning on you. I know you like #4 and I do, too, but it just seems a tad too short for that waistline. I also like #5 for its classic look; #3 is difficult to see in the photo. Hope that helps and I hope you will be keeping a few of these.

Neel

Veteran

I returned 1, 3 and 5 today. Although 1 was good, I realized I just wouldnt bother wearing a fussy dress that requires spanx. I did not want another wardrobe orphan. Dress 3 although a good fit, the color was doing nothing for me. So off it went. It was hardest to let go dress 5. I really liked the color and the style, but the neck line was drooping and arms had restricted movement. so had to make a choice. Dress 2 and 4 is what stayed! Thank you all for helping me with this!

viva

Veteran

Neel, I really love 2 on you. Where is it from?

Neel

Veteran

Thanks viva! All the dresses are from F&F tesco - UK brand. I love that dress although the pic doesn't do it enough justice!! I wore it here already

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....eam-wear-1

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

So you kept #2 and #4? Because those are definitely my favorites!

Neel

Veteran

Yes I did Shevia .... I am so glad you like them

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Good job, Neel! Those are the winners for sure!