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K/R: dresses, scarves, and boots oh my!

Aida

Veteran

Hi ladies! I have a few items I'd really like to get some feedback on. I love all of these items but would like to keep only 10s, and welcome ALL honest and frank feedback. Thanks in advance

1/2 - Black and gray sweater dress. Does the black triangular shape coupled with the elbow dolman sleeve emphasize my IT shoulders too much? The fabric up top is fairly loose, though I don't think it shows in the photos.

3/4 - Taupe sweater dress. How is the fit? Too, erhm, bootylicious from the side? And did I do the giant cowl right (how do you work those things!?)?

5 - Dotty wrap dress. This is the first true wrap I've tried so pardon the uneven/tight tie job, I promise I've figured it out now How's this look? Is the top too loose looking?

6/7 - Bright scarves. I'd like to keep one of the two on the right. One is citron/gray, the other tomatoey-coral/tan. Does the citron color work for me? I'd love to keep that if it does, I have nothing else like it.

8/9 - Miz Mooz Jayne taupe boots. I've wanted these since seeing Rita (and then Christy) fabulously model them, and my husband got them for me for Xmas! However I am concerned that they may be too wide and/or tall for me, and they are a bit loose at the ankles (fit OK from the side, a bit gappy at the top corners from front/back). I'd love to be able to wear both with bare legs/hose AND with pants, is this possible? Is the color too cool?

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47 replies

Latest reply was from RandomThoughts (Andrea)

Joy

Veteran

The black dress fits you so beautifully but IMO it does emphasize your shoulders from the back. I don't know why. Maybe I was just looking for it because of your question. I like the sweater dress for fit but think a different color would be better, and like all the scarves. Maybe a bright scarf with the sweater dress near you face?
I'm not sure about the dotty dress. It looks like it fits but doesn't seem your style. Maybe with a jacket? The boot photos are not wanting to enlarge for me so can't comment.

rae

(website)

Veteran

1/2 I feel emphasizes your hourglass shape rather than the shoulders. That was the first thing my eye went to.

3/4 IMO this one doesn't seem like a 10. I don't know what it is. I'd still say 8.5, though. Maybe it is one of those basics that will let awesome boots or bags shine.

5 Cool print, and I think this will flow into spring nicely. Interested to see it with bare legs, though I know that might be a while in your area.

Scarves all awesome!

I think the boots look AWESOME with jeans - especially those black ones. Love love love how that color softens the black. But they do seem tall and large on bare legs. They were much more sleek and fitted on Rita. :T BUT, you do have a lot of the year to wear boots with jeans.

Anonymous

Hi there Aida! I think the black dress looks pretty good. From the back, the neckline is doing that boat-neck thing so it does broaden your shouders but its FINE from the front. When ever I see my back pictures I think I'm am SO IT, but it's completely different from the front view. If you only want the 10's I would pass on the second dress. I'm CRAZY about the wrap dress though. Great for your figure, wonderful black and white graphics!

Now for the scarves. Did you mess with the color when you posted these? I can't believe how well you look in that citron! Not many people look glowingly healthy in it, but you sure do! The orangey red one is just great too! I'm stunned, but you know your colors very well. I can't tell about the navy and white, but most people can wear that.

The boots look great with pants; I'll let the others help you decide on the bare-legged look since I'm hardly the boot queen! Nice haul!

qfbrenda

Veteran

The boots look better with jeans. I've found it very difficult for boots to fit both over jeans and over bare legs unless they lace up. They are awesome boots!

The black dress emphasizes your shoulders to my eye, but as a fellow IT, my eyes are biased. I think it's because the arms look a bit bloused out.... bad technical term :P.

I like both scarves so I'm no help there.

I really like the wrap dress!

The sweater dress.... I can't decide.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I think the boots are definitely 10/10 keepers ... and they look better with jeans

I don't think the rest of the things are 10/10; I've seen you in better dresses - you have so much fab stuff!

I adore the scarves! Terribly cute!

Sylvie

Veteran

Visually, dress #1 makes your hips seem narrow relative to your shoulders, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I think it's a fun silhouette to play with. The only potential issue would be if it gave you football player shoulders, which is doesn't. So, thumbs up from me.

Dress #2: It looks good on you but does it stay put when you walk around/stand up/sit down, etc? My experience with fitted knits has been that they require constant adjustment.

Dress #3: I like. In fact, I would like to have my own if I didn't already own two black/white dresses. Keep.

Scarves: I like them all. Great choices. Keep as well.

Boots: Good for over jeans. Yes, they're too gappy with bare legs.

It's hard to have boots work for both jeans and bare legs. My strategy is to size my flat boots for jeans and deal with the gap for bare legs since they are more casual. I size my heeled boots for bare legs since that's usually when I'm trying to be more dressy.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hi, Aida -

The black dress is gorgeous on you but it does give an IT silhouette from the back. Not from the front. I think it is so good in other ways that it is worth hanging onto. I also think that IT impression from the back is exaggerated a bit in the pic, compared to how it would come across in real life.

I'm a bit meh on the sweaterdress. Not because of bootylicious (it hugs you nicely) but it just doesn't seem that great overall. I actually find that one emphasizes the IT more.

Really like the wrap, though, and think it would take you well into spring. Can see it pairing with lots of your stuff.

The boots look fab with jeans; they do look too loose/tall with bare legs, though. ;(

LOVE the scarves!

AJ

Veteran

I do find it interesting that you look IT only from the back. Does that have to do with shoulder blades? I'm clueless.

I think the wrap dress is beautiful and no IT angles at all with that dress.

I like all the scarves, but choose the citron one for something different if you can only pick one.

I'm with the others that the boots look good with the jeans and a bit loose for bare legs.

Nice shopping spree!

Refugee

Veteran

I'm gonna jump right in here.
1-2--I don't think this is a 10. A simple straight sleeve would make it so.
3-4--Not too bootylicious but truth be told I would kill to have a booty like yours.
5-A-mazing a 10 please keep it looks brilliant on you.
6-7 I prefer the tomatoe-y scarf color wise.
8- I have huge issues when it comes to how boots fit at the calf and so I don't feel I can give a helpful opinion without my issues ending up all over you.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Great shopping trip! My favorite of the three dresses is the black & white wrap. It's super flattering on you. I'd love to see it with some sheer polka dot tights or bare legs. The other two are nice, but I agree you do look like you are broader in the back with the black dress. The sweater dress looks nice--you could also try it with a belt.

I like both scarves! The boots look like they fit well for jeans, a bit gappy for bare legs but not too bad.

Marley

Veteran

Hey Aida,

I started to read your thread and quickly realized that you were asking for our input on your puchases, so I just went down to the pics without reading your descriptions, questions, etc. on each item. I didn't want to be influenced by any of your comments.

Ok:

First dress - Love - makes your body look curvy - your shoulders strong (and from the back, pretty broad) - but I love it!

2nd dress - no. Find one in a different color and this would work though!

3rd dress - love - especially with those scarfs and OOOOOOh those scarfs! Love them all! This dress is a great transitional dress - can't wait to see how you style it!

4 - boots - love - BuT, I think they are gapping around the tops of your legs in the pic with the dress, aren't they? The look fine with the jeans - its just that IMO they look too big with your bare legs - and maybe like they are a little too tall in the front????

Stephanie

Veteran

Great haul! I am probably biased against wrap dresses, but I actually like the sweaterdresses better than the wrap dress, though I agree that the taupe might not be the ideal color. I like the scarves. The boots look too tall to my eye, though I love them--the color and the design.

Nadia

1/2 - I think the black/gray dress is very figure flattering in the front pictures but it does tend to emphasize shoulder width in the back.

3/4 - I don't find the sweater dress too bootylicious. I don't think there is one right way to do the cowl neck and yours looks fine to me!

5 - Your wrap dress seems to be tied properly. It doesn't look loose or gaping at all in your pics.

6/7 - I think you could get away with wearing the citron scarf but the orange one does more for your skin tone. (not that the citron scarf is a bad colour, it just doesn't do anything extra if that makes sense) But if you love the citron scarf go for it. If you do, maybe try to pair it with tops and dresses that are really good colours for you.

8/9 - I'd suggest that you keep looking for the perfect boots. These do seem a bit loose and gapey particularly if you want to wear them bare-legged.

Aida

Veteran

Thanks for the (wonderfully detailed) feedback so far ladies! Almost unanimous "keep" on the black dress, scarves, and boots for jeans only (which could be OK); mostly "yes" on the wrap dress; taupe sweaterdress isn't getting much love, but it is a very basic piece so I'm curious if that's why (it's also a bit warmer in color, I took those photos with my worser camera). Would love to hear more opinions if you have 'em!

Joy, I think I see what you're saying about the dotty dress. Since wrap dresses are so flattering for me, I've been looking for one that isn't super sweet looking and was hoping this fits the bill.

Claire, the colors aren't really altered, just brightened a little. I'm glad to hear you think the citron is ok on me!

Brenda, all my other boots are slouchy so I can get away with wearing with both jeans and bare legs. Since these are much sleeker I don't think it'll work

Suz, you know I actually thought the black dress looks MORE IT emphasizing in person! In fact I was all set to return it until I took the photos, and to my surprise my husband also said it looks OK. Weird?

Nadia, I see what you are saying about the citron vs orange. I may just keep both as I have zero bright scarves

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Just a quick reply before I go to bed...

My favorites are the scarves, the wrap dress and the boots. As others have pointed out, those boots fit you better when worn over pants than with bare legs. I like the black dress a lot.

Heck, I even like the sweater dress, but I have discovered that a lot of people have issues with sweater dresses. Even when I wear my longer sweater dress, people jokingly ask me if I forgot my pants. I'd love to see it with a belt!

LoP

Veteran

These are all amazing on you Aida! I love the black dress and the boots look amazing. I prefer the coral scarf on you if you will pick one. The sweater dresses are always a bot tricky to find and wear. I love this one on you. Great choice.

Kari

Veteran

I REALLY like the black dress and wrap dress. The wrap dress is a bit of a departure from what I think of as your usual style, but perhaps it might give you an opportunity to flirt with a different print/silhouette than your norm - the fit is great.

FWIW, I think you have a really, really gorgeous bold shoulder line.

Taupe is probably my least favorite color (in general, not on you specifically) so I'm a bit biased; but I also don't really like the way the sweater dress folds in at your lower back. It's kind of an odd fit that has to do with the construction of the garment rather than anything related to your body. For that reason I'd pass.

I love the coral scarf next to your face - gorgeous!

Girl X

(website)

Veteran

My 10's:

The black/blue panel dress. I actually like the subtle shoulder emphasis, it's a very NOW silhouette, but now in a way that will be dated two years from now.

The scarves! All three!

The boots with jeans!

My not so 10's:
I think I would have liked the sweater dress better had I not just finished seeing you in the awesome black one. I saw the black dress first and that set my gauge for what a 10 is.

I think the black/white print on the wrap dress is too stark with your colouring. If the white was cream or even beige or something, I think this would be stunning.

☺

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Aida - these are some fab items! I love the black sweater dress. Yes, it kind of emphasizes your shoulders but not in a bad way. The dress overall showcases your killer hourglass shape - so I vote yes on this one. I'm afraid I'm not crazy about the second sweater dress - I don't think the shape of it or the oatmeal colour does your gorgeous self any favours. The wrap print dress is GORGEOUS on you - please keep. I love all the scarves. And the boots looks fantastic with jeans/skinnies. They might be a little bit "gapey" (is that a word?) for bare legs but I'll let the boot experts chime in on this one.

cinnamon fern

Veteran

I love the wrap dress and the black dress. I don't think the taupe sweaterdress fits well enough to keep - not because it's bootylicious, since that would be an advantage in certain contexts, but because there's too much fabric around the waist, especially from the back. It's maybe cut for someone more rectangular than you?

Lisa

Veteran

Ok not looking at other answers yet:

1/2-I have this dress and I like it so I'm biased. But even though we are two different shapes (I'm a pear) the fit on you looks quite similar and I do not see any extra exaggeration from the back view, I vote keep.

3/4-I like the fit, but not the color it looks like it washes you out and with a cowlneck you can't layer with a scarf for extra color near your face, I vote return.

5-Again I like the fit but not the color, the white seems a bit harsh against your skin. Do you look better in ivories?

6-I vote tomato scarf it instantly brightens your face.

8-Sorry I vote return on the boots. They look like they hit at the bottom of your knee. And they have a bit too much gap on the bare leg. Maybe if they were just a little shorter (perhaps half or an inch shorter?)

Jjsloane

Veteran

My favorite is the wrap dress on you. I prefer the red scarf to the citron, but both could work. You have a great shape and the black dress is complimentary (but yes the shoulder are emphasized from the back only) Not a fan of the sweater dress for it's color, shape and cowl. It also looks scratchy, but that's just my perception of it obviously. As others have said the boots with pants for sure.

Isabel

Veteran

WIthout reading other comments, I LOVE #1 on you. It really is soooo complimentary to your figure. Keep.

I am not lovin' the cowl neck sweater dress, but I don't know why. I think that I don't like the color or heaviness of it on you. I also don't like the scrunching in the back. Return

I will just skip right over the wrap dress : FAB ! Keeper

The scarves . Full disclosure, I just posted the other day with the navy dot and stripe one...so I LOVE it !!!!! You look great in the orange, too. I am not sure about the citron on you. I find it yellowing your lovely complexion. So I say return the yellow/citron.

Boots...KEEP ! But only over jeans or pants or leggings. A bit wide otherwise.

Now I am going to read what everyone else said so that I can change my answers ! LOL

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

#1 is KILLER. Keep!

Return the sweater dress and the wrap dress. They are not 10's.

KILLER boots!

Keep the red scarf. That's a 10 on your complexion too.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Hey boot twin! I love the boots with jeans but I am not crazy about them with bare legs. They are definitely more fitted on my wide calves. I love the first dress but not the light colored sweater dress. Scarves are really cool too! Great haul!

kellygirl

Veteran

Oooh, fun stuff, Aida! I lurve the black dress on you. It's divine and hip and killer all rolled into one fab dress. I love the idea of the cabled dress but it is not as fab as the black one. I think the cowl is a bit wide and kind of accentuates the shoulders too much. I love the scarves and the boots. Gosh, the boots are awesome and make me want a pair myself! I like the shape of the wrap dress but find the print kind of overwhelming--but that's just conservative me.

ETA: I just read through the comments and saw that it is the "not so sweet" print of the white dress that beckoned you. I'm changing my vote to keep. The fit is perfect--I just found the print jarring (to me--ms. low contrast.) My other concern about the sweater dress is the fit from behind. I think I'd like it better if it skimmed a bit more. I find the fit emphasizes your IT--ness because it tapers in so much at the waist.

ETAA: The boots are amazing with the jeans. ISWYM about the boot with bare legs but for some reason, it doesn't bother me. I think it's because they are low contrast with your leg? They only look a smidge tall. If these are predominantly dress boots then I would return but if you are looking for a sleeker boot for skinnies, I would keep.

Carole

Veteran

You make it so easy for us with all your great photos! I really love the black dress on you and as a fellow IT I realize the sensitivities to styles that accentuate this area, but I think you look fantastic in the dress. The second dress isn't a 10, maybe it's the color and the cowl neck. I'm not crazy about the pattern of dress 3, I like the style. Fab scarves and killer boots! I just love the striped sweater in 3, btw.

Aida

Veteran

THANK YOU for all the fabulous feedback ladies! I will keep the black dress, the boots (to wear with jeans only), and the coral scarf. Will return the yellow scarf, most likely the taupe sweater dress *sniff*, but am not sure on the wrap dress yet.

Angie, could you possibly elaborate on your thoughts re the wrap dress? I was pretty set on keeping it until getting to your post :}

Amy, I feel you on the sweater dresses! I have been looking for a chunky cable knit dress like this that fits properly for years now ><

Girl X and Lisa, I wear both white and ivory, though I'm sure one one looks better than the other (I can't tell). The wrap dress isn't as starkly white as it looks in the photos, it's actually a slightly creamy off-white but the high contrast in the photos is making it whiter.

Kelly, I actually ordered the taupe sweater dress in two sizes and the size up made me look very unshaped hehe. It is certainly cut for someone far straighter than I. My husband rather liked that dress (and also I have zero winter dresses) which is why I'm still debating with myself about it.

Victoria

(website)

Veteran

You look great in all the outfits, love the citron scarf on you! You have great figure and I think its shown off quite nice in these dresses:)

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