K/R: navy lace cocktail dress - YouLookFab Forum

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K/R: navy lace cocktail dress

Diana

Veteran

As you might recall, I've been looking for a navy cocktail dress for a summer wedding. Here is one I am considering. It's a navy lace Tadashi Shoji fit and flare. The fit is perfect, I love the V neck in front, and it definitely goes with the British Wedding Hat. But I'm kind of on the fence about it, so I'd love your input.

(The other one here, the DKNY (photos 5-6), is definitely going back. It turns out the black trim on it is a rib knit, which makes it way too casual for this event, plus it's oddly shapeless and possibly too big.)

I'll add my thoughts about the dress in a reply below. I had typed it out in this post but thought it might be unduly biasing.

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Tadashi Shoji Tadashi Shoji Womens Lace Double-V Cocktail Dress

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DKNY Velvet Flower Sharkbite Midi Dress

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48 replies

Latest reply was from Zibbets

Diana

Veteran

My opinion below (I'd appreciate if you looked at the photos first before reading this.)

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So, as mentioned above: the pros are that it's a perfect fit, the
front V neck is really flattering, and the color is what I'm looking
for. The lace is beautiful and it's clearly very well made. However, a
couple of things are giving me pause. I feel like the skirt poofs out
too much right at the hip, which is a spot I don't want to emphasize -
you can see this in photo #2. It's possible I could tack the lace part
of the skirt down to the lining, which might hold it down a bit. And I
don't like the back view. I feel like it makes me look short and wide.
And maybe most importantly, I feel like it's just kind of boring. It's
conventionally flattering as is but I think I'd prefer if it had an
asymmetrical hem or more contrast in the pattern to give it more
interest.

Anonymous

I looked at pics before reading, and it does have many appealing points. However, I didn't think the back view was as flattering as it could be in this picture. You are not wowed, so I vote return.

JAileen

Veteran

If it were me, I'd keep it, because I think it looks great on you. However, you're obviously not wowed. Can you keep it until you find something that does wow, i.e., hedge your bet?

LaPed

Veteran

mArgh, that's tough. It really is a great fit, but I absolutely see why you feel it's lacking. My first thought was that it might be a little too conservative/conventional. The flattery issues are secondary-to-nonexistent, to my eye, because it really does fit you beautifully. Hard to find that in an off-the-rack dress.

Shame about the DKNY dress, too -- it had such potential to be a slightly edgier/more interesting option.

Like JAileen, I'm wondering what the return window is. Maybe hang onto it until/unless you find something "more perfect"?

[wow, so many slashes in that response ]

Diana

Veteran

It's a 30-day return window so I can't keep it indefinitely. Wedding is not until July, so I still have a while to shop.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

I like the flit of the 1st very pretty. I like how it fits your shoulders and waist.

I really like jow unique the dkny is. It remindes me of a flapper style.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

#1 is a fabulous traditional frock. Great fit. Gorgeous colour. You can eat and dance in it no problem. Comfy. Add a pair of updated sandals and you're sorted.

THAT SAID:

I wish #1 were five inches longer. More elegant and modern somehow. It would also offset the pouf of the skirt.
I prefer the lines of #5 on you - the second dress - more current and flattering. I LOVE the way the hem of that dress falls on your legs. But you're right, the ribbed knit is not going to work. Too casual.

I vote keep looking and keep #1 as back up.

ClaraT

Veteran

LOVE it. If I had your curves, I'd wear nothing but this style. If you are looking for something to de-emphasize your bust and hips, this isn't it. I think it is perfect.
Ha, just read your comments. I think the texture keeps it from being boring. But there may be a dress out there that you love. It sounds like you'd be 'settling' with this one (even though it is great. just saying.) Really, if you don't feel beautiful, it doesn't matter what I/we say. Find one that makes you feel beautiful.

karen13

Veteran

It is very conventionally flattering and I mean that in a good way - you look great in it. I don't thing the lace is poufy. But you don't love it. So hang on to it while you look for something better, then return, if it isn't an outlandish time period. I often find that If I know I have something good, but not perfect, it makes me picky in a good way.

Diana

Veteran

Angie, I totally agree. 4 inches longer and maybe with an asymmetrical hem would make it loads better.

I don't think I need to keep it as a backup. If I really can't find anything else, I can always wear my coral dress. It won't work with the hat (sniff!) but I know it'll work for the occasion.

Jules

Veteran

As someone who used to have a similar figure before middle age, my eye was only drawn to your small waist - I think the dress is beautiful on you.
Once I read your concerns, I get what you mean about the hips, but would still argue that most observers are not seeing it the same way - their eyes are not drawn to the thing we are self-conscious about.
My only slight concern, before reading yours, was that the dress seems a bit juvenile. Beautiful and fully appropriate but not the most sophisticated. Perhaps similar to Angie's point about a longer length being more modern and elegant but of course she nailed it much more precisely.

Isabel

Veteran

I loved both but I also agree with what others have said. If it is not a wow and you have reservations, pass.

harmonica

Veteran

I havn't read your thoughts yet. So here is how I see it: #1 is beautiful and fits you perfectly, but when l saw #2 I saw *you* and *your style*. In other words, the lace dress is flattering, but maybe too conventional? Keep looking for something in line with the DKNY dress, asymetrical hem, more fluidity and arty in style.

Off to read what you wrote.

ETA: I vote return the dress. You deserve an interesting dress!

Sara L.

Veteran

I agree with all our points - flattering, pretty, etc. I would argue that the pouf isn't making your hips wide but rather it makes your waist look small. However, I also agree that it's boring. Part of that, for me, is the color. I generally think that navy is a boring color. However, I know that you are specifically looking for navy. I think I would keep looking. You have until July - surely there's something more interesting out there.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I like the first dress on you and I would keep it.

SW Ann

Veteran

I think you look beautiful and happy in this dress. I came to this opinion before I read why you aren't sure...

jill58

Veteran

#1 looks great but I think Angie is right. Hold onto it and keep looking if you're not totally happy with it.

Momo

Veteran

1 is very pretty but I like th idea of longer.
Maybe not for this event but I LOVE 2 on you !

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I think it looks great, and I think the poofy (spell check kept wanting to say "goofy" instead of "poofy" - good thing I caught that!) skirt makes your waist look teeny tiny.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

I find it really difficult to find fit-and-flare dresses that don't poof in the back. It looks great from the front, and it doesn't look like it's poofing excessively in the back. This dress made me think that you could pull off a tulle midi skirt really well, if you decide to look at separates.

Anonymous

I love #1 but wish it would fall juuust a liiiitle straighter at the hips. I vote tack to lining.
The lace is so pretty.

Brooklyn

Veteran

It's a very pretty dress on you but somewhat traditional. I don't think of your style as traditional. I prefer the DKNY. More modern and sexy. I would hold out for something else, given that you have time and a back up option.

DonnaF

Veteran

#1 strikes me as a dress one would agree to wear as a bridesmaid or maid/matron of honor: agreeable and thankfully flattering and gee, the bride could have chosen much worse for me to wear. But I don't see the dress as "Diana" and one that you would happily wear on another formal occasion; it doesn't scratch the itch and I'm not sure that you would reach for it.

So many formal and cocktail dresses are either frightfully boring, frightfully expensive, both, and/or require special undergarments. I feel for you. I'm glad I never have to shop for such events. Until possibly I have to buy a MOB dress which is not on my current horizon.

Jane

Veteran

I really, really like the dress in 1, and I think it is a very good second choice if there isn't another option. The fit is excellent and as Angie says you can eat and dance! Good luck with the search, but really I wouldn't be in the least bit disappointed if this was your choice.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I think the navy lace dress is beautiful and I personally like the length, you have great legs. Show them off! I guess maybe it's the sort of dress that people will say " You look nice" rather than "What a great dress!" If you are happy with the former, keep it, otherwise keep looking.

Gigi

Veteran

I think that the dress in #1 looks nice on you, but my first thought was that it was kind of boring, and I see that that was your thought as well. As for #2, I think that a few more inches in height is maybe needed to make it work...the fit or length or something just seems "off."

Style Fan

Veteran

I like the dress in #1. I can see why it might be seen as boring but you are planning to wear your British hat. The dress shows off your gorgeous figure and legs. I would update your shoes and wear the hat and then the dress would look great. But you have to feel great in it. If you don't then send it back.

madeline

Veteran

I absolutely love the lace dress. You look so pretty and I think you would be comfortable all day in it. You can modernize it with accessories. So that's my vote!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I am with Angie. #1 is a pretty dress and fits you well (a little puffiness of the skirt can be altered easily I think). However you are clearly not smitten with it and in my experience it is a main requirement for a special occasion dress: your heart has to sing when you put it on and look in the mirror.
You have time until July, I vote keep looking!

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