K/R: The silk dress arrived - YouLookFab Forum

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K/R: The silk dress arrived

Astrid

Veteran

I have only one picture with the head slightly cut off, sorry. I was already out of the dress when I realised it.

First off, let me say that it's a beautiful dress. And it feels fantastic on. But I'm not sure it's a great dress on me... I feel like I'd need a bigger bust to make it fit like it's supposed to fit. The elasticated bit is too low on me, but not low enough. And I'm not sure the "sleeves" are the most flattering.

It hurts to say this, but right now I'm thinking I should return it. Am I right? It still is expensive, even with the big discount.

Oh and for those wo don't remember - this dress would be cut off to just cover my knees.

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36 replies

Latest reply was from Astrid

lyn67

Veteran

You surely know, I waited for this post, Astrid!:-) Dress is a darker hue than I imagined, but still beautifull and I like the fit of the sleeves! BUT I can see the waist is not long enough, which is often my problem in dresses, too. See what others say...

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Lyn! Yes, it's definitely darker than I thought. When I opened the box I first thought it was black, but it's a very dark grey. It looked much lighter in the picture.

approprio

(website)

Veteran

Tough call. It is indeed beautiful, that fabric looks amazing on you. But I think I can see what you mean about the waistline.

I'd say with the right belt, something very skinny and plain, it could be sensational. Cinching and raising the waistline would create a bit of drape in the bodice. It might make all the difference. Have you tried it?

Minnie

I think it's a bit overwhelming at this length, but once you have it shortened it will probably be great.
The elastic looks to be at your waist, it isn't? Maybe try adding a skinny belt to define your waistline?
If you don't like the sleeves (but love the dress and don't mind altering) you might be able to have them altered to "sleeveless".
That length sleeve can be tricky I think, and on me I prefer either no sleeve or sleeves that are a bit longer

rachylou

Veteran

It's gorgeous on you at full length - I don't know that it would be at knee length.

Diana

Veteran

I'm not wild about the waistline; I think it looks sloppy and a little off in position. You have a nice slim waist and I think this is hiding it (and not in a deliberate waist surrendering, slouchy way). I have a bias against elastic waists in general, as I think they are so hard to get right and often are used to hide poor tailoring in the waist area. I always think things like this would be better with NO waist if they can't be bothered to make a properly tailored waist line.

Alassë

Veteran

I was waiting for this post, too. Pros: fabric, full-length elegance. Cons: elastic waist, unstructured sleeves. I think it's beautiful, but it may not fit your new, simplified/sharp style.

Gaylene

Veteran

I think you ought to try styling this dress before you decide. To my eye, it is the kind of dress that needs to be personalized instead of the dress making a statement on its own. I'd pin up the hem and play around a bit before deciding to return. This dress might just surprise you.

Meredith

Veteran

I think this dress has lots of potential, but is not perfect as is. Try Gaylene's suggestion and also try a belt before giving up.

Astrid

Veteran

Okay, I took some more pics. And I have to say I agree with Diana - the waist is just not all that flattering. And it keeps shifting around, it feels either too long or too short from on moment to the next. Seems like I have my answer. Too bad, because the fabric is beautiful!

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Sara L.

Veteran

I don't see any fit issues with the bust but maybe that's due to the fabric being so dark. The sleeves look fine to me as well. But the bottom line is how it makes you feel. if you don't feel fab in it and it was fairly pricey, I would send it back and spend the money on something that you like better.

KikiG

Veteran

I'm comparing this to the floral "wedding" dress which was a total 10 on you. That is the standard. This doesn't measure up, although it is a nice enough dress, I don't think it is special enough.

Astrid

Veteran

Kiki, I think you're right. The floral dress for the wedding was really structured in comparison and the waist was defined. (That dress still needs to be taken in, btw. - so that I can wear it this summer.)

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texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I see what you mean Astrid, although I will say in that second set of pics, especially the side shot, it does look really pretty and flattering full length. I'm not sure the sleeves are as good from the front view as you said and if it doesn't feel right, it would never work.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks Texstyle! I agree that the length adds something to it, but I would have no use of a silk dress that length. When I think of all the disgusting things on the sidewalk and on the floors of public transport...

Meredith

Veteran

I wonder if you could use some of the excess from the bottom to do something at the waist (more permanent and less fussy than a belt). I'm not a sewer, so I'm not really sure if that's an option. And that doesn't fix the sleeve issue

AM

Veteran

Too bad. The dress has nice lines but it didn't seem to work. So what's the next dress purchase??

Astrid

Veteran

Meredith, I'm no sewist either and for that price I don't want to reconstruct the whole dress.

AM, we'll see. It's not that I desperately need a new dress, at this moment in time I'm just keeping my eyes open and see what comes my way...

AM

Veteran

I have no sense of "I'm just keeping my eyes open and see what comes my way..." -- I'm a die hard hunter. Perhaps I'm not getting out enough. Haha. You might try searching online for empire waist maxi (I'm not sure I have that line correct)? Just an idea. I don't mean to be an enabler -- really, I did hear you when you said that you don't desperately need a new dress...

Anonymous

The waist is just a seam joining the skirt and the bodice and looks like it should be covered anyway, on anyone who wears it. You could use the fabric from the hem to make a self fabric sash but I can think of many belt colors, finishes and widths that would work and would give the look some structure too.
It's beautiful fabric and overall there's a lot about it that's been done well and fits you well, the sleeves, the drape of the back above the waist, the keyhole opening..

(editing, because I was just looking again at the wedding dress)

The white floral would be easier to wear in my mind than this dark silk because while I wear deodorant, I don't wear antiperspirant. Just thinking that for me this would be the single biggest problem by far.

unfrumped

Veteran

I'm with Diana--I don't think a fine dress should have this type of waist construction. I vote, "next!"

Astrid

Veteran

AM, that's not really the way I can shop right now, or want to. I have very few decently fitting, "appropriate" clothes right now. But I want good quality, fit and fabric in a style that's me and all on a small budget. Right now my thoughts go more along the line would this enable me to be decently dressed, does it work with my style and those it work with most of the few things I already have. I can't afford to narrow my search to very specific items...

Isabel, I don't wear antiperspirant either. I didn't even think of this issue.

Unfrumped, I agree. I'm going to return it.

KikiG

Veteran

Now that you've decided to return it, let me add this. I am absolutely old enough to be your mother; probably, if I had exerted myself a bit, your grandmother. I would feel perfectly comfortable wearing that dress, at my age, only might not choose it, because it might read too mature. Which means we both could do better!

E

Veteran

I'm not big on the cut for you; something about it makes you look like a rectangle, which you're not. Tragic, since I'm sure it's yummy fabric.

Scarlet

Veteran

I love the idea of the style for you. The two things that make me hesitate are the darkness of the color--I think lighter or brighter would be nicer for spring/summer and in the last picture you posted the waist does look high. I don't think the sleeves are unflattering. The picture from the back is so elegant.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

This is a tough one. If it were inexpensive it might be worth tailoring to get it just right but since it is not I am leaning toward return.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What a shame. I am leaning towards Shevia's view. It's lovely from the back, and if it were not expensive I could see playing around with it, but truly, if it doesn't feel good, it's not worth fussing with.

Astrid

Veteran

LOL @ KikiG.

Eva, fabric is yummy. But that shouldn't be my only deciding factor... I think I can see what you mean with the rectangle.

Thanks Scarlet! I thought the was much lighter, so I agree with the comment on darkness.

Suz and Shevia, definitely no experimenting in that price range...

tulle

Veteran

Oh dear, it does sort of swamp you, doesn't it? And cap sleeves can be difficult, though you are certainly young enough to wear them and bare your pretty arms. If you just feel blah about the dress, you'll probably want to return it. But if you love the fabric and the way it feels, I would suggest one experiment before you send it back: find a length of thin dark fabric--even a pair of tights will do--and seriously wrap the waist, obi-style. Then hitch or fold up the hem to get a better sense of the final proportions of the dress. I don't think a thin belt will do the trick for waist definition--you need some real structure. If you like the look of the wide wrapped belt, you could potentially make one out of the yards of silk cut from the hem. A waist seam like this one is meant to be well hidden.

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