K/Return Anthro Tent Dress

Dixie

I recently went to Anthropologie and had great sale findings. I fell in love with the (1) Amara Swing Dress. The top of the dress is really beautiful and detailed. The thing is, it kind of looks like a tent on me. From the front it's great but from the side not so much. I tried wearing it with a belt and it looks puffy. Not the best siluette.

I only own 2 belts so maybe it would look better with other type of belt that I'm not aware of. Maybe I could make a fabric belt. What types of belts could work?

I want you to be truly honest about it. Should I try something else with the styling or should I return it?

As a bonus, I'm showing you a blue dress that was on sale because the zipper was broken. I fixed it and it fits great! Yay!

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Anthropologie

Amara Swing Dress

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Anthropologie

Eclipsed Wrap Dress

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9 years ago

Shopping

15 replies

Latest reply was from Dixie

dakotacheryl

Veteran

I don't think the red dress looks very good with a belt...the flowy style is was it is, and if you don't like it, you won't wear it .

Love the blue one, it really flatters your figure!!

9 years ago

Quietgirl

Veteran

I like the dress (really) and even from the side. It has a look of fresh innocence about it. The color seems perfect for your skin and hair. I like it without the belt

I made this shirtdress last summer. It has lots of volume. Being at YLF for a while, my eye had adjusted to fluid fit and volume. And I have loved wearing it. I have also received lots of compliments on my "baggy" dress. It is especially cool for summer (in cotton)

It IS an adjustment for the eye and the mind. If you do not feel FAB or even comfortable in the cranberry dress, it is not a bargain at any price. The other side of the equation, is your willingness to be adventuresome and try new silhouettes.

I cannot tell you what is best to do, but I can say I like the dress on you!

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9 years ago

Jules

Veteran

I always wonder if there is some better way to cut these types of garments so they look better from the side? I love the front view and unfortunately, I think the belt ruins it (it might be possible to "make it work" with the right belt but it wouldn't be keeping the design integrity of the dress IMHO). My only suggestion, if there are a lot of layers under the dress, is maybe take it to a good tailor/seamstress and see if they think a layer of pouff could be removed and make the difference?

9 years ago

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Well, I vote to return the red dress. IMHO, the high neckline, seam line above your bust, and the fabric "poofing" (although it doens't really poof, just couldn't think of a better word) from this seam, doesn't do you any favours either. You asked!

But the blue one is gorgeous on you. You scored on that one!

9 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

The red dress is gorgeous from the front, but I totally see what you mean about the side view. I think you need to be at peace with the silhouette (knowing that it probably looks much better in motion, if the fabric is flowy and not stiff), or let it go. I don't care for it belted. I think this is the kind of dress most easily worn by less busty ladies.

The blue dress is great on you. That's a much easier silhouette to wear (at least from this hourglass's perspective :-)).

9 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

So I like the tent dress, both ways. Not demure sexy flattering like the second dress, but it's cool.

9 years ago

gardenchick

Veteran

I'm with Janet, also an hourglass who tries not to wear too high a neckline to give my bust some breathing room. In that respect, I like the fit of the blue dress very much (and wish they had one for me too!)

but am not as excited about the red dress.

9 years ago

jackiec

Veteran

Hmm. I agree with Janet. I really like the colour of the red on you. The thing is, if you have to work to hard (ie finding a belt, etc) to wear something, you're probably not going to wear it that much. The fit of the blue is great. Totally different styles.

9 years ago

Dixie

Active Member

quietgirl, That shirt dress looks really good on you! And even if it is baggy, you don’t look big in it. No tent effect.
I do want to experiment, and I want to like it, that’s why I asked here and gave it a second chance before returning it. Although... I think there’s a line between experimenting and looking 20 pounds heavier (in my case with the red dress).

I think I have other baggy clothes that don’t look as big as the dress. It has a lot of fabric so it looks extra-extra baggy.

Jules, I’m considering your suggestion. It has a fabric below and I could ask a seamstress to make it more fitted. That way you could see my actual shape below the sheer top fabric.

Elizabeth P, I know, it doesn’t “poof”, but I have high hips and the dress has a lot of fabric so it creates an extra bulge when I put the belt on. I can’t think of a better word either!

I actually don’t care a high neckline in my busty self, I think a high neckline could look good as long as I have more definition on the waist.

Janet, I agree about the less busty ladies wearing this dress easier.

gardenchick, I’m pretty sure they have one for you too. Go for it!

jackiec, You’re right. I’ve found out that whenever I have too much trouble putting on an outfit, I feel less cool, haha.

Votes:
Nay 5
Yay 3

Last time I went to a party I had a lot of trouble putting an outfit together. None of my button shirts fitted perfectly. I stressed out. I promised myself I wasn’t going to buy any more ill-fitting clothes.

I really LOVE the top of this dress and the colors. But I'm putting a lot of thought on this and maybe it's a sign that it is not going to be an easy garment. I'm gonna return it. Thank you all for your opinion!

9 years ago

Echo

Veteran

Although I am late to the party here, I agree with your decision. The second dress is gorgeous on you. With the first dress, I always love looks like that from the front, but I have a poison eye for the side view. Moreover, if you feel uncomfortable in it or have difficulty styling it, it will likely go unworn and not be worth purchasing.

9 years ago

shiny

Veteran

I just bought a tenty- swing dress myself, and I even took off the tags and wore it already! Ha!

I think this dress looks adorable on you from the front - creates a gamine rectangle shape. From the side, it is what it is. It's falling like that because you have a chest. You may prefer the side view if the dress was hemmed shorter, drawing attention to your legs, and balancing it out with more structure -- which is what bare arms and legs do.

Otherwise, just own it. And swish. And swirl. And remind yourself that people see you in *motion* -- it probably looks just fine when you are moving rather than stuck in still frame.

9 years ago

Dixie

Active Member

shiny, how was your dress? Did you share it here? Do you have big boobs? If so, how did you make the dress work?

8 years ago

tulle

Veteran

The red dress is a hard style for most women to wear, I think, unless they are very flat-chested. If you feel self-conscious about the side view, you will probably not wear it, and might be best returning it--a pity, because the color is lovely on you. Happily, you got lucky with the blue dress: that one is a total winner!

8 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I agree the red one is a little too full in the front. I have this dress from allsaints that is a similar tent shape but it's a more fitted jersey material in front and more voluminous woven silk in the back, which makes the side view more flattering because the jersey part is a little more bodycon.

Love the blue dress. It's so flattering on you!

Your kitty is so cute too!

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8 years ago

Dixie

Active Member

Hey, I wanted to let you know that I thought of a new possibility... UNDERWEAR.

This blogger talks about the different types of bras and how they affect the shape of breasts here.

I think this dress could benefit from less "projection" and a flatter breast profile to minimise the tent effect.

The thing is, the dress will always look like a tent, that's just the style of it, but I'm going to check if I have better luck and can achieve a more flattering profile with different underwear. I have time from here to the weekend to make my mind, anyway.

Diana, you look amazing in your dress!

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8 years ago

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