Longer length dresses--try/fail/maybe ETA : AT decision added

Always hoping to find a dress at that elusive bottm-of-knee/just-below knee length, here are fails/try/maybe.

The first is the fail and yet so close! This Anthro dress is gorgeous yet meant for a slimmer, straigher figure. So close, because the print colors are very face-glowy and it has an elegant but not-too-fancy look.

#2 from I am going to try due to length and appearance of ease of fit. The largely cream color is not as much my palette though it's pretty. Will see. It might look too much like Maria when she danced with the Captain.

#3 from LOFT is a maybe because I brought one home to see if I could style with toppers for air-conditioning, and what kind of footwear, including bare legs. I found with my Vince dress that this blouson style can work--some waist definition but forgiving, and often offered in this swingy but not too-long length. The Vince dress is polyester and can be sweaty in some situations such as the outdoors. This would be a casual, low-stakes dress for if I want to blend in with the summer dress crowd, including being willing to go sleeveless, so will have to give it some thought.

ETA: I tried the Ann Taylor cream print dress in 3 sizes and could potentially still need another size but I've decided to return it.

Maybe I'm crazy--it ticks SO many boxes: a high neckline, sleeves, a fitted waist (it's a bit above my waist, but not by much, so a rarity), a swirly forgiving skirt, is poly but a comfortable-feeling poly.

So what's wrong? Well, it just looks too girlish on me. My reference to Julie Andrews' blue party frock in The Sound of Music was intentional,and that's kind of how it feels to me. Instead of being all elegant and chic, it feels like something I might have worn years ago. It's not bad-looking at all--just not right. A secondary thing is the color--its JFE because is a warm cream and the red is bricky red but the blue in the print cools it off. So if had been my dream image the print would not have been a deal-breaker.

So, am I right to follow my instincts or do I have not only an imaginary lifestyle, but an imaginary style image?

Anthropologie

Maura Sheath

$348.00 $49.95

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Ann Taylor

Floral Lace Trim Midi Dress

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Loft

Ink Blot Blouson Dress

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8 years ago

Anonymous

I do really like the look of the Anne Taylor dress. Perhaps colour-wise, would the Loft be more versatile? I can see it looking great under jackets. With the Ann Taylor could you accessorise and pick out the colours in the dress that are more you? I really like the pattern on it.

unfrumped

Veteran

Hi Diane G. I'm hoping the AT might work. I actually ordered it in both P and regular size for different lengths--though often the P then is too short-waisted, and this style appears be a slightly high-waisted style.
Unless the color just washes me out, this will be a fit-test issue--if it is flattering, then I would keep it due to it's being rather a HEWI. Still polyester though.

The LOFT dress is not as dressy but I am likely to keep it if it as an inexpensive casual dress if makes it through the home-mirror test. As yo say, it is probably versatile in that my hope is it would work with cardi's in black, white, most any fun color; jean jackets; even a casual blazer. Footwear is still always the bane of my existence with dresses but for non-work, I can bare my toes in the right kind of sandals, or wear espadrille-type.

Elle

I like the prints of both the Ann Taylor and the Loft dresses. The black and white print would be easier to transition to fall but the other has the advantage of sleeves! The Ann Taylor dress has to be dry cleaned - is that a problem for you?

Elle, I generally expect to have to dry clean most dressy dresses so it's not a deal-breaker for dresses for weddings or other "nice" events, expecially indoors, since I would not have to dryclean after each wear (usually!).

ETA: Tried the AT dress and decided against with long rationale added in the original post.

summersnyder

Member

The long dress looks quite stylish and comfortable.

Suz

(website)

For my own personal style the AT would be far too girlish. So I can see why it would feel that way to you. I have a friend who is close to my age who would very happily (and attractively) wear that dress -- she just has a much more feminine style. I am not sure it is age completely, but it's not your Kibbe type, maybe. Anyway, it isn't mine. I can't imagine an occasion where I would feel comfortable wearing it.

Joy

I really like the Anthro dress and was seriously considering it when I looked at the back. It's for someone younger than I am. I see what you mean about the AT dress.

Maneera

I agree. Love these dresses in theory, but they all seem to be way too feminine even for me (and I do love feminine floral dresses!) I think you should look for a stylized floral if you're after a floral dress. Personally, if I am going to spend big bucks on a dress, I prefer solid colours or even a two-tone dress. Then I can use floral accessories for a feminine look if I please or keep my accessories more classic and lady-like. I often end up loving clothes that would look just as good (and appropriate) on me if I were 55 years old. All my fitted dresses are solid colours.

When I buy floral prints, I buy them in playful fit and flare cuts and wear them short (few inches above the knee). I don't intend to wear these dresses for very long so I don't spend as much on them either.

Suz, Joy, and Maneera--thanks for chiming in for confirmation. I think I felt so ungrateful, since it has been so hard to find dresses that work on me. Hence do mostly separates, even wearing pencil-skirt outfits to dressy events.

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