Lots of questions about this dress - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Lots of questions about this dress

Maya

Veteran

I thought this was a kind of no-brainer, universally flattering dress, but I'm not so sure about it so I wanted to ask. The main thing I'm concerned about is that it shows my tummy bulge and I do NOT appreciate that.

You can see it clearly here:

http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....G_1520.jpg

A little bit here:

http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....G_1518.jpg

Not so much here:

http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....G_1517.jpg

I'm also not crazy about how big it makes my chest look, but it's going to look big no matter what. However, that means I really do need a cami (if I decide to keep it). I'm just not sure what color the cami should be. I think it's going to be darn near impossible to find one that is exactly the color of the pinky-mauvey trim. What else would work?

Please tell me if I shouldn't even bother keeping it. I will not be disappointed if the answer is no.

Dressing

26 replies

Latest reply was from Maya

Tanya

Veteran

I actually like the dress on you Maya, I think that you are way too harsh on yourself. So yes, I would keep it, unless you have many more dresses of that level of dressiness that you feel more comfortable in.

As for the cami color, how about something neutral, like gray or navy or black?

Nicole

Veteran

I like the dress too. I don't see any tummy bulge. You have a very flat tummy. I think it looks great on your bust--and a cami would make it less revealing--but if you had a special occasion event that you wanted to look a little more sexy, I think it would be okay to wear it w/out the cami.

It's hard to tell what color the dress in from your photo--I'm thinking it looks chocolate brown to me. I'd just go shopping with the dress in hand and hold it up to different colored camis (or shop in your closet to see if you already have someting that might work).

I also want to say that I agree with Tanya that you are y too harsh on yourself. You are hyper-critical of yourself. You are young and beautiful and have a great body. If I could go back to my 20's, the one thing I'd do differently is appreciate my body. I spent way too much of my time over analyzing every little part of my body--when I look back at those photos, I realize now that I was hot. Don't spend your youth wishing for something other than what you are. Sometimes when I start worrying about how I look at 40, I remind myself that in 10 years, I'll wish I had the skin of a 40 year old!

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

I cannot see the color of the dress that clearly, the shape is nice on you. If the dress is brown, how about a turquoise blue cami? A cami might make you feel more comfortable in the dress. It is very pretty on you!

Maya

Veteran

The color of the dress is clearer here:

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com.....prepushId=

It's a muted reddish purple.

I do not dress sexy, ever, even when it's okay to do so. It's just not my style. So for me to keep this dress I would really need to wear a cami all the time. It's just such a hard color to work with, especially with the trim. Would white work?

Also, I don't mean to be hard on myself, but I don't want to be unrealistic either. I can see the tummy bulge quite clearly, and I KNOW I do not have a flat tummy. Even my mom could see it, so I'm not going to deny that it isn't there, because it is...and it's not unexpected post-holidays. So I'd rather just admit it and do something about it than deny it/pretend everything is great and perfect and just let it get worse. I just wasn't sure whether it's something that's bad enough to return the dress over, and it doesn't sound like it is, so assuming I can find an appropriate cami to wear under it, I'll keep it.

Nicole

Veteran

How about black or cream?

Maya

Veteran

Would black really work? It just seems so deadening to me.

And specifically cream? I have a white cami but not cream.

Lee Hovey

I would wear a less neutral color that is complementary, then use accessories to tie it in. For example I think a chocolate brown (neutral I know, but would pop against the pink trim), or even navy!

Then you could also be more adventurous with accessories. Instead of sticking to the mauve/purplish color, you could go for a navy flat, or brown shoes and pink jewelry.

taylor

Veteran

If you are not completly comfortable about the fit....Have you thought about adding a jacket to this cute dress, one that nips in at the waist..or a cardigan? It may change the overall look more to your liking.

Maya

Veteran

I won't be wearing a cardi or jacket with it in the summer. It really has to look good on its own. I think I just need to stop being so lazy and do something about the pooch...

I have both navy shoes AND a navy cami. Might be worth a shot.

shana

Veteran

If you couldn't find a mauve cami (doesn't have to match the trim exactly, does it?), how about go for more contrast with a pale yellow cami?

As for your stomach "bump" - is that just a creation of the empire waist tie being tied a little too tight? Or perhaps the wrong undergaments? It's hardly noticeable but if you feel really self-conscious about it, maybe you should return the dress. I know when you have a short waist, any little bulge can be very disheartening or make you look pregnant.

Nicole, I so agree with you about being super critical in your 20's! I remember doing the very same thing - at 25, I was obsessed with have a six-pack and I spent all my time doing crunches to no avail. Looking back, my body was amazing - even without the six-pack! Now after the ravages of child-birth and age, my motto is to just enjoy the present - saggy baby belly and all!

Maya

Veteran

The tummy bulge is all me and my luxurious holiday food, Shana. The tie is actually tied very loosely. Like I said, I *know* I have a tummy and I know I have it due to my own behavior. I don't feel guilty about it, but I won't pretend it's not there or that I shouldn't do something about it. It has never been flat, but I know best when I'm getting a bit out of control.

I need to find a yellow cami. The one I have is old and needs to be retired. But I can't seem to find the right yellow. I prefer a golden yellow or a very bright yellow...but I keep finding buttery pastel yellows or muddy yellows.

I like things to either match or not match. Anything in between looks like a mistake to me. I don't think I'd get a mauve cami for this dress even if it was the perfect shade, only because I doubt I'd wear it with anything else. But I think I'd prefer a contrasting color.

Antje

Veteran

I'm glad you decided to keep the dress, Maya, you look SO cute in it! And I predict that everyone will just look at your fab slim legs anyway, not at the tiny belly bulge!
With regards to the cami, I agree with Nicole's suggestion: Take the dress shopping with you, and go to a place with lots of cami color options. Express and Nordies BP dept come to mind, but I'd also check out J Jill. They have good quality camis, and in different colors than the first two stores. They might well have something in mauve, it's worth a try.

Amanda

Maya -- I really like the dress and agree that you should take the dress out to find the right cami. My first thought was chocolate brown. Also, I tend to carry way in my belly instead of evenly dispersed around my hips and abdomen so I also often feel self-conscious about belly bulge. Because of that, I used to avoid dresses. But I've recently decided that even though I definitely have a belly bulge, it really is less noticeable to everyone else. I am looking for dresses that drape rather than cling, but I've decided to just wear dresses and enjoy them and not worry if my belly shows a bit. Of course, I could actually be disciplined and get a flatter tummy through exercise but we all have flaws, that's one of mine.

Maya

Veteran

Well, my tummy has always been my reliably sweet spot. Between a big chest and a big bum, I could count on a fairly fit middle. So to lose that really is a bummer and I'm set on doing something about it. I know dressing well means accepting the body you have, but I don't believe in being complacent, especially when I know my own actions were the cause.

I like Lee's idea of choosing a contrasting color and then picking the color up elsewhere. I'll see what Angie has to say.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Angie says the dress is utterly adorable on ever so cute Maya. I like the idea of a red or cream cami under this frock. BP has both colours. I vote keep the dress.

Maya

Veteran

Red! I must say I am a bit surprised at that choice. Did you see the color of the actual dress on the website? Everyone told me it looks brown in my picture, so I just wanted to make sure. I do not have a red cami so I'll have to try it and see.

paige

Member

Have you ever tried Spanx? They make lots of different tummy control underwear. My favorite for dresses like this one is their Higher Power panty. The "waist band" goes all the way up to mid-back and tucks under the bra so you have great (but breathable) control and no bulge in the middle from the waist band cutting into the tummy. They run about $30 at Nordstroms or Chicos and they really smooth things out. They can be worn with trousers as well. My Spanx have breathed new life into a lot of items in my closet.

Also, if you know you'll never wear the dress without some coverage on the cleavage, you might consider having an insert of fabric sewn in behind the "V" of the neckline. I find my dresses like this one of yours drape better with less layering/bulk of camis and such. Hope that bit helps!

Nicole

Veteran

If I had to give your dress color a name, I'd call it raisin.

anne

Veteran

Maya,

I am going to be in the minority here and the bearer of bad news, but actually - I agree with you on the tummy bulge. It would hardly be consistent of me to say otherwise, given other threads of mine recently. Actually I have a dress with the same issue I may show sometime.

I can understand your frustration about getting a bulge there when you are used to that part being your "sweet point". I felt it a bit when pregnant - went from being generously proportioned in the thigh and buttom with a skinny waist to being just big everywhere (obviously after a few months it is clear what is going on when you are pregnant so the analogy falls through)

I found, at least in my 20's, that the "belly bulge" is the easiest type of weight to lose when you have a pear or hourglass figure, much easier than off the hips.
You aren't planning to wear this dress until summer are you? I am sure it will be just fine by then!

Oh BTW, I do really like the dress

anne

Veteran

PS I feel quite a frump compared to most people here, so feel free to disregard the above!

Inge

(website)

I agree, please do keep the dress Maya. It's fun and you look cute and ready for Summer in it. Since you say you'll always be wearing it with a cami underneath, that will smooth out your little tummy too (I'm self-conscious about that too, but like Aj, I'm determined to wear loads of Summer dresses - if I can find some - this year;-).

I immediately thought of teal, cream and light grey. (on my monitor the dress seems more like a brownish burgundy, but I'm taking into account that it has more of a reddish undertone).
Cream: because I suspect that white might be a little stark, but do try that too.
I like the idea of using a contrasting colour as well, and if you get a few different camis, you'll get a different look each time.

Other possibilities:
A mint green like this LS T-shirt (they call it mineral green)
http://www.gap.com/browse/prod.....pid=581440

This one in castlerock - or another muted greyish green
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....3&P=3

This one in Pacifica, or maybe even the I feel teal
http://www.oldnavy.com/browse/.....=507590692

Maybe a slate grey like the Lead Pipe here
http://www.oldnavy.com/browse/.....=647736032

This one in Teal luster or Winter green
http://www.oldnavy.com/browse/.....=572712142

On my monitor the Wild rose looks a lot like the trim on your dress, so if you'd like to match it, this might be an option
http://www.gap.com/browse/prod.....=504284282

By the way, you were asking about stores where you could shop for more Summer dresses. Were Mango and Esprit mentioned? And, I don't know anything about Delia's, but they seem to have fun dresses now:
http://store.delias.com/browse.....oryID=2022

Lee Hovey

Someone mentioned spanx.... I adore spanx for wearing dresses! For one I almost never wear dresses, but sometimes life requires it. I don't know if I actually have a pooch (maybe more like muffin top), but I certainly have one in my mind!

So I would also recommend the spanx, if only to make you feel less self-conscious, because as we know you will never look good in something unless you for comfortable and confident in it.

Also, they have a less expensive brand of spanx at Target, called ASSETS by Sara Blakeley. These are the ones I live by for dresses!
http://www.target.com/ASSETS-S.....038;page=2

Violet

Maya, I really like the dress on you. I think a cream or pink cami that matches the trim around the dress would look good. Not sure if you shop at Forever 21, but they have camis in lots of different colors and really good prices.

Ariadne

Veteran

Maya, since you asked us to be honest, I'm going to be the odd one out and say I don't care for the dress. The style doesn't do anything for me; it seems a bit boring. I can see the tummy bulge you speak of, but if you're not planning to wear it for a while, the bulge may disappear

tarzy

Veteran

I think you look great in this dress. It's cute and youthful and I imagine would be easy and cool to wear on a spring or summer day. Yes, you have a little bulge. So what? It's a normal person's body. Doesn't look bad at all. You look very cute in this dress, and it makes your legs look fantastic!

Maya

Veteran

What would your idea of an interesting dress be, Brianna? I'm just curious. I know it's a very safe silhouette, but I don't really have the body to do a lot of experimentation ( I can barely pull off the "safe" dress). I guess some patterning might help, but most patterns are too big for me and I don't like the look of small ditsy-looking patterns, so that's why I always go for solids.

I liked this dress because it is mostly a clean slate and I can easily add to it and change it up with accessories. I am a weird hourglass in that I generally have a hard time finding dresses that are flattering...but when I do find them, they are very flattering. This is the first in-between dress I have come across. Most either look awful on me or look fantastic on me with no middle ground.

Anyway, I'm going to keep it--for now. I have a few weeks to decide. My feeling is that all dresses are going to show my tummy bulge at this point, unless they're very structured, which is not what I want for summer. So I will keep my eyes peeled for a better one, but if they all have that same problem, then I'll know there isn't much I can do about it as far as clothes go. Hopefully by summer it will be gone, or at least less prominent. I have not tried Spanx but I don't think I would want to wear them with all my clothes when it's 90 degrees out =\ This is just one reason I do not like summer fashion nearly as much as winter/fall, and why my self-esteem seems to plummet in the warmer months--you can't hide anything.