The dress everyone (but me) hates - YouLookFab Forum

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The dress everyone (but me) hates

N-Marie

Veteran

I bought this dress on a whim while shopping in Marshalls. It was on deep discount and something about it appealed to me, even though it is probably the wrong style for my IT shoulders. It got a big thumbs down from my mom and a "meh" from my husband. Even the baby cried when he saw me modeling it (mostly kidding, I think he was just hungry).
It is admittedly a departure from my normal California-casual style. I was envisioning a date night dress.
What do the wise minds of YLF think? Do I have sale-goggles for this dress?

Try to ignore the background, my daughter's room has the only mirror with good lighting.

Urgent

16 replies

Latest reply was from Jaime

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I don't dislike it but don't think it's date night material either. It looks too conservative to me, like something you would wear to court or a memorial service (not meant ironically or as an insult -- we all need dresses like this from time to time).

Suzanne (ambergreen)

Veteran

I like it, though it might be a hair big on you? It would fit with a dressier style, yes...if you visited the east coast it would work well. But then, it has a 60s vibe that I always like. But CocoLion could have a point...this might be better as a day dress for that dressier style?

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I like it - colorblock but subtle, reminiscent of 60s mod. It does strike me as more of an office day dress, not a date night dress. And do the shoulders fit? They look a little off in the pics but that might just be you holding the phone.

Zibbets

Veteran

What's the fabrication of the silvery panels? Are they sequined?

I agree with ambergreen that it might be a teensy bit too big. Taking it in and shortening it a touch might make it date night worthy, but as is, it's not making the most of your great figure.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh dear. It's never fun when we get flack from the family about purchases.

I don't dislike the dress but I do wonder if the fit is just right on you, and I agree with the others in not seeing this as a date-night sort of dress. It seems like a great dress for someone who worked in a fairly conservative office, or if you needed to go to a memorial service or similar.

Do you think you might be gesturing towards your "fantasy life" with this purchase?

When I joined YLF I wanted to buy lots of pencil skirts. If I worked in an office I would probably be wearing pencil skirts every day.

But I don't work in an office...

rachylou

Veteran

What?! Well, I could certainly use this dress in both office and milling in Hipsterville.

But I guess neither of those is, well, a man-catching situation. Hehe.

N-Marie

Veteran

I think you have all hit the nail on the head. I work from home (mostly writing at a desk) and am constantly surrounded by kids - maybe in an alternative career I would need a "power-dress", but it's certainly not very practical for me right now. I do travel for business, but this wouldn't really fit in a business travel capsule. And it some seem stuffy for a a date night dress- the overlay is a knit material, nothing sparkly.

It is admittedly tough for me to get a good fit in a woven sheath-style dress. I have broad shoulders and a pretty wide ribcage- I definitely could not have gone a size down in this dress (and been able to zip it up).

abc

Veteran

I think the length keeps it in the business-y realm too. What about shortening it a few inches? Just an idea.

cheryl

Veteran

I'm the oddball here because I really like it and think it looks great on you. Fashion is so subjective lol.

unfrumped

Veteran

I like it on you, but not for what you say you need. I don't think it's funereal, but it reads very business-like. I would like this type of dress (except for cap sleeves) for work, and maybe with less classic shoes to keep it fresh, though I'm not good at that for sure.. And on you, I think it would need to be a tad shorter, as suggested, due to the style, as opposed to a true midi dress or floaty skirt.
So, for date night, I think you have to keep looking!

Greyscale

Veteran

I like it but agree with all of the above.

But also, wanted to say that your IT shoulders look just like my IT shoulders, and I don't think you should rule out that style of sleeves/armholes. They might emphasize your shoulders a bit but I don't think that's a bad thing. My concern with the fit is that the grey panel looks wider than ideal for you. I agree with folks above who said it might just be too big.

Nicole D

Veteran

It's a little Mad Men - in a good way. I would love to see how it looked a bit shorter.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I'm glad (well not glad exactly) to see someone else has the rib cage issue with dresses. I thought it was just me. I often have an issue that for the dress to zip over my rib cage, it will end up being too be somewhere else (usually bust).

Gigi

Veteran

I think it's OK, but nothing to write home about. I too think that the fit looks a little "off" somehow. Quite honestly, I would take it back and put the money toward another purchase. I think that the sales goggles are having their effect!

avicennia

Veteran

I agree with Cheryl (now there are two oddballs!), I really like it. I don't see the fit problems the others are seeing. I have IT shoulders myself and would absolutely wear it. It has a mod/retro and yet polished quality that suggests it could be used both for formal/business events and date night at an upscale restaurant. It will just depend on how you style it.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I can see what you like about the dress but it does seem a difficult fit with your lifestyle.