(ETA: Added More Pics) Which is more JFE?

So summer here is brutal and I've decided that my focus should be on easy breezy outfits. These two dresses allow for air flow, BUT I am a bit sensitive about appearing pregnant.

So help me decide which is more JFE.

On left: maxi dress in navy and white from Macy's
PROS:
Nice weight jersey that feels soft and cool
Flowy, asymmetrical top detracts from appleness
Maxi length is still suitable for grass sitting at the park and I can tie it up a little to offset the uni-leg look.

CONS
VPL
Possible pilling

On right: swing dress from Loft

PROS:
Nice weight material
Stripes keep your eyes moving
Pockets!
Extra fullness keeps air flowing and has movement

CONS:
Could be mistaken for maternity dress

In my head, the swing dress is more fun, but maybe I'm delusional on how it actually looks.

So, which to keep or return both?

Thanks so much for casting your vote!

ETA: I mentioned above that I could offset the Uni-leg look. Here's my rose tie in pics 4 & 5. I had to play with the exposure so that you could see the detail more.

Angie: This swing dress is a S and I did try the XS, but the arm holes were tight and I didn't think one size down reduced the extra fabric by much.

This post has 5 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

8 years ago

Adelfa

Veteran

To me dress #1 looks really elegant and flattering, a lot more special than #2.

Mellllls

hands down #1 is more flattering.

annabelle

Another one for one.

Peri

Another vote for #1... More than JFE, that is completely flattering!

kkards

fyi- I got a great maxi last year with pockets at target, I bet they have one again this year.
Anyway, of those 2, I like #1 best. IMO #2 seems to be wanting leggings under it, which would defeat your purpose

dashielle (Ann)

(website)

One more for #1, and you look lovely in it AJ!

kellygirl

Love 1 on you!

Echo

#1 is without doubt a VERY flattering dress. Love it.

Joy

Another vote for #1. If it isn't breezy enough, you could have it shortened.

Whoops, I see now that I didn't answer your question AJ! #2 is JFE and #1 is F

Angie

Fashion Stylist

#1 has "uni-leg".

I'm such a spanner. I much prefer #2. More fun for sure and to my eye more flattering. We can see your gorgeous legs. Have you tried a size down in the shorter frock, AJ?

Rubygirl

Active Member

Stepping up and placing my vote for number 1.. Hands down. I love that dress, I would love to have it for myself

Anonymous

Number 1 makes you look a little narrower but a little like you should be standing on a column in a museum. It's flattering, but it's not exactly fun, it's more trendy, and less likely to be worn often.
Number 2 is much cuter and fresher and I think it looks great. If I could only get one, I'd get that one.
They're really not the same type of dress.

I like #1 best. The drape of it is flattering from all sides. To answer your question about #2, it does not look like a maternity dress to me, but it does seem a bit big on you. I want to take it and put darts on the side so it will have a bit more shape across the front beneath your chest, which would mess up the flow of the stripes.

Since you're looking for maximizing breeziness, a belt probably would defeat the purpose of the dress.

I second Angie's suggestion for trying a size smaller for #2.

Kirstjen

I really prefer #2. I know I'm in the minority, but I think it looks more fun, stylish, and cool. I also think that it has a lot of potential for accessories - a sweater or jacket if it's cooler, a belt, a great statement necklace or a pendant, any kind of hat.

I also like that it shows your legs, which I think is a fresher look than the maxi dress, and shows off your shoes.

celia

#2 is more fun. Although #1 might be more elongating .

Sal

I think they both look great and suitable for your purpose. I would go with the one that you like the best, and if you want long or not.

I don't see the unileg in 1, I find it slightly more flattering but I suspect you may pull for 2 more being shorter and more fun.

Wow! #1 has the majority vote! I do agree with y'all that it is flattering, but I think Isabel nailed it when she said that I look like I should be standing on a column in a museum. LOL! I couldn't quite place what it was that felt off to me since it is a flattering dress.

As I mentioned in my ETA above, I did try the swing dress one size down which is XS. The arm holes were tight and there still was a lot of extra fabric, plus it was a lot shorter.

@kirstjen - I didn't think about the accessory/topper possibilities! The swing dress can take me into the fall whereas the maxi dress is more specific to spring/summer.

Jaime

I think #2 will have much less of a pregnancy effect when you are in motion and it will be cooler and more fun to wear.

Firecracker (Sharan)

I prefer #1, but I think they both look good. I wonder if you might not have a use for both of them.
Also, I think side-view photos are of limited use, because they are soooo hard to look good in, and no one looks at us like that. So I would disregard how the side photos look.

tulle

It's hard to compare these two, as they seem made for very different occasions and moods, so I'd be inclined to take both, if possible. That said, I love the first look on you; it's graceful and flatteringly draped, and the diagonal stripes are elongating. Nothing about it says "maternity" --or JFE, for that matter--to me. I get Isabel's comment about belonging on a column in a museum, and that's exactly why I think this suits you so well: it looks feminine in a timeless, elegantly archaic way,

catgirl

1 is more conventionally flattering and I love it. 2 is more JFE to my eye.

Summer

I prefer 1. which looks very elegant on you.

Aquamarine

Fan of #1 here! I love it on you.

The second dress might look better in motion, but to me the stripes are angled in such a way to cause the dress to appear like a maternity dress when you are not moving. So if that is a concern, I agree with you.

Elizabeth P

I really like the first one. But long dresses can be warm, not "breezy"

To bring up something others haven't, I think the lower neckline on the first one suits you much better than the second. That's what bothers me about that dress, not the "pregnant" factor. Which I dont think you should worry about, by the way. You don't, and this will disappear when in motion.

jackiec

I like both. #2 seems like it would be cooler in the heat, but I loooooooooove the diagonal line of #1

Beth Ann

Loading a moving van today, so I've not read the other comments ---

#2 is awesome! Swing silhouettes are great for summer, and everyone shows off a baby bump these days, so no one will automatically assume you're preggers!

Lucy

I love #1 which I think is super flattering. Long and lean! #2 is fine, but just not as striking to my mind.
Mind you, aren't navy and white stripes always fab? So cute.

Carole

I prefer 1, it just seems more flattering on you...xo

Category