https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 17 Apr 2026 23:15:21 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education/page/2#post-2065051 Sun, 29 Sep 2019 19:38:22 +0000 Roxanna 2065051@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A style blogger I read one wore that women over 40 can look like they are going to tea with the vicar in these kinds of dresses if they don't edge then up in some way, and I have find that to be very true. You do a fabulous job here of making this dress week for you - and your collection of midi dress always inspires me! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2065009 Sun, 29 Sep 2019 14:07:36 +0000 Bijou 2065009@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Column - thank you for your analysis. Structure is my best friend and so it makes sense that removing excess fabric and showing skin is going to improve the structure on the midi dress.</p> <p>Theodora - Barbie is cute in her yellow dress - I fear that on me it would not look so good! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2065006 Sun, 29 Sep 2019 13:48:59 +0000 Theodora 2065006@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Brilliant save! Nothing better than making a lemon into lemonade. But I totally want that yellow dress ! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2065000 Sun, 29 Sep 2019 11:55:54 +0000 Column 2065000@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for giving us a master class for free, Bijou! In addition to the v-neck in the (enviably beautiful) first dress, I note that it also has 3/4 length sleeves, which expose your wrists. Showing more leg in the second dress accomplishes the goal of removing excess fabric AND showcasing more skin both at once. </p> <p>I have to be careful with volume on the bottom, too, or at least trick it with a longer leg line, skin exposure, a bias cut that collapses back on the body, etc. That seems so counter-intuitive to an hourglass/pear shape, but it is true. Skinny bottoms can (gulp) be my friend!</p> <p>It took me a while to understand why skin = structure. Structure is a narrow point, a part of the garment that fits perfectly to the body. What fits more perfectly to the body or is more narrow than the body itself? This gets trickier as we age, since we likely will want to show less skin. But I have learned that ankles and wrists still count. Well done; you always look beautiful! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2064956 Sun, 29 Sep 2019 02:45:44 +0000 Bijou 2064956@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Angie </b>- the comparison between the two dresses really helped me understand why two superficially similar dresses looked so different on. <b>Nemosmom</b> makes a great point about prints too. It is so good to reflect on WHY things don't work to help not make the same mistakes over again.</p> <p><b>JAileen</b> - the width was bigger all through the skirt and the extra material made it so overwhelming. It is interesting that smaller details like this make all the difference.</p> <p><b>LisaP</b> - We don't want to get me started on my issues with pleated skirts. The pleating from the waist, my lack of height and wide hips - make for a difficult situation to get those skirts to work on me. At least you have lovely slim legs and hips. There is absolutely no point in buying something that we don't feel fab in.</p> <p><b>Nemosmom</b> - such a good insight about prints. That is probably why the aqua dress is great (a soft colour and no print) and get the busy print and bold stripe details made the other dress way too much for me.</p> <p><b>Opaline</b> - so glad you like the aqua colour and styling of the altered TP dolly dress for the weekend.</p> <p><b>Cardiff Girl</b> - I think I will avoid this Boden dress style in the future. Glad I am not the only one that had this problem.</p> <p><b>Rachy</b> - I fee a bit sorry for those dolls, all dressed up and left in the toilet!</p> <p><b>Cocolion</b> - that is so fun that you can still buy one of these and that people make them for craft fairs.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Sal </b>- you make a good point about midi dresses being trickier than other styles. If I can get a shift dress to fit, then it is usually such an easy option.</p> <p><b>Joy</b> - I have never had my colours done and wondered if I should. Thanks for sharing your experience.</p> <p><b>Jenni </b>- yes midis are a challenge on those of us who are shorter. You do look wonderful in your Bali dress - I bet that will be wonderful for your trip to Vietnam.</p> <p><b>Kathie </b>- glad you think I don't look like the doll!</p> <p><b>Shevia </b>- yes paying for our education is a great concept and a good way to look at how we do have to learn lessons in life.</p> <p><b>Brooklyn </b>- a shame about the PC dress, but at least now you know why it is not working for you and can avoid the situation in the future. I bet you will convert that dress into something even more lovely and the bonus is that it will be unique to you.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2064951 Sun, 29 Sep 2019 02:14:15 +0000 Brooklyn 2064951@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’ve had a similar experience with a Peruvian Connection dress. Too long, too voluminous in the skirt. I had it taken up and in but it’s still not quite right. I think it’s also too short in the waist. I probably should not have kept it. Sigh! But I will work something out. Maybe it will end up a skirt.</p> <p>Your dress turned out great. Persistence paid off! And the blue dress is fabulous on you too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2064938 Sun, 29 Sep 2019 01:30:44 +0000 Jaime 2064938@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for the laughs! You do look divine in both dresses in their current state and your summary of why is very helpful. Yes paying for our education is a very catchy concept, isn't it? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2064919 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 22:20:51 +0000 Kathie 2064919@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m so glad I clicked on this thread. Picture #7 is the best:). The alteration on the Boden dress makes it perfect for you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2064918 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 22:16:12 +0000 Jenni NZ 2064918@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well you are very funny today! I agree about missing Cindy when she is away from the forum, she just has a fabulous way of writing that is not quite the same as anyone else. I miss Suntiger too if she doesn’t write for a few days because I love her *carries off* comments, like baby Suntiger does.<br /> This is why I prefer B&amp;M shopping. I know there is more choice online, but I am lucky to live in our largest city with a lot of retail brands. I just can’t tell what something will be like online very well, except for shoes sometimes and even then the colour may be slightly different. How the garment will look on my 5 foot 1&amp;1/2 inch body is going to be so different to how it is pictured on a usually tall model. May partly explain why the only 2 casual maxi dresses I have bought in the past decade were both made in Indonesia, where the ladies are all short like me. I bought one in Cairns and the other in Bali.<br /> I think you have learned a good lesson about what kind of midi suits you from this effort. I am pretty much avoiding them because I think on a short person it is hard to make them work without heels. And I only want to wear very low heels now, which I am slightly sad about. I was never a really high heels person but did like moderately high ones which helped a bit with my shortness as well :(<br /> The altered dress looks great on you but wow, you cut off a lot of fabric!<br /> And the Barbie in the yellow is just the cutest. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2064914 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 21:58:37 +0000 Anonymous 2064914@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That was an excellent save of your midi dress. Both look lovely on you.<br /> Your and Cindy’s posts about fashion education were great. My expensive education was paying money to have my colors done. What a waste. If one pays attention, they can do a much more accurate job just noting what different shades do to your complexion and eyes. How do they make you feel? Alive and full of energy or dreary and dragging? The ones in between take more time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2064913 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 21:47:07 +0000 Anonymous 2064913@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I had to look again. You really do wear the midi so, so well.</p> <p>I am in love with that pale turquoise color, it’s just been incorporated into a new painting. Thx! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2064909 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 21:24:45 +0000 Sal 2064909@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your blue dress is perfect and gorgeous on you.&nbsp; The second dress is great with the alterations and I can see how the adjustments have made it work.&nbsp; &nbsp; You look super in a midi but I guess it is a finer line than maybe with other items between a success and (maybe not a toilet roll doll but not a success).</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2064908 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 21:07:56 +0000 CocoLion 2064908@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Picture 1 is so beautiful. &nbsp;The dress is beautifully retro and the red pumps are unexpected and so perfect!</p> <p>Your writing is funny. &nbsp;I live in such a country bumpkin town that at our annual craft fair, I still see crotched toilet paper holders for sale. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2064896 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 19:36:19 +0000 rachylou 2064896@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lol... now I have a vision of you standing on the toilet tank... hello family! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2064895 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 19:36:04 +0000 Cardiff girl 2064895@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tee hee ,l ve had this experience in a Boden dress as well so you are not alone.Looks great now that you have had it altered and the blue dress is gorgeous on you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2064882 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 18:40:29 +0000 Anonymous 2064882@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>-not implying you’re round!<br /> Just emphasizing I am. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2064874 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 18:26:30 +0000 Anonymous 2064874@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ha!! The ubiquitous TP Dolly! Trust, you look nothing like that. Ever!<br /> The dresses look amazing on you. Both are beautiful. I think #4 is just the best. Looks super fun/fresh styled that way.</p> <p>I completely understand the midi trickiness. I am a lot rounder than you and only 5’4”!<br /> Although I still go for high round pleats or gathers sometimes because these hips aren’t gonna look small either way, lol!</p> <p>These are great lessons you’ve learned. I am taking heed. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2064873 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 18:25:54 +0000 nemosmom 2064873@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hilarious post! Thank you for sharing!&nbsp; I love how you were able to save the print dress with a good hack. I struggle to wear prints - I feel like I'm wearing a tablecloth. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2064868 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 17:27:35 +0000 Anonymous 2064868@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I smiled all the way through this post . I tried on a long pleated midi skirt the other and felt the same way . I’m your height ( although likely twice your size) but our height makes getting these types of dresses and skirts very tricky. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2064856 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 16:39:53 +0000 JAileen 2064856@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Both dresses look wonderful on you. The length of skirt you took off is amazing. The extra width doesn’t seem that much more, but I guess it was just enough to go from fine to too much. How smart you are to figure this out! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2064843 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 15:50:13 +0000 Angie 2064843@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You crack me up......"toilet roll holder dolly" :)</p> <p>And are SOOO ADORABLE.&nbsp;</p> <p>The lessons learned here are invaluable<b> Bijou</b>, and WELL DONE for following through on them. Both dresses are KILLER, and you've styled them perfectly - like you always do! The red with the turquoise is mega yummy!&nbsp;</p> <p>Trust me, I've paid for my fashion &amp; style education over the years. I have to learn the hard way apparently. But I DO learn, and don't make many mistakes anymore.&nbsp;</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2064814 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 13:49:06 +0000 Bijou 2064814@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Sterling</b> - those toilet roll dolls were all the rage when I was a kid, not that I wanted to grow up and be one.</p> <p><b>Vildy</b> - circle long skirts are not good on me either.</p> <p><b>Karie</b> - I am glad you like the altered dress - once given the chop it had to be a keeper.</p> <p><b>kkards </b>- Yes, some lessons can be expensive! I think I will stay away from midid dresses for now and just wear and enjoy the ones I have.</p> <p><b>Jane</b> - yes shortening up the Boden dress has made it more casual and therefore more useful for me. Boden uses such lovely fabrics and the dress was beautifully made which is why I wanted to have it altered so that it would work.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Katerina </b>- well Barbie looks better in the dress than me! It was a similar overwhelming effect.</p> <p><b>CindySmith </b>- thanks for your post, you really got me thinking about all the expensive lessons I have had to learn the hard way. Those dolls were weird just sitting on top of the toilet. My Nana had a pink doll in her bathroom. So glad you like the updated dresses, I love the turquoise the best.</p> <p><b>Kelly</b> - I could have returned it, but I did take it to my dress maker and have it pinned to see if there was the possibility of changing it up to be something that would work for me. The reason that I kept the dress was because I loved the fabric and the dress was so beautifully made.</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2064812 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 13:46:48 +0000 kellygirl 2064812@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Way to make lemonade from lemons! I should really think about this--I tend to be like an ostrich when it comes to fashion mistakes or I just get rid of them so they're out of sight. Your dresses are fantastic--you look fab in both!!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2064809 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 13:30:59 +0000 cindysmith 2064809@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think you are a freaking riot! That 7th pic is KILLING ME</p> <p>ROTFLMAO<br /> My grandmother made those toilet paper doll dress things and they kind of creeped me out</p> <p>I love that turquoise dress on you, and the red shoes with it are, to quote Angie, killer to the power of killer!</p> <p>The Boden dress is super cute, and I really like how you have taken it and made it your own </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2064801 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 13:15:20 +0000 Katerina 2064801@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a great post, thank you Bijou. I can relate about buying something where everything is a tick and in reality, it does not work. It happens to me often when I order multiples in a different colour - the colour could be “my colour” as well as the original one, but yet the item does not work. </p> <p>The blue dress is indeed fantastic on you and the altered Boden is also beautiful. Great save!<br /> I actually love no 7 (lol). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2064799 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 13:03:25 +0000 Jane 2064799@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>(Super frumptastic!! a great phrase)</p> <p>The blue and the Boden dresses are beautiful on you. The Boden print is clever because the white background makes it quite a tidy print. I like the way you can use it for both home and work.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2064778 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 12:06:49 +0000 kkards 2064778@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes some lessons are expensive and unfortunately not learned the 1st time. Glad that with some “extra credit” you were able to take this dress from fail to a passing grade. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2064777 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 11:49:51 +0000 Karie 2064777@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You look fantastic in the altered midi! Great save! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2064773 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 11:24:09 +0000 Vildy 2064773@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great save!&nbsp; I have flat hips and a figure 8 high hip and when I get tempted by any full skirt with gathers from the waist I always say I look like those dancing hippos from Fantasia. But your toilet paper roll dolly would equally represent me.&nbsp; I'll keep it top of mind. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/midi-dresses---paying-for-my-education#post-2064772 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 11:19:59 +0000 Anonymous 2064772@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This post made me smile. &nbsp;Thank you for sharing the lessons learned. &nbsp;They are invaluable to me. &nbsp;The altered dress looks fabulous on you. &nbsp;The final picture made me laugh out loud. &nbsp;Best wishes. &nbsp; </p>