YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Please ponder this AT black dress with me (long)

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Please ponder this AT black dress with me (long) https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/please-ponder-this-at-black-dress-with-me-long Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 19 Apr 2026 04:32:38 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php unfrumped on "Please ponder this AT black dress with me (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/please-ponder-this-at-black-dress-with-me-long#post-1338963 Sun, 24 Aug 2014 04:36:23 +0000 unfrumped 1338963@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Such good pondering! I had initially decided to return and then tried to re- think it, about how to make it work. I wonder if that's because I work at fixing things and not giving up. And because I see fashions as famine( " this might be the only one") rather than feast ( there's more and better out there). Also, I so often have to have at least some alterations made ( hems and waists), that sometimes I may not see when it is too much. These comments have been very helpful! Debbie on "Please ponder this AT black dress with me (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/please-ponder-this-at-black-dress-with-me-long#post-1338928 Sun, 24 Aug 2014 03:28:45 +0000 Debbie 1338928@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ On to the next dress. It is a beautiful dress but it is too big and there are several things about it you don't like. You will find your dress. Echo on "Please ponder this AT black dress with me (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/please-ponder-this-at-black-dress-with-me-long#post-1338920 Sun, 24 Aug 2014 02:59:25 +0000 Echo 1338920@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You have listed at least 4 or 5 reasons NOT to keep this dress. While I think it looks great on you (though I will agree that it is probably too big), you are clearly not in love with this. There are a million and one LBDs out there; it should not take this much work to have one in your closet! Firecracker (Sharan) on "Please ponder this AT black dress with me (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/please-ponder-this-at-black-dress-with-me-long#post-1338898 Sun, 24 Aug 2014 02:13:44 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1338898@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think this dress would be great on you in a smaller size. It doesn't look like it comes smaller, though, in which case I think it's best to continue looking. As to your stylings of it: I like 4 and 6 best. I think I'd like it with the loafers in 1, but I'm not a fan of the cardi with it--seems too long, like it's covering up the dress too much. I really like the fuller skirt and defined waist on you. For the footwear choices you show here, I could envision a belted shirt dress in a plain color and perhaps a silk fabric that you could dress up or down the way you're wanting to do. L'Abeille on "Please ponder this AT black dress with me (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/please-ponder-this-at-black-dress-with-me-long#post-1338895 Sun, 24 Aug 2014 02:12:05 +0000 L'Abeille 1338895@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My advice is to let it go and move on. As Thistle points out: the bodice is wrong (neckline) and the skirt is wrong; if you alter those it won't be the same dress, and how do you know you'll even still like it? Moreover, the jacket and shoes you think it needs to make it work are things you don't even own yet, so it risks becoming an orphan, or else costing you more for items you might not otherwise use. One more thing I notice -- maybe this is my small phone screen, or my poison eye for certain proportions, but I think the waistline of that dress comes too close to chopping you in half. I am longwaisted like you, and I have a hard time with belted or waisted dresses. For my eye, I'd like to see either a longer skirt or some interest in the bodice to break up the expanse. Your dress is out there! But I think this isn't it. Gigi on "Please ponder this AT black dress with me (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/please-ponder-this-at-black-dress-with-me-long#post-1338884 Sun, 24 Aug 2014 02:00:27 +0000 Gigi 1338884@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ First of all, this is a nice dress! I'm not surprised that the bodice feels a little big—I have heard that AT dresses run large in the bust. (Though I've never tried one myself.) I will be honest and say that I feel like you are having to go to perhaps too much trouble to make this work. (Of course, I am the queen of laziness, lol!) I think that you should definitely try a size down if you can. You also mention that none of your current cardis work with the dress, so that is another element of work involved. I don't know much about alterations, but is it possible that taking in the fullness of the skirt might be more difficult than it sounds? If you take some of the fullness out at the sides, will the skirt hang funny because the fabric has not been evenly taken out all along the horizontal seam with the bodice? (I don't know; I'm just asking.) As far as wearing toppers, I don't think it's a bad idea to plan to wear a topper over a dress, but if you're not limited in funds and can be choosy, I would make sure to buy a dress that will also work without a topper, just so that you have the versatility in the rare case that you might want to go without. About avoiding black...that is a tough one. There is something about black that says elegant and sophisticated...and adding bright accessories might have to be done very carefully, because they may be at odds with this "serious" character of black. Perhaps a dress that reads simple and informal would be best? The AT dress reads to me as being more on the formal side of the spectrum. But that is just my opinion. I liked the dress with the black belts much better than with the contrasting-color belts; I think it is because the black belt seems to fit better with the elegant nature of the dress, at least to my eye. I think the cut of the dress is classic enough to last some years without looking dated. I thought all the footwear looked good. I especially liked the black-and-white shoes. The red sandals are nice, but to me they are so eye-catching that I would wear a black belt with the dress so as to give the outfit only one main "focus." I have no LBD (because I never go anywhere, ha ha) and can only imagine how difficult it is to find just the right one, especially when you know exactly what you want in terms of dress length and ability to work with certain shoes. Have you checked BR lately? I was just on their site, and I think they have about 16 black dresses right now. Their hems do tend to run on the short side, but depending on your height—plus, BR also offers tall lengths—maybe one would work? Thistle on "Please ponder this AT black dress with me (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/please-ponder-this-at-black-dress-with-me-long#post-1338873 Sun, 24 Aug 2014 01:42:32 +0000 Thistle 1338873@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ So, honestly, this dress is not what you are looking for. While lovely, I feel like you are trying too hard to make it work. Here is why: 1. You don't like the neckline. Even if you put in a snap, it is still not a favorite. 2. Fit and flare dresses require special toppers. The one you have paired with it, in my opinion, is too long. The topper has to stop before the flare part of the dress. Shrugs are ideal for this but may not be warm enough. 3. The width of the skirt is lovely. I love the swish. I am not sure that fit and flare is a style you like. 4. It is going to require feminine and refined shoes, in my opinion. Not necessarily pumps. unfrumped on "Please ponder this AT black dress with me (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/please-ponder-this-at-black-dress-with-me-long#post-1338861 Sun, 24 Aug 2014 01:21:15 +0000 unfrumped 1338861@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ cjh, thank you for comments, and no, that is very good you said that. I have wondered that, and that's why I posted--tags are still on! I was surprised to feel that it's roomy in the skirt, which is just the opposite of my usual AT dress experience. I did not see a 0 but I did not look at this dress when it first came out, so may be sold out. I tried P sizing and they are much shorter and higher waisted, so no go. V-necks are always problematic because they dip too low, even if the bodice is fitted--and button-fronts. I probably have added snaps or closed stitching  in more than half of my tops and dresses so the closure will be at the right spot. But also, the V shape is partly size-dependent, as you point out. I was very much in the mind of Shannon's post on whether she should try to take up her EF dress. So, I am pondering whether it is a nip and tuck here, or whether I should say, Next! I am trying to learn that just because I'm on the general right track with something, that doesn't mean I've found "the one". Thank you again for giving me some feedback! cjh on "Please ponder this AT black dress with me (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/please-ponder-this-at-black-dress-with-me-long#post-1338851 Sun, 24 Aug 2014 01:01:35 +0000 cjh 1338851@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like the way you've styled it, including with the colored cardi, though #5 is just a bit plain for my eye. Any of the shoes you tried look fine to me. I do think the shape and style are pretty adaptable to many occasions and accessory combos, and it looks fairly timeless, i.e. able to span a few seasons. That being said, IMO, hope not too bold of me, it looks too big on you - the dress is overwhelming your slim, delicate figure. Especially since you say you would take in the skirt, and feel the front is too "gappy" without adding a snap, it comes across as maybe you also feel it's too big. ??? But you are on the right track for a versatile, flattering dress. Does it come in a smaller size? unfrumped on "Please ponder this AT black dress with me (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/please-ponder-this-at-black-dress-with-me-long#post-1338847 Sun, 24 Aug 2014 00:48:10 +0000 unfrumped 1338847@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ When I ordered the AT high-waist pants I tried this dress—it had been sold out in several sizes and then restocked. Now, I had sworn off buying any sleeveless dresses, and mostly sworn off  black dresses. I have several times checked out some sleeveless black dresses for the express purpose of wearing under a jacket if the right one came along (heeding Angie’s warning that it’s hard to do).    So what’s with this? What drew me is the kind of fit-and-flair with longer length and not so high- waisted as many; I like the more elegant lines, at least how it looks on the model! Then, I’ve always wanted dresses that  have the  potential for   different colors and accessories—summery, natural colors vs. dressy,  and for wearing with short cardigans and jackets. But, the V-neck is not “my” neckline, though the neckline does come up high on the side of the neck,  and it’s too deep—I’d have to put in a snap (shown pinned up in some photos). (For doing tryon’s I had a cami on in some photos, and I don’t think that looks so good.) .However,  since it is a LBD I would probably wear different necklaces to fill it in a bit.  And maybe the dress wants better shoulders? See topper plan below. Next, amazingly, I think the skirt is too full. Probably my vanity, but I don’t think I need it so hippy, so I think I’d   take in the side seams and make it less full, by just a bit (some photos, I'm adjusting in back). I don’t know if it came in a smaller size (this is the 2) and I do have a bit of room in the bodice, but like it being a little fluid and shirtwaist-like and not super fitted. Next issue is, my dilemma with this dress style is it seems to want some heels. However, I think this dress tolerates a wedge heel pretty well, say for summer casual. But next up is flats—would a ballet flat (mine are slightly oval) be “classic,” or frumpy? Also shown are the magic loafers. Yes, they should be less round-toed,  but somehow they seem to work with skirts and dresses better than other types of loafers. Next, I will want to wear a shorter cardi or jacket. Most of my cardigans and jackets are too long for this dress—for my other outfits, I skip over the short, waist-fitted ones  , but I think they are available. Here are the questions for the fabber critique: --Is it just not right, period. Neckline(even if altered)  and shoulders and so forth --Is it or bad idea to plan to wear toppers over it? It doesn't seem so odd to me because  I run so cold, I usually have to wear a topper with a dress even if it has sleeves! (in normal weight fabrics).  --And, would you take up the skirt width. I think that’s an easy alteration, but am I trying too hard to make it work? --Should I avoid black, or is it a reasonable strategy to use it for brighter toppers and accessories? --Is it classic enough to   have a few years of staying power so that I can “play” with it as I come across items that work with it. -- What are the cold realities with footwear?   I can do “my” versions of pumps (typically blockier heel)  for limited time dressy wear; I have or can usually find wedges or espadrille-type shoe for less formal or summarized wear; but if I wanted to wear to work as a basic black dress, I’d have to wear something flatter. but professional Didn’t show the Born pump; it can work, but somehow the style isn’t an advantage over  some others. Thanks for reading! Any comments on this, or your experiences trying to find "basic" dresses, welcome.