https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 19 Apr 2026 04:32:38 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes/page/2#post-1849026 Thu, 28 Sep 2017 14:44:36 +0000 Angie 1849026@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maybe try these dresses, Tanya. I forgot all about good old KM: </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes/page/2#post-1848257 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 19:18:07 +0000 Liz A. 1848257@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tanya, I know I don't post pictures often, but for a while I've thought that you and I have very similar body shapes. &nbsp;We're about the same height, but I am a few sizes bigger. &nbsp;Usually I can take a 6 in a sleeveless dress but have to size up to an 8 in one with sleeves.</p> <p>Of the sleeved dresses I have now, two are a stretchy bodycon jersey material and no alterations were needed. &nbsp;One Vince Camuto and one Eliza J fit perfectly after waist and hip alterations but are still shorter than I'd prefer. &nbsp;I have the best luck with getting the length I like from Boden and sometimes order a tall from them. &nbsp;The shoulders usually fit right in an 8 and the arms are long enough, but I do have to take in waist and sometimes hips. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes/page/2#post-1848191 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 13:49:05 +0000 Lynn 1848191@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tanya-&nbsp;<br />Altering the shoulder, neck, and armhole area is challenging and not always possible without essentially remaking the bodice. &nbsp;Slimming waist and hips is typically quite easy.&nbsp;<br />If sheath dresses are going to be a large part of your wardrobe it might be worth looking for a seamstress to make them for you. Once a basic sheath is fitted changing details is quite easy.&nbsp;<br />Hope this helps.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes#post-1848177 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 13:39:55 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1848177@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love the crispness of a nice sheath dress! </p> <p>I'm not a seamstress, but doesn't an alteration to the waist require taking some seams in? If that's the case, then I don't see how going a bit further down the seams to take in the hips would be much more of an issue /expense. </p> <p>On your changing body shape, if you've lost muscle/ increased your % body fat while gaining weight, that might account for the changing shape on top, even if that isn't where the pounds went. Not trying to cast shade, just responding to a query you raised. </p> <p>Eliza J makes mostly party dresses, not work clothes, but the fit might work for you, if you can find an appropriate style.</p> <p><a href="http://m.shop.nordstrom.com/s/eliza-j-print-long-sleeve-sheath-dress/4698935?origin=category-personalizedsort&#038;fashioncolor=NAVY" rel="nofollow">http://m.shop.nordstrom.com/s/.....color=NAVY</a></p> <p><a href="http://m.shop.nordstrom.com/s/eliza-j-crepe-sheath-dress-regular-petite/4204947?origin=category-personalizedsort&#038;fashioncolor=BLACK" rel="nofollow">http://m.shop.nordstrom.com/s/.....olor=BLACK</a></p> <p>ETA just read the rest of the comments and am doing backflips over Stayfit's mention of having extra fabric in the back taken in. That is a pet peeve of mine, and I have always thought that fixing it would require an expensive alteration of the dress' structure. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes#post-1848155 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 12:06:19 +0000 Tanya 1848155@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, thank you all for so many thoughtful responses!&nbsp; Rest assured, I fairly happy with my body.&nbsp; Like many women, I wouldn't mind some small changes, but overall I am not complaining.</p> <p>I agree that sleeveless sheath dresses are easier to fit - I have managed to find two that only required waist alterations.&nbsp; One is by Black Halo and the other by Elie Tahari.&nbsp; I will also try all the brands mentioned and suggested here, since it seems that it is possible to alter both waist and hip area if the chest/shoulder/sleeve fit is OK. And scuba/ponte material would definitely help, but it is not as polished as tailored wool blend.</p> <p>For those that think the blue dress looks well in the photos:&nbsp; it is very tight and uncomfortable around the chest/arms.&nbsp;&nbsp; Also, while the waist fit issue isn't obvious, there is a lot of extra material there (photo 1 vs 2) and as soon as I move it bunches up like a kangaroo pouch making the dress ride up and is super obvious. </p> <p>To answer <b>Lisa P</b>'s questions, I am looking for two groups of work dresses - every-day dresses and "power" dresses.&nbsp; For every day not too-dressy dresses, they don't have to be sheaths at all&nbsp; - I am happy with wraps, fit&amp;flares, sweater dresses etc.&nbsp;&nbsp; For "power" capsule, for important work occasions that happen 10 or so times a year, I am really attracted to the idea of a properly tailored wool sheath dress.&nbsp; Since winter is coming, I would very much like to find one or two with sleeves, that does not require a topper.&nbsp; And Ted Baker seems to fit me well, at least the one dress I have fits perfectly of the rack (Finds below).&nbsp;&nbsp; They make less "serious" dresses, but I will keep checking them for the right one.</p> <p><b>Staysfit</b>, it sounds like our body types are similar with two differences : I am shorter and have curvier hips.&nbsp;&nbsp; I will look at all the brands you mention. I have tried on J Crew in size 2T and the vertical proportions are perfect but it is too big - I would need 0T which of course does not exist.&nbsp; You have a beautiful sheath dress collection and I hope to get there one day, a dress at a time.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes#post-1848147 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 11:34:25 +0000 Staysfit 1848147@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Tanya, I must be queen sheath. I love them and if I could wear them every day I would. I also have some similar body type issues—-Broad shoulders, small chest, long torso, narrow hips but they kind of balance my shoulders, small waist. (By narrow hips, I mean that I have slightly IT tendency). I have similar fit issues with sheath dresses. I have good luck with Elie Tahari, Boss, Ted Baker, J Crew (but strangely here I need to order the tall size to get the torso to fit and then I go down a size to a 2, I’m not sure if it will be small enough for you.). I have also had luck with Diane Von Furstenburg, Tracy Reese, and on occasion Max Mara. I have the added bad luck of long monkey arms which makes fitting anything with long sleeves near impossible. I own two versions of the Ted Baker dress you selected and I love it. The colors in your selection are perfect for work. Mine sheaths are harder for a conservative work setting, but I love them and luckily my work setting isn’t conservative. The Ted Bakers were a bit snug in the shoulders when I first tried them on, but they stretched out and are perfectly comfortable now. If you look at my selection of sheaths. Most of them are stretchy. Some of them are not. </p> <p>I always have my dresses tailored. They need to be taken in at the waist, sometimes the hips. They usually have too much material in the back so they need darts, etc. the chest may be too large. Once the alterations are complete, they fit perfectly and I keep them a long time. I add alteration expenses into the cost of everything I purchase. It’s a given. Nothing fits off the rack. </p> <p>One more solution I use is to purchase something sleeveless like the Boss sheath below and then add a cardigan or jacket as pictured. I love that option because room temperatures vary so much in the buildings where I work. I hate overheating in winter and feeling too cold in the summer. I have a cardigan or jacket that works with each of the sheaths pictured. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes#post-1848138 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 10:03:06 +0000 gryffin 1848138@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tanya - I actually think the dress looks gorgeous on you. I can't see any of your issues in the photo. That being said, I have never bought anything too tight in the back or sleeve area that wasn't a horrible mistake. I understand your love of sheath dresses. Nothing says meticulous, professional, precise like a sheath. The woman who manages that type of precision and perfection in dress would obviously be capable professionally. It's a great message and you have the perfect figure for it. Sleeves are super tough fit with no stretch. As above, the quality of tailoring and construction is difficult. I side stepped this by wearing sleeveless sheaths with blazers. If you want sleeves you either need to accept stretch or commit to trying on many many dresses. It's not you. It's the dress. I have found many designers are running really narrow through the back and sleeves in jackets. I'm 5'3" 115 34a bust a slim rectangle w narrow slightly sloping shoulders average frame and have to size up to a size 8 in many designer jackets to fit my back and sleeves. The 6 is too tight in the back when everything else is fine. It's them not you. Please repeat, again and again. Does anyone know if David Meister is still producing day dresses? I have one sheath that's a miracle of construction. He's known for his seam work. Extraordinarily flattering. If you see something by him it would be worth trying. Hugs to you. It's so disappointing but it's never worth discomfort no matter how pretty </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes#post-1848124 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 09:02:37 +0000 lyn67 1848124@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tanya, I actually think this dress looks great and &nbsp;fits you fine &nbsp;even unaltered. For work it really can have a little bit of ease but if altered in the waist will look even better of course-but you are the one you really feel the dress, so I can also relate with things going wrong from that point of view. &nbsp;I &nbsp;have had the same problem with my long torso when younger and slimmer:-) waist on dresses hit me always too high but you are so slim evrywhere else and having a great figure, so nobody else will notice:-).</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes#post-1848120 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 08:47:59 +0000 anchie 1848120@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You look stunning in sheath dresses, they are made for you. I am sure there is one for you out there that will require less alterations. I had my own share of weirdly fitting dresses that left me scratching my head about what they were thinking when making it. And don't let me start on abundance of sheath mini dresses that are listed in the workwear category. For what work is that??? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes#post-1848095 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 04:44:39 +0000 rachylou 1848095@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You could have one made, I'm thinking for about the same cost, if not less... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes#post-1848090 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 03:50:58 +0000 anne 1848090@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tanya, you have my empathy. I have every single one of those challenges too. And I love sheath dresses! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes#post-1848078 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 02:03:44 +0000 Kari 1848078@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love sheath dresses and have a very different body type/fit concerns, but yeah, in certain brands it's clear that it's just not cut for my body (ratios, height, where I'm narrower and where I'm wider.) Dresses can be so tricky! I find fit and flares easier, or sheaths with a straighter, less hip hugging/pencil skirt shape occasionally fit better. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes#post-1848066 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 01:27:10 +0000 Brooklyn 1848066@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sorry Tanya! I have given up on sheath dresses because of these types of fit challenges. It is part of the reason why I wear skirts - as long as they are long enough the fit issues tend to be easier to deal with. One possible alternative is keeping an eye out for matching top and skirt combinations. Similar to this one in finds. I am not saying this one in particular: it is knit and I think you would prefer a woven. But the idea of looking for items that combine to create that column of colour (faux dress) look. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes#post-1848032 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 00:17:52 +0000 Laura G 1848032@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If the bodice (shoulders/bust/armholes) fits, taking in fullness at side seams *or* at darts is easy-peasy.&nbsp;</p> <p>I have a long torso too, and I rarely even try a dress with a waist seam. I can feel rubbing against my ribs with every inhale and it drives me crazy. My version of a sheath dress is one that falls straight from the shoulder (i.e. no waist seam), belted.</p> <p>I also would like to know who cuts dresses for broad shoulders, narrow waist and long torso! (Going to look at Tracy Reese and Tory Burch.)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes#post-1848030 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 00:11:35 +0000 Kate 1848030@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think Ginger's response is spot on. Your perfect sheath is out there. I can see why you gravitate to them—they look stunning on you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes#post-1848025 Sun, 24 Sep 2017 23:55:53 +0000 unfrumped 1848025@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not too much to add except that if a dress is very tight in the chest you could sometimes size up , see if it worked there vs too big in shoulders, and then the waist and hip alteration would be easy.<br /> Try more makers.<br /> A huge problem for small sizes is length. This dress does have a nice length.<br /> I am not really made for sheath dresses anymore, but the too - high waist has always been a problem- in all dresses. It puts the start of the hip curve in the wrong place. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes#post-1848005 Sun, 24 Sep 2017 21:02:03 +0000 JAileen 1848005@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tanya, I hope it's obvious to you that the dress is wrong, not you. You have an enviable figure. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes#post-1848002 Sun, 24 Sep 2017 20:56:02 +0000 Ginger 1848002@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>On the shoulder/sleeve fit issue. It is not you - this is poor patternmaking. A properly drafted sleeve and armhole can allow a full range of motion and comfort, combined with a smooth fit. A bad sleeve will glue your arms to your sides and cut in across your biceps, even if you have narrow shoulders and small arms. Unfortunately poor sleeve fits are not rare, across all price points. I personally think it's because of the ubiquity of sleeveless tops and dresses for the last several decades; it's a whole lot easier to get a tolerable fit without a sleeve.</p> <p>You did not grow a size; this dress is not well drafted. Don't take this for an example of all sheath dresses you'll find, either. Keep looking and don't settle for a lousy sleeve fit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes#post-1847993 Sun, 24 Sep 2017 20:17:55 +0000 Anonymous 1847993@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with Janet - just look elsewhere. Black Halo makes lovely dresses - but not everything works for every body. &nbsp;I'm not a fan of that colour on you at all either, but I know that wasn't the question . &nbsp;Just agreeing with skylurker. &nbsp;Are you interested in trying other silhouettes in a dress, or are you wedded to the idea of a sheath? They are very flattering on your body, but I can't imagine spending time and effort on such a tricky thing to fit. &nbsp; Someone above mentioned Ted Baker, and I agree that that might be worth your time - but maybe you already have a few of those? &nbsp;The fit around your sleeve/armhole etc is going to be very dependent on where the bust darts are located, or how curved the armsceye is in the pattern. To quote Angie: it's not you, it's the dress. &nbsp; </p> <p></p> <p>eta - sorry, see that you did comment on Ted Baker already .....I read too fast &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes#post-1847983 Sun, 24 Sep 2017 19:58:12 +0000 Janet 1847983@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think that brand simply does not get your body type. When I was at a lower weight, I found that Black Halo was close to right for me, and we have very different body types -- I'm much more hippy and busty with a much shorter waist. I'd say onward to the next thing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes#post-1847979 Sun, 24 Sep 2017 19:53:59 +0000 Nomad 1847979@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, that's frustrating. Sheath dresses look lovely on you (including this one; like smittie, I also didn't see the waist issue in the pictures), but fit issues are a pain. I don't know if I'm long or short or average waisted, but I have relatively broad shoulders too, so I understand the issue of things fitting on the top or bottom half, but not both at once. I tend to aim for sleeveless (or barely-there cap sleeved) dresses most of the time and then plan to wear a topper over or a longer sleeved top underneath if sleeveless doesn't cut it. Not perfect, but it at least allows for fitting body and shoulders separately.</p> <p>Good luck finding a brand or style that fits better... I'll be following this thread to see what people suggest. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes#post-1847969 Sun, 24 Sep 2017 19:21:47 +0000 Anonymous 1847969@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm sorry that this is so frustrating!<br /> I think it's quite risky to buy something that requires a lot of alteration.</p> <p>I would keep looking as annoying as that sounds.</p> <p>Perhaps more stretch? Or scuba fabric?</p> <p>By the way, you *do* look great in this and I don't notice the waist issue. I do think it is slightly too tight in the chest, yes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes#post-1847967 Sun, 24 Sep 2017 19:14:13 +0000 Jane 1847967@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>May be it is that you need to keep trying until you find a cut that fits - or may be find a dressmaker who can make for you. That may be a good solution, so that the dress is a perfect fit every time.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes#post-1847963 Sun, 24 Sep 2017 18:57:28 +0000 Kathie 1847963@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wish I had a good suggestion for you, but as I looked through my closet I realized that most of my sheath dresses are sleeveless (Theory and MMLaFleur). Of the three with sleeves, two are ponte (Nicole Miller and Elie Tahari- one of those is body con) and only one is a woven, but even that fabric has some stretch. Clearly I've "solved" the fit problem in the ways Angie suggests.</p> <p>I'll be following this thread to see what others suggest. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes#post-1847960 Sun, 24 Sep 2017 18:45:47 +0000 Style Fan 1847960@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can see that a sheath dress would be very flattering on you.&nbsp; They would be very hard to fit for the reasons that Angie describes.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes#post-1847959 Sun, 24 Sep 2017 18:44:27 +0000 Tanya 1847959@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I couldn't agree more, Angie, a big pity indeed :(&nbsp;&nbsp; And thank you for the detailed response.</p> <p>I am perfectly happy to alter a dress at the waist if it fits at the shoulders, the trouble is that it seems that such a dress would need both waist and hip alteration, hence my dilemma.&nbsp; I am fine with body con dresses, and wear them happily outside of work, but for work would prefer tailored dresses. &nbsp; </p> <p>I have not tried any of those two designers Angie, but I will.&nbsp; I have found that Ted Baker sheath dresses tend to fit me well - they are kind of longer and narrower, but most are made of boldly printed scuba material and almost body-con.&nbsp; I am thinking of trying the dress below -which is again more of body-con style.&nbsp;&nbsp; I would love to find the elusive brand/designer whose fit model has similar body type to me - I would make a very good client.&nbsp; Sometimes I think that I should just get a couple of DVF wrap dresses and be done with it- those always fit right </p> <p>ETA: Em J M, I wish this were only a Black Halo issue for me.&nbsp; Many dresses from many other brands have same or similar fit issues for me.&nbsp;&nbsp; I am planning to try the Jackie O dresses with sleeves, too - I will size up and hope that I can make it work with alterations. I do have a sleeveless Black Halo dress that I had altered at the waist but otherwise fit well ( in the Finds below).</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes#post-1847957 Sun, 24 Sep 2017 18:37:58 +0000 Em J M 1847957@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wonder if this is partly a Black Halo problem. I have a very similar body type and got the Jackie O with sleeves earlier this year and had the same (very unusual for me) problem of not being able to lift my arms. I had already sized up so just concluded it was manufactured oddly--which was disappointing as I loved the cut of the dress. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes#post-1847954 Sun, 24 Sep 2017 18:34:30 +0000 Angie 1847954@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a pity. I love the style, length and colour for you.&nbsp;</p> <p>Dresses are hard to fit unless you HAPPEN to fit the dimensions of the fit model the dress was based on, which <i>can </i>happen. I have clients that fit into sheaths perfectly every time.&nbsp;</p> <p>To answer your question: you have to hope that you can alter the dress on the waist area when it fits on the shoulder and hip. Body con dresses &nbsp;solve the fit problem, but are not that work-appropiate. And you have to be in the mood for a very tight dress (which I am no longer these days). I wear fluid, sack or fit &amp; flare &nbsp;dresses 99% of the time. High fiving, <b>Isabelle</b>.&nbsp;</p> <p>Have you tried Tracey Reese and Tory Burch dresses, Tanya?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes#post-1847952 Sun, 24 Sep 2017 18:32:34 +0000 Tanya 1847952@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you very much for your input, ladies!</p> <p>Sterling, you are very kind, thanks.&nbsp; I do like how sheath dresses look on me, it is just so difficult to find one that fits right that is not made of jersey or ponte. </p> <p>Isabelle, thank you for trying to make me feel better.&nbsp; I don't wear sack dresses too often - I have a few that I wear as tunics over pants, but overall prefer dresses with waist definition. &nbsp; I feel that with sack dresses the spotlight is one's legs, and I am not particularly pleased with mine. </p> <p>Kate, I really appreciate your input.&nbsp; Yes, I wouldn't even think of shoulder alterations.&nbsp;&nbsp; I do not mind staying away from some brands.&nbsp; The trouble is that most sheath dresses from most brands fit me this way, so there is nowhere to look for the right one.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/sheath-dress-sadness-and-fit-woes#post-1847941 Sun, 24 Sep 2017 18:03:57 +0000 Kate 1847941@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's a beautiful dress and I do like the color on you, Tanya. Sorry about your fit woes. Like you, I have a long torso and my broad shoulders balance out my hips. Shoulder alterations are very expensive and rarely worth it. It's a shame you can't size up to fit your shoulders and alter the waist. Sometimes when a garment is so off for me in fit, I just have to realize that that particular brand just doesn't get me, and move on. I've found that's the case for me with Aritzia toppers. I'm between sizes in their coats and jackets, and there's nothing I can do about it, so I just avoid looking. Happily, their pants DO get me. </p>