https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 09 May 2026 04:14:55 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled/page/2#post-953366 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:03:26 +0000 Suz 953366@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sorry, friends - here is the link! It's a bit tricky to do it (or I found it that way) but interesting for sure. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.insideoutstyleblog.com/2011/12/how-to-measure-your-body-proportions.html"><a href="http://www.insideoutstyleblog.com/2011/12/how-to-measure-your-body-proportions.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.insideoutstyleblog......tions.html</a> </a> </p> </p> <p>And here's an earlier thread from our archives:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-knew-1">http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/who-knew-1</a></p> <p></p> <p>And another one, where a mystery about where to begin the leg measurement is cleared up and my own misunderstanding about my so called&nbsp;short legs is revealed:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/body-proportion---what-am-i-not-getting">http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ot-getting</a></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled/page/2#post-953200 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 13:17:26 +0000 Karie 953200@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gee wiz, Suz, for someone so gorgeous you're making yourself sound like a mutant! LOL! I would also like the link to the exercise you're referring to, but I don't know, I'd probably turn out with the genetic properties of a horse!</p> <p>And Rae, I'd love to see a pic of the dress with the wide belt. I bet the wide belt looks good with the wide chevron print. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled/page/2#post-953183 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:58:50 +0000 MNsara 953183@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Super late to this dress party, but I think this is a great casual summer dress!&nbsp; You have great legs for it, it has a lovely retro pattern done in modern neutrals.&nbsp; I like the sounds of that wide belt too :-)</p> <p>I'm on board with wearing it with sandals, because as much as I love your loafers, I'm not 100% on them with the dress.&nbsp; </p> <p>I think it's absolutely okay to keep something that speaks to you even if it doesn't get total YLF love.&nbsp; We can learn so much - if you continue to love it, or if you fall out of love - and chalk it up to experience </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled/page/2#post-953174 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:43:23 +0000 Elizabeth P 953174@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gosh Suz, you're a MESS!&nbsp; :)&nbsp; How awesome to know all that though.&nbsp; I'd like to see that link as well... I discovered when I was wedding dress shopping that I was short waisted, and needed petite sizing, which I thought was hilarious! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled/page/2#post-953166 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:33:24 +0000 Raisin 953166@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes I'd love to have that link too, Suz. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled/page/2#post-953162 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 12:27:06 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 953162@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz, do you have the link to the exercise y'all are referring to?&nbsp; I feel like I saw it awhile back, but I can't recall where it was posted (forums?&nbsp; article?) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled/page/2#post-953008 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 03:01:52 +0000 Suz 953008@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rae, I used to think I was long-waisted, too. And I also thought I had short legs. Well, that proportion exercise taught me that it's a whole lot more complicated. First of all, my <b>HEAD</b> is big!! Weirdly big!! And that sort of skews the other proportions a bit, because you measure by your head length.&nbsp;</p> <p>So then I learned that I was slightly long from chin to bust. (Not really a surprise). The big surprise was the discovery that I am actually <b>SHORT-WAISTED.&nbsp;</b></p> <p><b>DUH!</b>!! Now I understood why petites dresses and jackets sometimes&nbsp;fit me better. Not always --- sometimes a regular is better for me. But I'd had that experience often enough, especially with American retailers like BR (that tend to size on the large side) for me to wonder about it.</p> <p>The next part made more sense: I am slightly long in the rise. Okay - so that explains why I felt like I had a long torso.&nbsp;</p> <p>I also thought I was "short-legged" but it turns out the torso and legs are in proportion. What I am is short in the <b>CALF</b>. And that in turn creates the appearance of overall short legs, especially in conjunction with a long rise.&nbsp;</p> <p>I don't think this is true of you. Your calves look longer than mine, you lucky thing. But I guess you get the point -- there are a bunch of variables here at play.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled#post-952947 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 01:25:08 +0000 Transcona Shannon 952947@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do like it the way you've styled it Rae and you obviously love it so keep, wear and enjoy </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled#post-952908 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 00:32:52 +0000 Raisin 952908@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Deborah I like it with my silver ballet flats and it would probably go well with my black booties too. I also have black ballet flats. My shoe options are limited unfortunately. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled#post-952899 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 00:18:24 +0000 Deborah 952899@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Raisin, I am glad you are keeping the dress because I do think it is lovely.&nbsp; I would love to see you post it with the new belt and do you think you might try alternate footwear? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled#post-952896 Tue, 11 Jun 2013 00:15:47 +0000 Raisin 952896@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maybe you are right Suz. &nbsp;I only got that from What Not to Wear, that's what Stacy and Clinton are always telling the girls. &nbsp;But yah, mine is the same spot as yours. &nbsp;Well I got myself a very plain but wide black belt today. &nbsp;Looks good with the dress! &nbsp;The skinny belt keeps getting covered up by the excess material draping over it. &nbsp;Maybe if you guys are not sick of seeing this dress yet, I shall show it to you later. &nbsp;</p> <p>Suz, I feel like I'm long waisted but maybe I have it all wrong. &nbsp;I should go figure it out. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled#post-952878 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 23:45:32 +0000 Suz 952878@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You don't look long waisted to me.&nbsp;&nbsp;You look very well proportioned.&nbsp;But I guess you could measure to be 100% sure. Imogen over at Inside Out style has a proportions exercise you can do. It is a bit confusing, but I found it helpful anyway.&nbsp;</p> <p>The smallest part of me is not my under my bust, either -- and I have a <b>short </b>waist (with a long rise) .The smallest part of me is between bottom of rib cage and belly button. Isn't that typical for people who are not apple shaped? I thought that was the ordinary thing.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled#post-952796 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 19:56:45 +0000 Raisin 952796@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes Unfrumped set off a lightbulb for me too. &nbsp;I think you are right, it would look a lot better and the proportions would be better if the skirt were longer. &nbsp;The waist is always going to hit me there, so a longer bottom would probably make for a more flattering fit. &nbsp;</p> <p>I realize it's not a perfect 10 and I actually gained a lot of knowledge from this thread! &nbsp;I suddenly realize a lot about my proportions and now I want to go out and find things that work for them! &nbsp;All that aside, I think I am still keeping the dress. &nbsp;I do actually quite like it, and I am really tired and don't feel like looking around for another summer dress. &nbsp;It's hot now and I want to be comfortable, *somewhat* stylish (depending on who we ask, haha), and have easy to wear pieces. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled#post-952764 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 18:58:53 +0000 catgirl 952764@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, unfrumped just set off a lightbulb in my head with the half-waist concept! &nbsp;</p> <p>I actually like this dress on you a lot, Rae. &nbsp;I think it's more pattern than we're used to on you, but I have a Missoni for Target sweater just like this and LOVE the pattern - it's just a matter of attitude! &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled#post-952760 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 18:55:32 +0000 unfrumped 952760@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The waist is at the "right" place. I think this is an issue of dresses that are fairly short that have a true waistline--the dress end up being&nbsp;&nbsp;exactly half top and half bottom.. That is not my preferred proportion, which is why I even think "young" ladies wear a lot of dresses too short to my eye--it's not about being immodest, it's the proportion of skirt is too little for the amount of top. Whereas empire waist would have more bottom, and dropped waist would have more top.</p> <p>So, I would like this dress a bit longer, ideally, for the proportion reason. And I actually like the pattern, but it emphasizes the horizontal bisection thing going on.</p> <p>However, if it ticks a lot of other boxes for you, then you just have to decide.</p> <p>I've posted outfits in which I was wearing one of my favorite tops that make me feel like I have superpowers or something, and people said, oh great outfit as long as you&nbsp;trade for&nbsp;another top that has more of this and less of that. So it was good to know (maybe), but my "eye" just was still set on that top and so I just had to do my thing.</p> <p>Is it only a summer dress, or would you wear it in the fall with tights and low-contrast footwear?</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled#post-952757 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 18:52:31 +0000 Inge 952757@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I didn't get a chance to chime in on your previous thread, but I actually really like the dress on you Rae (the way you've styled it here, and in the first photos too). I don't think the pattern overwhelms you, it's playful and a little retro, but made very modern by the way <i>you</i> are wearing it. Love the blouson style too. I vote keep:-) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled#post-952752 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 18:50:28 +0000 rachylou 952752@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>#3 with the grey jacket is outstanding. I like the blue belt, I like the idea of a skinny belt period. It's polished. I feel a little conflict is happening between the belt and white shoes, tho. Which would be fine, except I think you have a more polished style normally. A white, grey or black belt may be more modern with the shoes. I'd leave off the belt when wearing the "mixed-media" jacket, because the overall look is more relaxed.</p> <p>I like this dress on you. I think the key words for styling it are "polished" and "simple". </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled#post-952736 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 18:25:43 +0000 Glory 952736@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another outlier here. I love this dress for pattern, colour, fit and lifestyle. I like how it fits and the many options you have for wearing it. I think it can be a go to dress for kids appts, school affairs and maybe dinners out with DH. I vote keep. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled#post-952687 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 17:06:40 +0000 DonnaF 952687@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This dress is okay, but you deserve better.&nbsp; With your coloring, I would prefer more of a greige instead of gray, or maybe olive; something slightly warm or even blush-y.&nbsp; As mentioned by others, the non-centering of the pattern drives me nuts, and the proportions seem slightly off.&nbsp; </p> <p>I am a Petite with a long but smallish waist.&nbsp; Sometimes slightly high-waisted Petite stuff gives me better (faux) proportions; other times I need to go to Regular sizes.&nbsp; Have you ever tried Tall dresses and then hemmed them up if needed?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled#post-952676 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 16:51:05 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 952676@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like this dress on you!&nbsp; You look cute and sporty, yet dressy.&nbsp; You could run errands or chase your runaway dog through the park, or you could enjoy a sit-down dinner at a very nice restaurant in the ATL in this dress. &nbsp;&nbsp; I don't see the proportions 'problems' that people are talking about.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I see a really cute girl with a figure I would kill for (or at least, think about killing for ;)&nbsp; ) and some great legs. </p> <p>If you feel <u>great</u> in this dress - a 9.5/10 or better, keep it.&nbsp; If you don't feel like a 9.5 in it, then I vote move on, because there will always be&nbsp; '10' dresses for you, out there waiting to be discovered </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled#post-952618 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 15:17:53 +0000 Jules 952618@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I actually think having a teeny waist is the ideal! The "smallest part under the breast thing" I always took as a reminder for those of us with less than ideal bodies, that we might be looking for our waists/sweet spot a little higher up. And it does work for me - as a guideline. If it doesn't work for you forget about it!&nbsp;Work&nbsp;with your real, tiny waist!<br />I feel like this dress would work better a few inches longer. But&nbsp;I believe you have dresses this length than look fab. So it's probably the pattern. And the proportions thing I am seeing is honestly very minor. If you love the dress, it is not a big deal IMHO. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled#post-952609 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 15:07:59 +0000 Sara L. 952609@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm going to be the outlier here because I don't see what the problem is. I really like this dress on you. The blue belt is fun with the neutral colors in the dress. I do think you need a shorter jacket or cardigan to wear over it though. Of the two jackets you have shown, I prefer the grey one. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled#post-952575 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:36:38 +0000 Raisin 952575@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Omg I've just had an epiphany about a whole host of clothes that don't work for me. Yes not because my body is wrong but I've been trying to make styles work that don't work on long torso/short legs. Aghhhh! I will have to make a better post on this later but a lightbulb just went off in my head! So yes this dress will probably never work well. I am destined for high waisted items and short tops. I've been wrongly dropping my tops down to my low waist when really the pants need to come up! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled#post-952571 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:32:33 +0000 Sarah A 952571@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It is never our bodies that are wrong... it is always the clothes! This one just has a waist that isnt working. It is never you who doesnt work... as you have said you work in shift dresses A $10 leather hole punch from the craft store has been my savior to make belts work at more various lengths.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled#post-952564 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:27:57 +0000 Raisin 952564@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You know what, I see what you guys mean now by the top. And the problem is not the dress its me. I guess I have a long torso. You know how they say the smallest part is right under your bust? Well I've always had issues with this and belting there because my smallest part is way lower, like at the bottom of my rib cage. So any belting I do just automatically slips down to this part. It's actually frustratingly small because even the smallest belts don't fit my true waist. This belt is not even tight. And the dress has an elastic band at the centre so it naturally goes to my smallest portion which is very low, where you see it here on the pic. Ah I guess I am the one who is off! But this makes a lot of sense. Belting my waist never works for me it always looks too low. I guess that's why I buy shapeless shift dresses most of the time and leave them unbelted. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled#post-952563 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:26:52 +0000 Elizabeth P 952563@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm afraid I have to agree with the majority here as well... like, but not love. And for much the same reasons, so won't repeat.&nbsp; I do like it better here than in your original post.&nbsp; </p> <p>One thing that bothers me is that the pattern isn't placed symmetrically on the dress, so it looks like the top is&nbsp; a bit twisted.&nbsp; This type of thing drives me nuts :)&nbsp; </p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled#post-952557 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:19:50 +0000 Sarah A 952557@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really like it as you have it in #3. I think the proportion of the top of the dress to the skirt part of the dress is what is throwing this askew when worn without the long topper the dress seems to bisect a strange spot proportionwise. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled#post-952552 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:18:06 +0000 Jules 952552@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do the lazy thing too. I also buy things because they are cheap and I like the colour/pattern, when they don't actually fit me that well. Oh and I wait forever to get things altered/repaired...<br />I like the dress but I am also seeing the slightly off proportions. And I think that you are gorgeous and deserve a perfect dress, one that will not require (much) styling, since amazing pieces worn simply seem like a big part of your style. But I "settle" all the time and I'm ok with that too.... we have busy lives and other things to do with them. I just try to "settle" at a higher level than I used to. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled#post-952545 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:10:10 +0000 Kristin L 952545@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree about the shorter jacket and the shoes. I like it with the belt, though. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-chevron-dress-one-more-time---better-styled#post-952507 Mon, 10 Jun 2013 11:45:35 +0000 Raisin 952507@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can't win you over with this one, can I? Haha! I'm kidding though, I appreciate the honest replies more. </p> <p>I am beginning to think I am lazy and settle too easily. I guess the thought of returning it (although it IS free) and starting the search for a new one is too much for me. Lazy, lazy. I wonder how often I end up settling on things? </p>