A dress that does get me, and one that doesn't

Janet

The other day ClaraT thoughtfully posted her review of the Bailey44 dress:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ess-review

I saw it when I was making a return at Anthro and decided to try it on. I really like it.

By contrast, a dress elsewhere that looked so cool to my eye -- layered neck detail, a little edgy, very loose and cool and comfy... And absolutely dreadful on my body. Clearly, this dress does not get me. Thought I'd show you just for grins.

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11 years ago

Urgent

40 replies

Latest reply was from ElleH

Anonymous

Janet you are very brave. The first dress looks absolutely perfect!! The second, yeah...it doesn't get you at all. Honestly you look like two different people/body shapes.

11 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Ha! Yeah, that second photo may self-destruct at some point in the not-too-distant future. Seriously unflattering.

11 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I don't dislike the second dress but the first one ,YOWZA!

I think the second one is better on bust-free ladies.

11 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

That first dress might have to go home with me. Good date night dress. I think I could also de-bombshell with a jacket.

11 years ago

Nicola

Active Member

*laughing* I don't know what to say! I can so relate though. It would be the same on me.

11 years ago

Parsley

Veteran

Wow! What an instructive post!
I really hope you don't take the second picture down, because it shows what a difference finding the right fit and style makes.
I love the first dress- did it come home with you?

11 years ago

Anonymous

Love the first dress. I agree, the second dress does not get you!

11 years ago

nancylee

Veteran

You are a brave girl for sharing this comparison, Janet! But it's really instructive, too. Dress #1 is so perfect for your lovely body while dress #2 is clearly meant for someone else (although I can't guess who!).

You might need to buy dress #1 btw. So perfect!

11 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

Oooh, a Janet tutorial!

This is a great illustration of a universal principle, and a reminder that we should require a dress to "get us" before we "give" our money!

11 years ago

Echo

Veteran

Oh, you look fantastic in the first dress! And this post is very instructive as to why there are so many different styles of dresses; some styles and shapes are great for us, and some are less so.

11 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Oh that first one is perfect on you. Thanks for posting; you are so gorgeous even in a dress that doesn't get you

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Janet, thank you SO much for doing this. It is brilliant.

And it gives me the idea for a new YLF challenge. How about if we did this whenever we could over the year?

And posted it as part of a named challenge: Clothes that get me/ clothes that don't -- comparing and contrasting two dresses, or jackets, or jeans, or skirts, or necklines, or whatever, really -- just to SHOW?

Who is up for this?

I am eager to do this. So instructive for anyone who shares our body type.

11 years ago

Anonymous

I'm in!

11 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Great idea, Suz!

11 years ago

nancylee

Veteran

That is a great idea, Suz! I'm in.

11 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

The second dress really does demonstrate how the combination of any kind of tent like shape on me, combined with a short length, just does my body no favors. These kind of garments completely crush any fleeting illusion I might have in my imagination that I am willowy. I would love to pull off these kind of looks that are not so conventionally flattering, but they're unflattering to the point where I just can't enjoy them on me.

I just have to find other ways to add edginess to my look, which I guess is where shoes like these sandals come in to play. I have been wearing them a lot, and a lot of people ask about them.

11 years ago

columbine(erin)

Veteran

Thanks for sharing. Drapey things tend to look terrible on me so I have food for thought here. The first dress is stunning on you, hope you get it.

11 years ago

Anonymous

The first dress is brilliant! And the second dress . . . not so much. But, it's always nice to find clothes that get you. One definitely appreciate them wayyyyy more after trying on clothes that don't.

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Janet, that's so right.

I know before YLF, it I happened to try on an item that "didn't get me," I would think: "Why doesn't it look like it is supposed to? Will I never figure this out? What is wrong with me?" Cue the violins.

Now I understand that it might be a question of looking in a very different place. Accessories speak volumes. The right ones are a godsend, and can change an outfit from classic, to edgy, to arty.

11 years ago

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Thank you so much for posting this Janet! I can't tell you how many times I felt awful about something, and felt like it was *me*, and yet - it's clear that it's all about the styling and fit of a particular item - your post helps so much! Thank you a million times over for posting these examples. It's so easy to feel iffy about our bodies when things don't fit or aren't quite the right style.

Sometimes I battle body image issues. Sometimes it's because of a dress, item or outfit and the way it fits or doesn't fit. Sometimes it's a number on the scale. All it really takes to feel better is to find something that fits me and looks nice on me. Voila! I don't feel bad about the number on the scale or the shape of my body.

In the meantime, I absolutely *love* the dress in pic #1 on you - you look like a million bucks in it, and I hope you buy it.

11 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

Wow! What a great illustration of the concept of "it's not you, it's the clothes!"

Thanks, Janet!

11 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

I am too busy staring at your SHOES. O_O

11 years ago

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

So instructive! Thanks for sharing, Janet! I wonder who would actually look good in that dress? It looks too short to wear without leggings, unless you're 4 feet tall! Maybe it would be good for a prepubescent girl!

I do have to keep reminding myself that "it's not you, it's the clothes" so this is an awesome illustration!

11 years ago

Lyn D.

Veteran

So interesting Janet!
I like Suz' idea of showing our clothing 'out-takes' too, a good lesson for PPP.

11 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

That just shows how much of a difference you can make by the way you dress. What a great dress for you!

11 years ago

krishnidoux

Veteran

Oh wow. Day and night! Thanks for this demonstration.

11 years ago

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I LOVE this idea! What if we set aside a day of the week for it - maybe as a weekend challenge - but of course, people have all week to think and photograph and post?

If it's just an open challenge, lazy procrastinatin' me won't get around to it.

11 years ago

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran