A teachable moment: Why isn't this dress a 10?

I loved this Banana Republic dress and snapped it up when it ended up on deep sale. Waited in anticipation for it to arrive and then...hrrrrmmm. Maybe not so good.

What's not working here? I can't put my finger on it. Is it the geometric pattern? Or could it be the horizontal band? I'm thinking the waistband is just in an unflattering place on my annoyinlg short-waisted self. I also suspect the more-than-a-tank-but-less-than-a-cap-sleeve is emphasizing my shoulders and bust.

I love the pattern though, and it was inexpensive enough that I'm considering keeping it but only to be worn with a cardi or jacket (the cardi in pic #3 is only an example ). Is that a silly idea? Or should I just hold out for something that doesn't need tweaking to wear?

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13 years ago

deb

Veteran

I like it with the jacket. The print looks too busy to me without it.

Kari

Beth, it looks to me like that waistband seam is just cut for someone with a very long waist. (I'm extremely short-waisted so I totally feel your pain!) It kind of distorts your figure to my eye, making it look like you're wide where you actually aren't; it's just that the waist on the dress falls on a different place than the natural waist on your body! It's not *you* that's wrong, it's that the dress just isn't cut right for your pretty frame.

It may just be me, but there's something also about the print that looks kind of dated to me - it's making me think of late 90's/early 00's empire-seamed polyester dresses.

I personally like the shoulder because it's not a cap sleeve. If you visually cover up the photo of the dress and block the waistband issue, I think it's actually got a very nice silhouette.

(website)

I like it layered but think the waist might be what's off. As a fellow short waisted gal (who took a few years to figure out I need to tie wraps up at my natural waist for them to flatter - duh) I'm sensitive to waist position on dresses.

Beth

It sounds like you are seeing what I'm seeing:)

It's very aggravating when your waistband and your bra band are the same thing!

Suz

Yup. I think it's the waist. I have found that petite dresses often work better on me for this exact reason. I sometimes have to size up (for my shoulders, which are on the wide side) but at least it deals with the waist issue.

Jaime

Agree about the waistband. It does not sit on your narrowest part so it seems awkward. But only because we are staring at it. The jacket takes care of it though.

What if you tried a wide belt to draw the waist area up?

pil

The fit IS really nice except for the short waist issue (I'm short waisted too) and it looks really nice with the jacket.

sarah

I agree about the waist, but I think it may also be the gathering across the front where the wrap doesn't quite lie smoothly. Also, the sleeves are an awkward length and shape - somewhere in between sleeveless and cap sleeves. I actually like cap sleeves on wrap dresses, but these are just odd.

Kristin L

Something is off. But I love it with the cardi. Could you take the waistband up on it?

Anonymous

Both waist and sleeves look off to me, but the cardi or a jacket fix it.

Susie

I agree with Joy. I really like the print and think it looks nice with the jacket.

Deborah

I realise this is not sitting on your natural waist but I have to say I find it very flattering. The sleeves are a little distracting to me but I think this is a lovely dress on you. I also love it with the cardigan. I think its worth keeping.

Gaylene

I like it with the sweater to break up the print. I'd also try a wider black belt to help define the waist a bit better.

nancylee

I do think it has to do with the placement of the waistband. It's just not in the right place....probably should be a little higher for a more flattering fit.

Firecracker (Sharan)

I had the same reaction as Deborah (and I considered not posting, till I got to her comment, because of all the agreement about something off with the waist, which I'm just not seeing). I think the dress fits nicely, I love the print, it's a great length on you, and I wish surplice tops worked that well on me! The only thing that gave me pause was the sleeve, which has the effect of a short sleeve pushed up on the shoulder (the way I do with workout clothes when I get hot). I think it's great with or without a jacket or cardigan.

catgirl

I think the waistband is placed in a way that's making you look much more rectangular than you are. I would not have known this was you from the photos alone. It's not you, it's the clothes! It's close but not quite there... you are too gorgeous for this dress, Beth!

K. Period.

It's the waist. I'm short waisted and I always underscore always have this problem with BR dresses and outerwear. The waist hits about an inch too low on me. It looks like it is a little less on you. If you pinch up the extra fabric, you'll see how it resolves the issue. Personally I've solved it in one of two ways. I either order a petite (and I'm 5'5", so a bit tall for a petite otherwise) or I've had my seamstress take up that extra inch along the top of the waistband. Or, I guess, a third way: I pass it up.

lyn67

I actually like it very much as it is, and esp. with a black topper!

anne

I thought it looked fine too, but I defer to Una, who has met you in person right?

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I agree that the cutting horizontal line of the waistband on a short waisted person is not the best idea. Yet this frock looks nice! It's not a 10 - but it is a 9. The waistband is very low contrast.

rachylou

Ya, a 9. But a nine is pretty good!

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