Another voluminous dress K/R

anne

A friend gave me this (in addition to the recent grey drapy dress) a month ago
Should I keep
my doubts (it is bigger than my normal size, long and very voluminous)
colour - not sure the taupe? is a good colour

I am skipping cropping these photos, so please excuse my lounge room!

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13 years ago

Dressing

29 replies

Latest reply was from anne

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Hmmm, I'm torn. I love the top of it. Not so sure about the bottom part. Belted, it loooks a bit bunched up. Unbelted, it kind of overwhelms you. Now, I don't have the greatest tolerance in the world for high-volume bottoms, so take my opinion for what it's worth. I'd be tempted to see if there is a way to rework the bottom half somehow. It's definitely interesting, and I feel like it has potential.

13 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

Anne., I adore this dress::). I don't think it's meant to be belted. The top fits great but the lower half sadly looks too big for you. But have a play because I see quite a few styling possibilities; worn with opaque tights and ballet flats, same with flat or heeled boots, over skinny leg pants with short booties... I could go on lol... Love to see it work because it's a very cool dress.

13 years ago

Midwest Girl

Active Member

I love the details of the upper part of the dress, but the way it drapes at the bottom is unusual. If it was a bit shorter, I think it would have potential as a tunic with leggings and boots.

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Anne, I have an idea. You are handy with a needle, correct? I am wondering, what if you cut this dress off and made it an asymmetrical tunic top? It is true you would lose the nice black band on the bottom (I am assuming this is a knit) but perhaps you could attack grosgrain ribbon to the bottom for the same effect or some other band. If it was necessary at all. I think the top part is lovely on you and with slightly less overall volume (by reducing the length and taking away the very widest part) you might end up with a very useful sweater top (or jumper, if you prefer).

13 years ago

anne

Veteran

Thanks for the advice. I agree with I think everyone who didn't like it belted. I only tried it that way because a friend suggested it

I should try Deborahs styling suggestions

however I am really intrigued by Suz's suggestion. I am quite attracted!! Where do you suggest cutting?
What do you all think of this idea (cutting it down to a sweater)
It is a knit, BTW

Any comments on the colour?

13 years ago

Kristin L

Veteran

I like the colors on you. It looks like it could match almost anything. I agree that the bottom looks to big, but I think you could cut it off and make it into a sweater. You may need to run out to the fabric store and get some wort of fabric stabilizer or inter-fusing to help make a hem.

13 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Before you cut it off into a sweater, what about simply taking it in on the sides? That's very simple to do. You'd want to do it with a serger since it's a knit. A tailor or even your dry cleaner can probably do this for you. Just take out some of the volume to tone it down a bit... or take out a lot of the volume and make it more of a shift shape.

I think it's got potential but at current volume it read "maternity" to me.

13 years ago

anne

Veteran

Ooh - keep the ideas coming!!!!!

Shiny - that has potential too! (and it has been great seeing you on the forum again)

13 years ago

Anonymous

I'm just not a fan of this style of dress, it reminds me of Mary-Kate and Ashley with their very over-sized clothing on tiny bodies. But if you are going to keep it I like look #3 the best.

13 years ago

anne

Veteran

Shabbychick - I know what you are saying. And I would NEVER have bought this dress myself. But my friend was very keen to hand it on to me!

13 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Regarding the color, it reads grey, not taupe to me. But I think this would be adorable layered over a crisp white collar ... I know you wear white well!

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I like Shiny's idea, too. I am not sure where to suggest cutting it - you'd probably have to experiment a bit with folding to different lengths. Taking it to someone who does alterations might be well worth it. I agree with Shiny that you could layer this item, too. I actually think that either narrowed or shortened it could become a wardrobe staple for you.

13 years ago

anne

Veteran

Suz - Thanks

Shiny - I like the white blouse idea. Am very into having white by my face.

The colour is taupe though, not grey.

13 years ago

Mita

Active Member

Hi Anne, I think this dress does not do you justice. You have great style and this just floats on you. Personally I think you should continue to pass it on and keep with your own great taste.

13 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I would love this if it were a sweater - you know I wear oversized tops all the time. But it seems tent-like as a dress on you. Love the idea of cutting it down to a tunic, maybe with a hemline on the diagonal?

13 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I dunno, I could see it worn with leggings or tights and boots and looking very rocker arty. I guess that's wearing it more as a tunic than a dress per se, just a bit longer. I wish the uneven hem was either even or more uneven - at least the way you have it styled, it looks not quite intentional. Shortening it could work, but I know hemming sweater knit is hard to do in a way that ends up decent looking.

13 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

The sleeves are a bit long, too. IMHO, this dress is cut for a VERY tall person, as in close to six feet tall, and it would be a shame to cut it up since knits can be tricky. The uneven hem doesn't quite look intentional, but I'm wondering if it would somehow look intentional on a differently dimensioned body.

13 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I want to like this Anne but I feel like it just swallows you. Love the idea of it being a tunic sweater though with slim/skinny bottoms.

13 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

Love the idea of having it taken in at the sides Anne. I think a slimmer line will make the length work. I just love the overal effect of the dress and would be sad to see you loose the band at the bottom... but that's me.

13 years ago