Cream winter dress - YouLookFab Forum

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Cream winter dress

Minaminu

Veteran

hi all,

This year, Cos has been doing some nice knitwear dresses. There is one that has caught my eyes but I am not 100% sure.

The material is lovely (95% merino and 5% yak wool), but I have some doubts on the length. The model is quite tall (1.77m) and has a lovely shape, I am 1.65m and pear shaped, so I am slightly unsure if it would suit me.

The other stumbling block is that I can't come up with many ideas how to wear it. The only outfit that comes to mind is to add my black suede boots and the black coat, which is nice but a bit boring. I have a light neutral coat but I doubt that it would work as it is knee length and I am not sure that proportionally it would work.

Any ideas how else this could be styled?

Would a belt work to make it more shapely?

Luckily, the dress is still on full price and I am planning to wait for the sales, so I have a little time to think.:)

I really value your opinions, so any comment is welcome!

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Dressing

37 replies

Latest reply was from Jenava

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Ohh, that dress looks so cozy & nice! My guess is that it would put your enviable curves in a good light. Sweater dresses look best on figures with a bit of shape to them; adding a belt would heighten that. But the only way to know is to try it on, even if you aren’t keeping it at this price.

ETA. Most clothes models have fairly straight figures; it’s a job requirement. I note that they don’t show us a full pic of the model in the dress. My guess is that not having big hips or glutes means that the dress hangs very straight on her, in a way they chose not to show.

Deborah

Veteran

It’s lovely! Ok so I’m seeing it with sneakers. I’d also love it with a flat unrefined boot like a pair of Docs. You could also layer a very minimal long gilet over it. Also a fine knit poncho in a constrasting colour.

Vildy

Veteran

How can you tell the model's shape?
Really nice looking dress. I think showing off your pear shape would
be terrifically lush. Said by someone who is narrow hipped from the front view.

cat2

Veteran

How pretty! I am a pear and don’t tend towards pieces this shape, as the size that skims my hips means my waist is swimming in a pool of excess fabric. The two sweater dresses I kept each have a set in waist. So I would give it a pass unless you are intentionally going for a drapey look.

Vildy

Veteran

ooh, CAT2, that's a good point. I was envisioning going down a bit in size so that the hips show to advantage.

kkards

Veteran

I am wondering about the length... l love long, but it is quite long on the model, so will be, I’m guessing about ankle length on you.. but if its returnable, its worth a try. I’d wear it was you describe with black boots and a black coat, because IMO you can’t go wrong with simple black and white. To change it up I’d throw on different scarfs or shawls

Roberta

Veteran

Gorgeous!! But I note that this looks very long. Belting it so you had a bit of blouson at the waist is an option, if the knit will drape properly. I think black boots and jacket sound perfect, so elegant. Especially the suede with the cable knit, lovely mix of textures. You could also try tortoiseshell colors in jewelry or a topper, or snake boots. I live this creaminess in winter.

I would try it!

Jane

Veteran

I love this and think it is a great dress! I saw it last week in B&M store window and it caught my eye. I think it is likely to be a very flexible addition. A belt would look gorgeous, as would sneakers, as well as a large or small scarf or a longer open cardigan. I think the cream looks a luxe colour.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

It’s so appealing looking! The knit is just gorgeous.

As someone who has pear-ish tendencies and does not like to emphasize it, I avoid these styles as I find 1) I have to size up to get a fit that skims the hips without hugging, and that means the back and shoulders are usually too big and long, and 2) belting for my short torso usually means a chopped-up look, rather than elongating, and seems to counter the intent of pieces like this, which to me seems a long elegant sweep of a dress. But I think other women wear these styles brilliantly, even some who share body characteristics with me. Personally, I shudder at Vildy’s suggestion because I have never thought of the shape of my hips as an advantage, LOL. But I realize other women like to play them up, so I think it really depends on how this works with your individual style and flattery priorities.

Can’t hurt to try it!

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I think it's worth trying if it appeals to you. With these sorts of dresses, you just never know how they're going to lie until you get them on your body.

Personally, I probably wouldn't belt it. I like the idea of stompy boots, a puffer, and a big scarf to casualize it. Your suede boots and black coat for a more refined look. It would also look lovely with fawn, camel, or cognac.

A long vest/gilet over the top would probably be lovely. Or a longish wool blazer like the ones La Ped has been shopping for.

Sneakers and bare legs would be cute for a casual, athletic look, but I know it takes very specific weather for that to ever work.

Anonymous

Beautiful dress! I would always take Deborah and Jenn's suggestion for styling this kind of piece. They know what they are talking about . I love sweater dresses in theory, but find they never live up to expectations (bagging/stretching , tight in one place and too loose somewhere else). Great if you have the body type though.

Minaminu

Veteran

Fashintern, there is nothing enviable on my curves.... The appeal of this dress is that it could potentially hide them!!!

Deborah, those are fab styling ideas!!! Thanks!

Vildy, you made me laugh! I am not sure it would be a very idea idea to go a dress size down to highlight the curves... I am too self conscious but I love the coziness of the dress...

Cat2, you nailed my concern! Some of those dresses can be either too shapeless or highlight the wrong areas!

Kkards, I think you are right and it could be too long. I like the idea of the scarves!!!

Roberta, good idea with the belt! I was just thinking of adding the belt without styling as you advised. Thanks!

Jane, I haven't visited a shop since last November! I am mainly on online shopper but I am missing visiting shops to check the quality of the material! There are soo many dark knit dresses but a light neutral is very seldom !

Janet, I share the same concerns on the fit, that's why I always admire these dresses but then never buy!

Jenn, do you think that a gilet like the attached picture would work? I love the look of trainers, bare legs and a long dress... but I am not sure if the weather in London woukd be ok !

Lisa, indeed! Lots of good suugestions, if the dress would suit my shape....

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Cardiff girl

Veteran

Can I suggest that you view Lydia Tomlinson on you -tube for style ideas,she loves a winter knit like this and I have a feeling her style maybe right up your street.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Fab dress!

As far as fit goes, I'd watch the shoulder line and neck opening. Perhaps not quite structured enough....but you won't know until you try. In my experience, that type of sweater dress silhouette looks good on those who can fill it out with a larger bust and/or broader shoulder line.

The cables and thicker knit minimize cling on the lower curves of the body, which might be to your liking.

I like Deborah's and Jenn's styling suggestions.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Perhaps try that gilet worn open? I like the idea of a long line to offset any clinginess

MsMaven

Veteran

Angie's advice here is worth paying attention to. It's a great dress, but I've been disappointed many times with buying straight-falling dresses. I don't have a good, straight, or broad pair of shoulders and I have a narrow ribcage, so my bust doesn't fill out a straight style like this.

Oversized might be a different story.

Anonymous

Love sweater dresses! I lean toward finer cable and knit patterns. The back looks like it might have a finer knit. You could try a loose belt. The side slit is attractive. Hope this helps

Gigi

Veteran

I'm with Angie and MsMaven. I think that whether this dress will work or not has a lot to do with the shoulder line. I think this type of dress requires a relatively broad shoulder line so that the fabric hangs properly.

As an example: I once had a very long (ankle-length) puffer that I just swam in (I'm 5'2" and small boned). I finally found a replacement and mentioned to a friend of mine that I was giving the long puffer away. She didn't have much money and was immediately interested. She was about my size, maybe even a little shorter, and a little frail. I'll be darned--when she tried the puffer on, she looked fantastic, like it had been made for her! It turned out that she actually had quite wide shoulders--she was an IT. Her shoulder line allowed all that material to hang beautifully. Even the length didn't look bad on her because the fit in the shoulders was so good.

Bijou

Veteran

That is a beautiful dress, but I don't think it would work for me given the oversize fit. I have a knit dress (in Finds) that works well on skimming over my figure as often knits seem to either be completely bodycon or oversized - neither of which suit me.

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Minaminu

Veteran

MsMaven, I think you are right. As beautiful as the dress may be, there is no point in buying it if it doesn't suit my frame.

Nikki, thanks for the styling idea! I may use it for another dress.

Gigi, you just made a very valid example that made me decide not to buy the dress!

Bijou, I love your dress!!! I can see it working for your body shape and a slightly heavier shape like mine

I showed the dress to Mr Minu and he doesn't fit it would suit me because of its length and shape. He still remembers a similar dress that I wore when we started dating over 20 years ago and he wasn't afraid to tell me that it didn't do me any favour.

I think I was so taken with the colour and texture of the dress that I forgot that a fit and flare or A line dress suits me best. There is no point in buying a dress if it is not the right shape, I hope somebody else with the right shape will buy it and enjoy it .

Thank you very much for being the voice of reason!!!!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

So eyes open for cream-colored fit & flare sweater dresses?

Minaminu

Veteran

I suppose this would be a HEWI

abby

This dress is for me: inverted triangle shape in need of the right versatile, warm dress.

-This dress does minimalist well. The cable knit provides plenty of interest all by itself. Keep it black and white with the model’s black tall boots and the beige or black bag and coat. A black or beige gilet or open coat still preserves a minimalist approach if I can avoid too much bulk. Jewelry’s tendency to snag the knit material will keep me from being tempted to ruin the minimalist vibe with metal.

-In keeping with the subtle approach but with a hint, my obvious shoulders and topside in a sweater dress combined with some shapewear says there is a shape inside but keeps ‘em guessing what shape it is.
-It can lend itself to a pop of interest, depending on where I want the interest. Again, just one of these is plenty. A scarf for interest up top may work for others but I already have plenty there. Stompy boots or sneakers for interest down low, black to bookend my dark hair. Belt and/or bag to create interest in the middle, beige or even matching white preserves a nice effect. With the minimalist vibe, just the right specs alone may be all I need for a focal point. This dress’s beauty is its simplicity. I must curb my enthusiasm if I want to preserve its beauty.

-The dress’s back is even more minimalist, so one of the subtle pops of interest would create plenty of mystery both coming and going.

-I love the weight of the cable knit that helps this dress stay smooth and subtle, not clinging in unwanted places as too many sweater dresses do.

-Now to lose some weight so I can get this dress. I know, Angie, as you warn us, life does not work that way. Sigh...

Lynne

Veteran

It's a statement piece, for sure!

Minaminu

Veteran

Abby, I am not enabler but... it would be great if somebody with the right body shape would try this dress!

Lynne, very much so! Now, I need to find something similar in a fit and flare or A line shape!

Sal

Veteran

I can see why you are drawn to this dress. I love it too!!

It reminds me of a shopping trip with my old neighbours when I was about 16. The Dutch Mum and Daughter who were both about 6 foot, bought sweater dresses with deep vee necks. Mum's was navy, daughter a buttery yellow. They looked stunning.

unfrumped

Veteran

I don’t have any better suggestions. This type of dress never works on me, but when I do see something that might take me on a fun style journey but isn’t clearly my fit, that’s when I’d love to be able to try something on in the store so could decide to stalk it or put it out of mind.

I absolutely see why you’re drawn to it— it’s a great combination of luxe , statement and cozy.

rachylou

Veteran

Ooh! That’s a great dress!! Boots, sneakers, any kind of long coat, vest... oxfords... I think just not thin flats...

abby

Oh, dear...and I have been such a good girl for Santa, staying within my clothes budget recently.

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