Gaylene & Suz - you are very right in that this is type of item that is impossible to showcase in a static picture. It's hard to try and explain to someone how an article feels when you stride and it caresses your legs just ever so, or that the drape of a neckline make you feel alluring but not sleazy - that sort of thing. I can't say enough about how the fabric feels against my skin, how it doesn't sling to a darned thing and how nicely a jacket over top glides on without any bunching.

Deborah - LOL! I knew you'd be ALL OVER this dress! It is definitely your type of style and it's actually your inspirational outfits and stunning displays of draping that made me want to try this dress in the first place - so thank you I will PM you later with links and info on the dress.

It sounds like most of you feel the medium is fine to wear now and I'm starting to think you are right. Although it feels a bit self conscious in the tummy area, the rest of the medium fits better - the arms, the length and the tapering at the bottom in particular. Plus the medium shows the overall shape of the dress a bit better, although that's impossible to tell in the pictures due to it being black.

Again, thank you all so much for your feedback. It's always so helpful for me to see something through someone else's eyes.

Shannon, FWIW, the dress is just beautiful and the draping looks amazing. I liked everything that you did with it except for the first. Something seems off with the black boots. But the rest is just awesome. You could wear a vest with this dress too.

I love the medium on you! Fluid, chic, and flattering. Truly.

I tend to get myself in trouble with these over-sized, drapey pieces because I love them and they are sometimes not conventionally flattering. But I think sometimes you just have to wear something because you enjoy wearing it right? Like others have said, I have a feeling these pictures aren't doing the movement of the dress justice and I trust your impeccable taste that it's fab!

At first look I thought the large was too long and that you should hem it to a more flattering length. Then came the medium, much more flattering to my eye overall. If you are still losing weight and readjusting to body changes, why not make the medium your base?

I must say that since I've grown my own tummy I am much more accepting of the idea that this is a very feminine feature and that we can happily dress around it while flattering other body parts as we do so.

Enjoy your dress--I hope it accompanies you on lots of happy days.

I love the way the M fits. It's perfect. I know you want to keep both sizes - I read your reasoning. Part of me feels you should just stick to keeping the M. I don't see any pooch. You are 100% gorgeous. xo

Honestly? To me, L just looks oversized in a bad way. M looks good already.

Keeping both is not a bad plan, IMO. I, of course, prefer the large for the sack effect. Waif chic. For me, the M is just a nice dress. But I realise I'm definitely in the minority...

Medium it is then!

Want a bit of brutal honesty here? I think I was wanting to keep both sizes because I'm so afraid of my weight continuing to climb and it would give me a "fall back" option.

Well to heck with it - you've given me the confidence boost I needed to make my choice and I can't thank you enough.

Hugs & kisses to y'all

ETA: Cross posted with you Rachy. Interesting that you're going the other direction in the size choice. It truly is all subjective isn't it?

*happy dance*

Well, I'm too late to add to this party, so I will say that I think you made/are making the right choice.

Great dress!

It's the right choice, Shannon. You know you can get your weight under control -- you have the tools, the support, and now some meds. to help -- and hopefully the stress will go down a bit because that's really the main culprit here. You've had one heck of a year.