Fit Problems...?

Ria

Hi everyone! You're all looking fabulous today.

So, here's today's dilemma: Since the time to apply for graduate jobs is getting closer and closer, I decided to take a look at my wardrobe to see what could be classified as "corporate wear".

I stumbled upon this dress from Marks and Spencer and it fits my waist really well, but somehow, it just doesn't look right. I feel like my tummy shows a bit too much in this dress and that the shoulders just seem a bit too big and/or strong for me.

Thoughts? (Sorry for the horrible quality pictures. And yes, I am planning to wear something to cover up the hideous zip at the back.)

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11 years ago

Dressing

6 replies

Latest reply was from Ria

Janet

(website)

Veteran

It's hard to tell from the photos, but it sounds like perhaps the dress is cut a tiny bit long in the torso for you? This is one of my most common fit problems with dresses since I am quite short-waisted. A good way to tell is if you can pinch a little extra fabric at the top of the shoulder and the dress starts to fall better. In a sleeveless dress or top, it's usually a simple alteration -- just take in the shoulder a bit. The fit look pretty good otherwise!

11 years ago

abc

Veteran

I agree with Janet's assessment.

11 years ago

Freckles

Veteran

I'm not good at fit but hopefully Janet's idea will help you. It is a very pretty dress for corporate wear. You could wear it a lot of different ways.

11 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

I think Janet is on to something too. I am short waisted, and what happens is that the shoulders are too big, but the narrowest part of the garment (the garment waist) hits me right where my hips start to widen (my widest part). So misses' dresses generally will look like they are too tight in the hips for me.

I don't think it costs too much to get an alteration to a sleeveless dress. But if you want to go shopping for a new dress, I would suggest looking at petite sizes, which often have waists higher up.

11 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

I find dresses very hard to fit. Sheath dresses like the one you have on look best on me but have to fit in so many places. And shift dresses, which have fewer fit points, don't look as corporate and look terrible on me. Thus, I default to separates which are so much easier to fit.

What is your field?

11 years ago

Ria

Active Member

Thank you everyone! Janet, I might go with your idea and try to take in the shoulder a bit. Hopefully that'll help!

Gigi - thank you for your tip about trying petite sizes! I've never thought about trying those, since I always thought that petite sizes were for slim women only. A quick Google search showed me that petite plus sizes existed too, so I might give that a go when searching for dresses next time.

DonnaF, I'm a university student. I'm majoring in Accounting and Human Resources, so I'll most likely head into the corporate world. It's tough because I want to wear something other than suits, but I don't know what's good enough for the corporate world. I'd really prefer something that stands out and shows that I have confidence, and I don't feel like suits do that - if that makes sense.

Also, this is rather strange, but I haven't found a pencil skirt that fits me yet. How do I know if a pencil skirt fits me? Would it be easier to buy one that feels comfortable, then get it taken in at the back?

11 years ago

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