Great dress but has dreaded cap sleeves--ETA new photos - YouLookFab Forum

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Great dress but has dreaded cap sleeves--ETA new photos

unfrumped

Veteran

I ordered this Adrianna Papell dress to try because of the color, style and hoped-for length. But, I knew it had no real sleeves, just the cap sleeve.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ad.....igin=categ

No photos yet, but it fits and has a nice knee-length (not above knee) flowy skirt, so I really like it except I SO want sleeves! I can wear it as-is, but it would be more versatile if it had a sleeve, because I think that is more flattering and then I only cover up for true temperature control.

So then I will need a little jacket or cardigan or something--nothing I have now has the right proportions. It seems to call for strong neutrals like black or true white.

This is kind of a HEWI color, style and length-- except missing the HEWI sleeves! I had sworn off ordering any sleeveless or cap sleeves but then got sucked in by this one. It's not cheap and the design is not quite like a chameleon LBD that takes its character from the topper.

Any wisdom out there for me--more picky and patient or more practical? I'm about to talk myself out of it and say, NEXT, but wonder if I'll later think I let it get away.
I'm shopping in the wrong places, I fear. Maybe Boden?

ETA photos below.

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27 replies

Latest reply was from LoriFLA

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I think it's beautiful! The sleeves don't bother me at all, but sometimes I actually like a bit of cap sleeve to balance my hips. Lets see pics on you.

MsMaven

Veteran

Beautiful dress and what a gorgeous color. I am slowly accepting cap sleeves--they do help balance out the bottom half. These sleeves are particularly pretty. Lately the cap sleeves I've tried seem to make an otherwise sleeveless dress easier to wear.

I do commiserate on the sleeve issue. It is so hard to find a dress with sleeves that otherwise fits the bill. And I hate having to cover a beautiful dress with a jacket.

Not much help here, just a lot of sympathy. I look forward to seeing the dress on you.

Joy

Veteran

This dress is beautiful and the cap sleeves are tiny, have a nice diagonal line on the arm, and the unlined lace really makes the dress look sleeveless. Keep. As for a cover up, a denim or leather jacket would be a juxtaposition with the lace. I have a summer dress of a similar color that I like to wear with chocolate brown or navy/deep blue short cardi and shoes.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I like little sleeves, but if cap sleeves aren't your thing, I'd hold off - I definitely have a dress or two that I don't wear because the sleeves are SO ANNOYING.

Boden has pretty dresses with sleeves And longer lengths too. I love Boden. Teehee.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Gorgeous dress and the sleeves look pretty to me, and might suit you. Let's see pics!

Zibbets

Veteran

I like the little scalloped sleeve and hemline, and the color is divine. Can't wait to see pics of it on you!

Peri

Veteran

I hate cap sleeves so it would be a no for me...but I am IT and I don't think you are? On smaller shoulders I think those would be fine.

That same designer has a lace sheath with sleeves, but the colors are not as pretty. The color of yours is beautiful...I can see the dilemma.

retailgirl

Veteran

Do you hate cap sleeves because you don't like your arms? Because I think this is pretty and the cap sleeves are integral to the design of the dress. I'd love to see a picture of it on you. I don't love sleeveless or cap sleeves for me, ( I'm 64...what more do I need to say?) but if I saw a dress as pretty as this one, I'd be willing to try it.

Kristin L

Veteran

Would it be possible for you or a seamstress to add some sort of sleeve to it? I think it's still worth giving the dress a shot.

pil

Veteran

It's a beautiful dress in a beautiful color. I agree with the others - let's see some pictures!

Gigi

Veteran

Stunning dress. I think that the cap sleeves work well with the design. I'm all for ordering it and then posting pictures.

JAileen

Veteran

Obviously you know yourself better than anyone, but I think the dress is very pretty, including the sleeves. I'm not sure why you don't like them.

shiny

Veteran

Wow, that dress is stunning. Cannot wait to see you in it.

For me I either need sleeveless OR elbow length OR full length. Short sleeves are the most unflattering sleeve length of all -- cuts right where my arm is widest. And for me, cap sleeves aren't that great unless they are super subtle -- but that's because I am an IT, which you are not, so I bet this dress is just awesome on you.

Regardless, those cap sleeves look like they'd be extremely easy to remove, if you wanted to remove them.

chadya

Veteran

ITA on cap sleeves make up your damn mind, either make a real sleeve or cut it off. I don't find them flattering on me either.
On the other hand on that dress because of the lace you might be able to tuck the lace under, its a pretty dress.

rute

Veteran

Lyn is right. To buy a dress to wear with a cover, it's not a good start..

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Cap sleeves get so much hate. I don't know why, but the right kind of cap sleeve actually seem to be one of my better sleeves. If its diagonally cut and not tight, which seems to be the case with this particular dress, they *can* be flattering on those of us who are not ITs. By contrast, I think those mid-arm straight-across cut short sleeves can look frumpy.

I think it's at least worth a try, even to see if removing the sleeve might be an option. Sleeve alterations can be one of the more straightforward type of alterations.

lyn67

Veteran

I like this dress soo much caps sleeves here are almost ransparent, so guess it will not cut dramatic your upper arm in an unflarerring way. Pls try it on!

Suja

Veteran

I totally feel your pain. I really want a dress that I can wear stand-along, sans cardigan or jacket but choosing only from sleeved dresses really cuts down your options. PPP works if you have an indefinite time horizon but there are times you have to pick the best of what's out there.

Personally, I put a lot of value on color and that would trump the sleeve issue. Especially because the sleeves are not unflattering on the dress. Maybe a shrug would give you the coverage you want. Or going sans cover-up is fine too since that looks like a special occasion dress rather than an office dress.

Just my $0.02

unfrumped

Veteran

ETA update with some photos. I had more but the lighting was more terrible than usual--even these are hard to see.

Shown plain with nude pump; with flowered jacket and black low pump; with "moto" jacket and black pump.

The jackets aren't ideal, but just to give an idea of how a short jacket might work. I'm not a big "shrug" person--they tend to fit funny on me-- but that might acually work better for this dress style--something very minimal but providing a sleeve. I don't currently have any light colored toppers I think would work, but obviously that would be more summery.

My sleeve issue is I'd rather a real sleeve than either sleeveless or cap sleeve in any dress, both because of not loving bare upper arms and also I can't tolerate the cold indoors in summer, so that leaves outside on a very warm day, and I don't have many occasions for that--so I don't get much use out of airy dresses as-is.

Thoughts and comments welcome!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'm on my phone so it's not easy to see detail, but from what I can see, I really like it on you -- including the sleeve! I think it's very flattering. Love it with the black moto.

unfrumped

Veteran

Suja, that's right, the color is a real plus as long as some of the neckline and bodice are showing, it provides some healthy-glow color even with a topper, even black.

Janet, thanks! I'm pretty tempted because in addition to the nice color, it's a very "easy" to wear dress--soft cotton lining, skims without binding, don't have to tug skirt down when sitting. I waffle because I have these "perfect" dresses in my imagination but not IRL!

kellygirl

Veteran

I don't mind the cap sleeve at all. You have slim arms and the cut is very flattering on you. I love the dress alone and with the toppers--especially the moto. I like the idea of the blazer too--just not with that print. I definitely think this is worth keeping.

cciele

Veteran

I think the dress looks wonderful on you, cap sleeve and all! BUT -- I am not the one who needs to wear it and feel comfortable in it. If you don't have a need for a cap-sleeve dress and don't anticipate many wearing occasions, I'd suggest thinking seriously about passing. But Nordstrom does have a generous return policy, so you could consider letting it sit in your closet while you hunt for your perfect dress

shiny

Veteran

5 days late -- did you decide yet???

I think you look AMAZING and this dress is made for you! You have awesome arms and carry off cap sleeves with aplomb. The fact that it is also comfortable to wear and a great color just adds to the KEEP factor.

While I get that you might want sleeves to keep you warm, I do not get wanting to cover up those pretty arms of yours.

This is difficult for me because I run hot, and even when I don't (dead of winter) I am sensitive to more formal dress codes which seem to beg for sleeveless, even if there is snow on the ground and it seems too cold for that. If I had your slim arms and this dress fit & flattered me like it does for you, I'd add it to my closet in a heartbeat.

Then sort out cover up later.

It is just so difficult to find great formal dresses that are classic like this. Cover ups are, frankly, easier. At least they are for me.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

KEEP!!!!

I really love this dress on you!! It's such a lovely versatile colour, a fun style, and your arms look fantastic! I get that you might need a topper, but you can sort that out later on.

unfrumped

Veteran

Many thanks!
I am keeping! I think the color, and that it's a solid, and easy-to-wear fit will make it useful, and that it can be worn dressy or more casualized.

N

LoriFLA

Glad you are keeping it. I think it looks great sans topper.