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Help! TED talk outfit

Roxanna

Veteran

Thank you Fabbers for all your help a few weeks ago on what to look for in a TED talk outfit...you mentioned things I hadn't even thought of and your comments were so helpful!

I have been heads down on creating the actual talk but now with it less than 3 weeks away, I really have to get myself clothed

I am looking for:
A dress - hitting knee length or longer (not hard as I am 5'4")
Not grey, black or white - in a bright or mid tone colour
No print
Interesting but not fussy details
fitted/structured (fit & flare is great)
In a fabric that glides (jersey, wool, etc)

I am very hard to fit for dressed because I am curvy, pear shaped and shortwaisted - so I usually need a petite.

Any ideas or links? I have ordered some to try on from The Bay, J Crew and BR...but any other suggestions are welcomed!!

Shopping

16 replies

Latest reply was from bj1111

Anonymous

I don’t have suggestions but Wow, super awesome you’re doing a Ted talk & based on past outfit pics, I am sure you’ll nail an awesome look!

Lynette

I am also curvy, pear shaped, and short waisted and usually can’t wear a dress unless it has no waistline or has an empire waist. However, I have recently discovered that Boden’s petite sizes work for me. And the quality is always superb. Congrats on being chosen to give a Ted talk. What an honor!

bella

(website)

Veteran

I went virtual dress shopping for you at Macy's, it was fun! I think my selection is a bit heavy on the wrap tops, cause that's one of my best styles.:) Maybe one of these will work for you.

Lauren Ralph Lauren Petite Ruched Jersey Dress

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Michael by Michael Kors Petite Mesh Fit & Flare Dress

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Lauren Ralph Lauren Petite Keyhole Stretch Dress

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Lauren Ralph Lauren Petite Twisted-Knot Dress

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Calvin Klein Petite Petal-Sleeve Sheath Dress

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Lauren Ralph Lauren Petite Ponté-Knit Dress

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Connected Petite Chain-Link Draped Dress

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Charter Club Petite Surplice Wrap Dress, Created for Macy's

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Lauren Ralph Lauren Petite Surplice Dress

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Lauren Ralph Lauren Petite Self-Tie Dress

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NY Collection Petite Cross-Front Dress

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INC International Concepts I.N.C. Petite Solid Wrap Dress, Created for Macy's

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Cee

Veteran

Some good ideas above

...and break a leg, kid !!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

WOOOHOO. Another TED talk, You go girl

I'm not sure jersey is the way to go, and here are some options to get you started:

J.Crew Tipped Cotton Poplin Dress

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Genevieve Midi Shirt Dress

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Maisie Jersey Midi Dress

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Unique Vintage 1940s Style Camilla Midi Dress

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Alice + Olivia Hiroko Blouson Sleeve Shirt Dress

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& Other Stories

Belted Floral Midi Dress - Red - Midi dresses - & Other Stories

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Maisie Jersey Midi Dress

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Maisie Jersey Midi Dress

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Sandro sandro Carl Button Front Stripe Midi Dress | Nordstrom

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**Cutabout Jersey Dress by Boutique

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Kate Spade New York Bubble Dot Dress

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Leonie Ponte Midi Dress

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Fuzzi Paisley Fringe Dress

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Anonymous

Seconding Macy's-Lauren Ralph Lauren works very well for my short waisted curvy self so should work for you too!
Excited about the Ted talk What's it about?

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Of course you need to try on but the Other Stories red floral and the Boden green Leonie that Angie picked are my picks out of her picks. If that made sense? GOOD LUCK!

Nadya

Veteran

Do you know how you’ll be mic’d for the TED talk? If it’s a wireless headset you’ll want a belt where you can attach the battery back. I put it in the pocket of a dress for one talk (a work conference, not a TED talk!) but saw in the pictures after that it pulled my neckline a bit off kilter.

If you’ll have a clip on mic rather than a headset, think about where it will clip on the neckline. I find jewel or crew necks awkward for a clip on; v necks, scoop necks or collared necklines work well, if you’re not wearing a jacket over the dress.

So excited for you! I hope you’ll post a link if there’s video available of your talk.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

There are some great ideas in this thread! I think when you try on something, have someone film you as you move around, so you have an idea of how your outfit looks on-camera, and if it's doing anything strange, like shifting around.

Jane

Veteran

I really like all of Angie's picks. Especially the red Other Stories one.

I'm trying to remember if you had the Club Monaco striped dress that I had last year, that was an Angie pick....they have a black version this year, which looks really super, and may be worth a try on. Here is the striped version

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Gigi

Veteran

Anthropologie has a lot of interesting petite options. I got a midi fit-and-flare dress from there a couple of months ago that I really like. I have good luck with fit-and-flares, since I have a smaller waist and a bigger bum.

Jane

Veteran

Roxanna, I have just re read your post and see that you say not black, where as my suggestion was black!

Roxanna

Veteran

Thanks so much all for all your help and advice! You really are the best

Bella: I love all your options and they are exactly along the lines of what I was thinking! We fine have a Macy's here but I will check at the Bay.

Lynette, suntiger - I'm glad you sympathize! And I forgot about Lauren Ralph Lauren - those dresses work great for me too. I'll have to give them a try.

Angie - why no Jersey? I thought a thick Jersey would be good and not show sweat, wrinkles, shadows, etc. Do you think another fabric might be better?

And I noticed that all the dresses you recommended are prints...I have specifically noticed that speakers stay away from prints since they are being filmed - unless you have another perspective?

Jane - you are right that I have your CM striped dress... And while I don't want to wear black on stage, I do love that dress so I might buy it just to wear over the summer!

Runcarla

Veteran

Oh, yes! Lauren Ralph Lauren dresses are go-to's. I'm a big fan. Whoever does the designing these days really 'gets' women's bodies.

Lucy

I absolutely love your Hugo Boss white sheath dress! Is it out of the running?

bj1111

Veteran

prints can be distracting on camera and might interact unpredictably with the technology. stripes, for example, are a real no-no--headache inducing. solid colors work really really well.