Hunting for a red print dress - YouLookFab Forum

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Hunting for a red print dress

Chris987

Veteran

I’ve been on the hunt for a red print dress, inspired by blogger Psyche who was featured here recently. https://youlookfab.com/2017/11.....-st-louis/

I just LOVE her outfit, and I have similar sandals and a light blue denim jacket. Her dress is a classic DVF wrap dress which is a bit too dressy for my lifestyle but I love the geometric print and the general idea of a waist-defining silhouette. I also want something that does not look too "office wear" ish. I want knee length but would be willing to buy a longer style and shorten it if the shape is right.

I ordered this one and am mulling. I like the print, it feels like the right size (I’ve used safety pins to take in the shoulder seams, an alteration I would make if I keep it), but it seem to be a bit too loose a shape, adds pounds visually. The effect is even stronger with the denim jacket. I think I need something with more waist definition

Photos

1 - dress on me
1 - dress w/denim jacket

Finds

the original inspiration, my dress, sandals, jacket, and some more candidate dresses I've been looking at. Some of the dresses seem a bit too "office wear".

Would love you hear your comments on this specific dress, how I'm thinking about fit/shape, and any other advice!

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25 replies

Latest reply was from Chris987

Kathie

Veteran

I actually like the look with the denim jacket, and don’t think it adds pounds. That said, depending on your tolerance for try-ons and returns, I’d order the other finds and compare them. I think it would be worth the effort, and you end up with a great personal interpretation of the look.

Chris987

Veteran

Thanks Kathie, good to hear. I have a pretty high tolerance for the order/return cycle.

RobinF

Veteran

I also love her style! I think this looks nice on you and I love this dress but I think the flowy skirt is hard with the jean jacket. Maybe you're right, that it needs more waist definition. I'd love to see the look with some of these other dresses.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I immediately thought of Boden — they usually seem to have some nice cheery red prints, and they have lots of dresses right now. I like the print on the one here, but I know what you mean about those unstructured styles as I tend to feel “big” in them too. I also know what you mean about most dresses seeming too office-y.

Bijou

Veteran

Well I love this look on you. The colour is beautiful and how fab are your sandals and denim jacket together???
It is probably worth trying the other red dresses, but you are really onto a winning formula here. This outfit looks great on you.

Chris987

Veteran

Thanks RobinF, Janet (I knew you would get the unstructured shape thing), and Bijou. Yup two of those candidate other dresses are boden and I'm going to look for others and finally place an order with them

Cardiff girl

Veteran

That colour red is great on you ,I agree with trying on some other dresses in different shapes ,whilst I like the look of that dress on you it’s how you feel in It that’s important.

Sara L.

Veteran

I think you've done a great job with interpreting the blog post. Your sandals are perfect with the denim jacket. I think it's worth trying a couple other dresses for comparison. If you don't like the shape of this dress, you probably won't wear it much.

JAileen

Veteran

I like the dress both with and without the jacket. I have a big loose dress like that and when I was trying to get the right size, Angie had me size down until the fit around the shoulders was “structured”. That is, it had to fit somewhere.

Chris987

Veteran

Thanks Cardiff Girl, you are so right that one must listen to feelings when choosing what to wear! (As Angie has said numerous times)

You are so right Sara, if I don't like it I won't wear it!

Good point Jaileen. The dress I'm showing fits very well around the shoulders and bust (assuming I do the shoulder alteration) but good reminder that that is important.

Katerina

Veteran

It is such a great look, love the fresh combination. The dress is lovely and I like it on you both with and without the denim jacket.
With that said, if you have some doubts yourself, try the other dresses too and compare. Then you decide which one is the most fabulous.

kellygirl

Veteran

Beautiful dress! I think the woven is closest to matching the look of the inspiration outfit. This style has been my go to silhouette for a long time so I am biased. I love the tiered Boden dress though—I hope you try it. It looks more casual but it’s so pretty!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Well, all I can say is now I am furious with you because I'm going to be on a red geometric print dress hunt, too!!! That is a fabulous inspiration.

I really like the dress you've chosen but agree that the proportions are a bit off -- you need a more cropped denim jacket, maybe, to work with this swing style. Definitely worth experimenting with options if you don't mind ordering and returning, and now I am on the hunt for this kind of red dress available in Canada. Which is going to be a frustrating experience, but here goes!! If I succeed we can be outfit twins.

Staysfit

Veteran

I’m hunting for a red dress now also, but I think mine will be solid red, not with a pattern..... I tried some patterned dresses and they just aren’t feeling right. In any case, I looked at the picture first and then read what you wrote. I wondered about the shoulder fit, so I am glad to hear what you say about that. I think it’s hard to judge this dress in isolation. It looks nice, but another red dress might look nicer. I can understand why you are worried about this style. It’s a swing dress, so it’s designed to be loose and swingy. It doesn’t have a lot of structure. I like it with the Jean jacket which gives it more structure. If you want something with more structure, one of the other dresses you show in the finds might work better.

Andrea H

I agree with Suz that the problem is the jacket is a touch too long to wear with the fuller skirt and that's what's throwing off the proportions a bit. I think the dress sans jacket is very pretty and flattering on you.

Jane

Veteran

Cute dress! I think it’s a good fit. I do love the red, white and denim combination. I think unless you feel it is ‘spot on’ I would have a look at other options - Angie’s advice that this is a good season for dresses is chiming in my ears.

krishnidoux

Veteran

May I start off by saying you have a lovely figure. Also, I really like the clever pairing with powder blue footwear.

I like the dress with the denim jacket. But I hear you on the ample cut. This color and print is lovely on you. But is this the dress you are looking for? I would say if you feel the least bothered by the cut, pass.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I love the concept for you, Chris. You have the perfect shoes for the look.

I think it’s the too high neckline here - accentuated by the safety pin alteration. You need a V. Check out Boden.

Chris987

Veteran

Thanks Katerina, great advice.

Thanks kellygirl, AndreaH, Jane,

Suz that is too funny, I felt the same "gotta have it" when I saw the blogger's posting. A red print dress would be PERFECT on you!

Yes Staysfit, agree with everything you said.

Thanks Krishnadoux for the compliment, and I can't take credit for the blue footwear idea with this dress, although I will take credit for having bought the shoes last year.

Thanks Angie. I have ordered four boden dresses.

delurked

Veteran

Looking forward to the showdown of Boden dresses.

Chris987

Veteran

Thanks Delurked! 20 paces at dawn

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Grrrrr. Still looking!!! Had no luck all day yesterday and nothing online yet either.

Crossing fingers for you, though...

Chris987

Veteran

Suz is boden not an option in Canada?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Well, I can order it, in theory -- but it comes from the UK, with hefty return charges. And there are no Boden stores, so no option to try on first. So I'm leery. If I had ever been in store and tried on in person I would feel safer. The prices are very high in Canada also...much higher than in the US, which is typical, but even more so if you add in duties/ returns etc.

Chris987

Veteran

Ah...the typical hassles you have with so many retailers.