I Need Brutal Honesty - Please Help!

lala

Hi Ladies! I've been absent for awhile and am posting again because I need your butally honest opinions!
I purchased this dress with the intention of wearing it to some "fun" cocktail parties this holiday season. My husband said it makes me look like mutton dressed as lamb because of the skirt length (it is pretty short for me - about 2 inches above the knee). It's a true wrap dress in navy satin with short stand-up collar and ruffles at the bust line. I styled it with a black cami, black opaque tights and black heels. Keep in mind that I'm over 40 and do I have any business wearing a dress this short? Complete honesty, please please please! (this is my first time downloading pics - I hope it worked!)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/4.....004865005/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43496443@N03/

16 years ago

General

10 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

agrace

Active Member

I think it is a tad short in my opinion but I"d be curious what others say. I don't know if it is really an age thing, I'm 31 and I might feel that was a touch short. I think length is such a personal call but in my opinion yes the dress is just a smidge short. If it were worn with flats it might not be but with that heel height it does strike me that way.

let's see what some others say?

16 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

Hi Lala,
I'll take a stab at honesty
First of all, it's a georgeous color and I agree, a fun looking dress... but I'm not sure it's right for you.
Personally, I don't see an issue with the dress length-- I am over 40 and all my dresses are atleast 2 inches above my knees. However, I'm not crazy about the volume of the skirt at that length. I think that, along with the ruffles up top, are what might be giving off a more juvinile (how on earth do you spell that?) feel to your husband. Also, I don't think that dress is the most flattering to your body shape regardless of your age. You appear to be an apple or rectangle shape and that dress just makes you even more apple-y (and I don't mean that in any derogatory way at all.

I would suggest that you find a more fitted sheath type dress that comes to within a couple inches of your knees, and then have fun with your accessories. Personally, I think that is a much more classy look.

And finally, if your husband doesn't like it, that's reason enough to return it, in my opinion.

I"d love to hear others opinions, and let us know what you decide to do.

16 years ago

Active Member

I agree with queenie - if it was a sheath dress, it wouldn't be too short. But the length combined with the volume of the skirt does make it look youngish (is that a word?)

16 years ago

Jennifer

Active Member

Very nice legs! I don't see the length as an issue either, especially coupled with the fact that you bought it as a cocktail dress. However, if you're slightly uncomfortable with the length, you might consider how it will effect your getting down on and up off of chairs/couches, etc. and sitting comfortably. Just a thought!

When I first pulled up your pictures, I thought I'd put the critical eye to the side and just feel for harmony. The semi-side shot was looking pretty good, but with the front-on shots, my eye was pulled to the middle of the dress, trying to decipher the busy-ness and trying to figure out what was...wrong. I wasn't taking in your legs, your arms or your face anymore, just focusing on the skirt, the ruffles and the tie, trying to sort out how the dress worked!

I see the look you are going for, and I like it (I like the color, the top, the length), but to me this dress is too busy for the separate parts to be appreciated. Also, the skirt is odd - it seems too full across the waist to be flattering, and I think the fullness at the hemline showcases the shorter length. But what do I know?

If my husband didn't like it, I would return it as well - but I just might have him come along with me and help pick another...? Poor sucker. And yes, please let us know what you decide on! And have fun!

16 years ago

lala

Active Member

Thanks ladies! As usual, you're spot on! I had my doubts about this dress but my girlfriends talked me into it. Back to the store it goes!
Thanks for the suggestion Jennifer, but it would be absolute torture for my husband to go shopping with me - and probably no picnic for me either!
When I find a new dress, I'll post pics.

16 years ago

shana

Veteran

Lala, I concur with the others. I think the proportions on this dress are off - the length is too short for the style (not too short for you however), the sleeves look too long and I'm not sure of the shoulder fit. You can do better! You have some killer legs and I can see why you want to show them off. I think you might be better off with either a sheath or an A-line dress.

I never listen to my husband - if it were up to him I would dress like one of the sprockets - all black & very 90's minimalist (oh yeah, he's a HUGE Kraftwerk fan).

16 years ago

Anonymous

Jennifer said everything I was thinking but better.

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

Shorter dresses work when the style is sleek (like a sheath or pencil skirt). When the skirt is fuller or a-line, I like it to be a little longer so it doesn't look too little-girlish.

16 years ago

rute

Veteran

Welcome!
I'll be honest to you because. Sometimes I notice that people are just to nice and that doesn't help much (when someone don't like we need to know why, because that's what will gives us the feedback we need to improve).

I think the dress is lovely, the lenght is ok and the opaque dark tights look lovely. The problem is that it has too much fabric around your waist and that adds too much volume.

16 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Congrats on posting your first pics, lala! Well done :0)

I haven’t looked at any of the other comments but for what it’s worth here’s my 2 cents:

1. The length of the dress is fine in the right style and worn in the right way. The dress is not too short, but the box pleats aren’t working. They are making you look wider than you are.

2. You need something sleeker in this length especially. A banded dress or sheath would probably look quite nice.

3. The colour is lovely! Nice neckline too.

4. The opaques are great with this colour dress, but if you go for a black dress, you might find that black textured hose works better.

I hope that helps.

16 years ago

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