indulge me in one more tango dress question - YouLookFab Forum

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indulge me in one more tango dress question

Mochi

Veteran

A few months back I posted a pic of a dress on ebay that I ended up not bidding on, mostly because it posed major wearability issues. I don't regret it; I wasn't too fond of the bulls-eye around the crotch area either! But I did love certain aspects of this dress. Very goth glamor. I loved the idea of its being mesh. And mostly, the cut of this dress made me so happy. So that's my question. I would like to find some similarly cut or shaped dresses by using keywords on google, ebay, polyvore, or wherever. Is this representing a certain style? It kind of looks like a slip! But is not a piece of lingerie. It's more the overall flowy cut of the dress (a bit structured above the waist, but not a fit and flare), and not so much the wide v-neck and scalloped straps, though I'd be looking for a v-neck dress. Heck, maybe I should just be looking at slips. Does my question make any sense?

Thanks!

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17 replies

Latest reply was from rae

Anonymous

Man, this one is hard. That cut of dress ( Neither A line or straight) was really popular a few years back, but I have not seen it in a while... I think the seamstress term is raglan cut dress.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I would search for 'slip dress' and see what comes up! I like the idea of it.

Diana

Veteran

I'd call it a bias-cut slip dress.
This is what comes up when I do a Google image search for that; unfortunately I think it is giving a lot of actual slips:
https://www.google.com/search?.....ARMc3PvwRA

(But just a warning. Bias cuts tend to produce those lumpy side seams, especially in slippery fabrics.)

bj1111

Veteran

same as khris..."slip dress"

here on polyvore

http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/sh.....ip%20dress

Mochi

Veteran

Yeah, except that those slip dresses tend to have the tiny spaghetti straps. But yes, I think you could call them that....thanks, ladies. I already looked up goth dress, raglan cut dress....I almost feel I should just keep hunting by designer name (Gary Graham), because I happen to love his diverse range of stuff. Zap, I need to get down to Century 21 in the very near future....

Anonymous

Diana et all are right. Not raglan cut, it is bias cut.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Bias cut is what it is.

If you look at 30s glamour gowns they were cut this way.

catgirl

Veteran

These cuts are beautiful but can be very unforgiving on the midsection depending on cut and lining - the seams have to be just so. I speak from bitter experience.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Just quoting Angie here for reference as you continue your search:

"Your body type showcases many dress silhouettes extremely well. Bias cut dresses, sheaths in woven fabrications, weighty jersey dresses with front knot under bust detailing are good options because they create a waistline but skim over the extra bits. Dresses with center front ruffle details, belted shirt dresses, and mock wrap frocks with plenty of side seam rushing will also work."

Beth Ann

Veteran

I've worn these gowns on stage, Mochi. They were prominent in the 30s, and would be great for dancing. I like them best with a substantial (not flimsly) charmeuse, or lace layered over a terrific lining.

I wonder about working with seamstress who regularly does costuming for dance competitions. You could ask for a dress that would be appropriate for dancing and for "real life" special occasion wear. I bet that local dance studios would have contact numbers.

Just this summer I've seen patterns avaiable that are very similar to the silhouette you posted.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

http://www.shopstyle.com/item/...../430555528

http://www.lastcall.com/p/Chet.....dJ84DHJLQk

Here is one that is pretty much perfect except for the price tag: http://www.stylebop.com/produc.....on/shopsty

This one has sleeves but not really...i.e. they are transparent nothings:

http://www.maxstudio.com/produ.....=718134886

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I had the same thoughts as Suz and Beth Ann, I would search for vintage bias cut dresses or possibly Gatsby style given the release of the film.

Mochi

Veteran

Oh my, thank you so much for the links and suggestions, everyone. Suz, that Ferreti dress is gorgeous and perfect and I'm internally weeping that I cannot spend 1K on a gorgeous dress. I will try googling these various things.

This is for the future; in the meantime I am going to try and not worry too much about this Saturday's milonga, since it's summer and a low turnout is expected so won't be too overdressy, I'm thinking. I will go to TJMaxx and see if I can find a pretty, floaty top and some biker type shorts or short leggings or maybe a comfortable skirt. To be honest I don't have much hope of looking good in a dress with my build, at least for now. What supposedly works on an apple does not work on an apple with a huge bust--for example, an empire waist, which is the most horrendous look you could ever imagine on me. I don't know what the solutions are.

Anyway, thanks again! Mwah!

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

On ebay, try 'tango dress', but look in the Women's Clothing section. You can check dresses in Dancewear too, but there's a lot of pretty cheapo-looking stuff to wade through in the Dancewear section.

Then narrow down by size, sleeve preferences, etc.

**edit* OMG Suz, that maxstudio dress.... *dies*...

(That Ferretti dress is to die for too, but I think if you're going to drop 1k on a dress for tango, why not have a seamstress custom make you one?)

Mochi

Veteran

Heh, I don't have that money for any dress, sadly.

I was just on yoox.com. They have a lot of pretty dresses in my taste.

For example:

http://www.yoox.com/us/3432272.....ON&si=

or

http://www.yoox.com/us/3430706.....XX&si

Right now I can't wear a size 12, which seems to be their highest. But it's a possible option for the future.

Oh here's a 14 I *might* fit into, if it even would look cute on me. It's kind of busy:

http://www.yoox.com/us/3431378.....XN&si=

Sigh.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Mochi, when Angie comes back, I think you need to do an "Ask Angie" post about you and tango dresses. She will get you sorted completely. I don't think it's necessarily the case that an empire (or at least a surplice) dress will not work. I think it might-- it will all be down to the gathering. Too much gathering and the wrong sort of cut at the bust would be a disaster. But the right cut would just be brilliant on you -- showcasing your lovely curves, highlighting your legs, and skimming over the bits that you would prefer not to emphasize.But in the meantime, your skirt and top solution might be brilliant!

rae

(website)

Veteran

Hm, for searching practicality, I would not search for "slip dress" as you will get mostly slips and spaghetti straps. I would search for "overlay" or "a -line lace" or something like that.

http://www.zappos.com/gabriell.....=shopstyle

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/lo.....J84DHJLQkR

http://www.betseyjohnson.com/I.....;utm_campa

http://www.lordandtaylor.com/w.....ew-Arrival

http://www.shopbop.com/wrap-dr.....7&col