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Is Empire style 'out'?

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I have been moving toward drapier silhouettes since last summer and that includes my new dress selections.
As I packed up for FL this week, I hesitated on 2 cotton sundresses. In theory, they should be ideal for the climate but I found myself wondering how much I'd actually wear them. Incidentally, they both have fitted, empire waists (pic 1 and 2). By contrast, the new dresses I'm loving are in pic 3 and 4.
Is the empire waist becoming dated or is it just that the voluminous trend is overshadowing the background players right now, kind of like skinny jeans do over bootcuts? They are flattering to my hourglass figure, so I'm wondering why they aren't wowing me like they used to? This has me worried about the dreaded DATED word!!

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Dressing

17 replies

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christieanne

Veteran

I think both the red and floral look fantastic on you - the empire waist is flattering and both dresses are classic but not at all frumpy or "traditional". I am still seeing empire in stores but I think you have it right - just like skinnies are everywhere, it doesn't mean bootcuts are out. It's just the other is "newer".

Julie

Veteran

I wear both styles of dress you show here, albeit shorter. Mid thigh. With my jeans under them, it's more like your picture #3 only with the boots under the jeans.
I don't feel dated in empire waist dresses at all.

jayne

Veteran

i agree 100-% with CA

Scarlet

Veteran

I don't know, but to be honest I am having the same reaction to you as the photos, and I also have several empire dresses in my closet that I haven't reached for in a long time. I don't think it's a faux-pas, but it doesn't feel like "now" somehow.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Those dresses aren't really empire dresses, they have a wide waist band with waist emphasis. A true empire is full and flows out at the waist, the smallest part being below the bust. Those dresses look more classic, and they don't look dated to me, just not as trendy looking as the last two.

For the question of are they dated, I think empire dresses aren't really dated as I'm still seeing a lot of sun dresses with this cut. Empire tops, the ones that have a real baby doll aspect, can look kind of dated to my eye. But Mochi/Abie showed a WIW today with a sort of empire cut and it looked modern because it didn't have a baby doll vibe to it and the print was current. Does that make any sense. As always the devil is in the details.

Asingh

(website)

Veteran

Love the red and the floral dress!

And as long as the dress looks good on you, it shouldn't really matter if empire line is in or not!

rae

(website)

Veteran

I don't think the style is out so much as you may have evolved away from that style? The empire waists seem pretty ladylike compared to what we've seen you wear lately. They kind of remind me of Natalie's recent western-turned-MOTG dress post.

Irene

Veteran

Mo, I don't think those are empire dresses. Empire drsses are the Jane Austen's style, fitted at the bust and then long and flowing. The skirt starts from the bust, which makes the legs look long and the waist invisible.

Anyways, to answer your question, I do have empire waist dresses and wear them. I would wear them more if they fitted me better, which they don't because I have big boobs, so it's not the best style for me, but I do like the look and don't think it's dated at all. Maxi dresses tend to have empire waists too, imitating the Jane Austen's fashion (Regency Style)

And those two first dresses look AMAZING on you, that red one fits you like a glove, so please don't stop wearing them!!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Agreeing with those who are saying your first two dresses look amazing on you, and they are not empire style.

Also agreeing with Denise - it must all be in the details. A true empire top looks a bit dated to me right now, but otherwise? Depends on the execution.

As for the drapey look, I think that may just be a style direction shift for you.

Deborah

Veteran

Mo I have the same question and feeling re empire line and similar dresses:). I think #1 and #2 look lovely on you however in my opinion they give off a younger vibe. 3/4 are more contemporary, fashion forward and sophisticated....kind of more "grown up".

My view probably has a lot to do with the fact that empire line dresses and tops have been completely over done here and I think I may just be over it:)

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I agree with others: these are not empire dresses, they are fit -and -flare and they do look amazing on you. They are classic shapes and do not feel dated to me at all.
These are empire waist dresses - see pics.

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anne

Veteran

I agree with Deborah!!

Marie

Maybe swap out the belt in #2 & you have an on-trend fit & flare dress! You look GREAT in both dresses. I think the word "dated" is tricky. Fit & how you FEEL wearing the dresses is what counts for me. When I think of "dated" in regards to dresses, I think hemlines (too short) & print first.

P.S. #3 is perfection

Diana

Veteran

I agree with the others that it's more a question of personal evolution than the style being dated. I still wear my empire cut tops and dresses, but not as much as I used to because there are so many other styles that I want to try. Last week when I asked about my empire waist Liberty for Target black dress, it seemed that a lot of people (including Angie) actually liked the dress itself, empire waist and all, even though it didn't fit me right at the bustline.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Empire cuts are not out at all! They are not on trend, but they are not dated either.

If you have moved away from the look - than that's another story. Your style has evolved to a more Grecian vibe. I really like that direction for your style. It's less girly and more womanly

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Ah, I stand corrected! I did pack the dresses, because they really do fit like a glove. But I decided in my head if they didn't get much or any wear, they would not come back on the return trip.
Angie, as usual, I think you nailed it with girly vs womanly. Although having a girlie frock day happens once in a while - like Easter or a brunch for me - so I don't mind having one in my closet to reach for.
Thanks for the insightful comments everyone!

Anonymous

I love what Angie said about your style heading in a classical Grecian direction. All of the loose draping looks amazing on your figure. The first two dresses are still nice though, and I'm glad you're taking them.