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ISO the perfect LBD...,

gryffin

Veteran

On the hunt for the impossible. The perfect LBD. In my world that is a 4 season light tropical wool crepe or excellent quality synthetic crepe. Black. Shift style. High neck - jewel, boat neck, high square. Simple but may have a subtle interesting detail - but looking for the perfect chameleon. The dress that is in every magazine so perfect in fabric, simple elegance that a change of accessories makes it incredibly versatile. Above the knee on 5'3" me. The dress that can go black tie optional or casual. I just bought the max mara Brunate which is super but its unlined and the material is less dressy. I was intrigued by the Lafayette 148 Tory dress that Angie posted but was not sure if the sleeves would tolerate a jacket well, which would be a deal breaker as I am always cold. I also liked the L148 cyra w the lace insets at hem but not sure the elbow sleeves make it too casual. Any thoughts on these dresses or suggestions for others of that quality?

Saks Fifth Avenue

MAX MARA Brunate Long Sleeve Dress

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Lafayette 148 New York Cyra Shift Dress

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Lafayette 148 New York Tory Finesse Crepe Dress

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44 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh....

A few years ago we had a conversation about LBD and I ended up thinking that maybe every woman could use at least 2 LB (or blue) dresses: one to go for parties and cocktails etc. and one like the one you are describing...that might go there but would be more all-purpose, all-round winners.

I love all the ones you have shown.

I used to have a LBD from Comrags in Toronto. It was sleeveless, so not ideal in winter, and didn't have the fabrication you want (it was some kind of poly) but wow, did I wear that thing into the ground. It was SO versatile. Throw on a scarf, denim jacket, and flat boots and it was casual. Throw on a sparkly necklace and heels and it took me to parties. Throw on a nice jacket and it took me to meetings and funerals etc.

My current "all round" winter dress is this one and I love it. Not black, obviously...but I wonder if this (David Meister) might be a good place to look. This dress is very nicely made. Not wool (I agree, a seasonless wool would be ideal) but beautifully lined and easy to wear -- packs like a dream.

Have you looked at J. Crew? They do a seasonless wool dress, I think and also in petite.

David Meister Side Pleat Woven Sheath Dress

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UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I like the one that Suz has suggested. I think the ones you've mentioned have some elegance, but are on the loose side of style. I like the Max Mara one the best. I think you may have the figure to wear something a little more tailored.

gryffin

Veteran

Suz - I love David Meister and I'm kicking myself for not trying that dress in black when it was available. I know you understand exactly what I mean. I had a great dress from AT in the 90's that like you I wore to rags but haven't found the right dress since. It's a slog. I keep hoping something will turn up. I have never bought a dress at JCrew. I know they have suiting. How is the quality? I'd rather hold out for really good than settle.
Umlila - i had a stunning friend, gorgeous slender rectangle and she could rock a short shift dress like nobody's business. She showed me it's all about fit and proportion. There's something about the right just enough volume on a slender frame that I find alluring and the dress' conservative nature lets me show more leg, which my husband and best GF's insist is my best feature, in an elegant but conservatively sexy way. I'm not opposed to an elegant sheath although most either skew corporate or body con. But you are totally right it's a good silhouette for me and I should not rule it out. I love the MM and felt great wearing it. It's very nice and versatile. But I was hoping for something that could go dressier. But I'll try searching sheaths too and see what I can come up with. Thanks!!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Well, just to contradict myself...my dress is a sheath, and gryffin wants a shift. And I totally, totally get that. My beloved Comrags dress was a shift. It's a different vibe, for sure, but surprisingly flattering if cut well. Probably would look better on gryffin than the models.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

gryffin, we cross posted. I see we are on the same wavelength about shifts. I love them, love them, love them. I do like a sheath as well, a lot, if the fit is good, but a shift is more versatile.

I honestly don't know about the quality of the J. Crew wool. I tried on one of their dresses once and felt I was between sizes and didn't want to spend for tailoring.

So what does Eileen Fisher have in this type of dress, I wonder? Anything?

ETA, I think the thing about the sheath is that it does (or can) automatically skew dressier. Which can be good or bad. As you say, it can look corporate or it can look overly sexy. That Meister dress never seems to look either and I have yet to figure out what its magic is, beyond the neckline and the tucking.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

So...(you've got me on the hunt, now...) I just checked out Meister, Nicole Miller, Reiss, and nada. No wonder you are starting to worry...

Here is the LBD I used to love. It fits the model like a sheath but I wore it looser, more like a shift. Maybe that was the magic---it was a shift-like sheath, or a sheath-like shift? I also wore it over turtlenecks and blouses as a jumper. And of course with all manner of jackets, and with long sweaters over top.

https://www.comrags.com/collec.....gley-dress

But the fabrication is not what you want and I get that. It is a great travel dress, however, if you have need of such a thing, and terrifically cross seasonal. I wore it on one of New York's hottest summer days, shopping, and also wore it in mid-winter Toronto (with layers.)

gryffin

Veteran

I agree with all you said Suz. The DM
Has incredible line and proportion. He's known for that. The boat neck and bracelet sleeves are perfect w the length and the tucking gives you an elegant diagonal line which is very flattering but also adds interest. Sexy and ladylike which is what I would like. EF doesn't usually work w crepe. I have an adorable a-line velvet burnout dress buts it's a party dress. Fun but lacks versatility and the chic strictness that I'm looking for. But I will check again snd google david meister too.

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gryffin

Veteran

Suz - yes yes would do wear that!! But yes I need the crepe version. But that's exactly the line. AT used to crank them out. But yes I would love that in the right fabric!!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh! I love that EF, but yes, it reads "party" to me, too. You need something more versatile. Isn't it strange? You would think these dresses would be a cinch to locate. I will keep my thinking cap on for you.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I have this JCrew 4 season wool dress and love it. I’ve had it less than a year, and haven’t had occasion to wear it often, but the quality seems good. I don’t know if it screws corporate in your eye, but it is not body con.

by Stagiaire Fash

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gryffin

Veteran

Suz - the MM brunate is that type of material and it has pockets. Ball it up, shake it out. But that's a great sleeveless version. I will be checking that out in depth. I may need that. I also think you are really on to something for me. It's not that I don't love a sheath, but I don't want the Claire Underwood spans version. The sheath/shift border fluid tailored it that's a term. Showing the shape of the body without being tight or too bodycon.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yes, fluid tailored -- it totally makes sense to me, though it's hard to get the fit right, I suspect, and maybe a bit of luck. You've probably seen all of these, and they're all sheath, and all sleeveless...

It seems like the shift dresses with sleeves are all a bit on the casual side, (at least the black ones, right now), and then a lot of the sheaths are flat out cocktail dresses...

With any of these, below, it would entirely depend on the fit -- impossible to tell by looking at the model, really.

Theory Eano Good Wool Sheath Dress

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Boss by Hugo Boss Dirusa Sleeveless Stretch Wool Sheath Dress

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Michael Kors Stretch Bouclé Crepe Sheath Dress

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Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Not sure if this is in your price range, or if it’s more fitted than you want.
https://m.saks.com/pd.jsp?PROD.....0095182553

gryffin

Veteran

Suz - thank you. I know you understand exactly what I'm looking for and I appreciate your discerning eye. Hopefully something will turn up.
Fashiontern - thank you. It's very close. If I was looking for a dress/suit I would be all over that. To me it reads a little corporate so it's not quite the feel I'm looking for but it's a super dress and I can see why you love it. You definitely need to make some lovely occasions to wear it!! It deserves some fabulous outings!!

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

Watching...the dress you describe sounds like just the thing I've been looking for as well. I'd like to whittle away a few more pounds before purchasing something that will require excellent fit but, at the same time, I'd like to have some options already scoped out. I hope others are able to offer additional suggestions

ETA: I'll be wanting either V or boat neck.

gryffin

Veteran

Suz -I tried on a theory dress once, the Betty and the fit was weird. If you look at the pic with the model is wrinkling on her bust and hips too. I love my Theory suit but the dresses don't get great reviews. I looked at the Boss dress. I can't fine one review anywhere. It's expensive and I'd feel better if I could read some reviews. I actually really like the MK. The seaming reminds me of classic david meister but unless it goes in super sale its way outside my price range. But all great thought. Boss has some nice sheaths. They are a splurge but doable I just wish there were some reviews.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

If you decide for the Lafayette 148, check to see if Sak’s has your size—it’s on sale there. https://m.saks.com/pd.jsp?PROD.....0095336918

gryffin

Veteran

Fashiontern - the escada looks too fitted and I'm always leary of that cap sleeve. On my frame, I usually rather have sleeves or sleeveless. But a good thought and no the price is in my range so thank you!
Emily - then we can hunt together!! I think this is the kind of thing we may fall into if we are very lucky. I can wear a high vee neck but since a have a small chest deep vee's do not work, you'll be checking out my pantyhose with the gapping!!

gryffin

Veteran

Fashiontern - thank you. I did see that. The fit predictor thinks my best size is a 6, so of course they are out!! Otherwise I would have ordered to see. It might be too staid but I do like the zip lace at the hem but sometimes details like that just don't work out. I'm soooo confused!!!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Ah, I'm reading along in bemusement because you and I have talked about the slog of a search for the right LBD. Unfortunately, you and I have pretty much opposite needs from our LBD (I've never met a shift dress that didn't make me look like a house), but each seems to be just as much of a HEWI! I just want to find a CASUAL, sleeved, knee-length or longer LBD with some sort of interesting or edgy twist, that still manages to be flattering or at least JFE on me. It seems to be an impossible dream. Wishing you good luck in the hunt!

Anonymous

Sent you a PM with a few thoughts .

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I am clearly not on your wavelength, because I skipped over several that I thought had too much detailing, and now it’s time for bed. This is the last one I’ll post.
https://www.harrods.com/en-gb/.....fAodM2opRQ

gryffin

Veteran

Janet - IKR it makes no difference which LBD we need. Whatever it is will be a HEWI. The good thing is we could shop together Janet since I can't wear the dresses you rock I can selflessly search for only the best for you with no ulterior motive !!
Lisa - thank you. You are such a sweetheart!!

gryffin

Veteran

Fashiontern thank you again. I really like this dress. It's very elegant. I don't think I'd be comfortable ordering international but I will see if any other US sites have it. I would have to stalk it on further sale but the look is fabulous. Thanks!!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Haha! Griffin, we should shop together! You can wear all the cute things I find that don't work for me! Plus I have magical jacket-finding powers.

gryffin

Veteran

Janet - don't tease me!! You know how I feel about jackets!!!

Anonymous

Well, we probably shouldn’t be shopping together, Gryphin, as we would be competing for the same things!

I like the MM the best and am disappointed for you that it’s not dressy enough or lined. The Lafayette one doesn’t look as good, but that might be because it doesn’t fit the model that well or something. Despite the sleeves, I think it’s worth a go.

The L148 with the short sleeves seems too summery.

Agree that shifts allow you to wear shorter lengths!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Whoa, I hadn't seen the price tag on that Michael Kors. Well, that ends that romance, I guess!

This dress has to be out there. Hopefully Angie will chime in!

Joy

Veteran

Too bad. That Michael Kors dress looks prefect, and probably is. I have 2 LBDs, both EF. Both are pull on. One is a rayon blend and sleeveless. It is a duplicate of a former dress that I wore out. Machine washable, can be dressed up or down. The second is wool with sleeves and more flared than sheath. I also have a thrifted sleeveless version that is a Talbots all season and a bit longer. You might try consignment shops. Also look at Calvin Klein.

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