JFE Fail: Surrendering the Waist - YouLookFab Forum

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JFE Fail: Surrendering the Waist

Becky

Veteran

It's always disappointing to have high hopes for an order, only to have them crumble to nothingness once you put the item on. I so admired the BR Twist-Front Dress on other members of the forum and nabbed it at a great sale price before it was gone. Alas, it makes me look as wide as I am tall. I don't really like surrendering my waist unless there is a lot of structure to make up for it. The item photo is, IMO, misleading. The fit of the dress appears to nip in more than it does IRL. That's always a risk when ordering online from a 2D photo. Even the structure of the white denim jacket doesn't save it for me. I don't think sizing down would make enough of a difference to make it worth it. I have no desire to be asked when my baby is due (which has, in fact, happened to me before when wearing a more voluminous, unstructured top). DD15 agreed with my decision to return and diplomatically added, "That kind of dress just doesn't work for people with our kind of figure," meaning short and, as I think Angie once put it, "elegantly robust."

So surrendering my waist, at least as long as I still have one, is on my personal NFAA (Not Flattering At All) list. How about you? What are the styles/looks you just can't stomach (pun intended)?

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Banana Republic

Petite Stripe Soft Ponte Twist-Front Dress

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Top Pick

16

Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from 3style

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Well....I'm a spanner because -- at least in the photos -- I think it looks terrific on you! But you're the one who has to feel happy and comfortable and if you don't, it's no good.

For myself, leggings and traditional length tunics are a hard no. I've tried and tried and just don't like the way the proportion works on me. I don't mind trousers with a longer tunic (short dress length). Leggings in general I don't care for on myself, I guess.

SarahD8

Veteran

I like it with the jacket but it doesn't hold a candle to that floral fit&flare that you posted the other day.

I am the opposite to you, I *prefer* surrendering the waist. I have a small frame but a thick, straight torso -- highlighting the waist just highlights that I don't have one, and have no chest either. My fave cut is the much maligned empire waist: gives some shape to my small chest and skims over what's below. Actually I'm wearing an empire waist dress today...with a popover blouse thrown over it, double surrender!

Anonymous

I agree that this type of dress is hard to wear - not many women have the body type for it. I like this on you - at least from what I see here- but as Suz says, you need to feel good in it . Short sleeves can also add to one's feeling of dumpiness - at least it does that to me. Something about a standard short sleeve can skew dowdy really quickly (I'm also reacting to something like this I wore to work yesterday and HATED. Thank god I didn't pay for it.)

Anonymous

I'm another one that likes it on you. I prefer it without the jacket.

But again, you have to be comfortable wearing it. If you are not comfortable, then most certainly return it.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Before I run off - do you need a size down?

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I do sympathise with your feelings about the anticipation of a new item of clothing not measuring up in real life .I also think that I I would prefer to call you robustly elegant rather than the other way round!I don’t mind surrendering the waist but I always feel that if one has a waist it’s a shame not to show it off.I m sure there’s another dress out there that you will feel better about although for what to worth this one isn’t as bad as you think,l think that you look nice in it.

MsMaven

Veteran

I like the dress with the jacket--it looks like a comfortable outfit to me. I agree that if it doesn't feel good on, it is something you shouldn't wear.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I don’t think you should give up on this style entirely. To me, it just looks like the waist detailing on this particular dress falls below your natural waist. Sizing down might help, but it could just be that the tailoring of this specific piece isn’t for you.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I think it's a combination of the high neck, short sleeves, straight cut, and high contrast horizontal stripes. That would be the death knell on me also -- this style would be guaranteed to make me look and feel wide and dowdy.

It's amazing what one little tweak to a design like this can do -- something as simple as a moderate V-neck, an angled sleeve (or sleeveless), or diagonal stripes (or low-contrast stripes) can add just enough vertical integrity to make it work better. I would keep an eye out for similar dresses but with one of those details that make a difference in flattery.

Sara L.

Veteran

In the pictures the dress looks fine on you. However, I understand how pictures can be deceiving (both ways - some outfits look better in person that in a photo). Definitely a return if you don't feel good in it.

Sal

Veteran

I am with Janet here- it is a combination of factors that make it hard to wear. Personally I think the neck and sleeves are the main factor here. Shame but onwards:)

Becky

Veteran

Suz, thanks for the kind words. I just don't think I could ever feel confident wearing this dress. I also prefer tunics that are a short dress length with leggings. They seem more flattering to me, and are easy to come by with my height.

SarahD8, we all have such unique shapes that call for different styles. I'm glad this is a fashion era where so many different options are available.

lisa p, good point about the short sleeves. I hadn't really thought about that as a factor, as I was so focused on the midsection.

Sterling, Ms. Maven, and Sara L., thanks for your positive words. I find it so fascinating that we can see such different things when we look at the same picture.

Angie, I definitely could go a size down, but I don't think that would significantly change the overall effect, at least in my eyes.

Jenn, that's a good point. They were out of petite sizes, so this is a regular. Going down a size in petite might improve the look.

Janet and Sal, you've put your finger on a number of details that certainly contribute to the overall effect. As Angie says, "The devil is in the details."

Thank you all for your therapy. I will hold out for something that makes me feel joyful and confident instead of dumpy and insecure.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

PLEASE try the dress a size down. I think it will work well.

jussie

Veteran

I actually think it looks ok! But of course irl can be different, I understand that. And you have to feel comfortable with it.
Actually a no-go zone for me is white. Even a simple white tee shirt is virtually impossible for me. A pity because they seem so useful for other people.

lyn67

Veteran

One size down and sorted, then I will second Suz ref my fashion moomoos:-).

Molly Mac

Veteran

I own this dress and it is a workhorse for me. I find that the twist in the front and a sleeker fit give me waist definition without being too constricting. However, we all have different body types and if you feel this isn't flattering on you it is definitely not worth holding on to. My absolute NO in clothing is leggings. I have a real poison eye for them especially when worn as pants.

Aquamarine

Veteran

Honestly, this looks good to me. I quite like it on you. I’m not seeing what you are but I agree a photo is often very different than real life.

SandyG

Veteran

I just bought that dress yesterday! And it's super cute & very easy to wear. I went down a size in petites expecting it would be kinda tight but the fit around the shoulders was perfect and everything else fell where it should.

To my eye as with others, try a petite size. Maybe even downsize? In the regular, it looks a little too big all over.

Becky, I love the style with the white denim jacket; must nick that for my own closet!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Personally, I don't think you should try the petite. Too short. The length makes this dress elegant. Try one size down in regular.

DonnaF

Veteran

It hits you in the wrong place; try a Petite. It is amazing what a difference the correct size can make.

Becky

Veteran

This dress (striped version) is not listed on the website any more, so I am unable to try the next size smaller. Only the solid (black and navy) are still available. Guess I missed the boat anyway.

3style

Veteran

Becky, as a general concept, I’m wondering how you’d feel with horizontal stripes in a simple T-shirt dress without a twist on the waist. I am imagining that as a fun casual look with white sneakers or sandals.

I’m not sure that this particular twist adds anything for you. If you do like a twist, check out some of the current Anne Klein options. They seem to be good this season at doing twists and wraps for us broad shouldered gals.