Keep or return? - YouLookFab Forum

I recently bought this Parker Pleated dress at Nordstrom which I loved in the fitting room. It's a departure from my typical conservative dress. I was looking for a trendier, fun dress for going out to dinner or show, but I'm thinking I've gone a little too far with how short the hemline is. I have thick knees and wondering about the appropriateness of exposed leg, esp at my age (almost 45). On my 5'2 frame, the hemline is 4 inches above my knee and preferred hemline.

Attached are some attempts at styling. Would you think, "omg that woman needs to dress her age and cover up" or "rockin stylin mama"?!

I've tried it as a belted tunic over leggings, but it made me feel frumpy. If it doesn't work as a dress, it should go back.

The dress is kind of pricey, esp for silky polyester, but it is a cool design. http://m.nordstrom.com/Product/Gallery/3227281

Keep-yay!

Return/use the money for something else-nay!

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14 years ago

mamaKate

Veteran

Love it with the boots - definitely does not make any part of you look "thick"! Proportions are perfect to my eye, particularly because of the wide sleeves.

KikiG

I am older than you are, and I would totally wear that exact outfit, if I looked that nice in it! The low contrast between the dress, the tights and the boots cause the eye to skim right over your knees. (Which, for the record, look exactly like what I think knees are supposed to look like.) The chunky necklace is such a nice balance with the interesting sleeve detail.

Carole

First of all, YOU DO NOT HAVE THICK KNEES, or at least they dont look thick to me. What a gorgeous dress and figure you have!!! I do think it is on the short side, at least from my point of view, seems like a perfect dress/tunic for leggings. I can't imagine that would make you look frumpy. Beautiful boots BTW.

(website)

This looks wonderful as you've styled it. I'd keep!

Theory and Practice

Active Member

I concur with mamaKate, I like it with the boots, especially picture #3. This is a keeper, definitely!

HelenInCanada

YAY to the nth degree!!! LOVE IT!

DressLover

That's a wonderful dress with a lot of potential. As long as the polyester is a quality polyester and you feel confident in the dress, I vote yay. If it seems like the fabric won't last or if you are hesitant about wearing it, I vote nay as it would be an expensive oops.

For what it is worth, I love how you have styled it, especially with the boots. I don't think these looks are age inappropriate at all.

Nakidra

Rocking hot mama!! I think you look FAB!!

Suz

This is a beautiful, rich, luxe look and I love it on you, especially with the boots in #1. Your knees are great, by the way!

Queen Mum

I love this dress on you. I do wish it were just an inch longer,but it's not scadalous as is. Is there any hem that can be let out?

sarah

I like it with the boots - seems like it should work with skinnies or leggings unbelted with boots, too, no?

Briar

@sarah and carole--i tried the leggings with flats. It might be less frumpy to do heels?

@queen mum and dress lover-- the dress is a high quality satiny poly and great construction, but has zero hem. My concern is precisely around the length. This might sound mental, but I can justify the price for a dress, but not if I can/should only wear as a tunic.

@suz-- you hit on some key style words that I didn't know that I had--but rich and luxe makes me tingle!

grewitch

I like it with the boots. Both pairs. With flats it doesn't look quite right to my eye. Looks great on you though, not at all frumpy looking!

CocoLion

I like it! I vote keep.

celia

yay from me.Somehow it seems a perfect fit for you.I also don't mind the height with some opaque tights.

Anonymous

Have you tried sitting down in it? You did a great job styling it, but if you still feel self concious about the length, returning it for something better may be the way to go. You will not wear it much even if it does look good if you have doubts about the length being appropriate.

Janet

I don't think there's anything wrong with the length -- you look great! I love it with the boots.

kellygirl

Love this! What a great style on you. I like it equally well with boots and flats!

Girl X

I think it's gorgeous - keep!

Midwest Girl

I think it looks great on you. It is short, but with the tights and boots, it looks very polished. I don't believe anyone will think you need to cover up.

Lisa

I like #3 with the black hose and boots. It will decrease the contrast with the dress hem and the legs. For the length, did this pass the "sit" test? When I go a tad shorter in length sometimes I find the dress is fine when I sit, and others too short. If you really like the dress but are concerned about the length, how about some skinny jeans or leggings for more coverage?

Deborah

I'm late but I think it's gorgeous on you. Either flats or boots work. If it passes the sit test I say keep.

Kristine

I think it's beautiful! I'm a total prude about hem length but don't mind it shorter because the blousier top balances it out. Rockin styling mama!

Jjsloane

The silhouette is flattering, the length is not scandalous at any age while standing with the tights and boots, but echo what Joy and Lisa said about the sit test. I think it would look amazing with skinny jeans or leggings too.

cheryle (Dianthus)

I am a few years older than you are and would wear that in a flash if it looked like that on me. I particularly like it with the brown boots but the black is nice too.

KEEP!!!

JennyAnne

Yay with the brown boots. It might seem short with bare legs, but I think it is fab as you have styled it.

I just tried the sit test in front of a long mirror and while the image wasn't quite Fatal Attraction, it wasn't pretty. Unless I was sitting under a table, my thighs were way too exposed. This would be a standing room only dress. I'll try the look with leggings, otherwise I need to send this back : (

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