Keep or return: MBMJ dress - YouLookFab Forum

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Keep or return: MBMJ dress

catgirl

Veteran

From Gilt. It's a little bit of a style departure for me but it gives me a waist (I think). Sorry about the post-basketball-coaching hair.

Is it too short? Too young? Unflattering for an IT with the sleeve length? I'm thinking of wearing it for the holidays with a couple of different cropped items, and in spring more casually. I need to mail it back tomorrow if it's not fab, so I appreciate any honest input!

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Urgent

30 replies

Latest reply was from catgirl

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

It's not a 10 to my eye, Una. It's sweet, but not killer. What do you think?

catgirl

Veteran

Well, that answers that! I was hoping to find something in this silhouette to see if I could achieve a waist. Any thoughts on what would make this better, if I were searching for a dress in this approximate shape?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You have killer dresses, Una. Do you feel that they are too casual for the holidays?

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I do see the waist you are after here! Not too sure what other dresses you already have but I like this one a lot. Of course, I'm the gal with no less than 5 unworn dresses hanging in her own closet as I type, so maybe I'm not the one to say!

catgirl

Veteran

No, but I'm trying to find something I'm comfortable in that gives me waist definition, since Rita/modgirl and others have suggested that I do in fact have a waist. This general style actually feels best to me because it's not too tight, not too low, not too empire and has some flare in the skirt, but it doesn't have to be THIS dress.

By way of comparision, at Banana Republic I have to size up to an 8 for most of their dresses to zip around my waist and ribs, and then they are huge in the hip and sometimes even the shoulders. And in general their dresses look terrible on me.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Ah. You're after a fit and flare dress. Can I temp you with a one shouldered frock or strapless number? I could see you wear those! IT's generally wear those silhouettes very well.

catgirl

Veteran

You could tempt me, but remember I live in a winter climate and will be covering up shoulders for warmth most of the time!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I thought of that for sure, Una. I feel cold at the drop of a hat! I suggested them just in case, though. If you are happy wearing the MJ dress, I didn't think that the other styles would be that much of a "naked" stretch.

Perhaps you just need a dress with sleeves. If you were my client, we'd check out Adrianna Papell frocks. Not fit and flare, but covered and very shapely. They would reveal your cute waistline

catgirl

Veteran

I'll keep looking! I think I need more the illusion of a waistline, which is why I don't do really body-con dresses unless they're sheaths under something else. Thank you, Angie!

lyn67

Veteran

I aggree with Angie. This cut(flared), this (short) length and polkas ain't be a killer:-((( Only sweet, but you can do much more better!:-)

nancylee

Veteran

I agree with Angie. It's fine but it's not a 10. It does seem kind of "sweet"....and maybe not edgy enough for your style?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Angie pinpointed it well with "sweet" -- it's very cute, and it is a flattering cut, but not what I've come to expect from one of our reigning UWP's! That's not to say one needs to be UWP everyday, but I'm not sure this says "Una" to me.

I can relate to this. I have a few things that are a bit like this, and they go unworn because they don't quite fit my evolving style personna.

Sona

Veteran

Minority vote here: I actually love this on you. it is waist defining without being overwhelmingly so. the exposed zip at the back gives it a RATE edge to my eye and it is saucy to boot. depending on the cost of the dress and how it makes you feel it may be a keeper.

rute

Veteran

Angie said all! Lovely but not a 10!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hmmm. Pretty...but doesn't feel like Una to me. I am sure you could funk it up a bit, but I'm also sure you could do better.

Anonymous

Actually i like the fit and flare look of it , and the polka dots. maybe in a heavier fabric for better drape? I would keep it. But i love dresses . And polka-dots

Jonesy

Veteran

This is very fun and flirty--reminds me of a dress that Maya would wear (Maya--hello if you are out there!). I think it looks really cute on you, but I'm not sure it's *you.*

ironkurtin

Veteran

AG, I've really liked the recent Eileen Fisher organic cotton fit and flares. They make me feel like I do indeed have a shape!

Queen Mum

Veteran

I really like this on you... but wonder how you're going to keep warm.

catgirl

Veteran

Okay, I think I'll keep looking for something similar in a warmer style with a little more edge. At least now I know the idea of it works, if not the execution. Thanks for being honest!

Diana

Veteran

Agree with the other ladies. Cute, but not a 10. Also, the mismatched pattern at the center front seam *really* bothers me - I do not like strong center front seams in general and especially not when it's in a really obvious mismatched pattern.

rae

(website)

Veteran

I think the flare works, but I'm glad you're going to keep looking. If Karen Millen has anything flared, you might check that brand out - I passed by a store while making an H&M return, and the styles seemed AS-ish, but with more color involved.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Jonesy, so funny that you mentioned Maya - I almost for a second saw Maya in my mind's eye when I viewed this late last night on my way to bed. Must have been my sleepy brain, but, yes, it's VERY Maya!

Shu

I like the shape on you - and I think the band is doing what you want it to as far as waist definition, but the print along with the shape is very sweet. Like most everyone else, it just doesn't seem YOU. I really love the idea of a fit and flare strapless dress with a wide belt and some version of a cropped moto on top.

qfbrenda

Veteran

What about something this kinda shape... though maybe with longer sleeves... in a ponte knit so its more forgiving around the waist? It could have long sleeves for warmth and a bit of flare in the skirt to show up the waist a bit.

I totally feel for you on the waist issue. I look at size charts and I'm a 4-6 bust, 10-12 waist, and 4-6 hip. Sigh.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I like it and think it is a 10 on you. You can lawyer it up with a waist length black jacket. Or you can dress it casually with a denim jacket and tough looking boots.

I think it fits you very well. But maybe everyone else and Angie are seeing something I'm not. I think it has more edge than the Adrianna Papell dresses I've seen (admittedly not many).

The only thing impractical is the sleeves. They might be perceived as shoulder emphasizing which you may want to avoid, but I just don't see that happening in these pictures as you have balanced proportions. See, I think you are a rectangle and can wear anything.

Aida

Veteran

Hmm I like the shape but also feel it's just a little bit sweet for you. Maybe something with an asymmetrical or handkerchief hemline?

Freckles

Veteran

Una I really love this for Spring for you but not for the holidays.

I so think you could rock it with a leather jacket and booties...

For me it would be sweet if the spots were white but I don't see the black/periwinkle combination with the size of the spots as being sweet at all.

Kari

Veteran

Una, I think if this was the first time I saw you, without a background to your style & personality, I'd vote to keep it. But you have kind of spoiled us with so many killer looks in a very different, less sweet, more fashion forward style. It's a very nice dress on you- but I'd say to keep looking and hold out. Hope that makes sense. I do like the dress a lot-I'd just like to see something that lets your personality shine more.

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