Keep the dress or not? - YouLookFab Forum

I'm still mulling over this black Theory dress I bought today. If I don't count "festival" wear, I have only two dresses--a cream short-sleeved sweater dress and a black draped dress (more formal than this one), and I want more because I think I'll enjoy them with tights/leggings and my various toppers throughout the colder months. I know I won't wear it bare-legged--I'll always be wearing tights or leggings with it. (Actually I also tried it on over a longer pencil skirt and that looked kind of interesting.)

I guess my doubts come from how short it is for a flared skirt. Is it age appropriate? (I tend not to ask that question, but I put on this dress and I wonder.) I've got lots of cardigans and jackets I can see working with this dress, but I wonder if I can wear anything other than black tights underneath. Legging-type jeans or not?

1 is the dress. 2 is an experiment I didn't care for--cream tights and oxfords. 3 (with border collie) is with a jacket I also bought today that I'm crazy about. Probably not a good test because I'd love anything worn with that jacket.

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Lucky Brand Leather Mixed Jacket

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8 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

You look like a dancer in it...

Sal

Whilst I think it looks flattering on you with your great shape, I do think it is too short. To my eye it is stuck between being a short dress and a long tunic, but not the right style for a tunic.

I think if you don't have a large dress wardrobe that what you do have should be more versatile than this one. I would either go longer for or go for a tunic style that could be worn with leggings, skinny pants etc because you have lovely legs.

Anonymous

I agree that the skirt is too short. "Ice skater" comes to mind. But that jacket, wowza, how great is that? You'd better keep an eye on that, I'm out here lurking!

Hmmm...I think I agree with Sally. But I like where you're going with this idea of doing a dress with a jacket, tights and boots.
I like your new jacket too!

UtahDesert

Active Member

Sally, I think you may have nailed it. You've put my doubts into words.

I get a kick out of how it looks in 3, I love the fact that I can still do that kind of look. But it may be kind of costumey for me, not part of my real life.

And the ice skater observation also sums it up. The skirt goes back. I'll keep working on the dress/jacket/tights/boots combo.

Bijou

I love the style of this dress on you, particularly with the black tights, boots and jacket but agree with Sally. If you have doubts return it, because usually dresses that seem a bit short when standing are even shorter when sitting down.

lyn67

Will not be shorter when sitting down as it is a flare dress, still I find the cut(+the short length) to be a bit of a juvenille combo-.. You have the perfect legs and frame and styled it well just dunno about where, and why exactly this one??:-)

ananthimathur

(website)

I liked the 3rd one! Totally hip with the boots and leggings et al! I totally am taking an attraction towards your jacket! Looks heavenly!

Jeanie

I think you can still do this length but the flare is not doing it for me for some reason.

I think the flare makes it much younger. (See the skater, dancer observations made above.) It's just too fun, if that's a thing.

Jenn

It's adorable, and you have the legs to pull it off, but it is very young-looking. If it still had the flare and were two inches longer, or if it were a classic mini in the same length, I'd say go for it. I don't think it's a question of it being age-appropriate, so much as, "Does this girlish look fit with the way you want to present yourself?"

I agree, it's just not sophisticated enough. I'll bet the skirted leggings that Deborah posted would look great on you, though. Might be worth a try!
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....d-leggings

Outtatheway, LavenderMoon - I just might snatch that jacket out from under you and UtahDesert.
Another vote that this is too costume-like for real life. You mention "festival" wear - is this dress something you could use in that aspect of your life?

Uh oh, catfights are breaking out over the jacket. See what you've started UtahDesert!

unfrumped

I hear your dilemma, and I think you're right to send back and try for something similar but longer.
I think what's so tempting is that you really look good in it as a target silhouette, as it suits your body type and the bodice is lovely. So it's easy for me to imagine you wearing it and not actually looking inappropriate or anything. But something a bit longer, can still be above knee with tights, would really look stylish in more of a "lithe and lively elegant" sort of way and be no worries re: sitting, bending, or being the least bit too twee.

My festival wear is more hippie-ish (colorful or peasant-ish maxis, except for one shorter linen shift). But if for some reason Nordstrom Rack won't take it back, I'll consider that.

The question "Is this girlish look how I want to present myself?" is exactly the core issue, and my answer appears to be no.

And by the way Nordstrom Rack had the jacket for one-third the price that the link in Finds lists it for.

Ankita

First off - you're in GREAT shape and the dress style looks lovely on you... I especially love #1 and #3, but I agree with the dancer/skater vibe because of the length.
If you personally liked the style, maybe you could keep looking for one which is a bit longer and can be worn with or without tights?
....not to forget the two beauties in #3 - your fur baby and your jacket! ;P

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