The bigger, brighter pattern in 1 is what appealed to me right off the bat but Tina.b has a point about the sleeves. Tough decision : )

I love the flutter sleeved dress in #2 - I think the sleeves provide good balance to your hips, if that makes sense.

Go with Angie's choice. She knows her stuff! The smaller dots are still fun but look more adaptable to fall/winter. I doubt those flutter sleeves have enough volume to make wearing a jacket an issue.

I wear jackets with flutter sleeves all the time - I think #1 is more SUMMER! and #2 is a classic

I am on the bolder dot (prefer on #1) but with flutter sleeve (prefer #2) bandwagon. In which case i think the sleeve wins out over the dot. #2 is overall better IMO.

So which did you decide to keep, Thistle? We want to know which you chose and why!

I am not sure if you are interested but I just got this dress and it is gorgeous (but has sleeves so may not work for layering like you mentioned - but it is a RL black and white dress, since that seems to be the direction of this post at least) .

It comes in reg and plus sizes too - Macys carries it also in case Nordstrom is out of your size. It is not a full on wrap dress but the mid-section is pieced to give the same effect. I think you might like it.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/la.....ss/3363466

Thanks, abc! I have been stalking that dress, but it is not currently in my size. I keep hoping it will come in. For a long time I thought store didn't carry my size, this season I have learned they just sell out super fast. Like in less than 2 weeks fast.

I went for #2, the flutter sleeve. I loved them both, but I felt like it balanced out my pear shape a little better with more on top. It was really, really hard to choose though!

Thanks for the update, can't wait to see a WIW with the dots. I love dots, stripes, pretty much anything black and white!

If the zig zag dress comes into stock, I would urge you to get it. I think you will love it. I sure do, and we are shaped and sized somewhat similarly, I think.

You could also try different sizing options, if you are open to trying straight and plus sizes. I flip between both size ranges and in this case it might help you out availability wise.

I ordered a 14W from Nordstrom and a 16W from Macy's (only places it was available, I feel your pain). I ended up keeping the 14W, the 16W was too big in the bust for me.

If you are desperate you could call Austin TX Macy's at Barton Square Mall, I returned the 16W there last week

Honestly I am in love with this dress. It is every bit as flattering as the photos show. I hope to post a WIW soon.

Keep me posted, maybe we can be dress twins soon!