K/R: Banana Republic dress - YouLookFab Forum

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K/R: Banana Republic dress

Suzanne

I'm torn about this dress. My clothes are often quite structured, and I've been looking to add a little more softness to my look; this fits that bill. I love the print, details, neckline, sleeves. And I could wear it as a dress, or over leggings in the fall.

But I'm not sure about the waist--I usually avoid anything with a belt, because my waist is somewhat undefined, and natural-waist belts tend to hurt rather than help. And the curved hemline seems weirdly sporty.

Also, because it's a fairly different style for me, I feel sort of uncomfortable. Not sure if that feeling means "this is unfab" or "you need to get used to it." It didn't help that when I showed my husband, he said it reminded him of The Love Boat. (What does that even mean?)

I know you all don't really know my style yet, but do you think this looks good? Yay or nay?

#1 has the tie in front, #2 is tied in back.

Thanks for your help!!!

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23 replies

Latest reply was from Suzanne

Anonymous

Hi Suzanne: interesting- I looked at this dress too the other day, because I really like it! It's the navy one, right? Without having seen much of what you usually wear, I can't compare it to anything, but I do think it looks great and fits you well.

It looks great belted here - I don't see anything "off" about your waist at all! And I have no idea what your hubby meant by the Love Boat comment! Maybe that you remind him of cute Julie - is that what her name was?

The only reason I didn't go for it was because of the length - and that's a totally personal thing- I just don't want short anymore. It will look great with tights and boots in the winter, and lovely in spring/fall with cognac sandals or booties and a bag

Emily

Veteran

I think you look great in this dress. The shape is soft, but the black and white print and sporty hem keep it from being saccharine. The shorter length really shows off your great legs! What sorts of places would you wear it? And would you consider swapping the fabric belt for a leather one?

Anonymous

I think this looks good on you too. I think you should play with some other belts with it too -- you may find a stiffer belt works better for you.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Even without knowing anything of your style, I've got to say it looks great on you. I'm not a big fan of self-belts -- how does it look unbelted (I assume the belt is not attached)? How about with a leather belt? It looks like it could span the seasons nicely.

I have no idea what the Love Boat comment was about either, but it made me laugh.

Suzanne

Thanks, all! I'll test it out with some different belts and report back.

@Emily, I was thinking it's a date-night dress (my birthday's next week!). Or with leggings it could work for general life. Happy hour with friends, etc.

I'm also interested to hear how other people make these kinds of decisions. Part of me thinks that if I don't like something unequivocally, I shouldn't buy (or keep) it. But maybe that's why I have so few clothes!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am with the others. It looks good on you and is an interesting and fun piece. I always find self-belts difficult and typically either take them off or replace with a different belt. For myself, this would feel too short to wear as a dress in a work setting, but that is just personal. I think it would be super with leggings as a tunic. It would also be amazing to throw on over a swimsuit if you wanted to go somewhere afterwards and be presentable. So it's very cross-seasonal that way.

Anonymous

I really like it on you! I don't see any issues with your waist either, and the combination of the delicate print with the bolder dark trim seems to suit you nicely.

I'm not super-crazy about dresses with that kind of shirttail hem in general because I feel like it's harder to make it read as a real dress rather than a shirt pretending to be a dress. But that may just be me, and you definitely pull it off well with your lovely legs. And, of course, if you're planning on wearing it with leggings regularly, this would be less of an issue.

Gigi

Veteran

Suzanne, I think this dress looks really great on you. And good job for trying something new! We can never progress stylistically unless we get our hands dirty.

Of the two ways to tie, I like the tying in back better, I think because the front already has the dark placket for the buttons. It seems like having the tie in front adds too much of a vertical line down the middle. But that's just my opinion; I don't know if others would see it that way or not.

With regard to the style, I will echo Aubergine, because she said it better than I can: I always feel like that type of hem makes the dress feel like a big shirt. For some people, that's what they want. But for other people's style, that is too casual. It depends on the person.

You could try keeping the dress with the tags on for a week or two and try it on every day or two to see how you feel in it. Do you love it more and more, or less and less? I would also keep your eye open for a similar dress but with a straight hem. That might help you identify how big of an issue the hem is to you.

MuseumGal

Veteran

The dress does have a vaguely 70s vibe, which may be the reason for the Love Boat comment. But it looks FAB on you. My only concern is the length - have you tried sitting down in it? I suspect it will pull awfully far up the back of your legs. But if your don't mind that, then I think it's awesome.

fathenry

Veteran

I love it. Keep!

Echo

Veteran

My only concern would be the length, too, but that may be a personal issue I have and you do not. But given its abbreviated length and the shirttail hem, it would come even higher on the sides while moving or sitting, which could cause issues. And shirttail hems read as tunic to me instead of dress.

Regardless, it is a fun dress with a fun print and you definitely have the figure to wear it. I would try it with an obi belt. I also think it would look smashing with leggings or skinny pants.

Marley

Veteran

I think its really cute - but, to be honest - if you wear it belted I think it is too short. For a more current look could you try it unbelted?

To me, because of the short length along with the curved hem, it looks more like a tunic than a dress.
The belt around your waist in and of itself is great on you! No need to be concerned about belting your waist - its just that I don't think it works with this dress,.

Also, I'm wondering how you feel about the way that the neck is cut? It looks like its a combination boat-neck/v-neck - which I think is really tricky to wear. If you are wanting a softer look, there are a lot of other dresses out there that you may instantly feel more comfortable in - rather than feeling a little unsure about this one,

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I love this on you! But I am getting a shirt vibe because of the hem. There must be a way to style around that, and lessen the effect.

I watched every episode there was of The Love Boat when I was a kid, and I am not getting the reference, unless it is the cut of the sleeve, which seems a little early 80s if I look at it long enough without blinking...

catgirl

Veteran

Hmmm, maybe because it's exciting and new? Come aboard, we're expecting you! Sorry, I watched the Love Boat all the time while babysitting, followed by super creepy Fantasy Island.

I vote with Marley here... It's a great fit as a tunic but I don't know if that is what you want from a dress.

lyn67

Veteran

OMG, this is a totally fab dress on you, Suzanne! Reading your post, I think it is exacly what you aim for! Love, and love it, dearly! The length, proportions, fit, drape, the notch neckline, the raglan sleeves, THE WAIST(??what's wron with your waist???you have a great figure!!!) and the rounded hems to sides, are ALL perfect to my eyest!!!!!! The details (pipings on front and back shoulders) are also awesome! Please keep!!! YOU DO HAVE TO GET USED to this, will look really fab with leggings and boots(as you wanted) but on it's own for a more casual setting(beach or so), too!

lyn67

Veteran

OMG, this is a totally fab dress on you, Suzanne! Reading your post, I think it is exacly what you aim for! Love, and love it, dearly! The length(not too short!), proportions, fit, drape, the notch neckline, the raglan sleeves, THE WAIST(??what's wron with your waist???you have a great figure!!!) and the rounded hems to sides, are ALL perfec to my eyest!!!!!! The details (pipings down on front and back shoulders) are also awesome! Please keep!!! YOU DO HAVE TO GET USED to this, will look really fab with leggings and boots, or on it's own, too!

lyn67

Veteran

OMG, this is a totally fab dress on you, Suzanne! Reading your post, I think it is exacly what you aim for! Love, and love it, dearly! The length(not too short for your great legs!), proportions, fit, drape, the notch neckline, the raglan sleeves, THE WAIST(??what's wron with your waist???you have a great figure!!!) and the rounded hems to sides, are ALL perfec to my eyest!!!!!! The details (pipings down on front and back shoulders) are also awesome! Please keep!!! YOU DO HAVE TO GET USED to this, will look really fab with leggings and boots, or on it's own, too!

Helena

Veteran

I agree that it looks great!

avicennia

Veteran

I agree with everybody that it looks great on you. But I'm concerned about how short it is. In the spring, I bought a dress similar in lenght that also hAd a curved hem. I only wore it once and struggled with the short hem. I'm waiting for fall so I can wearing it with tights/leggings or over pants.

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

The dress is perfect casual wear but not work wear. I would think the belt would help with waist definition but you can always change out the belt too. The dress may be short, but lady you got the legs so show them off.

Zibbets

Veteran

What a cute dress! I like the waist and you look great in it. I think the short, curved hem will limit the ways you can wear it, but if you're looking for a casual dress and not a work dress, maybe it's just the thing.

One other thing…it looks great with bare legs, but will your climate let you wear it that way very much? I live in a four season climate, so I would want to try it with tights before deciding.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Hah. The Love Boat.

I saw that frock yesterday. It looks great on you. Make sure you do the sit-down test though. And perhaps parade around in it for a little while at home to make sure YOU love it too.

Suzanne

Thanks, everyone! Suz, Janet, et. al., the idea of ditching the self-belt was genius. It looks SO MUCH BETTER with a different belt.

I'm definitely leaning toward leggings or tights as the best way to wear this. You're all right, it's a bit short otherwise (not TOO short, I don't think, but def. more versatile with something underneath). I wouldn't wear this for work--just for fun.

FWIW I don't think there's anything wrong with my waist! I'm just on the rectangular side so I have to pay attention to it. Maybe I'm paying too much attention-- looking at the photos with fresh eyes, I'm like, Hey, this looks great!

THANK YOU all for your kind words and for helping me see the possibilities (and the pitfalls) with this dress!

KEEP!!