K/R: Black long sleeve jersey faux wrap dress (and maxi dress fail)

I ordered this Michael Michael Kors long sleeve jersey faux wrap dress at the same time as my cap sleeve dress. It's on sale at Nordstrom for $80:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/mi.....tback=3005
I keep hearing that little black dresses are a wardrobe essential. So I figured it would be good to have one that can go from work to evening depending on how it's styled.
I think it fits well (size S). I feel like of any plain black dress, this one is probably the best in terms of fit and versatility. But is it too boring for me? Do I look like Elvira with my long black hair? Obviously I would add some more interesting and colorful accessories like shoes, bag & jewelry. Also (kind of morbid) maybe it's good to have a funeral appropriate dress just in case an occasion arises. I do have a black sheath dress from TJ Maxx (#2). But should I have both long and short sleeve black dresses? Is a long sleeve black jersey dress versatile enough that I should keep it, and just jazz it up in other ways? How often do you wear plain black dresses?

Yay=keep the long sleeve black dress
Nay=return the long sleeve black dress

3-6 is the high low maxi dress I posted in my maxi thread.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/fe.....tback=1424
It looked better on the model. I think I'm going to return this one. I feel like my tummy is accentuated with the horizontal stripes and the dress is very thin and low cut. Plus I don't look good in mauve or blush or whatever color that is. Posting just for the sake of postmortem analysis, so I can learn what went wrong and avoid future mistakes.

Thanks for your advice!

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13 years ago

Mirp

Active Member

Nay -- I think you should return as you are not thrilled with it. Play with your black sheath dress more and if you find you need sleeves than buy long sleeve one.

You can wear sheath with jackets; cardigans; long sleeves underneath so I think that is enough versatility for now.

jayne

Veteran

0h the 3-6 has to go back. But it did enjoy seeing the real person versus the model..i run into that all the time. reality!

loved both black dresses on you but 2 was best. no problem with the hair when you added the necklace. so I say return the long sleeve. You don't really need two. LBD is not a hard rule. I don't have one and dont want one either

Jjsloane

I prefer dress #2 for a black dress and you can add a jacket so I don't think #1 is a necessity and doesn't sound like you care much about it. 2 fits just right.

Good choice to return the high/low. Keep trying on that maxi.

ManidipaM

I'm not seeing tummy unflattery in the high-low dress, so possibly it's more the colour that is an issue rather than pattern. And maybe the neckline.

And yeah, I'm not seeing any flattery in the long-sleeved black dress, on the other hand, so voting to return. It doesn't seem like a good option even if it *were* filling a hole --- which it isn't!

Anonymous

I don't know if I like where the little metal plaque is hitting you on the MK dress, plus I have seen the dress IRL and it's very clingy. I vote return. As far as the black sheath , its a very basic dress that lends itself to many styling possibilities. If the fit is good - I can't never tell with black items - I vote keep. I agree with you on the maxi. That hem ruffle is so hard to get right.
I think Tanya had a brilliant pictorial post on how to style a black sheath, a while back, If you need inspiration.
ETA. I see you own the black sheath already. I definitely vote return on the Mk. I gotta stop skimming threads..

Kristin L

I think you look great in all the dresses. If you think it doesn't work, though, then return it. Don't keep something that will end up as a closet orphan.

rae

(website)

I vote return, too. Your existing black dress is better and can be styled more ways, plus after your previous thread with the blue dress and yellow bag, I feel that you don't love this one.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I love high-low casual *so called* maxi dresses because they are essentially midis - which makes ALL the difference to my eye.

I like you in that high low frock.

Makrame

I would return the first and the last dress; the black sheath looks so much better.

goldenpig

Thanks Mirp, Jayne, JJsloane, Manidipa, Zap, Kristin, Rae, Angie & Makrame!

Yes, I think I like my black sheath better than the long sleeve dress. Interesting that I loved the turquoise patterned cap sleeve MMK dress so much but in this one, which is essentially the same fit, I just feel ho hum instead of sophisticated. Mainly because of the lack of color and pattern, which are two of my main style rubric components. The black sheath has a zig zag pattern from the strips of fabric that gives it more visual interest, plus the bare arms cut down on the big expanses of black. Kristin, good point about not keeping things that will end up as closet orphans. If I had the choice of wearing the long sleeve black one or the turquoise one I'd pick the turquoise one for sure. Zap, the turquoise one also has a clasp, but maybe it's more hidden amongst the pattern.

As for the high low dress, I agree with Jayne, it's so frustrating when it looks better on the model than in real life. The pretty ruffle hem that flares out in the picture just hangs limply when I wear it. I suppose it looks better when you're actually walking and swishing down the runway. And the beige stripes have kind of a pinkish cast that I'm not sure works with my skin tone. Interesting that Angie likes it on me and that Manidipa thinks my tummy looks OK. I think I'm still returning it though--I just don't feel super fab in it. JJ, I do have another maxi dress coming so I will try that one when it comes next week!

velvetychocolate

Return the dress in #1. Love the black dress in #2.

On the fence about the striped hi-lo midi dress - don't return just yet. Try with some high-ish chunky sandals and see if that doesn't change the whole picture. Just like the model's photo - part of why it looks so good on her is the "right" shoes. I think it's hard to judge this dress on you without shoes.

Meredith1953

I like your sheath better then the wrap. It is more versatile I think. I am not wild about the highlow but I think that is because the material looks a little thin. The pattern and style are fine.

Amy

I prefer the TJ Maxx dress to the long sleeve one. You don't need a long-sleeved dress. You can always cover up your bare arms with a jacket.

I like the style of the high-low, but the color isn't doing you any favors. I'd return that too.

MNsara

You look SO fab in your current black dress, and it can have a jacket or cardi over it for cooler weather. I'd return the long sleeve black dress.

I rather like you in the striped dress! Maybe the colors in the pic are different than IRL, but they look good from here. I don't see any tummy flattery problems either.

I don't know if I see you wearing this for work. . .would you? I guess that's just another consideration (if you still might keep it), is where this would be useful.

christieanne

I like the style of the hi lo dress (at least the skirt) but not this one on you - you might be right about the blush not being a good shade. But I think all the competing angles of stripes are bothering my eye.
Your black sheath fits well and is a nice LBD. The long sleeve is really just a lot of black and if you don't love it, return.

I have the same issue with feeling 'Elvira-ish' in long sleeved black dresses, so I've never bought one. Somehow a sheath is less overwhelming in that way. Your sheath is lovely on you, but the wrap is meh.
I want to like the maxi, but I feel it's too big or just sits too low on you, like you should have a petite version, you know? I see that you are not keeping it, but just wanted to say I don't mind the pattern on you at all, it's really more a fit issue to me.

DonnaF

GP: Is the sheath also a deeper black than the one you are returning which on my monitor looks lighter? FWIW, with your black, black shiny hair, I think a deeper blacks flatter your coloring more than flat (off) blacks, should you decide you need an LBD with sleeves.

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