K/R: Carven dress on lumpy me - YouLookFab Forum

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K/R: Carven dress on lumpy me

catgirl

Veteran

I would give anything to look good in this style. Unfortunately I fear it's doing me no favors. I threw it on before a run just to see - what do you think? The print is STUNNING - clear detail and so offbeat. And it is a bit ruched.

I just don't think I have the body for it. Short neck, no waist, busty, apple belly.... I'm so in love I'm crazily thinking I'll hold on to it as more motivation to shake these 10 pounds. Stupid, right?

Two photos with different lighting because the flash didn't go off once.

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Carven Print Jersey Dress

$350.00 $209.98

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57 replies

Latest reply was from nancywalters

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Lumpy? Did you see me in that Christopher Kane dress?
I like it.

catgirl

Veteran

Obviously the ruching is doing its job, Anna! And the pattern helps with hiding flaws too. It's more how I feel, maybe - my eye is always drawn right to the chubby parts. This is a size L.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I don't see any lumps. Either they don't exist, or you are overly sensitive or the print is providing excellent camouflage. Looks great! I'd keep, if you can wear it comfortably. I vote yay.

Marmee

Veteran

I think it looks great on you. I see no lumps and your hips and shoulders look balanced. I say keep and wear.

rachylou

Veteran

I don't see any lumps, but I don't see any waist either...

MsLuna

Veteran

I don't think you're lumpy, Una. I really like the print on you, and it looks quite flattering! I also liked how you paired the dress with those loafers - I'm going to have to copy that sometime since I'm drawn to metallic loafers lately

Anyway nope. Not lumpy.

I know what you mean about the "FEEL" though. There are some outfits I have (I will do a big update on my Wardrobe Minimalism project later) that look fine aesthetically, but I just don't feel good in them. I, too tend to draw my eye to the chubby parts so I really really feel you here.

Anyway - the important thing is this: Do you like the way you look in it? Do you feel good in it? is it versatile enough to go with everything else in your wardrobe (Well, to me, this is a versatile frock, but you're talking to a frockstar here ;)). Will you feel self-conscious in it?

gardenchick

Veteran

Cannot see any lumps. Cool dress! I vote keep unless you don't feel that it's flattering on you.

catgirl

Veteran

Good questions, MsK! I want to like how I look and feel. I so rarely worry about whether I look "thin" or whether something is more than JFE, but something about bodycon seems to call for both of those. And it's hard to for me to embrace myself in this, even though I LOVE IT SO,.

This is the one style that has me so conflicted. I've gotten to the point where I either love something (slouchy, oversized, conversely skinnies, chunky shoes) or I pay no attention to it (fitted tops, belly crops, ruffles, flares, kitten heels). This type of dress is like the siren call of style for me.

abc

Veteran

I don't see the flaws or issues you see. I really like it a lot on you but if you're that self conscious think twice before keeping. Fwiw I love it on you. Really.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I kind of love it.

I see no lumps at all.

It is true that you do not look like the model in this dress. You do, however, look really good in it. In a different way.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I was prepared to be brutal but I like it on you a lot and don't see lumps. For me the acid test would be the side view in this sort of dress. If you feel good with that I would say wear with pride and right away.

Sara L.

Veteran

From the front it looks great on you. I would have to see if from the side to really be able to tell though. You probably need to ask yourself whether you'll wear it or if you'll feel too self-conscious.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I vote yes. If you're worried about lumps wear pantyhose. I find that's usually enough.

jennifer

Veteran

What Firecracker said . What lumps? I see a sleek,slim figure in a slim straight cut ,bold print dress. A dress that I ,as a pearyglass ( pear /hourglass) wouldn't ever be able to wear so sleek and straight. I have to have more A line to my sheaths,and even then my bottom and bust tend to take over and complicate things .
You look Killer . Keep it.

kellygirl

Veteran

Huh? I don't see any lumps. I love it on you. Keep!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Exactly what shevia said.
In the end how YOU feel is the only thing that counts

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

It sounds like you really want to make it work for you. So I still vote keep. And try it with a jacket. I could see it with a black blazer or jean jacket or leather jacket or a vest . . . . And on days you feel bold, you can wear it alone.
I have a hard time wearing a bodycon dress I made, without layering something over it. I might have worn it alone some. But I probably do wear it more with something over it. Still, it's a close-fitting dress, even with a jacket, so it does have some of the bodycon vibe even if I cover it up a bit. No one says you have to do the look full-on all the time.

DonnaF

Veteran

Like everyone else, I don't see the lumps and bumps that worry you. Do you see them in your photo? I suppose you could try to take more pics from different angles and in better light. But maybe this is a case of body dysmorphia? However, if you don't feel psychologically comfortable in it, you probably won't wear it no matter if the rest of us think it looks great on you.

Sleep on it (no, not in it but I'll bet it's comfy!) for a few days.

anne

Veteran

No lumps visible to be. I don't see much of a waist but no bumps. The pattern is lovely. I agree with those asking about the side view.

Desmo April

(website)

Veteran

The dress looks great. I don't see lumps!

It looks very sleek. I don't actually see any more of a waist on the model either.

rabbit

Veteran

The dress looks good on you. This is what I do with bodycon dresses, test the side view, then test it standing relaxed. I also wear a no show long and high waist granny pant foundation thing -- it's not Spanx, it's thin and actually comfortable, not tight, but it kind of keeps everything looking like one unit, rather than the divisions caused by typical undergarments. I'm rectangular too, but if I want a little bit of waist, there are toppers that will give the optical illusion of that and then I'm set.

Beth Ann

Veteran

The print really keeps the eye moving, Una, which is a big plus for a dress like this. I strained to see lumps and couldn't find 'em. Now, it's possible that you don't like the side view here -- we're all surprised when we're reminded that we're, well, three dimensional! Even if that's the case, this would look great under a jacket or your marvelous vests.

Your happiness factor must be high enough however, to make you enjoy wearing this dress. I think the print and the shape are awesome!

Neel

Veteran

Lumpy where?! Una! I get that you are probably conscious wearing it, but no you dont look lumpy, at least from where I sit! I think the dress is beautiful on you.

You know your sleeveless blazer would look killer on this .. And hide those invisible lumps

Deborah

Veteran

My honest opinion is that you are insane (said with love), you look fabulous in this dress! No lumps or bumps. Just wear some firm undergarments if you feel the need but otherwise it's awesome. The only thing giving me pause, is the neckline. It does come up very high but I think that will just come down to are you happy with that?

columbine(erin)

Veteran

I think you look utterly fab in this dress. I agree with Shevia; if you're ok with the side view, something I'm pretty sensitive about, I hope you keep it. Your skin tone is beautiful btw!

Eliza

Veteran

I like the dress on you and prefer where it falls on you to the length on the model. This seems to elevate the dress to my eye and also makes it a little less to manage wearing. I see no lumps or stupidity anywhere.

It is tough when your epitome of style is represented in a piece that causes dissonance. What is that tension? If the print and shape of the dress beckon, is it only the body con factor that's bogging you down? Do you not feel right in body con at all for your current style aspirations? Or is negative self talk making it hard to enjoy the dress? Maybe it is a case of almost right, but not quite. Agree with others that how you feel in it is critical.

You definitely wear the dress well, but may not choose to do so. I have empathy for your dilemma. Has anything you've felt ambivalent about wearing initially worked out for you? I definitely have had ths type of thing go both ways- some became workhorses and other closet orphans. Good info to be gained from those experiences.

Good luck!

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Wow, I love this dress, and you look great in it! No lumps that I see! The print really helps distract the eye. It's so you--I hope you keep it. Try it with a black blazer too!

catgirl

Veteran

You all are so sweet! Trust me on the lumpage. And the side view does give me pause. Its nothing you haven't seen before from me - belly curve and flat booty. Realistically, though, I would mostly be wearing a topper with this for work - draped jersey cardi, long vest, or blazer, several of which work well as many suggested. And for date or party my leather moto vest actually looks really cool.

And nope, I have no waist definition. Though this dress is quite straight. And there is the neckline, which is mitigated by the open toppers I'd wear.

So that raises the question - is it worth owning a dress that can only be worn (in psychological comfort) with a topper?

Thank you all for the kind words. I assure you these pictures surprised me too. Not dysmorphic but seeing the power of visual camouflage...

catgirl

Veteran

Eliza, cross posted! There is huge wisdom in what you say and I need to think about that for sure.

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