Oh Una - you look smokin' in this dress! If you can just relax and believe us all when we say that the dress looks great on you - then, I say keep. Also - with regards to your question about keeping a dress that you're only comfortable wearing a topper with? No - I would not keep it if that were the case. However, I think that you can wear this dress (without the topper) probably anyplace but work - for work I'd go with a topper - other places I'd flaunt how great this dress looks on me!

Una, could it be that you just like the print more than the actual dress? Does Carven make any other items in this print?

I agree with everyone that you look great. I agree with Eliza that it would be useful to figure out rather precisely what you're uncomfortable about. For me (busty IT/apple) I'm gradually and regretfully realizing that I don't feel all that comfortable in jersey or other knit dresses. "Firm undergarments" as Deborah calls them can help not just with the look but with the feel of being in a dress that doesn't provide a lot of structure. Again, I think you look really good in this dress. But I would be careful about keeping it if it's going to make you uncomfortable.

Like others, I don't see any lumpy bits in the pictures you posted. I can however see that it fits you a bit more straight as compared to the model, but I wouldn't worry about that. It looks good on you. I also wouldn't hide that gorgeous print on you with a topper tbh.
I am sorry I don't really know your style preferences so I am gonna make a suggestion that may be irrelevant, but I will still do it: What about pairing this dress with some heels? The shoes you wear in the picture while very pretty seem flat to me, and sometimes for me, wearing a dress with a bit of heel elongates my legs and makes me look slimmer in bodycon fits. Just a thought, please disregard if irrelevant for you.

Una, I can't see any lumps in the pics that are posted either. Either they're not there or else the pattern is really hiding them?

I agree with the others who say that if you're not comfortable in it, you shouldn't keep it...because you won't wear it. I wouldn't keep it as "incentive" to lose 10 pounds, because I think that would just make you feel guilty every time you saw it in your closet and couldn't wear it because you hadn't lost the 10 pounds yet. And we buy clothes to fit our bodies, right? We don't alter our bodies to fit the clothes.

Maybe post a pic of the side view if you're still unsure?

I like it!

I see it with knee high boots and and a jacket, or heavier boots with hardwear and a more relaxed topper (cardi +/-long). Play around and see how you go!

That said, if you are really not comfortable, and cannot envision being comfortable (with or without slimming underwear), then return it. No point having it and not wearing it!

You are your worst critic...you look amazing in this dress! If there are lumps and bumps, they are unnoticeable. And yes, I think the dress is a keeper even if you do only wear it with a topper; you own plenty and were able to name off a few pairings without even thinking. It's a keeper!

Where you live, a topper is pretty much necessary all year anyway. So....

I didn't love this dress on the model but from these pics I really like it on *you.*

Joining the choir here. Me no see no lumps.

I think you need to post more photos, if you really want us to see what it is that you have issues with. Can we see a zoomed in version? Because it is hard to see much from a small photos at this distance - let us see more what YOU see. And we need a side view.

I also think it's totally find to buy a dress that needs or prefers a topper. You don't buy a skirt without knowing you need a shirt! Obviously that cuts down on some versitility, but that may not be important to you.

What the heck are you talking about?? You are a knockout in this dress!!

I think it looks good, it fits you different than the model but it looks good on you.

Nope, I don't see any lumps either! It looks great on you and I don't think there's anything wrong with keeping it to only wear it with a topper. And, who knows, just wearing it like that a few times might make you comfortable enough with how you look in it that you might revisit wearing it on its own.

Er, you look great! Now, psychologically, if you don't feel great, that's another matter. Working through Eliza's questions/posting side view may help....

I also prefer how it looks on you to the model.

Ditto to shevia. I suspect you may have worries about the side view? (My body-type opposite -- I almost always like my side view better!)

I think it looks amazing and I see no lumps, but you need to feel great in it.

I'd be tempted to try it myself, but I already have enough infrequently- worn bodycon dresses. Plus, of course it's too short for me. But seriously it looks great on you.

I'm not going to read any responses before answering - but I voted Yay bc I don't see any lumpiness, and I think it looks great!

This is interesting Una...the dress looks fabulous on you, no doubt about it. No lumpage issues do I see. And the dress will work beautifully with many of your jackets, which helps to take away some of the body con issues if you are uncomfortable with that.

But...will you wear the dress? Bodycon doesn't strike me as your personal style choice. And the question of whether or not purchasing a dress that you will not wear to the office without a topper is a valid one. Personally speaking, it doesn't bother me to have a dress that will only be worn with a jacket. Just playing devil's advocate by asking the question.

You do look fab in it though

I don't see lumps(from front:-))! It's great dress, and fits you well...but only you know how you feel in it!
I know am always worried about the side and back view for my apple and sloppy self:-(.

Hm now this is interesting! From the stock photo I didn't expect that it'd work that well on you... yet it does. The length, the sleeves, and the neckline (!!) especially all look really good. I don't have any problems with having a dress meant to be worn with a topper, especially since you wear a lot of them anyway (it's not like you'll be going out of your way to get a bunch of them just for this one dress). Would it bother YOU to "have" to wear it with one? Also, is the side view really that body con or just more than you are used to? If it's a current fitted fit, I think it's probably totally fine.

PS: It may be also worth having one of these types of dresses as your bodycon, for when those occasional situations arise.

I love it!
I hope you'll keep it and wear the heck out of it, because you look fabulous!

Going to have to join the bandwagon...I don't see any lumps. Are they there and not showing at this angle or are you perhaps too critical (as most of us are)?!

It looks so good and so you, but only if you are comfy and feel happy.

You asked for honest opinions, and, Una, I honestly like it very much. I am not seeing the same "descriptors" you mentioned. I love the print, I love the fit on you and your body type and I say, if it makes you happy, please keep it. You know yourself so well and will wear it where and when it's called for.

I like seeing you in a different silhouette! I can see the attraction to the print -- stunning. I am so tempted now to copycat you.

I'll just repeat what others have said: what lumps, looks fantastic, and wear it only if you feel comfortable in it

Ok you all have helped tremendously and made me feel really good. And this dress is therefore going back (with great sorrow). Because there is SO much difference between what you all see and how I feel, I really think I need to wrap my head around why I love and want to wear this style, which apparently can work for me and looks objectively good, but STILL don't feel good...

The other possibility since this is from Nordstrom is that I could hang on to it a while and ponder.

Thank you all so much!

Hang on to it and ponder for a little while. My immediate thoughts when I saw the pictures were that you do not have lumps or bumps visible to anyone else (at least from the angle shown), but that I slightly see your point with the neckline. My suggestion would have been to wear a topper of some sort that would visually create that V-neck illusion and give you more of the proportion you are seeking, but I didn't want to suggest covering up this gorgeous print. Since you said you would likely be wearing it with a topper, though, IMO the situation is solved.

Really, since you love this dress so much and because it really DOES look good on you, try on toppers and take some more photos. See if your eye adjusts and begins to see what we all see.

I think it looks wonderful on you - You completely own it in my opinion. I do not see any lumps or unattractive bits.

I don't see any lumps AT ALL and I wish I looked as good as you do. You look very slim. But you don't look comfortable in the dress.
Have you tried it with a belt or different shoes? is this a versatile piece that will fit in your wardrobe? Will you reach for this enough to justify the purchase?
I think you look fabulous in that dress. But do you feel fabulous?