K/R Dress #2 - YouLookFab Forum

Continuing my August dress challenge, here is another Gwynnie Bee number I'm considering keeping. Although I'm wearing this to work today, if I keep it, I would consider this a more formal frock (my office culture is very casual).

Pluses

in terms of traditional figure flattery, this is about as good as it gets for me
comfortable
not sleeveless!
both the pattern and silhouette seem vaguely turn of the century, and can also read as a bit boho
affordable

Minuses

again more body con than I'm used too, plus it's even more booby than the last one (although this is less of a concern since I'd probably wear it with a chiffon wrap and not to work)
it feels a bit ... young?
fast fashion-y??

I think my biggest concern about this dress is that I'm 48 years old, and I worry that it's a bit jeune for me. However husband gave me an unsolicited opinion this morning that he liked it, so I guess he doesn't think it's inappropriate! Anyway, I value your opinions Fabbers, so please weigh in - Keep (for dressier occasions) or Return?

10 years ago

Sadie

Active Member

I like it a lot too. If you are concerned about cleavage, try it with a black camisole. This dress would also look great in winter with black tights and booties.

Dee

Veteran

Ooh, I vote keep! The cut is very flattering on you and it doesn't seem to show more cleavage than the other one. And to me, the dark colors make it age appropriate.

Liz

I don't think it's too young, but I think it's a neither here nor there dress. Not wearable for you to work, and yet not particularly dressy. Do you have places that are neither work and neither "particularly" dressy to wear it to?

Word Lily

It's very flattering! And I agree with Dee that it doesn't seem like any more cleavage than the other one. What about it gives you the young vibe? It also doesn't seem overly formal to me.

carter

Husbands do tend to like the booby dresses, don't they? I think it fits you well, and it's pretty, but it doesn't pack a punch like yesterday's dress. Yesterday's had the amazing color and the bold, graphic design. This one doesn't have the same oomph. Not that that's bad. I have what I call "back pew" dresses that are absolutely necessary...probably more often than the Wow dresses. So...if you need a back pew dress, it's a great choice. If you want a dress that makes you shine, try another one.

Maneera

(website)

Another vote to keep from me! I love fit and flare dresses and own not one but 6 dresses similar to this.

The cut is very flattering and the cleavage I see doesn't bother me at all. I really like this dress worn casually too ---- with flat sandals and a cute bag.

I don't think it looks 'young' at all. The sober colour and print is very appropriate for your age, MG.

Tania

I think it fits you well. I agree with Carter that the other had more oomph on you because of the color. I don't think it is inappropriately booby or young.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Love this dress on you. The shape is very flattering. Perfectly age appropriate. A hundred thumbs up.

abc

I love the print, the cut, everything about it. I vote keep, too. Cool how GB works that you can wear and THEN decide!

celia

In really like this dress on you. I don't think that it reads too young at all.

catgirl

I think the fit is fantastic so it's all about whether the print speaks to you.

rachylou

I really like it on you. It's so pretty... But I have to say it feels a bit young to me in the sense that it's not the most powerhouse look...

donnat

It looks awsome on you. I don't think the boobage is too much at all. Also I think it would look great dressed down.
I think it is the print that is giving you that fast fashioney vibe but I see it more as a vintagey print.

Jenn

I like the dress on you, but have concerns about wearing it in a dressy way. I'm guessing, based on what you said about price, that it's not silk or another high-end fabrication, and it doesn't read as particularly dressy to me. Wearing that sort of a dress in a dress-up context does strike me as a bit "young", whereas wearing it casually would work for anyone. If you can't make it work for work/casual, I vote no.

Suz

I really like it on you. I don't see it as too "young" -- but I think I know why you do. In the 90s prints like this were trending for a while (i.e. when WE were young). I think it's a flattering cut and easy to wear. A useful item.

As for the cleavage -- well, speaking as someone who will NEVER have cleavage no matter how hard I try, I do not find cleavage in the least offensive. I understand why women want to cover up a wee bit at work, but I see it as beautiful curves and nothing to worry about. There are a lot of other body issues I'd worry about first, before cleavage. Especially in a more casual dress.

Like everyone else, I find the shape very traditionally flattering & not at all too young! I wonder if it's a bit flirtier than your usual style, and that's what's throwing you?

Jaime

Keep!

MuseumGal

Thank you again for your feedback everyone. I'm very tempted to keep it, especially given how flattering it is, and how kind many of your compliments were. However - for multiple reasons, I just didn't feel comfortable in it today at work. I felt too young, too exposed, too ... lightweight, I guess. I tried to come up with non-work occasions where I *would* feel comfortable and came up with ... the ballet. Which I go to four times a year, and don't really need another dress for. So ... it's going back. I don't love it enough.

(photos removed)

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