K/R: petites & patterns - YouLookFab Forum

Ordered this dress -- the black & white one -- from Nordie's and I'm on the fence/ leaning towards returning, unless YLF can sway me otherwise. DH thinks it's cute and that I'm being overly picky, so I'd really like your input here.

My concerns:

1. The pattern-- which I adore -- unfortunately does not fall right on my 5'0 tall frame. And I don't see anyway that it could be altered to fall better, given the pattern. It is a petite and I suspect that the pattern would fall perfectly on someone just a few inches taller than I am, even 5'2 or 5'3.

2. It is possibly too short. I would not wear anything this short to work, but I have & I might for fun.

DH thinks I'm wrong about the pattern, but I don't know. I wish the black part of the pattern -- that which I'm point to in pic 5, would hit up a few inches higher. I feel like it's hitting exactly where my tummy is. Maybe that would work okay --- IF it wasn't so short. I just think it makes me look too long on top, too short on bottom?

For comparison I have added pic 3 &4 - dress I purchased a few months ago, which I love and which I think the pattern & length (few inches longer) works a lot better.

Do you see what I see?

pics 1 & 2 - dress in question with cage wedges
pics 3 & 4 - dress I own, for comparison, same cage wedges
pics 5 - dress in question with Naot's (because when I do wear shorter dresses I prefer flats, not heels) & with the sleeves pushed up to elbow length to see if that made any difference

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11 years ago

Anonymous

Shiny, if the pattern bothers you, you will always see it that way and reach for a different dress. I vote return it and something you like more will come along.

Jules

Veteran

Well, to be honest I do see a slight torso emphasis, but I think it works with the style of the dress. And I think you look pretty great in it.

greycat6

I like the black and white dress! I do see what you mean about it making you look long in the torso and shortish in the leg but not disproportional, at least to me.

Would you consider wearing it with black tights and black boots in the cooler months - sort of treating like a tunic? It would lengthen the leg line.

shiny

@greycat, that was exactly DH's suggestion, add dark tights and black boots. It is polyester so unlikely I'd want to wear it in hot weather. I guess I should try styling it that way to see, though that would mean waiting months to wear it, since it's warming up here now.

@joy, except sometimes my eye adjusts and I see something different eventually. I do trust DH -- when he has a strong opinion, I listen, and he has a strong positive opinion about this dress. In fact, he suggested I put it up to YLF vote.

There is something about this dress that I do love, at least in theory, if not on me, which is why I ordered it in a mad moment. Not sure I can explain what appeals-- I have always been a sucker for pattern. Heh. And mod. Ooh... white go-go boots! That's what I need!

Gigi

I don't think that the black dress looks out of proportion with respect to the pattern, but I will say that when worn with the flats, the dress doesn't seem to do anything for your height. I much prefer the heeled shoes with it.

Regardless of what we say, Joy gives good advice, and I agree that if you don't feel like the dress is flattering, you will always pass over it for something else.

kellygirl

I really like it on you. I think the pattern creates a V on top that is very flattering. I don't think it makes you look like you have a long torso at all. It does makes you look like you have a tiny waist. I can see why you like the other dress too. Super cute on you!

MsMary

I think the pattern looks fine, but I agree that if it bugs you it needs to go back.

And oh my goodness! I LOVE your hair!!

gardenchick

Tough call!

I like the dress a lot, AND I can see all of your points.

Especially with the Naots, it appears short and that the proportions could be a little more flattering.

How do you feel wearing it? If you don't feel excited or aren't sure, I'd vote return.

Echo

It was in the last picture that I finally realized what the issue is (at least in my eyes). The pattern should be emphasizing the waist, but either the top part of the pattern is too long or the dress doesn't fit a petite properly (though I shudder to think about the length in an average height woman with the waist emphasis where I think it should be). Either way, it is giving you a V shape instead and making you look disproportionately large on top.

All that said, you are tiny enough that you could still get away with it. Because you already have a tiny waist, you don't need the dress to fall properly to emphasize it. Still and all, though, I think you could do better.

qfbrenda

I really like it on you, but if it's going to bug you so much you won't wear it you should return it. I'm on your hubby's side though!

fuzzylogic

I see the pattern visually creating a waist.
I feel that the dress works best with the heeled sandals and long sleeves! Would work with pointy flats, too!
I LOVE this on you but if you aren't comfortable in it then you know you have to send it back.

Echo, thanks for seeing what I see, but I actually do not have a tiny waist -- I am apple, 0.8 waist/hip ratio, no matter how much or little I weigh. And an inverted triangle shape, somewhat busty, with strong shoulder line.

Maybe that is what bugs me here? I am ALWAYS fighting that inverted triangle part, wanting to flip the dang triangle upside down, or at least balance it out / obscure it better, which I think the other dress does, somehow, through confusion of the illusion & pattern magic, I appear more hourglass?

Whereas the B&W dress accentuates the inverted triangle shape -- to the nth degree. I wonder how it would work on someone who was a pear? Hmm. It does seem to have a lot of room in the bust area - more than I need (though I have to imagine it'd be even shorter on someone D cup and up).

Still on the fence. I hate when that happens! Usually I love or hate something instantly.

Here it is on the model, for comparison -

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/bc.....42760?orig

LAR101

Active Member

Just so you know, I am totally blown away by you in this dress!
But I love patterns and this vibe.

My eye does not pick up your proportion concerns.
I see what you mean about it being a little short;
I did not see a long torso at all until I saw the thumbnails again, and only while looking for a long torso. To my eye, the dark splotches by the shoulders recede and this gives you balanced figure not an inverted triangle. I'm just not seeing proportion concerns.

I might try a different shoe or styling as your husband suggested.
To my eye, the stripes of the gladiator shoes don't flatter the circles in the pattern in the dress.

However, the advice about you not loving it, is on target.

CocoLion

(website)

I looked at the pictures before reading, which I often do. Then I go back and read the thread. I did not notice anything unbalancing about the pattern placement. My impression was that the dress looked short. If you keep this dress it's best as a date / theater / going out dress. Too short for work, too dressy and maybe hot (long sleeves) for casual summer wear IMO. I think it would look great with some ankle strap pointy toe heels on a date night.

Deborah

Shiny, I also looked at the pics first, not wanting to be swayed one way or the other. I like the dress. I am wondering what you want it for. Work? Date night? etc. I think it is on the short side and for me that dress would have to work like a tunic, so over leggings or pants. I can't put my finger on why but the dress is just not grabbing me. I am looking at it thinking yes it looks 'nice' but I am not feeling like "Shiny you MUST have this dress". It really depends on what you are looking for but I am just not sure.

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