K/R: Talbots ponte knit 3/4 sleeve dress

Well, I have to say I'm disappointed in the color, first off. The online pic shows the color as more of a teal, and this is a dark, pine-y green. I'm trying to set that aside and make a more informed decision.

http://www.talbots.com/online/.....oductID%5D

Pros:
- great weight, sturdy fabric
- love the neckline
- sleeves!
- great length
- fits these hips of mine
- $31

Cons:
- It seems by rear is a 4 but the rest of me is more of a 2. There's some extra fabric at the back waist... but I'd pretty much always wear a jacket/vest a la my CCV dress...
- I don't know if you can see it, but there is a bust seam on the dress. I don't know how I missed it in the online pic. It seems to hit in the correct spot... but do I like it? It's not that noticeable and would mostly be covered by a jacket anyway.

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13 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Ooohhhh Rae - this is a tough one. From the front (pic #2) it looks like a really good fit on you. Love the neckline, the sleeves, the length, the shape. But from the back, there's just too much fabric there (especially seen in pic #4).

modgrl

(website)

I'm with Shannon - the front is good but the back is quirky. I'm not sure if I like the bunching.

Anonymous

Oh, how frustrating. The bunching at the back is a deal breaker for me.

sopranomom

Active Member

I'm with the others. Your curves are much too lovely to have bunchy fabric spoil the lines. It looks great from the front.

Suz

Yeah...It doesn't do you justice, Rae. Frustrating, though, because it's super from the front. I don't know if it would be worth altering - cost might go up too high in that case.

christieanne

I think it doesn't fit in the back

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Another return vote from me.

velvetychocolate

Very tough call here - because I love the dress..and I love the way it looks on you from the front.

I don't know what to make of the bunchiness at the back of the dress? Is this something that can be fixed, somehow? I ask because it seems like $30-something is an incrdedibly good deal.

Aside from the bunching the back, I'd have to say that this is one of the best dresses I've seen on you! I really love it. Having said that though - it might be that I just love the syle of this particular dress (ie. I'd want one myself), and *also* because it's a bit of a departure from your usual, because of that - it looks even more interesting, if that makes sense. Do you know what I mean rae? When you see something on someone that isn't like anything you've seen on that person before and how it looks really fab as a result?

It's like the time I saw those raspberry coloured harem pants with the cropped denim jacket on ClearlyClaire - that outfit was just incredible on her, and yet it was somewhat different than the things she'd normally wear.

In spite of the bunchiness in the back of this dress, I'm getting those same 'goosebumps' about this dress for you - and can see you with your hair up, some glam shoes and totally mastering a kind of "Mad Men" look, if you will. I can even see a tiny bit of eyeliner on your top lash line, some mascara on only the top lashes. Hardly any other (if any) other makeup at all. Not UWP at all....but still totally fabulous.

If I wanted to be totally strict and say the right thing, I'd say 'send it back' ...but I have to be honest and say that I love the idea of this kind of style on you.

Hmm...I guess you should send it back - it's true that we shouldn't settle for anything less than killer/fabulous. But still - this thing's close to killer, if you ask me.

If you do send it back - I hope you look for a similar dress. In the meantime, I'd love to hear what Angie has to say about this one.

catgirl

I actually like this color, and I love it from the front. I think it will bother you, though, since you have seen the back and the comments here.

CocoLion

I LOVE this look on you. Ditto what Velvet said, can you get it taken in a little in back? It looks like a timeless dress, one you could wear for years and the color is flattering. If you are wanting a dress *just like this* then I would figure out how to make it work. If it's an additional dress you are looking to add to your wardrobe, then return it.

ManidipaM

Rae, is there a back-waist seam on am I imagining it? If it is there, the extra fabric can be fixed! A semicircular arc of the lower back section ('skirt') needs to be taken up into the seam, and it will then fall smoothly. I had this done for a similar shaped dress I had years ago.

If the seam is just my monitor's illusions, though, I'm sorry to have to vote return because it is truly wonderful on you from the front --- or do you feel you'd always have a topper of some sort on, covering the back? If yes, go for it! It certainly sounds like a very good price as well.

marianna

I think you're too cute and spunky for this dress. It's okay, but your wardrobe deserves better.

rae

Well, there is no back seam, just the zipper and side seams. I will examine to see if I could put a dart in, but it may not look good without the seam, like Manidipa said.

I won't be down near the talbots until next month, so I have a bit of time, but it is probably going back.

Thank you for all the help!

Well I have to say you look really good in forest green anyway! Maybe two darts at the small of the back? You could hand-baste them in and still pull them out and return the dress if you didn't like the effect. Great basic dress. Although I'm a little over the under-bust seam these days, I can't even see this one.

Claire, I think I will try it! I have put in darts once before. I *think* I can do it, but it will take some contorting to pin it since I don't have a dress form.

Meredith1953

Sounds like Claire has a good suggestion! The color and basic shape look really nice on you!

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