K/R: The striped Modcloth dress, and white tees - YouLookFab Forum

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K/R: The striped Modcloth dress, and white tees

Ginger

Veteran

My Modcloth order arrived. The black skirt is a winner, but I'm not sure about the striped dress. The biggest issues are that it's slightly high-waisted (surprise!), and that I feel a bit lumpy in it (which can happen in knits that are just a bit lightweight). I love the stripe design and the colors and the sleeve and the overall length; the short waist is a real surprise.

#1-4: Striped dress. In #4 my index finger is indicating my actual true waist/narrowest point.

I've also been thinking about how to translate Angie's Statement Skirt and Black Support Act formula for summer. I think a white top, bare legs, and white or nude-to-me footwear is my best bet. So the white shirt hunt is on. I particularly like how blogger Forever Amber wears statement skirts, particularly ones with only a few colors. Like this and this. Or with a colorful skirt, so that the topper makes its own statement.

This is not an earth-shattering idea; but for some reason I've resisted it. I think because it feels like "not trying" to just default to a white top. But that's silly; I love it on Amber, and I love white on me. So I need some good white tops that are not sleeveless and not transparent.

I experimented with a couple of white tees. The first has a wide V-neck and is not really fitted in the body; the hem is straight across. I like the neckline; it's a good shape for me and not revealing. The second has a... cutout neck? Not sure what to call it. It also has dolman sleeves and a slightly more fitted body with a shirttail hem. I don't foresee wearing either untucked, but the second definitely works better for me if I ever did.

#5-6: V-neck, with nude seamed bra
#7-8: V-neck, with blue t-shirt bra. (I'm planning to get this bra in nude, so this is just for the shape.)
#9-10: Cutout neck, with nude seamed bra
#11-12: Cutout neck, with blue t-shirt bra

Apologies for the mirror - natural light shows the dust!

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26 replies

Latest reply was from

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

I like that dress ALOT. Fantastic colour and I love diagonal stripes.

I like both the outfits with skirts. You wear flared skirts better than anyone else I've ever met! I agree - the 2nd white top looks better and you look fantastic in #10!

Anonymous

I like the dress too. I think the offset stripe look great. I like both tees too

Elle

Veteran

You look amazing in those flared skirts!

I prefer the v necked t-shirt. I really love the striped dress on you. It seems very flattering but if you aren't comfortable in it and won't wear it, then return.

Glory

Veteran

I like the dress on you! The colours are excellent and the diagonal is nice. However if it makes you feel lumpy I would return it and look for something that makes you feel fabulous.

Ginger

Veteran

Thank you all for the opinions! Elle, I DO like the dress. It's not a slam dunk, mostly because of the high waist; but I will totally wear it. I admit I have sale goggles on, plus the specter of a return shipping fee. So I really wanted some honest opinions, otherwise I'd be wondering if I kept it from laziness.

Glory, I don't feel SUPER lumpy; I just know what bits stick out. If it's not super obvious to other people's eyes, I can totally live with it. The dress feels wonderful on, and the stripe design + colors is something I'll never find again.

Maneera, you're so kind! Flared skirts are so natural to me, it feels like a cop-out. I had no idea it's rare... maybe it's those hips o' mine that actually are good for something. :p

Diane, you're no help with the tees. But I can see keeping both of them; they're good basics but not expensive, and white shirts get grimy pretty fast. As a seamstress, can I ask you about the green skirt? It is fully lined, with pockets on both sides and a side invisible zipper. Both side seams are lumpy, and the pocket gapes. These are the best pictures/angles, and the gaping and lumps are visible. I've never had trouble like this with other eShakti pockets, so I think it might be the lining. What do you think? It's annoying me so much that I don't want to wear it. The lining is unnecessary anyway, since I always wear a slip or a cotton petticoat.

cobaltblue

Veteran

I like the v-neck tee. The dress looks perfect, and I see no lumps. I share that trouble with knit dresses, though, and rarely feel like they are flattering enough on me. Will that feeling keep you from wearing it even though it looks great?

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

The dress looks beautiful on you - it's flattering in color, shape and style and I'd wear it with confidence! Either tee could work, I guess I have a slight preference for the second one with the skirt.

rachylou

Veteran

Wow! The stripe dress looks so good on you. Incredibly flattering.

Diana

Veteran

I think the striped dress looks great! I know what you mean about the lumpy feeling, as I get it too with jersey dresses, but honestly I think most of the time (including this time) it's in our heads.

I think both tees work with the skirts. I have a slight preference for the simpler lines of the plain v neck.

Also, are those giraffes on your skirt??? =)

Beth Ann

Veteran

Firstly, your skirts make me want to do some empathetic twirling. They're awesome! I like the dress a lot. Recently, I've become a fan of a smoothing camisole under all my knits. I favor the Slimming cami at Soma (size down) https://www.soma.com/store/pro.....8;fromSear
Mind you, I'm not saying you need this! You look great! I just know sometimes it's an issue of self-confidence. This cami smoothes, but doesn't squish at all. I just like the double layer -- even on warm days.

I'm partial to the second (cutout) tee. Great neckline and shape!

Anonymous

I look for high waisted dresses because the area underneath skims over my apple bits, yet there is structure. The white shirt in the last 4 photos is my favorite. I've got full skirt envy as they look so good on you and I can't even wear an A-line very well.

Ginger

Veteran

cobaltblue, that's a good question to ask. No, I don't think it will stop me from wearing it; I'm just the most aware of my own shape. It helps a LOT to have other eyes looking and saying go ahead.

Thank you, texstyle and rachylou! You're good for my confidence. The dress really feels marvelous, and I LOVE the stripe pattern.

Diana, thank you so much! I really needed that reassurance. We're our own worst critics, but I also don't want to discount what I see too much. And thanks for explaining your tee preference; it's a good point about the simplicity of the neckline style. Hehe, the skirt actually has airplanes! Cartoony WWII-style airplanes.

Ginger

Veteran

Beth Ann, they are awesome twirling skirts, especially the blue one! It's a full circle, plus being gathered. I do use a bike-shorts type shaper with clingier knits. I find shapewear significantly warmer if I'm not in A/C literally all day, so I try not to buy things that require it. (My car is usually 110-120*F even with a sunshade and windows cracked - I usually stop in the restroom and take off my shaper before I leave work!) But shapewear can certainly be helpful! (Camis don't work for me; my waist/hip slope is extreme and nothing stretchy will stay down.) I'm really waffling on the tees - I might keep both.

Joy, I never thought of the high waist for apples. That's a really good point. I think it works for me because my ribs are not conical at all; the wrong cut of dress makes me look very blocky, but high waists are still about the same size as my actual waist. As long as I don't look like my dress shrunk, I'm okay with high waists. I'm kind of amazed and so appreciative at the full skirt compliments! I thought a-line skirts worked for everyone, and my misfortune that they're the only thing that works for me. You're so kind!

Anonymous

The blue one is a lovely shape on you. I worry about the unforgiving look of the tummy area though (as in, unforgiving of a big meal, if you KWIM).

I love both your flared skirts with the t-shirts. They look easy. Your inspiration photo shows a fitted white t-shirt. I think that lends a nice clean look, and it might be something to consider. I think Everlane has a 'stretch cotton' t-shirt that might fit the bill.

I have no idea what to say about bras. I tried really hard to see the differences, but they're not showing up in the photos.

All in all, you look fab ginger. Thanks for posting your WIWs because i always enjoy looking at them, even though I might not comment.

Ginger

Veteran

Hehe, this is the most tummy I ever get. (Which is more than there was 10 or even 5 years ago!) But yes, that's another area of concern. Though I don't tend to eat big meals. I do know what you mean!

The bras feel very different, and I didn't photograph the pointiness/wrinkling I got with the seamed one. It's good to know that you can't really tell, though.

Good point about the fitted tee! I honestly don't want to go TOO tight. I'm starting to think that I should qualify as "busty," although my Hips Of Doom have always grabbed the spotlight. So I'm not sure I want to go too snug with the tee. But it's a good point about how Amber does the style; I'm not built the same as her.

Thank you so much, you've been very helpful! I'm glad you enjoy.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I like the blue dress too. A nice casual addition to your frock capsule. Both tees are fab, and I like the second cut-out V just a little more.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I like the dress. I think the pattern draws the eye away from any lumps and bumps unless you're really looking to find fault. My t-shirt preference is for the one with the cut-out neck rather than the plain V. Something about plain white t-shirts can make them look just a little bit "men's under-shirt"ish, which can be awesome with jeans, but somewhat off with a nice skirt. The second tee feels more intentional and pulled-together.

Alassë

Veteran

More WIWs from you, wonderful! I happen to like the split neck white tee better, but that's mostly because I like the shape of the neckline. It sounds like overall you really like the striped dress, so I'm voting keep.

Kari

Veteran

Definitely yes to the blue dress. The cut is gorgeous on you.

Cerinda

Veteran

The dress is terrific! But not if you don't feel terrific. There's really not a lump in sight. I like the added detail in the second tee. And I really love the airplanes!

olga

I like the striped dress, very wearable

Janet

(website)

Veteran

That dress is outstanding on you! Both tees are good. I find it useful to have a couple of white tees to prevent laundry bottlenecks in summer, and also because they tend to show wear/stains quickly.

Ginger

Veteran

Thank you, everyone! The blue dress is definitely staying now. I had to stop myself from wearing it last night around the house - I kind of want to save it for when it'll be really comfortable. It's still a tiny bit chilly in the house in the evening.

Jenn, that's a really good point about plain V-necks. I'll play around with it a bit more, and make sure I really like the look. And Angie, Alassë, and Cerinda like the detail on the second! I'm pretty sure they'll both stick around for now.

Anonymous

Sorry Ginger, I only just came back to this thread and found you asked me a question.

So, the green skirt...If the lining is actually stitched in with the side seams then it's possible that it could cause the lumpiness, but as is usually the case, if it's just hanging freely then I wouldn't think it is the culprit. By all means cut it out if you don't need it though. I suspect it may be the pockets causing the lumpy areas. Could you stitch them up if you don't need them and cut away the pocket bags?

Ginger

Veteran

No worries!

I'm trying to remember... I don't have the skirt in front of me right now, but I think the lining really isn't free. It's sewn together with the outer fabric at least through the pocket placement. I know they're sewn together on the left side, for the entire length of the zipper. I've removed the pocket bags on another eShakti dress, but that was because they were only anchored at the side seams; these pockets are sewn at the waist as well and really shouldn't be pulling. I'll look at it more carefully and try to find the real culprit. It's mainly as I've been looking at these pictures that I've realized how wonky it looks.

Anonymous

Hmm, it sounds like it's possible that you have several layers of fabric all stitched together around the zip and pocket area. That's sure to add bulk and maybe cause distortion if some of the layers are tighter than others.