Need help with cleavage issue and opinions on dress - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

Need help with cleavage issue and opinions on dress

teeandcee

I'm looking for opinions please on this dress I got today from Kohls. It may seem pretty tame to a lot of you fashionistas, but this is wayyyy out of my comfort zone with the pattern and styling. So, my questions:

1. How would you style it? What jewelry? What purse? Different shoes? I tend to be all matchy-matchy, too much so.

2. The cleavage issue is why I'll return it if I can't fix it. I'm far too hot-natured to wear a cami under this so was thinking I'd get some coordinating fabric to make a piece to fit over the low neckline. Do you all think that will frumpify it? Any other ideas??

3. This is an empire waist that makes me look pregnant if I pull the dress into my body slightly. Without my pulling it the dress hangs nicely, just skimming my body, but all it takes is a slight pull and there's my belly bulging. However, I am fat with a bulging belly. No getting around that. Is this just too weird for a 45-year-old not-pregnant lady?? Again, layers are out as it's too hot.

Any other opinions? Please be honest. I don't get my feelings hurt easily at all.

Thank you!

P.S. The hubby likes the dress as long as I hide "his" bosoms.

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Dressing

26 replies

Latest reply was from teeandcee

crazyone

Veteran

Honestly, I don't think this is too much cleavage for situations outside of work. But you should wear what you're comfortable with. I wonder if you could sew the neckline a little tighter together.

And I don't see the bulging that you're talking about.

And you've styled it well! The dress is bright enough that I don't think you need any jewelry, and I like the nude sandals with it.

Adelfa

Veteran

I think you look adorable. Have you heard of a B string? It attaches to your bra to hide cleavage without an extra layer. Imogen from Inside Out Style Blog showed it. I'm thinking of getting one. Has anybody tried it?

http://orientalblush.com.au/pr.....g-2-2.html

Traci

Veteran

I like crazyone's idea. Pin it and see how it looks. The way the cross front lays I think this would be a simple alteration, probably even doable by hand.

I like it exactly as you have it styled. The colorful dress doesn't need a bunch of flair added to it. The simple nude sandals are perfect.

crazyone

Veteran

Traci said what I was going to but forgot: try pinning the neckline together first to see if sewing together would work.

teeandcee

Thank you everyone! I thought it looked okay styled as is but wasn't sure.

I've already tried pinning it together and it looks odd, obviously pinned. I like those B Strings! I'll look into that further.

Anonymous

I like the dress just as it is on you, but if you want more coverage, those bstrings look like they would be pretty easy to do at home. If you wanted to add anything, not that it is needed, but some inexpensive colorful bangle bracelets that pick up colors in the dress would be pretty.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I think it looks quite good, and I'd add a teal or maybe an orange-ish/tangerine clutch. The shoes you have are quite nice with this dress, giving you a nice long leg line (nude-ish sandals). I agree with Joy in that if you were going to add jewelry, it might be some fun bangles. With this neckline and considering the dress is already patterned, I don't think I'd bother with a necklace or much in the way of earrings (beyond some simple stud type earrings).

I don't think the neckline is too low for non-work occasions. The colours are so pretty and the dress is quite flattering on you.

Lyn D.

Veteran

Wow! The neckline seems modest as far as I am concerned. The dress is flattering to your body-shape as it is fitted under the bust, and gives you a great hourglass shape . It looks lovely!

christieanne

Veteran

It's not too low of a neckline but I have a big bust myself and don't like any bit of cleavage showing so I understand that. Those b strings are worth looking into.

Teal, orange or blue bag - even a dark tan would work but color would be more fun. Like the shoes and some dangly earrings.

Overall dress looks good - not maternity at all!

Sara L.

Veteran

I think the dress looks good on you. It looks like it would be an easy fix to sew the neckline closed a little more. I don't think it looks too low, but if it makes you uncomfortable, than definitely alter it. I like the sandals with it and don't think the dress looks maternity at all.

missvee

Veteran

The colour and pattern are beautiful on you and the style looks great to me - no unsightly bulges. I think either suggestion for the neckline will work - my preference would be to sew it up slightly - even an inch will sort out your concern. I don't think it needs any accessories. It looks really nice on you!

catgirl

Veteran

I don't think this is too much cleavage, but I also am cleavage-phobic and totally get it if you don't want to expose. Have you thought of sewing just a small piece of fabric across the v to look like a cami without actually having to wear one?

sarah

Veteran

It looks like a cute summer dress! The others have offered some great suggestions for the cleavage issue (I am also super sensitive to showing too much cleavage). I also have a couple of "half-camis" from Second Base (I found about them here, on YLF).

krishnidoux

Veteran

If you are not comfortable 100% with it, then return it. The world of dresses is big enough that there is yours somewhere. Don't settle for any less! Or it might become a closet orphan.

Also, altering it will cost you more. If you factor in the cost of the dress + alteration, is this particular dress worth it?

Beth Ann

Veteran

Love the print, and the length is perfect for you! You've already gotten some great ideas regarding cleavage control and accessories. I might add that your sandals work really well with this dress! This is the kind of dress that is my go-to when it gets really hot and humid!

Anonymous

Pull the shoulders up and back a bit to pull up the waist line, gather the fabric and cinch it with a belt. The dress is long enough to not get scandalous with that technique. Plus it gets rid of any looking pregnant issues.

Or you could you find a more substantial necklace to fill out the low neckline.

It's a lovely dress though! Beautiful colors.

AJ

Veteran

Dress looks lovely on you. I agree with others that it needs little in the way of accessories. Just pick up one of the colors in the dress for bangles and/or a clutch. Great sandals!

Kirti

(website)

Veteran

Lovely dress! I like the idea of a statement necklace filling up the neckline!

ManidipaM

Veteran

Like Kirti, I'll second Sharon's idea of using a substantial necklace to fill in the V and hide cleavage. It's been my solution on occasion as I'm really wary of showing cleavage and as a plump petite, a flatteringly deep V-neck or scoop neck almost always is problematic.

Irene

Veteran

from a big busted girl: that dress looks just PERFECT on you. not too much cleavage, breezy, nice pattern and fit you're worrying waaaay too much! You may add a bandeau over your bra. It's like a small camisole that I use under summerdresses. I wouldn't oin the v-neck, I think it's high enough as is, it might look too matronly or too conservative if you pin it.

teeandcee

Thank you so much everyone! Especially for all the compliments. You've really helped me insecurities! The curves this dress gives my rectangular frame is one thing I like about it. I feel very feminine in it rather than like a box on legs.

I'm going to try the options suggested here, take some pics, and get more opinions and decide if it's a keeper or not. I hope I can make it work.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Chiming in to echo the others. You look fab, and I see no cleavage problems at all. If you like though, try a Second Base camisole.

Anonymous

This is such a beautiful dress on you. I love the colors with your skin tone and the print is gorgeous. You look much younger than your age, too! If you live in the US, Walmart has those "Cami-Secret" things in the checkout line. (As seen on TV) They are a little scrap of fabric and lace in a triangle and they hook to your bra straps. You can get a set of three white, black and nude for $10. If you are a really good seamstress, you could permanently sew your own triangle of fabric into the neckline, but for some reason I always find this really hard to do nicely. I love the dress. Please keep it!

ButterflyLady

(website)

Veteran

It's a beautiful dress, and looks lovely on you - I agree with the others, if the cleavage exposed makes you feel uncomfortable, then please investigate all the options before you return the dress.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Such a pretty summer dress! It looks lovely on you (no bulge issue I can see!) and the print is beautiful. Cleavage always looks like more on yourself because you're looking down but it really isn't too much. If uncomfortable, just pop a cami underneath and you're good to go!

teeandcee

Again, thank you everyone! I will be keeping this dress and pinned it a wee bit and it looks fine. I also pulled it up some in the front like someone suggested and that worked. Not only do I adore this dress, it's perfect for my lifestyle and weather PLUS it'll be wearable with very little tailoring as I lose more weight.

Claire, thank you for the age compliment!