Nic & Zoe linen dress - YouLookFab Forum

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Nic & Zoe linen dress

Janet

(website)

Veteran

This just arrived, and even though I have no makeup and my hair is how it was when I woke up, I thought I'd post pics for feedback.

It's a little less drapey than I expected -- see how it flares out a bit on me? Or maybe that's the fault of my hips. But it's really comfortable and light, yet wonderfully opaque, thanks to the lining. Feels like it would be a pleasure to wear on a hot, humid summer day, and it doesn't seem to get visible wrinkles when I sit and stand.

It does show my knees, which are not my best feature, but when it's hot, I wear shorts that show the knees too, so maybe that's not so awful. The dress is a little roomy through the back/waist even though the fit in the hips and bust is perfect. If this is a keeper to your eye, do you think I should have the waist taken in a smidge? I know the fit should be easy but I feel like a bit of tailoring would make it more flattering. I included some shots where I'm pinching a bit of the excess fabric so you can see what I'm talking about.

I just threw it on with the blue slides I'm wearing around the house today, but also included some pics with lace-up sandals.

What do you think? To justify keeping, I would want it to be a 9-10.

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Nic + Zoe 'Seacoast' High/Low Linen Maxi Dress (Regular & Petite)

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54 replies

Latest reply was from RobinF

Anonymous

Hi Janet -- I absolutely love the print on you, and the dress looks great with the lace-ups. It does look too roomy in the waist area, though, so right now I'd score it at an 8.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow, it's gorgeous! And what are you saying about your knees? I love it with the lace up sandals. Would look great with your Tuttles, too.

I am not sure what to say about the tailoring. I can see what you're talking about but I fear that too big an alteration would make it less airy and cool. I guess only you can say whether that would be the case.

Sara L.

Veteran

I think it looks great as is. I like my clothes to be pretty loose in the summer so I may not be the right person to advise on tailoring. However, if you would like it better with a bit of tailoring, then I say go for it.

Anonymous

Love the dress and the fabric print. I say definitely go for an alteration, but with caution so as not to go too tight.

El Cee

Veteran

The print and color are fabulous on you, as is the neckline… and your knees and legs are lovely so I see no problem with the front length/knee baring issue. But I agree with Xtabay that the waist area looks a bit big for you, even for something that is supposed to have an easier, more relaxed fit. I like the garment a bit better (fit wise) in the shots where you have it pinched. But, as Suz asks, would having the dress tailored take away from the airy feel… which is an important feature? And would it be worth the added expense?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Nothing is the fault of your hips or knees, sweet Janet. Linen is a little stiffer so it drapes in a more angular way off the body, if you know what I mean.

It's a gorgeous dress and perfect for your hot and humid Summers sans a/c. It's an easy alteration, and will turn into something killer with a little tailoring. I vote keep.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Completely agreeing with Angie's recommendation to keep and alter.

Anonymous

Yes to the dress with tailoring. I love that print on you, and the dress looks so cool--both in style and comfort. I bet you'll reach for it a lot in summer.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, all, especially Angie!

Alteration actually ends up being a freebie since I qualify for that with Nordstrom rewards, so cost of alteration is not an issue. I would make sure to keep the fit easy and tight at all. I don't know if you can see it in the side photo #3, but there is actually a bit too much room across the back, which makes it balloon out ever so slightly as it falls from shoulder to hip, which is a really common fit problem for me (compounded by short-waistedness). So there is enough fabric there to take in for a better back and waist fit, and still have ease with just a little more shape.

Colette

Veteran

Really like this dress on you and agree it will be fab with tailoring. Wondering if you sized down because I've tried a few Nic & Zoe skirts and find I have to size down in this brand.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Colette, the hip fit in this size is good -- any smaller and it would pull across the hip (and probably the bust too). In skirts and dresses I almost always have to size UP not down, much to my chagrin.

carter

Veteran

Love the color/design! I was hesitant at first because it is a bit stiff for hot Summer. However, it says to machine wash, so I bet it softens up beautifully after a couple washes. In fact, you might want to wash to check for shrinkage before you go for alterations.

Anonymous

I think just a titch of judicious tailoring would take this baby up to a 10 with no problem. That's great you can get it done for free.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Carter, good suggestion about washing before tailoring. Thank you!

Deborah

Veteran

Janet, please don't throw anything at me! This is a "nice" dress but it just doesn't say Janet to me:(. I find it a bit ordinary in terms of the pattern. It lacks the edge and interest your other items have...,, slinking away now xx

Diana

Veteran

I like it! Linen definitely softens/becomes less still with washing or even just wearing, so I would recommend you at least wear it around for a while to see if the drape smoothes out on its own. Or actually steaming it for a few minutes (with a steamer or iron, or even while you take a shower) might soften it as well. I don't think it really looks too big, just a bit stiff at the moment.

I'm glad to see this dress on you, by the way, as I am tempted by it as well. The problem is that I already have 5 blue or blue/white summer dresses... but all the dresses that appeal to me at the moment happen to be blue as well.

jill58

Veteran

Great dress. I love the pattern. Keep!

Chris987

Veteran

I agree with the tailoring comments....those sorts of small alterations can make a big difference. I think it's a great dress but I'm kinda seeing Deborah's point too about the print being a bit ordinary...so I don't have a clear vote. If you love it then keep it!

Momo

Veteran

Hmm.. It is nice but I am not thinking it is a 9 or 10. Not sure why though.

Mochi

Veteran

It is nice, it will look better after tailoring for sure, it seems like it would be useful as a good hot-weather dress, but I'm not totally convinced it's at or near your usual level either.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I actually really appreciate the honesty, Nancy, Deb, Momo and Chris! This is why I ask.

It almost seems to skew a little too in between dressy and casual *for me*. That may not make sense to others, but what you all are saying kind of plays into that feeling. By contrast, the linen tee dress from Anthro really hits the casual note I need.

Hmm. I'm going to ponder it. It's pricey so I don't want to make another expensive "fantasy life" mistake. Thank you all for the feedback!

Cloth & Stone Nila T-Shirt Dress

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catgirl

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Maybe I'm just out of sorts today, but I don't adore this on you, Janet. Its skews a little Land's End to me. There's nothing wrong with Land's End, of course - just I'm really weird about prints and this print seems more like a bathing suit print or a "spunky weekend mom" top than your style tends to be. As usual I can't explain it because it's more of a feeling than a rational thought.

http://www.landsend.com/produc.....129?sku_0=::Q87

http://www.landsend.com/produc.....386?sku_0=::98R

catgirl

Veteran

Also, I'd be worried if your knees were your best body part, because they're, well, knees.

Anonymous

I hate to say it, but I'm not loving it on you. I don't like the way the sides stiffly bell out from the knee down. I also completely agree with Una re: the print. You can do better.

Bonnie

Veteran

I agree that the dress is OK but not fab. I think of you wearing more arty prints and this looks a bit ordinary.

April

Veteran

Definitely what Angie said about linen -- it's stiffer than many fabrics, so yes, it will broaden the sweep of curves, but it also won't cling. To me, this is a dress for walking barefoot on the beach with hair pinned up -- and with a tiny nip of tailoring at the waist.

Also to me, the Anthro one is more "Janet" (or, if I'm honest, maybe what I'm feeling is it's more "April," but maybe those things are not miles apart.)

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

FWIW, my 2 cents:

The dress will be more streamlined after alteration.

I'd like to reiterate that this is a REALLY good dress for hot and humid weather. Janet needs these types of frocks because she does feel the heat. She is constantly looking for dresses that fit the bill in this way, and came up empty handed last year (or the year before?), wearing the same jersey dresses over and over again. Also Janet's style tends to go a little prettier and softer in the Summer.

(Btw, the pattern doesn't photograph as well because you can't see the texture of the linen).

Mochi

Veteran

I just checked out the Anthro dress. It is a no-brainer for you. Endless styling possibilities.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

With a bit of alteration I predict a workhorse. I thought about what some said about the pattern but the shape and with your shoes and other touches I think it will work beautifully.

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