Officially stressed about custom cocktail dress!!

Michelle

After work today I'm going straight to Tania so we can finalize things for the turquoise dress. The next wedding is an out of town affair and I leave on Thursday, so we don't have loads of time left. I can certainly take things back for further tweaks when I return, but it certainly would be nice to get it right the first time!

My very strong inclination is to put sleeves on this dress, strictly because I often feel better when my arms are covered and this would eliminate the need for a wrap (a layer I find fussy, unpractical and ineffectual most of the time). However there was a *very* strong preference for the sleeveless look when I posted pics before. Angie chimed in at the bottom of the thread pointing out that the sleeve was just pinned in the picture I posted, i.e. not sleak as it would be if sewn down. Would a sleak elbow sleeve still ruin the dress, in most people's estimation?

And...truth time. The halter detailing...Do you hate it? Does it do unflattering things to my chest, which I'd love to downplay a bit? Honesty, please...I can take it!

15 years ago

General

11 replies

Latest reply was from Vix

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I did prefer the sleeveless and I love the halter detail on you, and I'm being 100% honest, Michelle.
BUT if you would feel more comfortable I'd say a more fitted elbow length sleeve could work.
I feel the same about wraps as you do, and would rather freeze than tote one around. (And I hate freezing, let me tell you.)

15 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I definitely prefer the sleeveless. I just think the halter detail looks better on a sleeveless dress. Without sleeves, it reads as a halter or strap. With sleeves it just looks like some kind of unnecessary boob-sling contraption. Maybe it's just me but it makes a HUGE difference in how I read the halter.

That said, if you want to downplay your chest, I'm not sure if the halter is the way to go. Halters definitely emphasize the bosoms. That is not bad or unflattering, it just might not be what you want.

I don't want you to be miserable and feel like I'm pulling the rug out from under you. I'm just trying to give my honest opinion...and it's only MY opinion so don't take me too seriously.

15 years ago

Debbie

Veteran

I thought the halter detail looked great. On the sleeves do what you are most comfortable with. I personally hate wraps and find they get in my way.

15 years ago

Queen Mum

Veteran

the halter did showcase your bosom but I honestly thought it was very flattering.

also... what maya said about the sleeves vs. the sleeveless. Without the sleeves the halter was a statement.

I loved it sleeveless. very sleek sleeves could be nice, but the sleeve that we saw seemed a bit voluminous.

sorry you're stressed. i"m stressing now too for you. I so want you to feel fab!

15 years ago

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Maya, don't ever apologize for being honest! It's awesome and fabulous and exactly what I need. That goes for everyone, actually.
Kim, yeah, I can see how the sleeve would have looked voluminous in the pic, since it was just slipped over my arm quickly to let me feel where it would hit and pinned quickly. If I go with the sleeves, I would insist upon a very sleak fit there. That said, I totally see everyone's point about the halter detail possibly looking superfluous on a sleeved garment. AAAAAAARGH!
Sarah/Debbie, clearly the inventor of wraps also came up with the stilleto. I want five minutes alone with him...you in? :p

15 years ago

Steph

Veteran

Michelle, I think you should do what makes you feel comfortable. If you will feel uncomfortable with sleeveless, then I think you should get the sleeves attached. Personally, I think the sleeves will look just fine. I do think that if you do the sleeves, you should eliminate the halter, but being honest, I was not a fan of the halter regardless, for the same reason Maya mentioned--I felt that it was bringing more attention to your chest and made it look like the fabric was kind of a sling for your boobs.

But I realize that others feel differently, which makes your decision all the more difficult. What did Tania think? Is there someone you can take with you today to give you a brutally honest opinion?

Edited to add: I know I suggested a wider waistband on the dress and Angie thought that might not be the best idea. Maybe you could ask Tania about the waist area, just because I thought it might look nicer if it could be made to sit a little flatter, if that makes sense. I know that the dress is just basted together and not really made yet, so it might just be the way it looks in photos, but it might just be something to mention to her.

I'm sure you're going to look great regardless. I'm wondering: since it seems like everything is last minute and you're stressing, is it possible to wear the black and white dress (which I think looks fantastic on you) for this wedding, and then give yourself more time to get the green dress 100% perfect?

15 years ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

My vote is sleeveless with halter. Understood about the wrap ... but wraps do look really fab and for a formal affair I am willing to put up with something that might normally drive me batty.

15 years ago

Louise

Veteran

Whatever you choose must be right for you. While sleeveless looked good if it's not going to make you feel good then you must have the sleeves put on. A special event like this you deserve to feel fab x

15 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I couldn't wait any longer to chime in!

Michelle, first, the halter detailing is fabulous! Run with it and don't worry about that side of things any more :0)

Second, I totally support the three quarter sleeve version even if that means that I stand alone with that point of view. I think you will look just as beautiful once the sleeve is sleek WITH the halter detailing. You will absolutely feel more comfortable with a covered top arm and that's the most important part. You can't look fab if you don't feel fab - a slight exaggeration but I know that you get what I mean.

Wraps are gorgeous but they can be annoying and I get that too.

Third, you're going to killer. I can feel it.

15 years ago

Ele

(website)

Active Member

Michelle, I'm going to comment though I feel I should probably leave well enough alone, now that Angie has spoken. I'm understandably opinionated on this stuff, so bare with me.

Personally, I love the sleeves. That length is super elegant and I can never understand why sleeveless seems to be the default option for evening wear. There is something so fab and practical about a little sleeve like that, and of course once it's sewn and tailored it will (would?) look great on you.

However, I'm not crazy about the combo of the sleeves with the halter detailing. Together they just look off to my eye, though that might have a lot to do with the fit, the dress currently being pinned and basted rather than finished.

If I had to choose one detail, it would be hands down the sleeve. I'm just not all that jazzed about the halter detailing; it would probably suit someone smaller-chested, but even then it's just not a detail I love. Basically- I wouldn't have designed that for you.

However, none of this is to say that I won't be completely blown away by the finished product, and end up eating my words. SO much of style is in the fit and finish, and from the gorgeous top that Tania made you before, I have no doubts that this will come together beautifully too. So, just go with your gut on this dress. You'll look gorgeous no matter what!

15 years ago

Vix

Veteran

Hi Michelle --

I don't blame you for being stressed, but I hope all these opinions will help you realize that whatever the final outcome, people are going to be mesmerized by how great you look in this dress!

That said, I liked the sleeves even in their "rough draft" state as I felt they balanced out the bottom half of the dress. [Sorry, just realized I never responded on that thread.] That was before I even read that you generally prefer to have your arms covered.

I love a beautiful sleeve, and I think the finished sleeve is going to be gorgeous, so my (unrecorded!) opinion hasn't changed. Bonus that it might make you feel more comfortable.

The halter detail is one I could live without, but also think it really interesting...so FWIW I'm on the fence.

I think once the halter is *finished* I will like it a lot more; right now there's something about the way it's attaching to the bodice that makes it easy for me to see the no-halter voters' side. [Maybe if the fabric came further into the center of your chest it would erase any thoughts of a "breast sling"?]

Tania seems to understand how to flatter your figure very well, so trusting that she can carry out your initial goals is easy for me. That said, custom is a process and sometimes it's necessary to road-test a vision in order to find it doesn't quite work!

I'm sure you two will find the perfect look during your appointment today. Good luck!

15 years ago

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