Opinions wanted: Is this dress a miss? - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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Opinions wanted: Is this dress a miss?

MuseumGal

Veteran

This blue and white print shirt dress is another June buy. Angie's post today reminded me that I hadn't worn it yet and that also I wanted to try it with my giant toddler shoes (the Dansko Vedas). I had to size up for the dress because it was pulling across the bust, and now I'm thinking the fit is just off, and too big all over. Also I LURVE the print, but the pics make me think it's actually not that flattering, colorwise.

I ask you Fabbers: Is it too ill fitting and/or unflattering to wear in public? It's not a total loss if so; given that it's cotton and incredibly comfy, it will live it's natural life out as a house dress if the Collective Wisdom thinks it is a miss for public consumption.

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Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from jackiec

danysedai

I like it, it looks fresh and comfy. I also like the colour on you.

Peri

Veteran

I love the print too...I've always been a fan of blue and white china. I actually don't think it looks too big, it looks like such a dress is supposed to fit. I'm not sure it is my favorite thing you've posted. It doesn't look like your usual style...but I'm not at all one to think we can only dress one style. I guess I'm saying that I like it and see no problems with wearing it, it looks cute and cool and summery, and why not? But when you want to feel amazing, you have other things that look more amazing on you.

carter

Veteran

Hard to tell. The full length pictures are a bit blurry (or it's the second glass of wine I had with dinner). In those, the color doesn't seem strong or saturated enough for you, but in the close-up, it's much more of an intense blue. Maybe with a deep blue cami rather than the white one?

Beth Ann

Veteran

I think the fit is right --- a summer dress in this cut needs a bit of ease. We're so accustomed to stretch knits that we forget what a cotton dress looks like -- unless your Lyn, who is Queen of Fabulous Cotton Frocks!

I think the print might not be photographing as well as it looks IRL --- the close up looks quite vibrant and interesting, and I like it.

As for flattery, it skims nicely and I like the generous but cool shoulder line, the neckline, the length and the.........oooh, yes.... pockets!

Most importantly: How did you feel in the dress? Why are you second guessing your purchase (which I do all the time, btw)?

rachylou

Veteran

I really want a shirtwaist dress just like this. I admit tho I think the fit on this one is just a little off. I feel like the waist should be more defined...but it may be your hands in the pockets. I'm on my phone and I *think* I remember your hands in pockets, but my connection has gotten to slow to check...

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I don't think it's unflattering! I agree with you on the print, it definitely is very lovely.

I think it could work; of course I'd belt it and I have a poison eye for buttons (I hate buttons overall but I could talk for hours about buttons)... I like this, especially if it's cotton. It feels so lovely in the summer.

Gigi

Veteran

I do like the design...but I will have to join rachylou in saying that there is something about the fit that seems to be a bit off. I do think that the dress overall reads a little too big. But even though the fit isn't perfect, I wouldn't call it unfit for public consumption. If you feel really fab in it, I would go ahead and wear it. Or maybe you could wash it and put it on high heat in the dryer and try to shrink it a bit?

shiny

Veteran

I think your instincts are great -- sizing up was the right thing to do, but yes, the fit could still be improved, but only just a pinch.

From what I can see, this would likely be a very very simple tailoring job. That's what I'd suggest. I would ask the tailor to keep the fluid fit --- but just take it in a teeny tiny bit on the sides. Looks like the fit in the bust is just right. The armpit looks a little loose, that could be taken in. I am thinking a strategic dart at waist and perhaps a smidgen off the sides from hips down (or not, if you want fit-and-flare style) is all you need for perfection.

I'm a sucker for prints as well, and if you love this print, then it's worth the additional cost, which may not be as much as I'm making it sound. I recently helped my DD with a similar dress alteration and the majority of the effort went into pinning it to get it just right. The rest was a simple 10 minute sewing job.

catgirl

Veteran

I'm with Shiny on the tweaks but the print is so pretty - get thee to a tailor and make it perfect!

Anonymous

I like it because I feel like you love how you feel in it - you can see from the pics. I agree with the others, just see a tailor and adjust the finer points and then you have a winner!

Vildy

Veteran

I really like it on you as is and would probably like it just as well if you decided to tailor it. My problem is with how it's accessorized. I realize that sneakers with pretty dresses is a huge trend but I'm an outlier here and I think that when the length is modest (which is not a popular length with young trend-driven women) then to my eye the look from the neck down says that the still pretty grandma slipped on her comfy new sneaks to run out for some vegetables to add to the soup. I'd like the outfit better, then, with summer shoes that proclaimed the same femininity.

kkards

Veteran

I might be biased because I love blue and white, but if think this is a great summer dress. I would however, make the tiny tailoring suggestions that shiny had. I think, as is, you can wear the dress, but I think with a few tweaks, it can go from nice summer dress,to super fab summer dress.
I like it with the sneakers, and I like that you could dress it up by wearing different shoes.

viva

Veteran

I love a blue and white print, so pretty! I would follow Shiny's suggestions for tweaks (I'm not a sewer and have no idea about these things) and I think Vildy has a good point about the shoes. I think something more feminine might be better here.
But, keep and wear!

missvee

Veteran

Oh I love it on you - the print is gorgeous and the neckline is so flattering. I agree with Shiny that a small alteration to the underarm seam will make all the difference. I like the fullness below the waist and probably wouldn't alter it there, but you could pin it yourself and see what you think. The sneaks look good too, but you could wear something a bit dressier as the mood strikes. The fact that you *can* dress it up or down makes this a keeper in my book.

columbine(erin)

Veteran

I love the print!

E

Veteran

I like it! What about adding some brown accessories (belt if it's not too hot or shoes or something) to add a touch of the Wild West?

MuseumGal

Veteran

Well, the dress gets a general thumbs up. E has a good point about toughening it up a bit, and adding some wild wild west to the overwhelming eastern chinoiserie print.

Diana

Veteran

What a gorgeous print! I am totally obsessed with blue and white prints right now. I think the fit looks OK from what I can tell, although you might try lifting the shoulder seam a bit (possibly just at the outer edge) because it looks like the upper portion (above the bust) is drooping just a little.

I do see what Vildy sees with the sneakers a bit though. I agree that the sneakers + dress look works best with a short dress. I don't really think you need a particularly delicate or refined shoe or anything though, maybe just a flat sandal or something like that.

E

Veteran

I bet one of your chunky necklaces would look great too (if it's not too hot)!

Momo

Veteran

I think it looks very nice. Print is pretty on you.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I am with Shiny in thinking a little tailoring could make this really work, and with Vildy in that I'm not loving the shoes with it (I'm a bit of a hard sell on the sneakers with dresses thing -- it's got to be the right sneaker, and I think this one is a little too clunky or high-contrast. My eye goes right to the shoes. Maybe a solid white slip-on, or some sandals would work better to my eye.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I can't really tell about the fit but I ADORE the dress on you. And I actually like it with the sneakers, too.

rabbit

Veteran

Love the dress, assuming you can make the fit work (I can't tell either way in the pics) I actually think it looks pretty cool with the sneakers as is (are they navy?), very hip, especially if paired with a fashion-forward jacket (denim with scrunched sleeves?) and bag.

jackiec

Veteran

I think it's cute, and fun, and actually love it with the sneaks