PSA: Gap gauze midi shirtdress - YouLookFab Forum

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PSA: Gap gauze midi shirtdress

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Hey all, for those looking at the Gap shirtdress, I was in the vicinity of Gap yesterday and popped in to take a look. I actually tried the dress on, since they had it in stock in black.

It is ROOMY. I tried on a M and swam in it. Even a S had plenty of room. I forgot to take pics of the black one, but I also tried the same cut in the chambray, which I kind of prefer because it feels a little less voluminous and has pockets. It was kind of meh on me. I think I'm preferring sleeveless dresses for me these days. Not because my arms are great -- they are not -- but somehow the lesser amount of fabric looks and feels more streamlined and flattering. YMMV of course!

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Gauze Midi Shirtdress

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24 replies

Latest reply was from Greyscale

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for reviewing it, Janet! Good to know. I got a couple of the gauze shirts -- will report.

Anonymous

I think this is much more interesting than the chambray shirt you posted recently so I'm not totally off chambray after all

Runcarla

Veteran

Thanks for the PSA. I’m interested in this dress, and your IRL try-on is helpful.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks, Janet.

This is a classic, easy, and no-nonsense dress - which can earn a place in a wardrobe. Of course, you look fabulous in sleeveless dresses, and should always go with what you feel best in.

Joy

Veteran

Thanks for the review. I have an old Gap sleeveless denim dress that I love for summer. They used to run just a smidge big. Sorry to hear about the sizing.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

I agree, meh. Perhaps the whole combo of the fabric, the plain v neck, the roomy cut, and the cap sleeves kind of reminds me of women’s prison garb? Sorry to be harsh, but ... everything else you own already is miles beyond this for flattery and attractiveness.

Anonymous

Hmm . As I mentioned in Suz’s thread , I’ve lowered my expectations for the green gauze one I’ve ordered . Seriously wish they had chosen another descriptor because it is NOT gauze . Anyways , I’ve ordered a M - sounds like the size will be off too . Ugh . Did you buy this chambray version ?

smittie

Veteran

Yah this looks a bit too big. The black in an S would probably be fantastic though.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

No, I didn’t buy this — wasn’t even tempted. But I knew there was interest in this dress so I wanted to share impressions. I think if you can find the right size and are ok with some volume, maybe a belt other than the self-belt?, it can be a nice piece. I just felt frumpy in it.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh, and to clarify, this is the small. I am not small (currently 8 top, 10 bottom). This dress runs quite large.

slim cat

Veteran

Thank you for review- I’m definitely sized out of that one. Nice but not great piece.

kellygirl

Veteran

This is a great easy summer dress! Thanks for reviewing. I think a smaller size in black would be fab on you! Not feeling this color...

cat2

Veteran

I think shirt dresses without a set in waist look best on folks with straighter figures. As the possessor of a small waist, I find there can be quite a bit of excess fabric at the waist. So I would not write this off if you are a different shape. I also think chambray is one of the more challenging fabrics, it seems like it should be a great alternative to denim but for some reason the color isn’t very flattering on many complexions. I am sure the color saavy can explain why.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Cat2, I think you are right about the cut of shirt dresses like this working better for straight figures. I don’t really like belting these styles — it just seems to chop me up.

I think this is a nice dress for someone else. It just lacks the edge or something that I want, and I don’t think it particularly flatters me.

Jonesy

Veteran

This has been a very helpful PSA! Gap sizing is really all over the place, in my experience. I agree with your assessment of this particular dress on you. I steer clear of dresses or coats (e.g., trenches) that tie at the waist because I hate how it feels. Ick, especially in summer! But I admire the look on others.

rachylou

Veteran

That’s the small? That’s huge. I don’t know man... I’m being reminded of the Bewitched ‘prison gown’ episode...

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, it was especially telling to try this on (in the black in particular) and then put my black jumpsuit back on. At first glance there is a lot of similarity between the two — cinched waist, full short sleeves, roomy cut, lightweight black fabric. But somehow in the dress it just looked bulky and frumpy. I think the heavier fabric (yes, something called “gauze” felt much heavier and less breathable than the cotton jumpsuit), lack of drape and movement, and excess of fabric everywhere but especially in the midsection just made it not fab on me. I have to give them props for making it look so sleek in the stock photos!

Anonymous

Meh- that's definitely not what I'd think of as gauze! Might be ok if it didn't have sleeves.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Suntiger the pictures are the chambray version — same cut but different fabrication. And the gauze actually looked even bulkier than this, even in the small! I can’t imagine what size they used in the model - XXXS?

fin42

I think it's quite a difficult length tbh. Possibly better in Autumn with tights and boots.

nemosmom

Veteran

Bummer it's not great - but I do love the texture of that fabric. How great for summer as a way to add interest when you can't add a jacket!

kkards

Veteran

Thank you for trying this on and reporting in...now i know i can skip it and move on...
seriously, i find shirtwaist dresses tricky to fit, they have all the issues of a button down shirt, plus the issues of a skirt ie length and slits....

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the review! Gap isn't doing too well here (can only find the Baby Gap & GapFit stores now) so I'm stuck only ordering online from them now.

I think the sleeve shape could work for you if it was a bit more fitted all around. I agree with the others that it isn't your best look (I also struggle with shirt dresses). Oh well, onwards & upwards!

(PS - I had no idea that we were similar sizes - I'm also a US 8 on top & US 10 below! Though I suspect you being much taller than me would affect how the garments hang regardless...)

Greyscale

Veteran

I’m also curious about this sleeveless shirt dress - it also looks like it might be huge, based on your review of this one. I’m not really a petite (short legs but long torso) but in this one case, petite might work for me. https://www.gap.com/browse/pro.....#038;vid=1

I used to shop at the Gap all the time but had fallen away from it as quality declined. And they closed their huge SF flagship last year so I won’t have the same chance to browse things anymore. Sad, since they’re a local company and such a consistent place for essentials. (Our shopping district is decimated - Gap, Uniqlo, and H&M flagships all left in the pandemic.) They do have other smaller locations nearby, just more suburban.