You look great but the dress is just not working. Put on ebay for a lower price and take the loss. There is no point trying to make a dress like this work when you would look fantastic is so many others.

I would be chasing Visa. I read your last post and you have not been treated properly by this online store. How do you feel in the dress? I understand the purpose of the dress but wonder if that can't be achieved with another dress. I have to be honest and say I don't personally relate to this style dress. I really don't think this does you justice.

Just chiming in to say that my tummy does this too, no matter how much I weigh and how in shape I am (and it was that way even before I had kids).

I just wanted to add one comment. I think you look fab and your body is in great shape. I noticed an actress in a movie who had a similar look from the side and it made me wonder a bit. I suspect that on women who are petite and have narrow hips, the slight curve of the abdomen is to accommodate the organs - less space width wise means they have to go somewhere.

Dianthus, I never thought about it that way before! No wonder my tummy is flat -- I have the width to accommodate my organs and then some!

It might be a lot of work dealing with Visa but it seems like a lot of work making this dress work too! I vote for trying that.

If not, show us what it looks like with tights and heels.

I think after trying this on dress again that the problem is twofold. One, it isn't really cut for my body - that no-waist thing again. And two, it's too big. The dress has a built-in bra and a lot of stretch in the fabric, but it's bagging and not supporting/sucking me in.

A wise friend of mine applauded me for moving out of my comfort zone, even if the result wasn't wonderful. So I think I'll hold onto this for a while and then see what happens; maybe a friend can rock it. I am very blessed in having financial resources that allow me to eat this kind of mistake, so I will treat this as a lesson.

Well I think it's hard for anyone to buy a form fitted dress, or any dress for that matter, sight unseen. This is the kind of item you really need to try on. That's where free shipping and free returns come in handy if you don't live anywhere close to a good shopping area.

@girl x - I'm an admin on rehashclothes.com, which is another swap site. I've had very good luck there.

Yeah, I think it's a length issue. Aren't those dresses supposed to just barely cover the rear? It seems long to me, for a slut dress, that is...

So if it is intended for someone taller, would those side panels on your thighs hit up higher, on your waist, and the curve then would help to suck in the tummy? I'm guessing those side curves are intended to do *something*... maybe carve out a waist?

Are you petite? At 5', I have this issue with all sorts of similar items, including spanx, exercise gear, and negiligees. Oh, and even underwear. Underwear fits goofy on me.

I vote "it's not your body, it's the dress."

You could try saving it by altering it from below the bodice. What would happen if you chopped off about 6 inches at the top of the black part, and moved it all up?

Shiny, it fits as it's meant to (except it's too big). I'm 5'7" and hardly petite. Those side panels are supposed to be on the thighs.
http://www.blueandcream.com/mm.....gory_Code=

IK - you worked hard to change your body over the last year and look fantastic! I can only wish to look half as good and fit. But as you have realized, the dress doesn't fit you properly - and it is indeed THE DRESS.

Move on and find something else that not only will hubby get wowed by, but that you'll feel gorgeous and sexy in.

Ya. Women are supposed to be "hilly". It's the dress. I agree, although it seems counter-intuitive, the dress is so bodycon, I agree the dress is too big. I'd cut it in two, and make a top and skirt out of it.

Even the model looks like she has a lump there. Ugh. Sorry I just DO NOT get these dresses at all. This brand makes no sense to me. Their stuff is not hot. At all.
It's not you. It's the dress.

I actually really love VPL stuff. Gonna keep trying!

I think it is just this dress is not right for your (awesome) body shape. You have a lithe, athletic figure, so you need a dress that isn't fighting with it, but is showing that off. This one looks like it is made for a curvier person with more of an hourglass figure.

Even on the model the dress seems to be a real boob-flattener. And I don't think everyone needs to be curvy on top to look hot, or that every dress should be aiming to enhance the bust. But this one really seems to minimize which is odd in a body con dress clearly aimed at slim people. I don't get it... maybe there is a reason the dress is 50% off and not moving on ebay?
You seriously have a great bod and there are great dresses out there for you!

OK I took a look at their website and it seems that may be part of the esthetic. An esthetic which I don't get. At all. So I may not be qualified to comment.
But I still have to say, cautiously: ironkurtin, are you sure you can get the hot, DH-slaying look you're going for with this brand? I realize your DH is not my DH, etc, but given *your* concerns with the dress, is this look what you're after? Despite the body con aspect, the line seems more fashion-forward than sexy.

Jules _ maybe with this brand, just not with this dress.

This has been a very interesting thread to read. @_@

If you wear some heels you will stand differently and may not have the belly problem. Most women arch their back too much and tip the pelvis back which makes the belly pop, has nothing to do with weight/fitness.

Yeah, it's the dress.

IK, you have a body that reminds me so much of Halle Berry. This dress is, well, I'll be honest: it's just plain silly. I thought the gray part on the bodice was an exercise bra. Now I see it is not, it is a part of the dress, and it *still* looks to me like an exercise bra. And I'm sorry, but that weird curve cut into the thighs is just... even more bizarre. It makes no sense.

The model looks fine but I suspect lots and lots and lots of photoshopping. And even then, the gray part on the bodice still looks like the model is wearing an exercise bra. And even then... there's no hint of that weird side seaming in the photo.

This dress just confuses me. I can't imagine any woman looking good in this dress. Even a woman with your amazing figure.

Okay, I don't love the dress. But I just showed it to my husband and asked for his reaction. He liked it -- "It's short. And it's tight. And the top part looks like a bra or a slip. It's sexy."

So two thumbs up from my husband!

OMG you showed this to a man?! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaigh!!!!

Shiny, now I see why it reminds you of an exercise bra:

http://www.lululemon.com/produ.....ore_id=207

IK, you have a fab figure, and I can see why you are so proud of it. And why you want to show it off to hubs.

I just don't think this is the dress. It should make you feel hot and sexy, amplify your assets rather than making you worry about spanx etc.

I know it is a hassle, but I would work with Visa to return it and put that $140 to a dress worthy of you. YOU look awesome. Your body deserves more than this dress is delivering.