The continued dress search (and body type issues) - YouLookFab Forum

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The continued dress search (and body type issues)

anne

Veteran

Further to this post, I have pics of the photos mentioned in my last entry

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ess-search

Here are 2 I didnt' buy http://i297.photobucket.com/al.....0_7650.jpg
http://i297.photobucket.com/al.....0_7651.jpg
And 2 I did - but may return
http://i297.photobucket.com/al.....0_7655.jpg
http://i297.photobucket.com/al.....0_7656.jpg (this last one was a size bigger than I usually wore)

Keep or return.
I quite like the comfy look of the red dress, but worry about the size.
The blue and white is another typical empire line with gathers, and not very fashion forward.

In another thread I have shown a drop waist dress that was a complete disaster!

Angie said (in Kari's recent thread) she wasn't curvy, but still liked dresses to create curves. I feel less curvy on top than Angie. I think our bust measurements are similar. but my ribcage and waist are not so small so there is even less "curve" their.

And I keep getting stuck with empire waist dresses which emphasise my rib cage

I also feel that body type wise (yes I know I am rattling on about this again) my long torso means that different parts of me look different. Down to the hips I could be a rectangle or inverted triangle. It isn't until you get to my thighs and low slung bottom that you get the fullness that means my "hip" measurement is 9" bigger than my waist.

On a side note I have similarly not managed to categorise (in my own head) one of my very best friends because she is so tall it is hard to keep her shoulders and hips in the same field of vision. She is very slim, and has no excess fat anywhere - but she could be anything except an apple! Not that this matters - she looks fine.

Body Type

17 replies

Latest reply was from anne

Queen Mum

Veteran

I like them both (I like the black one too that you didn't buy0
The blue one looks like a fun comfy run around dress. The red one I think really balances your small torso issues. It doesn't look too big in the pic.... but I realize it could in person. Can you find it in a smaller size on line?

shiny

Veteran

The blue one is my favorite. The shape, color, and scale of the print are very flattering. Why do you think it's not fashion forward?? Sundresses, if you can pull them off (and you CAN), are always in fashion, aren't they?

As for curves, you have the IDEAL figure for a sundress, and I'm envious. You have gorgeous shoulders, collarbone, etc and you can get away with skimpy straps - which you couldn't if you were curvier on top. Rejoice! You are LUCKY.

The red dress is just okay in comparison. It would be nice for layering into the fall, but I vastly prefer you in something sleeveless like the other three dresses. First, my eyes go immediately up to your beautiful shoulders, collarbone, and lovely face. Second, you look taller in those three dresses to me, because the eye goes up and down, instead of side to side, which it does with the cap sleeves.

Please keep the blue one.

I really like 7561.... I imagine that one would work well for layering into the fall too.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I love the blue and white dress on you, I can see it being worn with a cropped denim jacket and white plimsolls or dressed up.

With regards to being fashion forward, just remember that every design house will bring out beautiful sun dresses every year. They are timeless, practical and chic.

When referring to your body type, please remember you are more than just the sum of your parts. I have a longish neck, bony chest, short waist and saddle bags but I doubt it is what people notice. Every body type has its advantages and disadvantages, please do not be too hard on yourself.

marianna

Veteran

You have a great little figure for dresses! I think they all look great. Don't doubt yourself! Our gut instincts are usually correct about these things.

Steph

Veteran

I think that the first dress you posted and didn't buy--the one with black on top and the bright print on the bottom--is actually my favorite! I think it looks great on you, and makes your waist look quite small. I think that it really creates curves!

If you feel that you have a lot of sundresses that have an empire waist and gathers below it, I might pass on the blue one. But it seems that's a favorite of everyone else, so maybe not!

medusa

Veteran

I really liked the first dress, as well. It's very flattering on you. The blue and white sundress (3rd dress) was my second choice.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Anne! I do not see what you see. Like the ladies, I see a fabulous little bod for frocks! Here’s my 2 cents on all 4 frocks:

1. Cute! (But you didn’t get it)
2. Love it! Needs to be shortened. (You didn’t get it either. Get it!)
3. Amazing dress! KEEP. There is nothing unfashionable about this dress. In fact, it gets a KILLER rating.
4. I like the red dress too. I cannot see where it’s too big from the picture, but I trust your judgment if it feels too big.

Anne, I hope I have reassured you. I REALLY like you in dresses – even more than jeans. You have great calves.

anne

Veteran

Thanks everyone for taking the time to make your comment!

You are all a lot more positive than I am!, Angie thanks particularly for weighing on the fashion angle. Thanks for the encouragement

I suppose it is good I at least bought a couple this time, rather than returning to the shop to find it sold out of my size, like last time.

For those the liked the first dress - it is just too short for me to feel comfy in (leggings will soon not be an option in our Australian summer)

I bought the red dress inspired by so many of you with your jersey dresses but perhaps I will return it and get the second dress instead.

I'll keep the blue and white sundress. I did like it, and now can be reassured on the fashion angle

Thanks everyone

anne

Veteran

Julie, I didn't say earlier but thanks for the reminder about looking at one's body as a whole. You are right I don't notice any of those things on you - in fact as I have told you I think you look like a model!

I spent the morning with a friend who is incapacitated with pain and sickness who confessed she was envious of me being able to do things like the 10Km fun run I did recently, when she can barely walk 15 metres. I do recognize that my large rib cage and muscly legs probably help me with this sort of thing, and with swimming, which I am about to start again for summer.

Thanks to all of you for helping me with this. Without you guys my shopping trips would end like they so often used to, with me coming home empty handed.

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

The red, the black patterned and the blue made me gasp in delight. KEEP all!

FWIW, I have returned red jersey dresses, and I have regretted it. They are so, so versatile and useful through all the seasons.

anne

Veteran

Thanks for chiming in with that Kristen ( isn't is a good thing I didn't end up going to the shop today)
Any more votes for keeping the red?

sinead

Anne, I think the red dress is really cute on you (they all are) but if it feels too big and bothers you- then please, when you return it, get that black patterned one. It looks so great on you! Is there something we're not seeing about it (fabric texture?) that bothers you? Honestly, it is such a chic, versatile dress- I would be thrilled to have something look that great on.

anne

Veteran

Sinead, when you say the black patterned one, is it the first or second one (shorter or longer length)?

sinead

Oh sorry, Anne, took awhile to get back here. I meant the second, longer one. You're inspiring me to try harder to find some dresses.

anne

Veteran

Thanks Sinead. I am glad you meant that one. The first one, though perhaps not apparent in the photo, is probably not very quality.

lex

LOVE the second one, but shorter - the neckline is stunning on you and unusual - love the first one you didn't buy.

I'm so-so on the other ones, unlike everyone else. I think the red one looks a little big on you and like jersey, which isn't that cool in summer here, and the blue one is pretty but I agree, like what most of Australia is wearing over summer.

anne

Veteran

Lex - again great to have an aussie opinion ! You knew exactly what I meant. However I had pulled the labels off that one so have to keep it and will always be useful.

I decided to return the red one, despite Kristen's advocacy. It was very full in the back, which the photo didn't show and I think the extra fabric pulled the whole thing down. I'll keep an eye out for something like it.

I did, however get this one that a lot of you liked http://i297.photobucket.com/al.....0_7651.jpg.

I like the neckline, but as still a little nervous about the gather waistline. That is a very new look for me. I guess with my small waist/bust difference I a a bit worried about looking like a tree trunk in it. I"ll see if I can get some pics at different angles