The knockout dress: wardrobe necessity? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

The knockout dress: wardrobe necessity?

nancylee

Veteran

I have plenty of perfectly nice dresses for different occasions: weddings, parties, graduations, even long dresses for black tie events....but I've been thinking that one dress still eludes me: the knockout dress. A super sexy special occasion dress that stands out from all of the other dresses in my closet. Something that is simply spectacular.

Soooo, I just took a chance on this Nicole Miller satin ruched dress at Last Call NM. It looks pretty fab to my eye...and they had one size 6 left.

Do you have a knockout dress in your closet? Do you think it's a good investment?

Dressing

34 replies

Latest reply was from cciele

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow. That IS a knockout dress, Nancy. I can't wait to see you in it!

I have one dress that used to be a knockout dress. It's just a LBD but it has a glamorous cut, not too revealing, but sort of "movie star" looking. I had it altered after I lost weight, but it doesn't look as good any more. I have almost no occasions when I would wear such a dress, but I would like to have a new one, especially if it were not black.

Anna

A dress like that belongs to my fantasy life. I can't think when I would have the opportunity to wear such a thing...

Elly

Veteran

I think that is a very hot dress. I don't have one, but I really wish I did, especially since as a 20 something I can think of several occasions where something OTT sexy could come in handy.

JR

Veteran

I don't have any dresses at all... :o(

nancylee

Veteran

Suz, one of the things I loved about this dress was that it wasn't black!

Anna, I hear you. But I can actually justify this purchase. My life as a writer and teacher isn't very glamorous in itself, but my husband's line of work does get me invited to some swanky events.

sarah

Veteran

Nancy, I'd say go for it if you feel comfortable in it. I bought the bailey 44 somewhat bodycon dress earlier this fall and still haven't taken the tags off, as I'm just not sure it's me. But if you are having fun with it, then by all means give it a try!

Sara L.

Veteran

I have a knockout dress, but I hardly ever have occasions to wear it. Mine is strapless and since strapless dresses don't stay up well on me I keep meaning to have it altered to add spaghetti straps. I think it's great to have if you have occasions to wear it, but not a necessity in my life.

rae

(website)

Veteran

I do, finally! And it is also by Nicole Miller. Mine is not as dressy as yours, since my "fancy" occasions are not that fancy. But fits the same role. Really gorgeous dress, btw!!

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Most of the more formal events I attend are with the same group of people so for me it wouldn't work. I need more basic outfits that I can change with accessories. It would be nice to have one though & this is a beauty.

Anonymous

Yes, total wardrobe necessity!

Diana

Veteran

That's a gorgeous dress and I think it will suit you very well, Nancy! The color is great.

I used to have va-va-voom knockout dresses but the truth was that I hardly ever wore them. I'm just not comfortable with looking conventionally sexy, plus with my body type it's too easy to go way over the top with bombshell.

Deborah

Veteran

Stunning! In fact that is the dress I have been searching for, for a wedding this March.
You need this dress my dear.

Anonymous

Oh that's great Nancylee! You have such a fantastic figure and you could wear that summer or winter with the right accessories. What a great color, too!

I don't have a knockout dress, and I had an occasion at the beginning of this month where one would have really come in handy. I felt out of place in a plain grey dress even with fancy accessories. So I say BUY it!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

But it buy it! I still want one . . . but have yet to find the right one that's not too sexy. This looks perfect.

Freckles

Veteran

This is a stunning dress and I think it would look fab on you.

My lifestyle doesn't have a need for one anymore. The only time I really needed such a dress was when I was dating my husband and we went to his ex's wedding... Fond the perfect one in raspberry panne velvet. My husband didn't want me to leave the house in it although the line was very modest it had the va voom factor. This dress has a similar vibe.

nancylee

Veteran

Thanks for weighing in everyone. I am a firm believer in being prepared (fashion-wise) for any event. I have never regretted buying something in preparation (a formal dress, etc.) and then waiting for the event to arise....it almost always does. But I have often regretted having to search frantically for an appropriate outfit/dress at the last minute when the invitation finally comes.....and sometimes having to settle for what's in my closet whether it's appropriate or not.

JR, you must go dress shopping!

Sara and Rae, I'd love to see your dresses.

Claire, I know what you're talking about! I, too, have tried to make a plain dress look "fancy," and it's frustrating.

Sarah and Diana, I'm hoping the ruching will make it less body-con and va-va-voom...we'll see!

Caro, I hear you on the impracticality of buying a standout dress that the same people will se over and over. In that case, it wouldn't make much sense.

Deborah and Mo, good luck with your dress search!

Freckles, that's a good story.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Nancy, that's a gorgeous dress and I bet it would look fantastic on you! I agree with you about being prepared ahead of time -- nearly every time I have shopped at the last minute for a special occasion, I have ended up stressed, frustrated, and not very happy with my emergency purchase. One exception being a gorgeous red gown I found for one of the inaugural balls four years ago, and I can't believe how lucky I was to find a great gown that fit me off the rack on such short notice.

On the other hand, I *still* remember 20 years ago, when I left a beautiful ink blue velvet dress hanging in the store, even though it fit and flattered me perfectly, because I didn't have any immediate occasion to wear it. Lo an behold, three months later I was invited to a party the dress would have been perfect for.

I have a couple of knockout dresses that span the dressy-to-casual spectrum. They range from a beaded number that made a couple of appearances at charity functions we get invited to (because of my husband's work), down to the sleeveless blue B44 dress that is great for a not-too-dressy nice romantic dinner out with the hubs, but it can also be dressed down with sandals and a denim jacket. I may not wear these items all the time, but they're very valuable in my closet. Items like this are why I don't worry much about CPW -- they'll never approach a dollar a wear (or probably even $10 a wear) but they have a high happiness and fab quotient.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

That is a stunning dress Nancy - can't wait to see it on you!

Eliza

Veteran

That dress is stunning; it's seems both fresh and not so trendy it is quickly dated. As I don't wear a knockout dress often, I don't need multiples and prefer a bit of longevity in the style. That one would certainly fit the bill. I also agree that trying to find exactly what you want in anticipation of an event is tricky and often frustrating. By being open to finding the right thing in advance, I have also saved money.

I have 2 elegant silk sheathes with a bit of subtle ruching and details (in black and deep eggplant) that are about as dressy as I usually need to go. I could see how for some, the knockout dress is better with va-voom and for others, just dressier than a routine day dress would fit the bill. Love that dress!

Lisa

Veteran

I didn't own any special occasion dresses for years. I just recently purchased a new dress for a wedding and it was stressful because I HAD to purchase something. If you think you'll get some use out of it I say go for it. It will take off the pressure of buying "just any old thing" because you have no time to shop for an event.

ManidipaM

Veteran

What a gorgeous fabric and an elegant cut! Can't wait to see it on you.

I'm missing this piece in my wardrobe, and substitute a saree when the occasion arises. It's usually quite apt to do so, too, except when travelling---saree, underskirt and choli take up much more room than a single dress would.

Kristin L

Veteran

It's very pretty! After you get it, will you show it to us?

After some thinking, I remembered that I do have a knockout dress. It's an older Kenneth Cole dress I found on sale at an outlet a while back. It's black, blue and white and I absolutely love it. It's my go to dress for spring and summer weddings.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Did you see this dress in person and did you try it on or did you order it? I like it alot but Nicole Miller dresses can be tricky! Her fit models are 5'11" so they run super long on me. Also they are super tight - or maybe I am just well padded
The other thing about these dresses is that she often does rouching in the back across the butt. I like it because it makes my butt look big, but really it makes your butt look big. How do you feel about that? Good luck! I love having a knockout dress, it is a vital component of my wardrobe!

Carole

Veteran

That's gorgeous! I don't have a knockout dress, but I wish I did. Most dresses I have are sort of basic and can be glammed up or down, but this would be fun for the holidays or special dinner.mi can't wait to see it on you! You will post pictures, right?

Dana

(website)

Veteran

It's definitely a knockout dress! And it looks like it will be reasonably comfortable, too! I hope you've bought it by now. Nicole Millers dresses are hard to go wrong with.

I don't have a knockout dress. I had a lbd, but it eventually died. Wanting something totally different, I bought a one shouldered teal satin cocktail dress, but it's a itch small tight no, and truly isn't something that is comfy enough that I'm compelled to wear it. I think I'm going shopping on Saturday.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I think having at least one dress that makes you feel amazing is not a bad thing at all.

rae

(website)

Veteran

I hear you about scrambling at the last minute... sure does take the fun out of getting ready, doesn't it?

Per request, this is my version. As I said, it is much more casual - jersey - but those are the kinds of events that usually pop up in my life.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Day Vies

Veteran

Knock out dresses are always a good investment especially if they make you feel half as good as they look. Money can buy you a dress but money cannot buy the confidence that comes when you know you look good in a dress. I hope it works for you!

amyreh

(website)

Veteran

This is stunning and I think you could wear this to a number of occasions - an evening wedding, fancy holiday party, anniversary celebration, etc. Sometimes you just need to create your own event to wear things like this to : )

12