Visible cami in the neckline of a cocktail dress? ETA: pics - YouLookFab Forum

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Visible cami in the neckline of a cocktail dress? ETA: pics

Diana

Veteran

Just wondering what your opinions were on this. I am planning on wearing my gold dress (in the photo below) to my husband's holiday party on Friday. The dress code is cocktail. For various reasons (weather, cleavage, lumpiness, etc) I would like to wear my black bandeau slip under it. It basically will look like a straight neckline cami sitting in the v-neck of the dress. Do you think this will work, or will it make the dress look too casual? I will be wearing black kitten heel pumps and either sheer black or nude hose.

I will of course try them on when I get home but was wondering how people felt about visible camis with formal dresses in general.

ETA: OK, tried it on with the slip and shoes (#2-3). What do we think? I also tried it on without the slip (#4). Here I am actually wearing a "bad" bra (an old one that is not so uplifting) which I think actually helps slightly as I don't actually have much cleavage without help, LOL. I realized though that I find it kind of disconcerting that with this dress I can see down my cleavage. Granted, I realize nobody else will have that perspective, but still...

I will also bring a jacket for warmth, but forgot to try it on. Probably my black Aqua jacket, but it does not have buttons so I won't actually be able to hide the cleavage with it if I feel uncomfortable. Oh and I'll be using the red clutch in the first pic.

ETA2: A couple more options. Took a photo with the jacket. Does this seem more deliberate now with the black jacket?

And Una asked about a different color cami, so here it is with a red burnout cami. It will match my red bag.

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Dressing

39 replies

Latest reply was from cciele

Jules

Veteran

Well off the cuff, I do think it casualizes the look but I don't really think people should go all Oscars for work parties anyway... a little more sedate is appropriate IMO.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

For a cocktail dress for a dressy occasion, I don't like the look. Of course, I haven't seen a photo, but usually it looks weird to me, the mixture of a more casual underlayer with a fancy dress. I think you look fine in the picture as is, even for a husband's work party.

unfrumped

Veteran

I think it can be difficult to make it look right. This is why dressy dresses can be hard if you need high necklines like I do! Even most v-necks are a problem. Once or twice when I find a dress that is just so great all except part of the neckline, I've tried to think of finding a very dressy cami such as silk or velvet --these can work under what are more like jackets or wrap tops, but still are usually too much for thin dress fabrics--or creating an custom insert with matched fabric..

You could try it and post a pic--potentially aiming for a kind of intentional bookending look with black and gold. For the long-term can the dress be altered to be less revealing? Or is there another dressy outfit you could wear?

Diana

Veteran

Hmm, I will try when I get home. I think it would be easier or at least less obvious if the dress was black.

I can tape the dress to my bra so wardrobe malfunction is not a big issue, but it still does feel a bit low cut, for this occasion at least. I have already sewed the two halves of the neckline together but I may experiment with sewing it up more.

If I don't wear the gold dress I'll probably wear this, with the kitten heels instead of booties. The dress is lace so not exactly seasonally appropriate but I don't really care.
http://diana.lookfab.com/post/.....y-to-night

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Try it to see. It could bookend your black hair really nicely.

ClaraT

Veteran

I love the cocktail dress. Do you have a black lace camisole? It would not provide the warmth of a slip, but would keep the look dressy, tie in to your black shoes, and give you a little coverage.

Thistle

Veteran

Can we see a picture of you int he dress with the cami? I have a hard time visualizing.

Off the cuff, though, I think it depends on the cami. One with a bit of lace or glam would look right at home with the dress.

If the cami doesn't work, safety pins and wardrobe tape might do the trick. I agree with you about not wanting to show much cleavage for a work function. It is still work.

Echo

Veteran

I agree that a lace cami would work beautifully with the dress, but the straight edge of a plain one might be a little bit casual. Then again, depending on the workplace, I find that professional women often dress far less "cocktail-y" and much more business-like at parties for work, so the straight cami might not be out of place.

FWIW, I love the black dress, too.

Diana

Veteran

This is what I wore last year by the way. Kind of boring. I feel like I don't need to be so sedate this year because at least I know some of the people, and J. has been working there for over a year now. And after all, I am not a lawyer. I'm just married to one. Last year there were definitely people who were dressed more casually but also people in things like sequined red dresses.

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ay-party-2

Oh, and I don't have a lace cami that would work in this neckline. (I feel like it would have to be a straight neckline on the cami, no scoop or vees.)

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I think it might work considering you are wearing black shoes.

ramya

Veteran

It's a culture thing I think with me that I don't find revealing necklines comfortable. I always layer a cami. It may be lace or sparkly stuff depending on the dress. But they are there;)

Dana

(website)

Veteran

I like the idea of black lace. You could also do one of those clip on lace pieces--they attach to your bra straps. You can find them at places like Steinmart, etc. I love your dress...very flattering.

Diana

Veteran

OK, tried it on with the bandeau slip and added pictures up above, along with another one without the slip. I would love your opinions on it.

I like the idea of lace or something sparkly in the future, but I really don't have time or inclination to shop this week and the party is on Friday.

unfrumped

Veteran

Hmm. If you look at it at some point maybe it becomes just background and probably nobody is a super fashion critic, anyway.
But, i would not normally do this to a gold dress though because I think it then becomes, why wear the gold dress with the special neckline at all? I can certainly see how you might want the more conservative neckline for the office party. I like the intentional black dress better as an outfit.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I think the bandeau slip is a good idea and don't think it ruins the look of the dress. Since most men are taller than us women, one does need to think about the downward perspective! You don't want to make DH uncomfortable in that way.

So I like the slip. But, I hope this doesn't sound too picky, but do you have a different pair of underwear or perhaps a pair of high waisted panty hose. I can see the bikini waistline (it could just be the lighting though, but I thought I'd point it out just in case).

Kristin L

Veteran

Would the black bandeau make you feel more comfortable? I think it would be better if it was sparkly or lacy, but the one you have should work just fine. I think the red clutch looks great with the dress.

elpgal

Veteran

I feel the same as Unfrumped. Not that the dress looks bad just dissonant to my eye.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I think if it makes you feel more comfortable, it's okay; I do agree it is kind of dissonant between the formality of the cocktail dress, but I do hear you on the uncomfortable boobage issue.

Diana

Veteran

Denise, I know about the underwear problem. My normal underwear is really low rise, but I have several seamless, high waisted pairs for situations like this. And good point about the downward male perspective!

I am still undecided, so please keep the opinions coming! I do see where those of you who think it looks unintentional are coming from.

elpgal

Veteran

Are you inclined to experiment with necklaces that lie above the cami? That might give the eye a sparkly landing spot that is not the skin/cami/dress interface.

carambola

Veteran

I think the bandeau slip works with your hair and the black shoes. Although it does casualize the dress a tad, it is still a gold cocktail dress, so I think that's ok. It looks lovely and perfectly appropriate for an office shindig.

catgirl

Veteran

I have major cleavage phobia for myself but I love this dress on you as is... Could you do a nude cami?

Diana

Veteran

Hmm, Una, I don't think I have a nude cami with the right neckline. It has to be something with a straight across neckline. I might be able to do a color. Will see what I have.

Would you guys think the black bandeau would look more intentional with a black jacket? I will have it with me anyway. I could probably get away with wearing the black jacket all night if I wanted to.

catgirl

Veteran

F21 has cheap camis with straight necklines in every color!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I love it with the black cami. My thumbs are up.

Diana

Veteran

OK, added a couple more photos up top. Una, I tried it with my red burnout cami. The pattern is a velvet burnout so it's a little dressier fabric, and it will match my red clutch.
I also took a photo with the black jacket. Does it look more deliberate now? I could definitely keep the jacket on all night. It is winter after all. In a hotel ballroom, so I don't think it will be too roasting.

catgirl

Veteran

Okay with the jacket it looks a lot more integrated and intentional! I think a gold lace cami like the red one would be divine, but with the jacket I am much happier.

Of course, Angie has ruled already!

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I like it a lot more with the jacket, like you said, it looks more intentional!

Have fun!

Thistle

Veteran

I like it just fine with the black cami. I see no issue at all. I also like the red one you posted, but not as much as the black, especially with your hair and black heels.

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