I went and played around in my closet and figured out a way to "winterize the dress by wearing my navy suede leggings underneath and a navy cocoon cashmere cardigan over the top. I like it even better this way, it's like a tunic. Since I'm tall, the dress hits above my knees, unlike the look on the model, and comparing it to my favorite sheath dresses I think the length looks awkward. (I'm not fond of my knees.).

Now I really need to think about whether I would wear this as a tunic top over leggings!

So are you saying you would not wear it alone, without leggings? I am starting to think you might be best served by moving on.

I agree with sterling. If only with leggings, it seems a pricy tunic. Especially if the cardigan is always over it.

I am going to post some pics once I get a chance. I'm very undecided on this now. I love the pattern. I love the colors. I am not sure it's the right style though. It looks good in isolation but I'm less convinced it looks good once I compare it to my best dresses. Maybe I am overly used to seeing myself in a particular silhouette though, so I think I need some less biased eyes.

Pics will help a lot.

It's really a beautiful dress. And stretch charmuese is a wonderful fabric. I have a top made out of it and I feel good everytime I put it on. The print is so lovely and you will look so stylish in it. After seeing pictures of you in other outfits, you have exactly the right body type/silhouette to wear something like this. I would love to see some pictures! I think you could wear it many different ways, as is, with the cardi and over leggings. If it is heavy enough it would look nice with tights and a cardi this fall also.

Waiting for pics.

I can't comment about the price as it is a function of your budget, what it is worth to you, and whether it affects other purchases.

I see nothing wrong with wearing it as a signature piece, especially if you can "own it" when others are wearing more staid pieces.

It can either be that perfect piece you've been waiting for, or there is a more perfect piece to continue waiting for.

Now, about your knees, and I have no idea what they look like, would others see you in it as a dress and notice your knees and think negatively, or is it "your thing"? I ask, because some of my friends comment negatively on a part of their body that I never noticed anything wrong with, and then I still didn't see a problem, even after they point it out.

Looking forward to hearing your final decision.

I think taking time to play with it before deciding is smart and helpful even if only to consider new style directions.
So the very first question is , is it great, fab, wearable , versatile( within reason) , had a supporting act or that can be achieved( shoes, topper). Topper is a big issue for md since I run cold, but Ithink you are a better sleeveless- wearer. So for that reason I dont invest in sleeveless items that are at best standing alone, whereas I would do so for the perfect sleeveless item that looks great under several tyoes of jackets.

After that it becomes a very interesting $$ concept which is so personsal and yet conventionslly is skewed in favor of less cost per item. For example, it would not be as noteworthy for someone to show an NAS " haul" of numerous items for same total cost and would be congratulated . But if one has a full wardrobe and could use/enjoy ONE new dress, what is the difference? ( I'm not making a budget limit or value judgement either, just trying to use comparables for purpose of discussing decision- making , so for that, thinking in terms of total budget gives a context).
Even total # of wears comes into play, because I have several dresses I'm not wearing much but if I did, thd more I havd the fewer times I can wear each one so at some point it gets back to, how can I choose items that I will really wear as often as is occasion- appropriate and feel the fabbest in?
Even experimenting can be evaluated in terms of budget. We usually use the adage , well it's an experiment but at least I didn't spend a lot. But maybe that limits us as well and if within budget, what is the difference between a few big experiments or a lot of small ones that still add up?
I do have a fear of wearing a VERY precious item and then ruining it. Not sure where that breakpoint is and I think it would be influenced by the fab- factor. I also am very sensitive about wearing something that could be identified as being very costly, but again, I'm likely doing that at some level already for other budgets, so it's all relative.
I may not be a good fab- magnet because I am not having the experience of trying on lots of divine things that I can't afford. Many things are good but not great, you know? A lot of featured higher- end items even here don't look great on me, so guess I haven't found my drool- worthy brand or maker. I would love to have more " this is the one" experiences to set my bar higher for what is possible in fit and quality.
This is a long ramble, but I thought you raised very interesting considerations and I will enjoy seeing how you work it out.

I hope to take pics after work today and post. Thanks for all the thoughtful feedback. It has been helpful as I ponder whether I should keep or return.

Barbara Diane, my legs are very muscular, and I think maybe even a bit bulky compared to the rest of me. My knees have that muscle that droops/overhangs the kneecap. I hate the way it looks. I also have varicose veins and spider veins, although I don't worry about those. It's more the other issues that I am self conscious of. It may just be me and distorted thinking, but maybe not. The dress may also end at an unflattering place proportionally.

I just glanced at your recent post that included a photo of you wearing white shorts at a length well above the knee. I didn't see ANY droop around the knee, "overhang", or bulk! You have beautiful, slim, shapely, legs! Seriously, I can't comment on any vein-related concerns from the distance of the photo, but in terms of shape and proportion you have extremely nice legs! Truly.

Thanks Lenni, maybe it's how I posed in the photo, or as I said, my distorted thinking. I will do my best to post pics as soon as I can. Then everyone here can either further help me deal with this dysmorphic thinking of mine, or help me with the proportions of the dress, etc.

I have never seen anything wrong with your knees, either! (And I am overly sensitive about my own, for similar reasons, without your height and long legs, so I understand this concern.)

I am eagerly awaiting photos. This has been an interesting conversation.

I like what you said there Unfrumped. I can be guilty of not considering an expensive piece when it may be the perfect addition even if it takes out my whole budget. It is having the confidence that it is in fact the perfect piece!!

Absolutely! There is nothing wrong with repeating an outfit, and a low CPW may not be a consideration. I was just trying to think of some points in case you haven't perhaps thought about them.
Looking forward to seeing your pictures in this gorgeous dress.

I finally took some pics. What do you think?

I think you look amazing in the dress. You have great knees. I don't see anything wrong with them. I prefer the dress without the leggings and cardigan. That is my preference.

It looks lovely on you! I think it is too pricey but it does suit you. Of course what is pricey or not is up to the individual so YMMV.

I think you've found a way to wear this through the seasons. It's a statement piece you pull off well. I probably prefer it summerized, because I see nothing to hide about your knees. If it fits into your budget, I say keep.

I love it. My only reservation is about the amount of middle thigh coverage when you're sitting. If that's ok then I'm a definite keep vote. I think it's great on it's own, but I'm crazy wild about it with the cardigan and leggings.

It passes the sit test! I always check that. I sit a lot at work so everything I wear has to look good and fit well while sitting.

The dress looks fabulous on you! I love that you can wear it both as a dress and a tunic, for different looks and different seasons.

It looks beautiful.

I think it's gorgeous on you as a dress. I like the shape; it has volume, but it also has structure, so it doesn't swallow you. I like the length and find it flattering to your legs. I think it's a keeper as a dress alone.
I like the idea of it with the leggings, but I'm not keen on the topper with it. I'm wondering if you would have a shorter, cropped one or a longer one--same length or longer than the dress--to try as options? What about a leather jacket over it?

the color and shape of the dress are gorgeous on you! I agree that the topper doesn't suit it--if you want to make it casual, how about a cropped white denim jacket?

The colour and style really suit you and I can see how it could be worn for the different seasons. I can see it with a lighter jacket, cream or white, for cooler weather.

It's a beautiful statement piece and I'm glad you decided to keep it.

I commented on your other thread but should clarify that I do like the dress on you. It's truly lovely. I just think you look even better in the more tailored items.

I like this as a dress much more than layered with the other items. If you were going to wear it that way, I'd prefer it with a lighter coloured topper as Coco suggests. But I think it comes fully into its own as the beautiful dress it is.

It's nice but somehow I'm underwhelmed. Perhaps it's the price giving my reverse goggle eyes? Maybd j expected it to cause World Peace? Or the fabric is more impressive IRL? I think the colors are in your palette, but somehow are not as delicious as I'd hoped and the pattern as well. These to me are most important with the drapey asymmetrical style. Sorry if that is raining on parade, and of course if it fits your wow- meter and occasion needs , that is what is important. I think I'm comparing to some other dresses and outfits you've shown where I truly DID go WOW.

Okay, didn't comment before coz a dress on model and IRL can look very different. And looks like you have made up your mind somewhat.
I agree price point can be individual. And this is statement piece. I've seen some of your previous outfits.
And I actually like it better on its own. But I suggest you focus on how you feel when wearing it becoz we can only see 2D..
Sorry if this is late

I'm a little on the fence. I love it and you have good knees, but I do like it better with leggings. The reason I'm on the fence, though, as a dress, is because I think it's not ballooning out enough. I'm not sure if it should fit so well...I'm thinking it should hang more like a hand-me down for that designer factor...

Rachy, maybe I should size up? This is the 4, it looks like they still have a 6. I had that thought myself but worried the neckline might get too low.