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dashielle (Ann)

(website)

Veteran

In an (ongoing) effort to understand the boundaries of what works for my body, and what doesn't, I tried a couple of interesting sale pieces yesterday at Nordstrom. The first is a black pair of Classiques coulottes that I was thinking might be interesting with some mid-calf boots and various booties. They almost have a crossover front panel that adds an interesting detail to my eye. You can't see it in my pics though. I didn't style them in the dressing room since I was in a bit of a hurry, and I didn't love the look on me here. Felt like too much volume and length. Might be my uneducated eye, so I'm asking for true opinions here. The second is this lovely periwinkle, black and white silk shirtdress from DVF. I love the fabrication and color, just not sure it's 'me'. I don't have a problem with waist surrender (as you may know), but I just don't know...I bought both pieces to bring home and style, but they're at concierge at the moment, as I couldn't get them home yesterday on the bus with other things I had to carry. Please give 100% honesty...I can take it! Thanks in advance...

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Classiques Entier Culottes

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Diane von Furstenberg 'Freya' Silk Shirtdress

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24 replies

Latest reply was from unfrumped

Anonymous

Exploring boundaries is great! I don't do it enough, so your post is a lovely reminder to do so! I think the culottes have promise, but I'd definitely like to see them shorter. Would they be hard to hem given the design feature? And I'm no help in shirt dresses as they are a poison eye style for me so I'll leave that opinion to others. I love the print though.

kellygirl

Veteran

I love the culottes. I can definitely see those with a bit of a heeled boot for fall and winter. I like the color of the dress but something about that blouson waist and your bust gives me pause. Can it be worn unbelted?

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I think the culottes have potential with a different top. Not a fan of the dress.

ETA the dress is in that no man's land of waist surrendering and a sorta waist.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You might prefer a different culotte with less volume, but I think these have potential if styled and hemmed to the length that works best (whatever that is, LOL.)

I am not crazy about the dress on you this way -- but can you do what Vix did and make it less blouson? She basically wore it as a shift, I think -- without the waist tie. She has a post on this somewhere.

Anonymous

I don't love the dress, I don't think the shape is flattering and the print is too indecisive for there to be so much of it.

I like the style of the culottes but I can see why you think they might be "too much volume and length". It's hard to tell without the boots?

deb

Veteran

I tried on those culottes also and felt they were too bulky in the middle with the cross over. I sort of like the dress. I would like to see it with a topper.

Sal

Veteran

I think culottes have potential, I think Deborah has a pair and I think a similar shape would suit you.

I think the dress is a no; it is not right in the midsection.

Love the holo shoes!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

The culottes seem too long and maybe too bulky. I think I prefer ones that are either narrower all the way down or that flare out from a relatively close waist/hip fit. But I struggle with pleats, so it may just be my eye. I'd be interested to see how they look hemmed and with heels.

The dress seems too long in the waist, and I agree, it's neither waist-defining nor fully waist surrendering. I say pass on that one.

Deborah

Veteran

I need to see them both styled:). Both have potential.

Culottes are a great length, but that just my opinion. I don't like them short. Culottes navy their very nature sit in the JFE category and I like this on you. Do you have a cropped sweater you could wear with them?? Or a cropped jacket.

As you are coming into Fall, how about the dress, worn looser at the waist over a skinny pair of ankle pants and sharp booties and then layer on elf your gorgeous jackets over it all:).

Rubygirl

I would love to see you styling the culottes
I am not a fan of the dress on you at all. I apologize in advance, I think it looks more like a housecoat than a dress. Maybe it is just me.

jackiec

Veteran

Ok - we need to see these styled.

But I'm going to give you my first impressions.
1) I am not a fan of the culottes
2) I think the dress has potential - I really like that first pic with the side view

Now style 'em up with your fab other stuff and prove me wrong

Gigi

Veteran

I am trying culottes for fall too! It's fun to experiment.

For the culottes, I feel like they are too voluminous for you, and also a little too long. I think you could find a more flattering pair, as culottes seem to be springing up everywhere.

I liked the dress, but if you don't feel happy in it (like want-to-wear-it-out-of-the-store happy), I would leave it. There are plenty of other wrap dresses in the sea, and maybe you will find one that appeals more to you.

DonnaF

Veteran

In general, I prefer to see you in more structured pieces. I'd like to see you in shorter culottes with less volume, so keep looking and trying on culottes. You need more drama than the DVF dress can give you. Am so sorry to be so blunt because I generally really, really like what I see on you -- on YOU, and these were a disappointment. End of day; I seem to have lost my capacity to be more diplomatic and don't want to hurt.

Leighways

(website)

Loving that dress, it's actually rather flattering and you could wear it just about anywhere - I'd try it with a wiast belt, could create a different shape and look to help you decide. Evidently there's a bit of disagreement here about it!

. I agree with Donna though - I'm a little dubious about the culottes. I'd like to see a little less of a flare (I've yet to find my perfect pair either. )

Runcarla

Veteran

Like the dress. Think it would be fab worn tunic style over flared jeans with a pointy toe!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I think culottes have potential but require styling to make a decision. Play with them at home and see how you like the style and if they are the right ones for you (but I LOVE culottes do definitely am a biased one here).
I am not sure about the dress. The color is lovely but I don't see it being flattering in the regular sense and also not cool enough for your style to be JFE.

Marley

Veteran

The dress just looks too bunchy to me around your waist - and combine that with the sleeves, I immediately thought bathrobe when I looked at the pic!
I think you can find less bulky culottes than these. That added panel in the front I think overwhelms you. I'd pass on them - I've seen lots of black culottes out there - I think you could find a more flattering pair!

Vix

Veteran

Hi Dashielle --

Well, I'm super-biased since the dress was one of my key fall buys. I know I don't have to sell you on the feel and print!

A s Suz mentioned I absolutely can't pull the waist gathered. I just pull it to straight and knot it.

I wore it over a pencil when warmer and now am pairing it with black skinny pants. Am eager to put it over bootcuts (and as Runcarla mentioned, it could be great with flares, too).

My .02: play some more, then decide. You may need a size down -- I tried two and found the larger was too big around the bust/shoulder.

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Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I think the culottes could be winners but need some styling, with shoes and different tops to know for sure. Unsure about the dress - I am not sure it is as full of potential to be a real wildcard as the culottes if that makes sense.

catgirl

Veteran

I don't see the dress as your style but I like how Vix is showing it. I am having the same struggle with culottes - I think we petites need the right proportion. Will show you the ones I got and am debating...

Bijou

Veteran

I like the culottes too, however I think they may be similar to skirts in that if you don't have the right top to wear with them they could become closet orphans.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The culottes have too much volume in the front leg - at least it looks like that in the pic. I would need more convincing if they followed you home.

The frock is a little bunchy up top. I vote pass on both. But good job trying them on, Ann. You never know until you've tried it on.

lyn67

Veteran

I'm clueless about those culottes, think they are overwhelming you a bit, but it could work with some great shoes. The same about the dress. It is really hard to decide unstyled and bare feet:-) but I would not wear it with the tie(reads as a dressing gown:-(), rather left it straight as a tunic or shirt dress, like Vix pictured hers, but I like the side view...plus understand the appealing of a shirt dress.

unfrumped

Veteran

I woulx pass on both but bravo for trying. I havd found some JC my best things by being brave.
Also your eye is good in spotting what more or less is needed , to my eye at least.
Your white drapey pants that had less volume were more in the right direction. The dress, as annagybe noted, is kind of a hybrid, so I think you do better in either an intentional boxy something or a great waist. I have to do the same thing though sometimes and bring stuff home even though there's a good chance I'll take it back. I may need to see it with my other things and even compare to outfits I know I like.