This fun Suz! I have to say that I love it worn as a dress with bare legs in the additional photos you posted later in the thread but I also think it's a very short dress and that would create some comfort issues for me.

It really says tunic to me! And I agree that the length is maybe not your perfect length. I feel that the dress is creating a lot of work for you. I'm not sure an asymmetric hemline is the way to go. If anything I might have i shortened to a hi lo blouse.... what do you think?

Suz, for what it's worth, I like the dress as a tunic - both the way you styled it here and with plaid pants in the last picture are great.
That said, I love this dress best as a dress with bare legs. I know you said that it doesn't get worn much that way. But don't you have any need for such a FFB option for warmer times? Cocktails, book readings, weddings, engagement parties, etc.? Since you've already paid for it, maybe don't tinker with it and just put it in your formal wear capsule. Would that make you feel better about the dress?
I have personally already given up on tunics. My problem is that tunics skip over the smallest part of my body, my waist, and then emphasize the widest part, hips, making me look larger than I'd like. I don't have a solution to this, except for wearing a belt, which defeats the purpose of wearing a tunic in the first place imo. So unfortunately, I have no advice for you. Oh, I never wear leggings either, pretty much for similar reasons. So there you go.

Hi Suz. I'm not with you on disliking tunics, they're my fallback. And I'm shorter than you ( either 5 foot 1 or 2, I'm never quite sure) and definitely chunkier than you. In these pics, the first pics hide the dress too much, we can hardly see it. But it is such a perfect colour match with the long cardi, I love it. I'm with Jussie in actually preferring it with the ankle booties as your legs look longer than with the tall boots, to me. With the tall boots, I prefer the merino tights to the jeans. And my total fave look is with the matching tights in the older pics. Can you get more? That's stunning!
Of course I have a much better climate than you to wear such an item. I like the colour on you too x

Lots of interesting looks with this dress, Suz. My favourite look is the last pictures when the dress is worn with tonal tights and heels or bare legs and heels. To me, this dress looks best on its own so that the design is featured.

The dress, or tunic is beautiful! I like it best with the bare legs, or with the plaid leggings. If the the length were shorter, would you wear it more often? The proportions would change, of course, but I think you have plenty of bottoms you could wear that would give you flattering proportions. Let us know what you decided to do!

I wike !

Suz I like it best in the second set of photos, but in these photos, the booties and matching tights are gorgeous. I don't wear tunics for the reasons that you mention as I just don't feel great in them. If you think you will get more wear out of it as a shirt, then you should try it out. You have had this dress / tunic for over a year and barely worn it this way, so it is probably worth altering it to see if as a top it will be more useful. It is a beautiful colour on you and even in the photos where you visibly don't look so happy with it, you still look as lovely as ever.

I totaly love the dress in initial pictie nr 3 and the later uploaded nr 3, too! Think they are even KILLER looks! Then I would advice more on d a coing a column of color on legs, so thights, leggings or pants same color with the shoes.
BUT, I can totally relate with you about not loving tunics on me "For whatever reason"..."I keep trying and trying them and then dismiss". And yes, I think it is because of my legs

(but not yours, SUZ!')

relatively short &muscular & my longer rise. But, like you," I really don't know. All I know is that ordinary tunics never, ever feel flattering".Sobbing:-(

I am short and can't usually wear tunics. I feel like they look like they are just too long on me. Like they are meant to be a "normal" length but on me are too long, if that makes sense. Anyway, I say cut it off to a blouse length and wear it that way. I don't think it works with the jeans. I do like it as a dress in your second set of photos. It sounds like you like it enough to try to make it work.

Suz, I think you've done a great job of exploring the options with this piece. It looks great with the jeans and long cardigan. However, I am with Bella and like this dress best on you in the photos where you've worn it as a dress. It's not *that* short at all, but I completely understand your reservations about that length, and about tunics, because I relate 100%.

Even though I'm taller with longer legs, I find tunics and above-the-knee length dresses very difficult. I also do not like the shape of my knees -- I don't know how much is bone and how much is fat, but there is a definite spot just above my knee that makes my legs look like upside down tree trunks when it is emphasized. That's why I sold my SW OTK boots (which were barely OTK and stopped right at that problematic spot, making it look like my legs were squeezing out of the top of the boot, yuck). Oddly enough, there is a spot about mid-thigh that looks relatively thinner on me and is a better "stopping point", i.e., when I wear mid-length shorts. But I have trouble with tunics too, and suspect a lot of this is about where hems hit our leg shapes, along with how they visually divide our bodies.

However, I really have to say that in these photos you posted, I think your legs look fab and don't see any of the issues I have! But I know you have some of the same sensitivities I do. It's OK to move along and either wear a difficult item in a limited way that makes you less self-conscious, or to make the decision to let it go in favor of something that is easier to work with.

I like the dress best with the jeans. No knees showing. Have you considered having the sides opened up more. Then, without the cardigan, more of your body would show from the side and in motion.
if it is making your head spin, Shevia may have the best solution.

So, my two cents,without reading all the comments:

Based on the second set of pictures, any structure this dress has is in its shoulders and neckline, which you lose underneath the scarf and cardi. I like the idea of a tonal look with the cardi, but they appear to be the exact same length, which for me is a bit of a poison-eye; I feel like one layer or the other needs to be longer or shorter, otherwise the layers just blob together. I also get the sense from the first batch of photos that you're trying to hide the dress, like you don't really want to showcase it. But, it's a statement dress! So if you don't like the statement it's making and are trying to quiet it down, maybe that's a sign that it's time to let it go. Plus, if the fabric is too heavy for summer, I'm not sure how much of a window you gave to wear this piece. I've found I have no desire for floaty layers in the fall/winter -- a loose shirtdress is definitely a summer silhouette for me, and even then it's a challenging style.

The variety of opinions is fascinating! I really appreciate the input and ideas. And it helps to know how others see a situation, right?

Joy, opening it up at the sides is an interesting thought, but honestly, I don't think it would make it more wearable. Less wearable, if anything.

LaPed -- the lengths are actually not exactly the same, plus the dress is layered, so it has different lengths itself. And the cardi sort of "fans out" as I move, so I think the effect is different in motion. I wasn't trying to hide the dress -- not at all -- but I need the cardi for warmth since the dress has sheer sleeves. Its underlayer is suprisingly warm and insulating, but it is short (so you need bottoms of some kind except in summer) and its sleeves are sheer, so you need something over top (at least where I live!). Also I was trying to casualize it a bit, for my teaching role.

It's really the window of opportunity for wearing it being short...the story of my (buying mistake) life!

I have a similar style dress which I cannot wear as a dress because it doesn't work. I solved the problem by layering a sweater from COS over it and now I love it.

It seems like a good cocktail dress. Do you have anything like it? 1/2 casual, 1/2 dressy? It might be worth keeping just for such occasions. You might have a Christmas party or winter wedding to attend. Or the theatre.

I LOVE it on you when you don't layer anything on top of it. The neckline is gorgeous on you and the sleeves too. I really think it's worth keeping and wearing as in the the third pic of the second set. that is how it shines. I wouldn't try to turn it into a sweater underlayer. To me, it's really best as a dressy topper to skinnies. Good for cocktail party, dinner in, or dinner out with friends (take the coat off when you get to the warm dining location).

I have become irrationally obsessed with this. Rachy noted some valid differences between your current photos and the set of older ones, and I have another : your hair colour as it relates to the dress (warmer, vs cool now...and the dress is a warmer shade). I think your blonde hair brought out something grey doesn't with this shade of burgundy...and I had the same issue with my ash blonde hair. Wrong mix. ok- I'll stop now, I promise.

You look really nice as always but I understand where you are coming from if something doesn’t feel quite right it ends up not getting worn.I m not a tunic wearer never really thought why until you brought it up.I think for me it’s what to wear underneath,leggings and a tunic feel too”young”for me now.I too hate the bunch feeling of trousers under dresses etc.I also think that proportions have something to do with it and that I prefer to show my waist whereas a lot of tunics are empire line which doesn’t suit.Oh ,and as usual they are usually too short!

YAY, Suz. Sooo glad you tried the dress over skinnies. I desperately wanted you to. That's my favourite look here - #3 in both sets of pics. AND worn alone with the Okalas. Looks KILLER actually.

FWIW, this would be a Summer look for me on its own with flats, and maybe with cropped straights or flares if its cool. It would have to be a warm Spring day too. I enjoyed wearing a similar look last year - see below:

In the second set of pics, I think you look great! I personally like the middle one best. I remember when people were buying this dress. I regretted that I missed the boat and had no idea that no one was wearing it.

BTW, it snowed here yesterday. Do you feel better?

Personally I LOVE this as a dress on you Suz and I think it looks fantastic - and with the jeans and tall boots or as you have it in that last set pic #3 is also fantastic.

But of course it is ultimately how you feel wearing it I realize. You could of course alter it and it would be really nice as a top too but then you wouldn't have that killer dress. Does DH like you in that dress?

Okay. Well, I think am going to keep the dress for a year or two and remind myself not to feel too bad if I don't wear it -- and maybe try it again with crops at some point when the weather improves.

I like wearing it when the weather cooperates although it does feel a touch short as a dress for my preferred taste.

JAileen, you made me laugh. Your poor crocuses...

Angie, a summer look? HA. Not in my wildest dreams with our summers. This confirms for me that I bought an item that's not right for my real climate. I would roast in this dress in our summers. No, I'd BROIL. It would look good on you with flats, but no way would it look good on me that way. Oh well...

Cardiff Girl, yes, there is the "too young" aspect, too -- of both tunics/ leggings and a too short dress. Hmmm.

Lisa, I agree with you on the colour. It's a bit warm -- and a bit muddy. Especially with silver hair. But...it's better than you might think, in person. Typically when I wear it, I get compliments. I think the green walls skew the look a bit in the wrong way... it's not my best burgundy, but it's not the worst, either. I wouldn't buy it again, but since I have it...

Viva, I like the sleeves, neckline too (she said, contradicting herself, after telling Shevia I did not like the neckline!).

Smittie, the trouble with it is that for winter, you need hose, right? Or pants. But yes. It does have that sort of half-casual/ half-dressy vibe. It's possible that if I had just the right sort of crops for underneath I would like it more... hmmm.

Bonnie, that looks beautiful on you! I have noticed, though -- for whatever reason -- you wear the short dress / tunic over crops look better than anybody I know. Again, I suspect it is a matter of proportion combined with leg shape. It just looks brilliant on you somehow, but when I try to replicate that look, it is not anywhere near the same!

I'm glad you are going to keep this Suz, I really like it on you. I like it best worn on it's own, as a dress. Knees and all I do think you should keep an eye out for burgundy tights again too, as that look is also fantastic.

When I came to terms with our 6 seasons, I also came to terms with not wearing things a ton, in each season. This is a great dressy piece for spring or fall. I've worn mine in April, May and Sept. Sometimes with a cardigan over, sometimes not. With Okalas, chunky bootie sandals, and with booties. I do still want to wear it with my navy knee high boots.

Think dinner party, date night, cocktail reception... I think I mentioned on another post, mine has gone to a funeral, and a late Sept outdoor wedding. Seldom worn, but perfect when it was.

Would it work to wear a long sleeved layer under the dress? A black or grey thin tee, perhaps? I do this with some of my more delicate tops in winter. I understand the need for warmth! We have had a very cold winter in northern Alberta.
It’s such a beautiful dress. I don’t think proportions are off from looking at the pictures. It is a bit difficult to see the dress under the cardigan and scarf. Have you tried pictures without the layers this time?
Good for you for taking the time and effort to wear it in the dead of winter. It’s hard when a person is constantly fighting the cold. Being cold just makes things less enjoyable, it’s irritating when you know you’d have been more comfortable if only you had dressed right:-/

I actually like all the iterations. I think your proportions look fine but I'll admit I'm not as sensitive to proportions as others. I like to winterize summer looks by layering under or over them, so I really like the look with the cardigan.

I've recently figured out the tunic and leggings look, but I had problems with it for a long time. I had a hard time finding tunics that were the right length, not too wide through the body, but not super body conscious either. Tunics are a harder fit than you would think.

Hah, I ran out of time this morning and the result was that my previous comment came off pretty harsh! I managed to list all the cons and none of the pros, sorry about that. I absolutely agree with you that the main issue is the seasonal trickiness. A multi-layered dress with gauzy sleeves -- sheesh! But the sheer sleeves are part of what makes it so neat looking. I vote holding zone and give it another go in May!

Also -- I always, always feel weird about myself in skirts in the winter, because my legs are so often in pants (plus long johns) that I just forget what my legs look like without all that fabric encasing them. Somehow it's always a shock.

I get it that this burgundy is too brown for you (It was too brown for me, too--that's why I bought the dark blue one!) but must say that in these pictures, it works. I've noticed that burgundy, unlike many other colors, can be nudged toward a more flattering effect by adding more burgundy in deeper, richer tones. Your cardigan, with its more interesting texture and richer color, 'lifts' the matte, muted dress, and the leopard patterned scarf adds even more interest. So this is a winner in my eyes. I would probably wear it with black pants rather than denim, to sharpen the edges a bit, but that's no big deal. Why keep this dress? Because it's silk lined in silk, that's why! SO rare. I wore my blue version of the dress in every season, and always felt secure knowing that it was in my closet. I'm a couple of inches shorter than you, so the length was that much longer on me, but it was still above the knee in front. I wore it to the theater, to cocktail parties, with tights & boots and without, and felt dressed up, but comfortable and appropriate everywhere. It did shrink a bit with each cleaning, but I figured I could eventually wear it with pants as you've styled it, or cut it off to shirt length. I was set to wear it to my daughter's college graduation when I discovered some mysterious and ruinous oil stains on it. So sad! Now, should you shorten it? Maybe, if you can find that perfect hem length. (It would look nice a little shorter under the cardigan, I think.) Make it asymmetrical? Not unless you have a seamstress with a very good eye and a very steady hand; lightweight silks like that are so hard to control.

I am pleased you are keeping it too - it really does suit you but just has a few tricks about it.

I have a couple of tricky pieces too that hang around not being worn but every now and then it is just fun to pull out something different. And a good reason to host a dinner party:)

Suz, you don't give your lovely legs enough credit. You'd look great wearing flats with the dress - provided the flats were an inch high and comfy.