WIW: B&W printed wrap dress - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW: B&W printed wrap dress

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

So some people mentioned on my other thread that they would like to see my hourglass shape in a wrap dress. Ask & ye shall receive! This is a true wrap dress style, by the way (I'd be exposed if I didn't tie the ends up, lol!)

I feel like the bright colours of my scarf & top are indicative of my style, but the print is a little too loud for me personally (I'm not really an animal print fan). Maybe I could try dyeing, but what do you think of the fit? I'm lucky my workplace is pretty easygoing in terms of a dress code (the secretary was in denim cut offs (at hotpant length) & an ACDC band t-shirt in the summer, with thigh-high boots during the winter), so I think I'm safe in this get up lol!

I'm also attaching a face selfie so you can see the details in my earrings - I like how they pull the outfit colours together. Still trying to figure out how to style my hair though - I like the way it waves & swoops naturally at my forehead (if you're naturally curly haired like me, I'd recommend going to a curly hairdresser that knows what they're doing, so you end up with a look that works with your hair's natural direction - it'll make your life so much easier, trust me!) & I like it with some strands still in front of my face (if I tuck it all back it looks too neat & prim, if that makes sense?) Trying to figure out how to get it to poof less at the sides with more volume on top, though. I'm not one for blowdrying every day (was actually low poo before going short), so I'm trying to find water soluble products that I can use to keep the new shorter length in place - any recommendations?

Anyway, sorry for the novel lol - I've never posted a WIW here before, so let me know what you think. Do the leggings work with the booties? I feel like the ankle boot length is leg shortening when with a knee-length dress. I want to buy some knee-high boots but I have to wait for Chinese New Year for the good sales (Boxing Day sales don't really exist over here, lol). I'm slowly finding my style footing out here, though

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22 replies

Latest reply was from Zaeobi

chirico (Chiara)

(website)

Veteran

I like the wrap style on you.
I don't think the booties are leg shortening b/c your tights are black and all together is a long line. And the earrings are a nice touch.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Aww, thank you! I think I might just be a little hard on myself these days, lol. Do you think the print is too busy, though? I'm not sure if it drowns me out (like the dress is wearing me, instead of the other way around).

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Yes you're a bit hard on yourself! The wrap dress looks great and doesn't drown you out and your legs look good. The earrings are stunning and the hair is good. I agree with getting a hairdresser who understands curly hair and don't know much about product so can't help there.

Aurore

Veteran

I think this dress is gorgeous on you! It drapes well, and the print is very classy (quite understated for an animal print).
The purple top is wonderful with the black and white and I agree with Chiara that the booties are nice, not leg-shortening at all with the black leggings.
Your earrings are very beautiful with your face shape and your hair length.
Very nice and inspiring outfit!

Style Fan

Veteran

The dress is gorgeous on you. Wrap dresses are very flattering on your body type. I think the print is quite subtle and not loud at all. The way you have styled the booties with black leggings creates a long line and keeps the eye going up and down.
Your earrings are fantastic! Very flattering for your face. Love your hair.

Mainelady

Veteran

I think the wrap dress looks lovely on you. I like the print and how you have it styled with the tights and booties. Your earrings are fab!

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Thank you, everyone - I think I'm just shy about loud prints encompassing such a large area (I do wear them, but usually confined to a scarf or top). Nice to get some positive reinforcement though,lol! I noticed someone voted Nay though - I'd be interested to hear why, if you're reading this? Always looking to learn, since evidently the way I see myself in the mirror isn't how others see me, lol!

rachylou

Veteran

Rock it

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

The dress is beautiful, the earrings are amazing. If I were to critique I'd suggest going with a pointier toe or overall daintier footwear; Perhaps a dressy tall boot?

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@Jeneva thanks for the constructive feedback! I wore those ankle booties because they're lightweight, waterproof & very comfortable (feels like I have nothing on!), but I'm actually in the market for some knee-high boots with a daintier toe, like you mentioned. Pointy toes would be too severe for me, but I saw this almond toed boots in Zara that I liked. The fit in the foot & the ankle were perfect (it has a side zipper, which is useful), but unfortunately the calf was too tight.

Still on the hunt for an almond toed, knee-high boot in a sleek silhouette, but with enough space to accommodate my wide feet, narrow ankles & wide calves, whilst still being lightweight, comfortable & waterproof/ water resistant. Might be a feat to tick all those boxes, though!

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Windchime

Veteran

I actually think the animal print looks great on you! Have you worn this dress much, or are you still getting used to it? It took me a while to feel comfortable in the first animal print item I bought.

Anonymous

The animal print and scarf are awesome on you, but you have to feel it.

Your hair looks amazing in both photos. I’m so happy you cut it! It really bring out the bouncy curls!

I really like the almond toe boots you selected for yourself!

Nice to have an “anything goes” dress code at work. Lots of options there.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@Windchime I haven't worn it much, both because of the print & because it's a thicker, synthetic blend. I recently moved to Hong Kong from the UK, where the weather is more hot & humid - so I only break out this kind of material in the winter. From around May to October, I have to bring a second change of clothes with me to work, because of how hot I get during my commute!

I think I do need to get used to the animal print - I don't wear fur either, but having an animal print in a non natural colour helps (don't think this print is supposed to be for a black & white animal ) I have one other animal print item in a scarf, but it's bright pink & yellow, so there's no mistaking it for an actual animal lol!

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@Smittie yeah, currently working on feeling it, lol!

I'm finally figuring out products for my hair - I'm not one for crunchy curls, so I just add some moisturising oil & a little style prep cream to keep it in place now. No need for hard gels or pastes, & the curls come through all the same!

Yes it's a relaxed dress code but I just need to be wary of Hong Kong culture - it seems people here have no problem with legs (even HR wears short skirts, lol) but chests are a no go. Which is a little tricky for me because I'm much larger chested than most of my colleagues, so even a flattering scoop or V neck can show enough decolletage to accidentally flash cleavage if I'm not careful. Meanwhile, I don't have as toned or slim legs as the locals here, so short bottoms are also a minefield for me. Just navigating the cultural differences, lol!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

You are gorgeous. I especially like the dress with the red scarf.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@Shevia Aww shucks, thanks - still a big nervous about showing my face in full body shots, lol!

Also I guess the lighting doesn't show it well, but the scarf is actually reddish orange. I don't look good in straight red, so this is the next best thing!

chirico (Chiara)

(website)

Veteran

I don't think the print is too busy. It's great on you!

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Chiara! (Do you prefer that or Chirico?)

delurked

Veteran

I think it’s flattering, and love the print with the bold scarf color too.

Liz A.

Veteran

If you want more volume on the top of your head and less on the sides, that's a question of adding more layers. I don't know if you can see the difference between 1 (last haircut) and 2 (current) but I'm trying to let my hair grow longer in the front and more layered in the back to get more volume and a rounder shape.

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karen13

Veteran

You are beautiful! I always have wanted dark curly hair and lovely brown eyes like yours! The wrap dress is a lovely style for you and the print has a great graphic quality. Dyeing it to a lower contrast might work depending on the dye and fabric content, but only do it if you really don't like it, and research it first

The purple top looks great with your coloring. I like the dress with a pop of color, but if you have a black or white tank top it might be an interesting experiment - but keep some color in there, in bag, scarf, earrings?

I think the boots/leggings look great. You are encouraging me to try some skirts - I almost never wear them. I also have wide feet, slimmer ankles plus very muscular, low calves (I need 2-3 sizes up in the calf from my hip/waist for even boyfriend pants). I live a very casual life the mountains at 6500 feet/ nearly 2000 meters, so probably 8 months a year I keep covered, but your leggings and boots have me thinking about how to copy.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

@delurked Thanks!

@Liz A thanks for the suggestion, but unfortunately it says your photo is unavailable Yes I think the hairdresser did add extra layers when I asked him to, but I don't know how many layers would be 'too much', lol! He also thinned it out a bit at the top, which I was a little sad about, but I understand that's necessary for volume too (otherwise everything would just be dragged down).

@karen13 Aww thank you, but we always want what we don't have, lol! I remember I wished I had lighter hair when I was younger, because I once spent 10 hours in a salon because my hair was too thick & dark to dye easily! It's taken me a while to become comfortable in my own skin & the features I was born with

Yes I often have ideas for dyeing clothes, but I don't know how to prevent colour bleeding (since I like bright colours so much, I spend a lot of time hand-washing my clothes because they aren't colourfast. Any recommendations to avoid this would be appreciated, lol!)

Yes I thought about a white or black tank top but unfortunately the ones I have have low necklines (not low enough to show cleavage, but low enough to feel uncomfortable for work). Going to have to shop around!

Thanks for the compliment! I have wider calves too, but not to your level - knee-high boots are always a pain to fit, because whatever fits in the calves is usually too baggy at the ankles. So ankle booties are a good compromise. Unfortunately the only advice I can give for leggings is to just try a lot on to see what fits best - I suffer the same problem when trying to get anything to fit on my bottom half, because you can never tell if something will fit just from the hanger!

Have you considered sports leggings in a plain black material? They often come in moisture wicking or heat retentive materials (good for the mountains), & any logo they have is usually near the hip (& therefore easily covered with a skirt or dress). You could even try shorts over leggings, if you want to ease your way into it