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WIW: Need honest feedback on this dress

catgirl

Veteran

I bought this Ted Baker dress over a year ago, because I just fell in love with the pattern and material. What has kept me from wearing it all the time is the neckline, which is very high. Although I am not a fan of really low necklines, as an IT I feel like this cut makes my neck look very stubby and wide. Lesson learned: do not purchase items hoping that one's body magically will adapt to them.

Please tell me honestly if it's time to let this dress go, or if I could somehow improve it. One tailor would not alter it, but the one I just found might be willing...

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41 replies

Latest reply was from Vix

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I don't see the stubby, wide neck of which you speak. But you have to feel fab in it.

If you DON'T feel fab in it, and don't really need this dress, then I say pass it along to someone who will feel great in it.

I think it looks good on you, myself, but then I like high necklines!

christieanne

Veteran

I don't see the stumpifying of the neckline - I think how you are holding your head in the picture is making it seem photo wise that your neck is hidden but I doubt it is like that in real life.
Can you do a more straight on shot?
The dress is beautiful and pattern is so you!

Lori

Veteran

It is such a gorgeous dress, and the colors are beautiful on you, it would be a shame to let it go. If the neckline is a problem for you, I'd consult with the tailor to see how it may be altered so it will be more wearable for you.

In all honesty though, I think it looks great just the way it is, but you have to want to wear it, and that's what matters.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

i remember that dress, and it's gorgeous. I sympathize and relate, because even though I'm far from an IT, I have a short torso and large chest, so high necklines often don't work on me either. However, I don't see a problem in this picture, particularly since you're doing two things that counteract the neckline: adding the jacket with the strong vertical line, and the long pendant necklace.

I really don't see anything wrong with it on you! I do sometimes ignore my usual no-high-necklines rule if the item is otherwise fab and I can style it to mitigate the neck-shortening aspect.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Horrible! Send it off to me instead!

Okay, be serious, Rae... I sort of see how it can be difficult, as the usual fixes for this neckline are thwarted by the pattern a bit. There is black right at the neckline, and the colors sort of prevent any color of necklace from being high contrast enough to draw the eye down...

Maybe you could try a scarf or men's tie? Something substantial that will stand out and create the long V you're aiming for with your necklace?

Diana

Veteran

I think it's beautiful, but I do know what you mean about the neckline. Even though I am not an IT at all, I have the same problem with high boat necks because I have a short neck and a prominent sternum/rib cage. I would try to have the neckline altered... even a teeny little bit of a dip in the middle of the neckline would probably help
ETA: I think the problem tends to be more the straight across high line of the boatneck rather than just a high neck per se, so the tailor wouldn't have to lower the entire neckline, just make it less of a straight line.

Otherwise, a jacket with a long, narrow V neck and skinny lapels might help.... I don't think a long necklace would work here since the pattern is too busy.

Vildy

Veteran

well, certainly Rae's scarf trick if you want to draw the eye down. What kind of necklines do you like instead? Something wrong with that first tailor, though I can't clearly see
the neckline. I deepen necklines all the time, just because some people (me) are built in such a way as to have high necklines move up and feel choking. They're still going to move up afterward, but won't have as much leeway. I can't remember the explanation I read about this in a knitting design book - something about placement of clavicles in relation to shoulder position? Anyway, a tailor can cut any neckline you want and use
plain colored fabric as facing, if the dress isn't lined.

Sara L.

Veteran

You should definitely keep it and have it altered. I think it's a great pattern and fit. I personally don't see the neckline issue but I have to admit I don't notice proportion problems unless they are really, really obvious.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

It's a beautiful dress - the colours are exquisite on you. The neckline is pretty high, I will admit. I don't think it makes your neck look short or stumpy but it sounds like you're uncomfortable in the dress. How often have you worn it?

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

RU Kidding? Don't touch this dress. I think it looks awesome on you. I think wearing it with the open black jacket mitigates any high-neck concern.

(I have the same concern, but for me it's not my shoulders, but my ultra short/high waist and relatively fuller bust.)

AJ

Veteran

I don't see a problem with this dress. Wear it!

ironkurtin

Veteran

Can we see it without the sweater?

You can definitely have the neckline altered to something you love more in any case.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Or, have you ever tried wearing it backward a la Angie?

kellygirl

Veteran

I love the column of color under the dark jacket. I don't see any neckline issues when worn like this. It doesn't look like a high neckline either because it doesn't appear to obscure your neck. I think it's beautiful as is.

Meredith1953

Veteran

Looks lovely and I don't see a "stubby" neck at all...I think you should MAKE it work in the way that will be confortable for you!

Kate

Veteran

Una, can we see it without the sweater?

From what I see, this dress is a winner. The pattern is beautiful and the fit looks great.

Jonesy

Veteran

My honest feedback is that I love this dress on you, I envy this dress, this dress is gorgeous, totally you, and fab! I remember seeing it last year right after you bought it, and thinking that the neckline was totally fine and dandy.

catgirl

Veteran

Here's the original thread. with photos:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....aker-dress

I trust you all implicitly, so if you say there's no neck stubbage, I will believe you... Now to brainwash my head!

catgirl

Veteran

Vildy, EXACTLY!

I am going to see about getting it altered so I will wear it more. Also try some scarf/tie/jacket tricks as you all have suggested.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I've look at the pics from last year and man...you look AMAZING in this dress Una! Truly.

christieanne

Veteran

I just checked them out as well - and I clearly see your beautiful neck! I still think the dress is amazing and you look great in it. You have to believe it too though

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Again, I don't think it's worth messing with. If you wear a pendant (when you're not wearing it with a jacket or sweater), it will help with the rectangularity of the dress.

Looking at the picture compared to last year, you look fitter. Have you been working out or what is your secret? You seem to be reversing the aging process.

Deborah

Veteran

This dress looks fantastic on you Una. No neck stubbage to be seen.

Anna Wintour often wears this neckline and puts a short statement necklace with it. Just a thought.

I love the styling of it here and I think it's wonderful, I wouldn't touch it, just wear it and enjoy.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I like it as is. Actually I think it is extremely flattering on you but if you don't find it comfortable, then I think you should have the neckline altered to allow you to wear it. The print and colors look really fab on you as does the fit.

Anonymous

Eegads girl, was your camera on the floor in your original thread? It's had to see if it's a slash neckline or if it's curved a bit and your collar bones are just slightly exposed. Neck issues aside, I think the latter is more flattering on those of us with shoulders. Your neck looks fine to me!

catgirl

Veteran

There are no collar bones showing, Claire. It's not a boat-neck or a slash neck, just a really high neckline. I still haven't found the best place to take pictures in my house!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I really like this outfit! So the dress works as is for me.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Well I have never been formally diagnosed, but I have IT tendencies AND a self defined stubby neck so I do understand you, but I love that dress on you and this outfit is FAB. I do not see a stubby neck.

nancylee

Veteran

That is a very cool dress, Una. I really don't see any problem with the higher neckline, and I really love the way you've styled it. Everything works really well: the jacket, boots, the pendant. All that said, if you feel funny in a higher neckline you could have it altered so you feel better. But, to my eye, it's working.

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