WIW : Sacrificing Figure Flattery

HI Fabbers,

Further to my post earlier today I have now taken non blurry pics on my new dress

The pros for the dress are, lovely fabric, beautiful drape, so comfortable and I think it's very me.

The cons, and for me there is only one, is it's completely shapeless with no structure.

So this is one of those times where I choose to sacrifice some figure flattery. Shapeless dresses enhance my hips, which normally I care about but not so here. Also in movement the dress flows and skims And I note I tend to 'pose' in a way that makes one hip more prominent lol. Must work on that.

Today I wore it with my cobalt sandals, but booties also work and the extra hieght they give me compensate a little for the lack of figure flattery.

I do understand if it's not your cup of tea.

The dress is from Laura Ashley. I haven't cared for Laura Ashley since the 80's and I have been very surprised by some of their designs of late. This is the second dress of their's I have bought in the past 6 months.

Thanks for taking the time to look.

xxx Deborah

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10 years ago

Veteran

I think these are the most difficult kinds of outfits to photograph, since they're designed to look good in motion! You look incredible, though: the tapering at the skirt gives it structure to my eye. And your styling is marvelous as always. Definitely my cup of tea! I'm curious what it would look like with a long pendant necklace, but I don't know if you have one or if that's your style.

And I have to constantly remind myself to stand up straight for photos, otherwise I always have one hip cocked and my knees doing things that look so strange on camera. I've also realised that my feet are usually turned outward when I stand (my hips must be weirdly joined), so now I'm trying to remember to point my toes straight too. lol Photos are kind of merciless that way!

Neel

If anybody can carry off that dress ..... it has to be you! I agree with E that a long pendant necklace is perhaps the only thing that I might add. The dress spells cool sophistication and it deserves all the attention it could possibly get without the distraction of accessories.

I wonder how they would look with gladiator sandals. You could play with whatever height of gladiator sandals you fancy!

Lyn D.

Yes- we need to see video rather than still images to best appreciate this dress Deborah.

Caro in Oz

Lovely, Deborah. I'd love to see it in motion too. Gladiator sandals would be cool )

lyn67

Yesss!! We need a short video to see all you have described!:-) have to ask Greg, if it's possible to be downloaded here a kind of seconds long thing like that?)
I know what is classic figure flatering, but IMHO this dress it is figure flatering in it's very own and smart way. It may be a shapeless cut-but it is surely very smart done-and so, you said it all when describing material, draping and motion. And, IMO it still has some structure included as per letting you show off some collar bone, forearms and wrists, some shapely calves, slim ankles and a nice pedicure in some great sandals. Great dress and very You, indeed! Like it!

Lantana

Classic Deborah. You will bring this off with aplomb. It's a very Melbourne look.

catgirl

I really like this and find it a great silhouette.

Anonymous

I think you carry it of well, in a mysterious filmstar recluse kind of way (that's good btw)

CocoLion

(website)

I like this on you! Although I might prefer it a bit more with some forearm showing.

Debra

This dress is beautiful, the photos don't do it justice because it is black and the drape is hard to see. The cut is lovely and you are wearing it perfectly.
I think I'll be popping into Laura Ashley in the near future

P.S. Glad to see you have your glasses on, the perfect accessory

Looks good, I like it with the blue shoes.

Astrid

If anyone can pull this off it's you! You look comfortable and cool! I do second Denise though, I want to see more arm too.

Jaime

I totally understand the appeal of this dress. I am probably not the right person to speak to about figure flattery, which is not one of my big things, but I love your style!

ManidipaM

Okay I want one. That's how much I love it. Very clever footwear choice to capitalise on the ankle exposure, Deborah!

bj1111

i LOVE this outfit. the shape of the dress, the sunnies, the blue violet sandals.

well done!

donnat

I can see where that dress would look terrific in motion. Very different. I love those blue shoes with it.

BlondeAmbition

Active Member

Very cool look. If I saw you walking down the street I'd think "fabulous, strong, confident and fearless." You make it look so effortless.

carter

Looks totally chic to me!

Transcona Shannon

I think this is definitely the type of dress that you need to see in motion to truly appreciate. I think it looks lovely and am sure it looks even better IRL. The touch of blue sandals is brilliant because otherwise it is quite the expanse of black.

Von

I don't do shapeless dresses either, so I totally understand where you're coming from. I actually really like this one, and I think it would actually be really nice as a shorter shift also.

Peri

What???! I though Laura Ashley was out of business...like for the last 20 years I've heard nothing about that line. Wow.

Anyway, you look great! As always!

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

This is gorgeous on you! And I didn't expect to love it, because I am the antithesis of shapeless, but you look very elegant, expensive, and posh. I really do love this look!

MuseumGal

Love the pairing with the cobalt sandals. You look awesome!

Emily

I wish I could see this in motion! I love the way you've accessorized with your bold cobalt sandals, sunnies, earrings, watch - I think this works because every accessory is minimal and pristine. I'd love to see this with a daytime clutch.

Alecia

I love it. (The beautiful minimalism of the dress echoed in the minimalism of my comment. *wink*)

Angie

Fashion Stylist

The blue shoes make the outfit for me. Killer stunning, Debs.

Suz

The blue shoes do it!! They were a brilliant choice of sandal for you. I am with Denise -- might like a bit more forearm -- but otherwise, fab, fab, fab!

Deborah

Thank you so much ladies for understanding my appreciation for this dress:)

Denise, I did try scrunching the sleeves but it didn't look right. I also thought some arm showing would look good but when I tried it didn't. It kind of through the proportions off. I will try again tho and take pics to review.

Von, I have also considered shortening:). I might wear it a bit as is, but that would be an option is I get bored:)

Angie, thank you!

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