PSA re WIWWhoops: When ya gotta grin and bare it (a bit more than planned!)

Hi YLFers --

In the interest of serving as a possible PSA, I'll share my recent wardrobe fail. AKA where's Angelina Jolie's leg for advice when needed?

Here's the takeaway: when you try on an outfit with undergarments etc that work, DON'T IMPROVISE!

You can't really tell from the photos, but this dress has 2 layers: a mini-skirt underlay and a maxi-with-thigh-high-slit overlay. In the sun the single layer's quite sheer so things need to stay in place.

Because of this I tested it out thoroughly before cutting the tags...but with more utilitarian, high-grip slip shorts/spanxy things. Everything worked well...the slit stayed a bit off-center etc.

Fast-forward to me picking a very slippery pair to wear out to dinner ("more sleek!"*) -- and that slit sliding around to the back with every step aiiiiiiiieeee! Made my puzzlement that we were in matching colors a sidenote.

In the first photo you can see it'd already run free to the side and it went even farther on the walk home. Really hoping there's no video footage of me trying to wrangle the damn thing, sigh. [Mr Vix: well from here it just looks like you're wearing bike shorts under it. Me: Madonna in the 90s, not the look I was going for!]

Got home, put on original pair, continued evening walk with no malfunctions.

So: play safe out there this summer and if something ain't broke don't try to fix it haha!

* I think I'm remembering why this pair was in the back of the drawer.

7 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

That’s pretty funny! I’m trying to work out the physics of that. Physicists know everything / study everything... I read an explanation once of why shoelaces come untied... and why bread always falls butter side down...

Vix

Rachy I was dying laughing but also so embarrassed.

Please solve this for us all, ha -- I feel like friction is the culprit...I know more worked (fabric stayed put) but would LESS friction than that pair work too? Further experimentation behind closed doors will happen.

I think it's better to be oblivious, like the woman I saw 30 YEARS ago wearing a short flippy skirt and a [whisper] thong who didn't seem to realize her skirt was blowing up in the back. Or maybe she just didn't care. Either way I tried to channel her but failed! And when I do wear lightweight flowy skirts I prepare for wind.

Cardiff girl

Oh you poor thing!It s weird how some clothes just want to rotate around one s lower half isn’t it but very alarming when there is a slit.velcro knickers?

Becky

Gorgeous dress, though!

Suz

(website)

It's a gorgeous dress, though, so there is that!

Anonymous

I'm not sure I understand what you've written, but it sure is a pretty dress and a great colour for you!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

But you look GORGEOUS in the dress nonetheless. Onward to high-grip slip shorts.

Style Fan

Gorgeous dress and it looks great on you. I have had many wardrobe malfunctions in my day. I am just one of those people.

Staysfit

Oof! The dress is so pretty, but the slippy twisty slit would have me avoiding it even with sticky slip shorts. I would be too self conscious. You are brave! I’m glad you have a solution and feel secure that it will work.

Janet

Well, whatever was going on, I see nothing scandalous in your photos, just a beautiful dress and smile! But I’ve had the problem of skirts that creep up my hips and thighs as I walk (it’s a midi when I start, but a mini by the time I ge to my destination), I hear you.

Gigi

Oh dear! The right undergarments are so important. It can be frustrating trying to get the undergarments right sometimes. I have given up on a few lovely outfits due to undergarment difficulty.

Cardiff Girl -- If you invent them, I'll buy 'em! In the meantime, doublestick tape probably should be in my wardrobe for all sorts of reasons.

Becky, Suz, and Lisa P -- The beauty of the colors and style lured me in, the delicacy of the chiffon gave me pause, but I never thought the design would give me the vapors, ha! Glad others see that first part (and thank you).

Style Fan and Janet -- So nice to have company, thanks for confessing as well as the compliments! Janet this was as documented as I wanted to go [clutches pearls]. My go-to malfunction is the pencil skirt with back slit that migrates around despite proper tailoring, but then there was the time I wandered around with (clean) tights balled up in a legging for hours before I noticed...etc etc etc!

Angie, Stayfit, and Gigi -- I totally cop to having a few form over function items but once I've got them figured out I don't mind a little extra work. This one, though...I'll be stapling the Winning Underpinning to the dress hanger on the slim chance I forget what works!

Thought I was losing it when things started to go off the rails having done my test run, ha, but yes -- all better now. Back to aiming for Grace K vs Kim K?!

Jaime

You are too Grace to play around being Kim! Stick with what works - you look gorgeous anyway.

Beth Ann

Ha! I feel better knowing I'm not alone in my mishaps! I do like having sleek and cotton-cozy undergarments. Sometimes I need that slip to let a silky shift lay right. I will remember your sad tale, however!

(I do adore the dress -- sophisticated florals are a favorite)

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