Wrap Dress Woes - YouLookFab Forum

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Wrap Dress Woes

Deborah

Veteran

Hi Ladies,

The warmer weather is coming and I am starting to review this seasons wardrobe. So this could be the first of many:)

This is a wrap dress. About 4 or 5 years old. I love the colors, tho a stylist once told me (while i was wearing this dress) the circle pattern makes "one" look larger??

I usually wear this over a straight leg trouser with heels but though I would try a different look inspired by YLF lovelies, Sarah and Suz. I am also considering trying leggings with it.

What do you think? Frumpy? Is it time to retire this dress? Be honest... I can take it

Thanks xxx

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Urgent

37 replies

Latest reply was from Irene

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

It is a lot of pattern; I'd try a sold colour belt and maybe something over it; in order to tone it down a bit.

I think the neckline is very pretty on you

sarah

Veteran

I like the dress a lot, actually. It's so pretty, and it also seems very you. I don't think it looks frumpy at all with those boots.

HelenInCanada

Veteran

This is definitely a very bold print...personally, I like the red/black/grey colours and the dress' style, but if you're not sure you feel great in it, that's more important. I think it looks like a very nice tailored dress. Perhaps a fitted jacket or cardi will downplay the busy-ness of the pattern? Experiment more with hosiery and footwear. Perhaps black leggings will make it look too heavy...? With the midi length, it's tricky with footwear, but I think you can make it work. Maybe Angie will pipe in with some suggestions.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Definitely no frump factor. And it doesn't appear to "enlarge" you, at least not to my eye! I like it with the boots, too! Thanks for the shout-out! What an honour!

It would also look great with your red shoes but I expect you've worn it that way before.

nancylee

Veteran

I like it, and echo the suggestions to break things up a bit (if the pattern is bothering you) with a jacket or black belt.

It looks great, but perhaps you've just grown tired of it. I think very strong patterns sometimes have a shelf life. I'm thinking of a bold patterned dress I had in the early 90's that I LOVED to pieces and wore for almost every event (weddings, class reunion)....until one day I saw it in my closet and it suddenly looked like a bathrobe! I was just done with it, and I never wore it again.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Actually I think you look stunning in this dress--bold and vibrant and looks great with your coloring. Love it with the boots. I would wear that dress if I had one like it! I love red patterns!

lpr200

Veteran

What about with a reddish brown boot? I love the dress, but the black boot looks too heavy to my eye, or would be balanced with a black jacket.

Fruitful

Veteran

Nothing to add except my brain does not understand the subject line. This dress looks amazing.

Sona

Veteran

I really like it. And it does not emphasize any 'largeness' anywhere. the silhouette you have created is clever, verstaile and gorgeous.

Sharon

Veteran

I like the dress and i think the colours really suit you but to my eye the black boots are too heavy with it. I think something with a heel would look good with a dress this length.

kellygirl

Veteran

I love the dress--the print is so bold and striking. I'd definitely play with it before getting rid of it. It really is lovely!

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I like it too. The color looks great on you. Could you have it shorted to just above the knee and wear it with tights and boots. That would add more of the legline and reduce the pattern a bit. Not that I don't like it as is but if you want to change it up a bit, that could be a way to do it.

MNsara

Veteran

Yes, a lovely dress and the colors are wonderful for you! I like the idea of covering some of it - to tame the amount of bold print. . .

What about a black sweater vest that you can put a belt over?

I think I might like to see it with bare legs and a nude/light shoe. . .

Try some more ways and post for feedback. I bet you'll come up with a few winners. . .

Deborah

Veteran

Thank you all.

I do love the dress but I have been known to love things (clothes) longer than I should (and then they stop loving me:)

I am thinking it's the footware that is bothering me here. I am thinking that technically black boots work but maybe these are not the best black boots for the dress something a little more refined and with a heel could be better. I have another pair that are very sleek and leg hugging in a microfible with a wedge heel I will try those. I think something like GP's gorgeous shiny red hued boots (i can't find the post to show you) could be ideal.

Given your general approval, I will hang onto it and play around with shoes and some of the styling ideas suggested. I will pop back with some new photos xxx

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Deborah, let me tell you these colors look great on you! The length of this dress is also on trend - you have yourself a trendy midi without spending a penny!
The boots bother me with this dress. I don't think it is as much color (after all this dress has black in the pattern) but the style. They seem too chunky for the dress and this combined with black makes them too heavy IMO.
However take this with a grain of salt as I often struggle with footwear styling myself....

Deborah

Veteran

Sveta you have hit the nail on the head! It's the shape of the boot! After work I'm going to try some other boots...thank you.

Kyle

Veteran

The dress, pattern, etc., are great. Forget about frumpy. I was thinking exactly what Sveta said. Different footwear will change up the whole vibe. As an aside, I don't see this length with leggings, though I am certainly not an expert!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I second Kyle on the leggings thing: it is too long for the leggings and does not need them.
Can't wait to see this dress with another footwear!

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I understand what the stylist meant about bold patterns/ large scale patterns but I disagree about it being an issue here. It is a strong print but it does not overwhelm you. I think it suits you beautifully. I think a lower vamp heel would be beautiful with this dress. I'm not too excited about leggings underneath, I would treat it as a midi and use midi styling guidelines.

Deborah

Veteran

Forgetting about the leggings...thank you:). I agree the proportions would be off

san

Veteran

I really like this dress on you. It looks fresh and new to my eye.
I'm a bit confused, if a stylist told you that large patterns in general make people look larger, or if this one makes you look large, because if it's the latter it doesn't make sense because you look in perfect proportion.

Deborah

Veteran

Thanks San. Funny thing is she was the one who suggested leggings but the general consensus is the dress is the wrong length for leggings :). She was great but a little inflexible and like all of us probably had her own biases as well. Glad you like it

lyn67

Veteran

I think this dress needs actually to be tonned down a bit-for updating.

IMO you can achieve that with a
- black cardi(short or boyfriend),
- black waistcoat, or
- black long sleeve tee underneath ,
- black belt/long and heavy black beads, chunky necklace or long and thin black scarf
- long and sleek black leglines(opaques or sheer thights) with black pumps/ballet flats, fine heeled long boots (not exactly those shown here) or booties.

Great dress for the fall/winter!

lyn67

Veteran

Oh, forgot about the leggings ideea:-((.
This dress is a bit too long for ankle leggings, to my eyes, BUT
- what if you'll try with a capri style black leggings and flats/or wedges?
Just wonderring...:-)))

missvee

Veteran

I'd like to see it with a black 'obi' styled belt. It might give it some real interest at the waist. The colour and pattern are lovely on you.

mama23

not my idea of frumpy. I agree a black belt would look great & break it up a bit.

tarzy

Veteran

Great suggestions from everyone! Have you tried it with a fitted denim jacket? Dark wash denim might keep it a bit more dressy, while a lighter wash would be more casual and probably work well with your hair.

Maybe add boots similar to the Frye Rory? The "Sand" color would bookended your hair nicely and sort of connect you more to the outfit. Right now I sort of see the outfit first, before I see you.
I can't add a photo to a "Realtime" reply, but here's a link to the Frye boots (I think this exact style is not readily available anymore):
http://www.endless.com/dp/B003.....B003EOAR8Y

bj1111

Veteran

i would start with more fitted "dressier" boots.

i love the broad swath of pattern and would wear as it. a denim jacket would add a casual note and may work with the current boots.

actually, i think the boots are a bit loose to wear with skirts. try them with leggings/jeggings/ skinnies tucked in. go for slimmer boots with the dress.

Deborah

Veteran

Again thank you so much for your suggestions.

Lyn67 some really good ideas, I will have a play and see what works. I like your new avatar photo

missv and mama23 an obi would be a great addition. I have a couple so will give one a try. Because it has a self tie I didn't think to add another belt. I can easily hide the fabric belt under the leather belt.

Tarzy, I think it may be time to try a demn jacket. Its a little out of my comfort zone but it does seem to be a useful wardrobe addition and works with so many things. I might see if I can thrift one and see how it works. I would never have though of a demin jacket with this dress. A different boot color could work too, again this would be taking me out of my comfort zone:) I will start looking around, we have winter sales on so I just might be able to pick something up.

bj1111 I agree these boots don't work at all with the dress.

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