Wrap dresses are not my friends - YouLookFab Forum

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Wrap dresses are not my friends

Sylvie

Veteran

Well at least I learned something. I need to hunt down some faux-wrap dresses.

1/2) Long sleeves make me feel frumpy.
3/4) Narrow belt takes away any waist definition.
5/6) Too concerned about flashing inner thigh and these aren't really my colors.

I'm going to return all of these.

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17 replies

Latest reply was from Sylvie

Anonymous

Oh dear! I can't wear them either, but my problem is with chest over-exposure. Come to think of it, thigh flash was an issue for me too.

Carry on, fab Sylvie! Somewhere out there is the perfect faux-wrap or knot-detailed dress for you. I love the colors of these.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I'm with you on that one! I feel the same way. Wrap dresses are supposed to be great for curvy girls, but I always feel like something is going to slip off the shoulder, fall open, or flash. And the fit is never good on my short waist. There is always some extra chunk of fabric right around the waist adding visual pounds.

pil

Veteran

You'll have to put Thistle on the case since she is one of the wrap dress queens here. I absolutely cannot wear a true wrap dress - too distracted worrying about keeping everything together.

Nicole D

Veteran

Oh drat. Maybe you just need to try a really expensive wrap like Diane von Furstenberg! I agree though, whenever I put a wrap and a faux wrap head to head, faux wins every time. I think my figure just needs the structure.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Feel free to pass on these --- they're cute dresses, but you deserve something that makes you happy. I wouldn't just categorically swear off a faux-wrap, though, since they have a different fit and construction than the lightweight knit variety you've posted here.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Yes! I totally sympathize! I wanted a DVF wrap dress so badly but I tried on three different kinds and it never worked out. I had similar issues with the belt cutting across my waist in the wrong place, funny sizing with too much belly pooch for one size and not enough boobs for the next size up, and cleavage and thigh exposure. I was going to have to wear Spanx and a full slip or cami and slip to make it work, which was way too much trouble. I ended up relying on faux wrap dresses and had to make sure the waist/gathers fell higher up on my natural waist or under my bust (empire style) to look better. I also have one old wrap dress from Banana Republic that works really well, and a newer one from Maggy London that has a snap at the side to keep the dress closed.

Here are some faux wrap dresses you may want to look at:
I do have one faux wrap dress from Suzi Chin on order. It's Angie's recent pick from her dress roundup (I bought it with my Nordstrom Notes). Here's some other dresses I think would work with your coloring:
Tommy Bahama Lily Sky faux wrap dress
Michael Michael Kors Faux wrap dress in Urban Blue--on sale for $59! (I have a MMK faux wrap dress in a print and it's great! So comfy and stylish)
Maggy London Python print jersey dress This looks like it might have some thigh exposure issues, but it's a cool print. I have a Maggy London dress and no issues with thigh flashing.

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Sara L.

Veteran

I can't wear wrap dresses either due to issues with the bust never fitting right. I'm always worried I'm going to flash someone without a safety pin holding it closed (and that makes me feel very unfab).

Goldenpig has some great suggestions here that I hope work out for you.

Sylvie

Veteran

Thanks for the therapy ladies! I'm looking for unlined machine washable stretchy knit dresses with some waist shaping because they're perfect FFBO's for me in the summer. I've been trying to avoid blue because I already own two blue dresses, but they're ubiquitous in summer.

I just placed an order for the following:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/33.....n=wishlist
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/34.....n=wishlist
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/34.....n=wishlist
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/33.....n=wishlist
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/34.....n=wishlist
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/35.....n=wishlist
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/34.....n=wishlist

GP, thanks so much for your recommendations. I already went for the Angie picks and I love your #2/#5 picks if only they came in petites.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Sylvie, I so hear you. For me, the problem is the bust...I don't fill it out nicely and even with a cami, it looks dumb. I even look stupid in a surplice faux-wrap. Love the style, but it does not love me.

As a matter of fact, I thought you looked pretty darn good in these, but if you don't feel it, forge ahead. I was going to suggest checking the Land's End site. Last year, unaccountably, they had a few nicer waist defining non-wrap dresses in petite. But I just too a quick look at this year's offerings and was less impressed.

Sylvie

Veteran

Suz, I have the bust issue too. Without a cami, necklines often expose my bra.

I would rate these all as 6-7's. Two years ago, if I desperately needed dresses in a hurry I could have seen myself keeping them. Now after being on YLF for so long, I have enough nice dresses that nothing less than a 10 will do.

Thistle

Veteran

So, I love wrap dresses. Been having to tell myself I don't need more.

That said, sheath dresses look terrible on me.

Machine washable is the touch part. Does your washing machine have a delicate or hand wash cycle? I have found that opens a lot of doors!

I like Nordies too for dresses.

i am not really sure your style, but for FFBO for summer, and the office, here are a couple from Ann Taylor:

Ponte knit. If I could wear yellow, it would be mine! It syas dry clean only, but i have hand washed my AT ponte knit. http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/p.....9210?color

Sheaths don't love me, but they might you! http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/p.....29?colorEx

Another fun shape
http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/p.....249?colorE

I like Talbots too. The thing about Talbots is you have to look past the models as they seem to be ultra conservative and think how you would wear the pieces.

Not a real wrap, though they say it is. http://www.talbots.com/online/.....8;catId=ca

I love this one so much. Have it in black and white floral and mint green. http://www.talbots.com/online/.....8;catId=ca

i also recommend checking Zappos and Amazon.

Thistle

Veteran

Just a note, on the links above, there is a place to click to show petites. Both AT and Talbot carry both regular and petites in the style.

catgirl

Veteran

Well, they're not mine either for the same reasons. Alas! But you look fab in green pleather jackets.

anne

Veteran

Oh I sympathize. No good on me either - not enough bust to fill them out.

Whoever said a wrap dress suits every woman needs to read this thread!

Carole

Veteran

Don't give up. I have found some look and feel great and others not so much, so I think it can vary a great deal by the designer/manufacturer.

nancylee

Veteran

I'm totally with you on this, too. Wrap dresses (especially DVF) always hit me in the wrong places, making me look dumpy and exposing way too much cleavage.

Faux wrap dresses are the way to go. I've had good luck with Lauren by Ralph Lauren.

http://www.ralphlauren.com/pro.....;ab=ln_wom

Sylvie

Veteran

Thank you everyone for the commiseration. I think wrap dresses are beautiful and I can see why once you have the "right" one for you, they could be very flexible through weight fluctuations. But they are *hard* to fit.

Una, I still think that jacket looked better on you. If we ever find a non-pleather version.
Nancy and Thistle, thank you for the links. Off to go explore...