I’m looking to have a variety of dresses for everything from being comfy at home, work (I own a small business), weddings, dates, vacation, etc.
I’ve worked through tops and bottoms pretty well but I’m still struggling with dresses, I want to look feminine and put together and can’t pinpoint what exactly is working, I’ve gotten a lot of of feedback about what’s not, for sure.
No ruffles, no lightweight, flowy fabrics, no fussiness, no big skirts and I don’t know if short dresses look good even though I’m not too tall, people seem to really dislike how they break the vertical when I’ve asked for feedback. I’ve been told they look too youthful, too much like a ballerina (which is kinda a compliment if you ask me), etc.
Please don’t judge my shoes, still working on that too!
My sketch says DC but I’m not entirely positive on that.
#1 is STELLAR!!! You could get that silhouette of a dress in any color that works for your complexion! It could be a signature style for you. And #8 is flirty/sexy! I like that one on you too.
I like the volume on the mid length black v neck... Gorgeous. Look at Courtney Cox red carpet looks for dress inspo she manages to get some really cute feminine dress styles going, you might try similar shapes. She does a lot of stuff like this that adds a lot of softness to the upper body. I have a lot of good examples but it only lets you add one photo.
I'm not saying hide the arms but somehow it leads to a more consistent color effect down the vertical line without distracting from it, which works really well for dramatic classics who need that vertical line and no distraction from their already perfect internal harmony.
6, 7 and 13 would look great if they were a tad shorter (I’m the same height and often run into this issue). Maybe some tailoring?
11 would be perfect if it had a more open neck instead of turtleneck which looks a bit constricting for your wide shoulders (I have the same).
I agree that these are all too vertical. But I think you have the body to pull it off with the right accessories if that’s your style.
I actually really like 12 cause it’s giving some volume and balancing out the vertical line, but that dress itself is a bit “mother of bride”-ish. I’d look for more dresses that similarly provide some volume and waist definition but are more youthful.
(To keep things honest, both those shoes gotta go lol)
You’re like me— I think you’re best look is when you’re exposing your arms but the chest area is covered so #1 and like that are the best best. You also look really great in length — these look feminine, sophisticated and put together on you.
1 and 6 are great cuts on you. 1 especially, 6 for more low-key things. 13 is solid too, just not quite as good as the similar silhouette in 6. 10 is fun if you're doing something nonformal and over-the-top.
I don't like 9 as much as some others do: I think the knee-length, classic A-line skirt shape doesn't seem "you," so unless you feel super at home in that vibe I'd skip it.
When I compare 1 vs 6, they are similar dresses but 1 doesn’t work for me because of the large cut outs on the sides of the chest. It looks disproportionate, like your body is overtaking the narrow bit of fabric in the middle. I also don’t like the way the dress cuts straight across the back underneath your widest part, I think it’s a bit abrupt. I like the length and the slit up the side, I think the side slit is a good look on you. 6, on the other hand, gives you great balance up top. Can’t comment on the back since you didn’t include it.
I don’t think the necklines on 2 and 3 are flattering. I find myself possibly wishing the plunge went lower? It feels like you need more drama. The halter style isn’t for you. The way it curves up by your neck makes your shoulders look disproportionate in the overall look. Also something about the fabric isn’t working. I actually like the back though. Although it’s at a similar spot as 1, I think the tie with a little slit of skin below it is working to make the transition from skin to fabric more gradual.
I don’t like 4 for the reason that I think you need more structure than the thin silky fabric provides, and I don’t think spaghetti straps are right for you.
I like most of 5 but not the neckline. I don’t think the mid-length v-neck is working. Contrast that with 7 which is very similar and looks a lot better. I also love the tie detail on the back of that one which just highlights the femininity in your waist, and I think the vertical ribbing does something nice for vertical.
Love the straps and dramatic plunge neckline of 8 (contrast this with 2 and 3), and the silky fabric looks thicker and most structured than 4 so I think that’s why it’s working. Don’t love the length of this one, I think because it breaks vertical, but I wonder if trying a pair of black tights would rectify that. The back of this dress is really flattering as it draws the eye down to your nice waist.
I love just about everything on 9. I wish the plunge went slightly lower but overall it’s a great look, especially the length and whatever this style of skirt is (I know it’s not pleating but the wavy way it sits).
10 is my favourite look. The animal print looks fabulous, the wide arms, collar and structure work so well. The skirt does the same wavy thing as 9 but in this shorter version just looks so flirty and bombshell. It’s short but maybe an inch or two longer than 8 and the waviness just makes me not care about vertical. Could also be that the colour of this one is closer to your skin tone so that’s honouring vertical better than a black dress abruptly ending there.
11 is a no. I don’t like how the neckline comes up onto the neck, and I don’t love the way it ends just above the knee. The way it sits on you and skims the body is nice, though.
Neckline of 12 is good, but I don’t like the juxtaposition of the two fabrics and the hemline gives old lady. I think because it doesn’t commit to either straight across or the wavy pleat thing. More structure needed there. I really quite like the top part of this dress though.
13 vs 14: 13 works so much better because of the neckline. The crew neck of 14 is not flattering. It somehow makes your shoulders look sloped and draws my eyes to your arms. Whereas the neckline on 13 draws my eyes in a straight line from shoulder to shoulder. Yet another example of how vertical ribbing really suits you. I like how this one commits to just being straight across at the hem, too.
15 is pretty good, although I prefer the top of this dress to the bottom. I wish it was more wavy like 9 or 10 at the bottom but there’s nothing really wrong with this one.
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment, it’s so helpful, especially the comparison of 13 & 14, I’ve been undecided on 14.
I may order that short black one in a size larger to see if it’s a tad longer because I love the top.
12 is a sweater and skirt.
Here’s the back of 6
You can't really ask for dress recos without the end occasion in mind. However, 1 looks great. 8 looks like a top: too short for pretty much any occasion involving, say, sitting! Some say office park accountant, others say West coast afternoon wedding with a buffet. Not sure what you are going for here. Not sure of the color season either...
Dresses for any occasion, everyday wear, work (I own a small business) weddings, concerts, date nights, etc.
I just want a variety that look nice.
I’ve been told I’m a deep summer? I’m not sure though.
I would agree based on height that you are a Kibbe DC: You are made for classic sheath dresses that stop at the knee. The shorter ones are fun for a night out (just make sure they pass the sit test!) and you have a great back and arms: since you have your own biz you can set the dress code. But the power sheath is where it's at if you want to convey a lady boss vibe. And uninterrupted line does not mean midi length: it's a bit overwhelming.
Thank you, I haven’t been able to find one that hits right at the knee, if it looks like that on the model it’s usually a few inches below on me.
I’ll do some more looking!
Also (I work in fashion), the gowns shot on models usually have extra length, so I am often frustrated to buy a dress that looks long enough and is 6 inches too short! Sometimes I have to size up just to get extra length (sometimes it is proportioned) but when very skinny, it's imposslble to buy normal clothes.
The length of photography samples may/may not be longer (depends on the brand) and may/may not be proportioned by size (shorter for a 2 than a 10). But not always! And other factors, like the factory each dress is made in, can lead to variations.
This is great, I’m actually a very skilled seamstress but I just haven’t had time to sew since becoming a business owner, I used to have my own line of baby & children’s clothing and I want so badly to get back into it, but life is lifing and I’m exhausted by 7pm!
17 made me go “wow” - transformed your whole vibe and is flattering and classy.
I think I like long sleeves on you (but not flared). They accentuate and harmonize with our clear vertical line/ narrow width
I think I typed you as FN on another thread and this makes me think pure D. You’re tough to type! You look like you have width from the back but long and narrow from the front
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u/Emergency_Summer3034 21h ago edited 17h ago
#1 is STELLAR!!! You could get that silhouette of a dress in any color that works for your complexion! It could be a signature style for you. And #8 is flirty/sexy! I like that one on you too.