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Original poster

Help me understand why this looks wrong

119 replies

GraceMarks · 13/04/2019 14:47

I'm hoping the MN style mavens can help me find a summer dress that suits me because I'm clearly struggling by myself!

I've seen lots of these midi shirt dresses in the shops and decided to try one on this afternoon. But it just doesn't look right and I can't put my finger on why. Is it too wide across the shoulders? Too tight on my tummy? The wrong length? Please try to ignore the socks Grin

I'm quite annoyed because it was lovely and comfortable and I could imagine it being really cool on a hot day. I really liked the pattern too.

Help me understand why this looks wrong
OP posts:
Original poster
GraceMarks · 14/04/2019 17:53

OK... thanks to everyone who has taken the time to comment, but after more than 24 hours and many comments containing the words "tall and willowy", I understand why the dress doesn't work now. Rest assured that I will not be putting my not-tall, not-willowy, not-young body into any more garments of this nature.

OP posts:
LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 14/04/2019 18:28

Awww don’t be like that! Sadly tall and willowy would look good even in a potato sack. Us mere mortals need to be a bit more considered in our choice of clothes.

BunnyBob · 14/04/2019 19:13

I even find shirts difficult- let alone shirt dresses! The gaping and pulling around the boobs is tricky so I always avoid and stick to tops without buttons.

XingMing · 18/04/2019 21:02

Very sadly, after 35-40, women need to recognise that clothes designed by men don't really consider the figure flaws we want to work around. The clothes are gorgeous, but unforgiving. Clothes designed and made by women tend to be a bit more kind to a little bulge and an untoned muscle here and there.

peachgreen · 19/04/2019 00:10

I actually don't agree with the majority opinion on this one. It IS too big but that's the only major flaw. Size down, undo the top buttons and stick a nice cami underneath, tan wedge sandals, bangles instead of a watch and bonus points for a bit of fake tan and I think you could make it work OP.

DocusDiplo · 19/04/2019 00:16

Its not you - its the dress.

BunnyBob · 20/04/2019 08:17

I saw that dress in H&M today- it looked bloody awful, even on the hanger so no wonder it's unflattering on. The colour was yellowish and dingy rather than clean and white and the fabric was a horrible viscose which creases badly- you can find something soooo much nicer OP!

VictoriaBun · 20/04/2019 08:21

That is a dress that should be on nothing except the hanger !

Widowodiw · 20/04/2019 08:29

The dress swamps your frame . You have to dress your frame and this style does not do this. Nothing about not being tall etc it is what it is. Find a shape that suits your frame.

margaritasbythesea · 20/04/2019 08:29

Well said Floisme.

taybert · 20/04/2019 08:48

How tall are you OP? I’d say that’s longer than midi on you. I also agree with other posters re the sleeves and undoing some buttons. It’s probably just not the right dress, I think you could make a different shirt dress work though. I’m surprised at the general attitude towards shirt dresses. I quite like them.....

Original poster
GraceMarks · 20/04/2019 09:19

I've abandoned the idea of cool summer dresses and moved onto inadvisedly pink chinos now...

Dresses in general are too difficult for me. I am a size bigger on the bottom so if it fits my hips, it will inevitably be too baggy on top. I think that was an issue with this particular one and the fabric wasn't drapey enough to hide it.

taybert I'm 5'5" on a good day but usually more like 5'4". It was more midi than the picture made it look, but knee length is better on me in general. It's just that knee length isn't fashionable at the moment so it's very difficult to find.

OP posts:
Duckswaddle · 20/04/2019 10:54

I think you’ve got a beautiful figure, don’t think dresses don’t work for you. I think you could make it work exactly as a previous poster has said.
It’s just when you’ve got big boobs, don’t wear buttons all the way up!

CountFosco · 22/04/2019 16:30

The inadvised pink chinos make you look two sizes smaller than this dress!

Original poster
GraceMarks · 22/04/2019 16:44

CountFosco Grin

I went back today and got some more in navy. They're so comfortable and cool! Would have had them in khaki and stone as well if there'd been any in stock.

OP posts:
pollywollydoodler · 22/04/2019 17:50

Knee lengths abound on Seasalt...they don't suit me so I noticed grrr

pollywollydoodler · 22/04/2019 17:52

Though from updates I see you are now a chino girl...welcome to the club Smile

Minta85 · 22/04/2019 20:03

OP if you’re pear shaped then fit and flare dresses might be good for you. They only need to fit on your top half.

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