Two days ago, EIGHT articulate, perceptive, loyal readers voted in favor of keeping the unwarranted cocktail dress despite having only seen said dress in a blurry cell phone photo.
Ladies, I was thrilled to bits by your feedback and support. But before I do anything rash like (gulp) removing the big, red “DO NOT DETACH THIS TAG” flag, let’s see a better photo:
The stretch taffeta looks and feels surprisingly good. The color is… a dream within a dream.
My only complaint? The skirt rides up when I walk, creating a little horizontal fold across my lap which I have to tug back down periodically. My weight’s been trending downward [since I stopped eating chocolate bars with every meal and baking thrice a week], but there’s no telling if and how my measurements will change with weight loss. Can I live with tugging the skirt?
For reference, this dress is an Adrianna Papell Split Neck Stretch Taffeta Sheath Dress in Mood Indigo. Big title for a dress, eh?
I got lucky and found mine at Ross, but you can see (full-priced) others here. The professional picture gives you a better look at the neckline detail and cute waist-ruching.
(Psst! Katie! I didn’t see a 16 in taffeta, but I DID find this jersey version in royal blue. One reviewer said it felt more like a silk blend.)
SO, articulate, perceptive, loyal readers— now that you’ve seen a clearer photo, should I still keep the dress? Would you?
Definitely, since you look FABULOUS! Keep in mind that taking clothing in is a heck of a lot easier that letting it out — I wouldn’t worry inordinately much about the “what if I lose weight” issue.
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UM, KEEP. You look like a million bucks, kiddo.
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Just so everybody knows, we took this picture in windy 25 degree F weather. She’s a trooper!
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KEEP! You are a BOMBSHELL!
ahem.
Maybe a slip would help keep it from riding up? Either way I still say keep. Personally, I could live with the tugging. I think a lot of cute clothes require little adjustments now and then – smoothing out, etc.
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Hottiiieee!!!!! Keep it! Keep it! Keep iiiiit!!! If I were you I would keep it! =D You look amazing.
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P.S.I should cut down my chocolate ration too… Not as bad as it has been but should watch out =)
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Keep.
It’s the perfect Little Black Dress without the down side of being black.
And for the record I have seen Mary Tyler Moore and Twiggy readjust sheath dresses too….it is the nature of fitted clothing, not a ‘figure flaw’ issue.
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yes. simply because you look smashing and you got it at Ross so I’m guessing you got a great deal on it. Kelly suggested a slip, would pantyhose work? or something similar? or would it look bad? I don’t think I should be giving fashion advice – just compliments :)
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I’m keeping it unanimous that it looks incredibly lovely on you! But here’s maybe a little dissent — only keep it if you love it. You deserve better than needing to tug on your dress constantly. :)
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Millie – Thank you! My little sister’s been working out, and while some of her measurements have gotten smaller, her thighs have gotten bigger. If my thighs get any bigger, this dress is a no-go— and I doubt there’s any material to let out in that skirt.
Not that I’ve been working out enough to worry. =)
Evie – Thank you!
Mr. Jaunty – That’s right, folks, I’m TOUGH AS NAILS. RAWR. I EAT WINTER FOR BREAKFAST.
Kelly – Thanks! You wear a lot of pencil skirts— do any of them need tugging into place? It’s true that a lot of clothes require adjustments; hiking up pants, re-rolling sleeves, straightening ties, tying bows…
Smiley Woman – Muchas gracias! I used to eat a LOT of chocolate. I was sitting next to a vending machine at work for 20 hours a week— and then, they installed an ICE CREAM MACHINE. I was doomed.
mum – I wondered! I thought I’d find footage of celebrities walking around in tight dresses, see if they had to tug… but then I wandered off and forgot. As is our custom.
Lori – Thanks, Lori— it was a good deal. Black pantyhose could work in winter, and I already own some. ‘Cause baby, it’s cold outside!
By the way, could you remind me of your blog address?
Annie – I love a little thoughtful dissent. =) I haven’t taken the tags off yet. I may have to wear it around the house a bit, see if the tugging feels natural or drives me straight up the wall. Life’s too short for uncomfortable clothes, eh?
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keep it! you look stunning in it :)
as for riding up, as Kelly suggested, a slip might help with that.
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Rebekah Reply:
December 12th, 2010 at 10:41 AM
Thanks, Sierra!
Not sure if a slip’ll help; the dress is already lined. In fact, I wonder if there’s friction between the dress and its lining, and if that contributes to the problem… maybe the inner skirt rides up, bringing the outer skirt with it? Beats me.
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Most of my pencil skirts need a tug at least when I’m getting up from sitting, and I think a lot of them tend to ride up a bit when I’m walking a good distance. To be honest I think I smooth them out subconsciously so I don’t know if I always notice!
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Rebekah Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 10:29 AM
Interesting! I wonder what wardrobe adjustments I make without thinking…
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OT re your comment on my blog…try MAC Pro Longwear Lipcolor for staying power. Worth a shot!
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Rebekah Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 10:29 AM
Definitely worth a shot. Thank you!
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this dress looks fantastic! YOU look fantastic,- so feminine and elegant- wearing it! Indigo is a mysterious and deep color! but I always find it difficult to combine shoes and purse with blue….should them be blue too? brown maybe?
….you write about style and I love reading you, and I was wondering……what do you think about “the invisible dress” that perfumes are? I mean: not a perfume by whoever….i’m talking about pure essence oils: your favorite smell.
My favorite one years ago was musk. The other day I was at a natural-organic store smelling essences, and doubted between Lotus, Bulgary Rose (was just like the smell of fresh roses in a garden, not artificial at all but thought it would be too sweet after 3 days wearing it) …Blackberry fragance was delightful also! too many to choose :P …and there came sandalwood, which finally I bought! It smells sweet, warm and wooden…intriguing and strange at first! I’m not sure if it’s masculine or feminine -guess both-…but it has interenting benfits in aromatherapy…… Probably I’ll end up buying more and mixing them to get my own perfume. Sandalwood makes a perfec base to add something else….will try! so….Which is your favorite one?
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Rebekah Reply:
December 26th, 2010 at 10:31 AM
I think brown or black accessories could work— but my only fancy shoes right now are mauve velvet, so I wore them for the photo.
Your perfume question deserves a whole post of its own! I don’t own ANY perfumes or essential oils right now, but I’ve been thinking about it… blackberry sounds delicious. There are a ton of perfume oils on Etsy, I may need to give some a try…
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