Mini dress meltdown
The other day I wore this new dress to work. If you are friend's with me on Facebook you may remember me complaining one day I was mortified in my outfit and wanted to go home. This is it. Looking at this I don't see anything wrong. It's a cute dress, a bit loud but whatever. WEARING IT I hated it. I got to work and I wanted to comb my hair out and change out of the dress. I felt so stupid. I felt like a was a walking joke.
I used the most awkward pose too. The other ones I was all twisted though.
Everything just felt wrong that day. It felt too short, too loud and just plain ugly. I hate when we do that to ourselves. I doubt I'll be able to wear it again. I hate when things show my waist then I hate things that cling away from my waist. I just can't win. That is my own issue I need to work on.
Looking at this I don't know what I was thinking. That's cute! That day it felt like TOO MUCH OMG LOOK TOO MUCH.
I think a lot has to do with people at my work don't dress up for the most part. I don't like to stand out. I don't want to look like the crowd either. I am a contrary little thing huh?
BUT that night my Boden order was waiting for me. I had never ordered from them before and my friend strong armed me into it. (That's the story I am sticking to) I got this sale tunic.
Here is it big to illustrate my issue.
OK so I broke my own cardinal rule and I bought this without thinking about 3 ways to wear it. I bought it strictly on falling in love with it. Which is also a rule so I did it half right. I fully anticipated that it would be too long on me. I didn't know it would be ALMOST dress length but has two large slits up the size. It is also an unlined super thin cotton. More meant to be a shirt than a dress.
How would you suggest I go about it. I am wearing my tights and boots from the top picture. (I literally got in and took it out of box and tried on and sent pic to a friend. See box right)
I don't know if I am bold enough for the leggings and tunic look. With just tights too I fear those slits may be a little too high. I pointed to the slit and my knee cap to help understand. Also my hand is at my natural waist. Don't say slap a belt on it and call it a day. I don't like things belted. I feel like I am suffocating and emphasizing the wrong part.. Belts like I have said about Spanx, mess with my chi.
I think my fear again is that is is LOUD. Not something you would see in my office.
Or should I just have dave hem it to a more me sized tunic?
Actually while we are on the topic. should I hem this too?
Last time I wore this FOUR years ago a similar thing happened. I felt awful after the pictures and took the belt off and I think I put pants under neath it. I know I changed somehow. This also was a super thin silk. I feel like I have too much curves and bumps for such thin fabric dresses. Would it be cute as a top?
I used the most awkward pose too. The other ones I was all twisted though.
Everything just felt wrong that day. It felt too short, too loud and just plain ugly. I hate when we do that to ourselves. I doubt I'll be able to wear it again. I hate when things show my waist then I hate things that cling away from my waist. I just can't win. That is my own issue I need to work on.
Looking at this I don't know what I was thinking. That's cute! That day it felt like TOO MUCH OMG LOOK TOO MUCH.
I think a lot has to do with people at my work don't dress up for the most part. I don't like to stand out. I don't want to look like the crowd either. I am a contrary little thing huh?
BUT that night my Boden order was waiting for me. I had never ordered from them before and my friend strong armed me into it. (That's the story I am sticking to) I got this sale tunic.
Here is it big to illustrate my issue.
OK so I broke my own cardinal rule and I bought this without thinking about 3 ways to wear it. I bought it strictly on falling in love with it. Which is also a rule so I did it half right. I fully anticipated that it would be too long on me. I didn't know it would be ALMOST dress length but has two large slits up the size. It is also an unlined super thin cotton. More meant to be a shirt than a dress.
How would you suggest I go about it. I am wearing my tights and boots from the top picture. (I literally got in and took it out of box and tried on and sent pic to a friend. See box right)
I don't know if I am bold enough for the leggings and tunic look. With just tights too I fear those slits may be a little too high. I pointed to the slit and my knee cap to help understand. Also my hand is at my natural waist. Don't say slap a belt on it and call it a day. I don't like things belted. I feel like I am suffocating and emphasizing the wrong part.. Belts like I have said about Spanx, mess with my chi.
I think my fear again is that is is LOUD. Not something you would see in my office.
Or should I just have dave hem it to a more me sized tunic?
Actually while we are on the topic. should I hem this too?
Last time I wore this FOUR years ago a similar thing happened. I felt awful after the pictures and took the belt off and I think I put pants under neath it. I know I changed somehow. This also was a super thin silk. I feel like I have too much curves and bumps for such thin fabric dresses. Would it be cute as a top?
Comments
I have lurked for AGES - for at least two redesigns! - on your blog but I don't think I've ever commented. However, I felt compelled to let you know that I think the houndstooth dress is ADORABLE, and I think you look really cute in it. Of course, I'm partial to houndstooth, though I've never tried wearing that much of it (I just have a tiny bag!)
The cut and colors of the dress make it so versatile; you might want to experiment with a few different looks before giving up on it. I know what you mean, though, about being uncomfortable once you're in an outfit!
The Boden tunic is very cute, too, but the side slits are kind of a shame since it'd make a lovely dress. Unfortunately the slits make it difficult to just wear a slip underneath it. So I'd suggest Dave hem it.
I like the last dress as is, and I must have started reading you sometime after you posted that because I don't remember your hair like that but I LIKE IT. :)
That was spring 2008. The archives on here go back to 2006. The rest are hidden. I should hide most before 2009 actually :)
I LOVE the houndstooth print dress. IT IS ADORABLE. More importantly, YOU look adorable in it!
The black and white and the cut make it so very versatile - you can wear it with flats, heels, ankle boots, or pop any kind of color with it. Even if you don't like belts, adding a cardigan or changing accessories around can really change the look. I suggest you experiment at home in front of the mirror before giving up on it.
I do know what you mean about feeling uncomfortable - even miserable - in an outfit, though.
It's a shame the Boden tunic has such high side slits, because I'd love to see it worn as a dress with a slip underneath. Since that doesn't seem too feasable, though, I'd suggest Dave hem it.
I wouldn't do a thing to the third dress though. Although you say you felt uncomfortable in that, too, and haven't worn it in four years, it looks lovely on you! I'd like to see you put it on again.
On a side note, I must've started reading you after you posted that because I don't remember your hair looking like that. I like it a lot!
I love the houndstooth dress on you, but I know exactly what you mean about outfits that you're just like, "yeah, why did I wear this?" That was me on Monday. The dress I wore to work suddenly felt too short, too tight, too everything. Not a fan. Sometimes I wish I kept a change of clothes on me just in case.
(I thought my comment didn't post so I retyped it. Ignore it if it comes 'round again. *'.'*)
I'll be interested in seeing if you trot any of these pieces out again to show us!
As for the boden dress, could you possibly have the slits sewn up? Maybe then you would feel more comfortable with it as a dress?
2) Solution to your too short for a dress too long for a tunic? Send them to meeeeeeeee! Juuuuust kidding. I really think the Boden tunic/dress with leggings and sandals would be a great weekend outfit. Or over skinny jeans, especially in a coordinated/fun color! The blue dress is also adorable... and think it'd be more versatile for you as a top rather than a dress.
Yeah its the commentary of standing out that bugs me. I don't like attention of any sort. I want to be unique and stand from the pack but don't want you to come up to me and say something stupid and assumptive.
As for the boden tunic - ADORABLE. As for the open cut of it, you could do the skinny jean thing, but as an alternative, if you're comfortable with it, consider getting a couple of jersey skirts with flat waist bands for layering under things like that and maybe even the above dress. Maybe one in a bright orange-red, one in green and one in black or blue? Could be used a million different ways. Not sure if your cuppa and all that. I fall in love with Indian clothing all the time and they often have large splits. I've either sewn them up or layered them over skirts. I dislike the tunic/legging combo on myself. My legs are too freaking thin and look odd sticking out from a tunic.
As for the last tunic/dress, I adore the color and print. My vote - hem it. I think it would make an adorable top and would look awesome with a pair of dark denim jeans.
(Btw thanks again for all the advice the other day. <3 I actually feel like I have more confidence with the job hunt)
About the Boden tunic: what Chelsea said. The print is sublime, and I hope you figure out a way to style it!
The blue silk dress honestly looks wonderful. In the photo it is really flattering, but I totally get how thin silk would make you feel kind of naked. If you think you would wear it as a blouse, I'd get that to an alterations place ASAP.
thank you everyone!
I am going to for sure chop the blue silk. Maybe I will shorten the sleeves on this houdstooth maybe I won't feel so swallowed by pattern.
and I am going to try skinny jeans under the boden. I think that I might hem it if it works like that or I will pin the sides closed and see how well it works as a dress despite its super thin status.
It doesn't come to my hip bone because I am SHORT.
As for the houndstooth--maybe it needs to be worn with touches of another color that will make it friendlier to you? Like red! My mother LOVED b/w houndstooth, even largeish scale like that one, but she used to add an accent color--usually jade green or red. Just a thought. I agree with others that it looks terrific on you. :-)