June 6, 2013
One of my friends is very committed to her black and white wardrobe, which she accents with jade and aventurine jewelry. When she saw this Diane von Furstenberg dress, she was very tempted, but just couldn’t commit – she wasn’t sure that she would find enough ways to wear it.Now,I can’t make the decision for her, but if she knows that she will want/need a dress in the next year or so for a number of events, she will have ways to wear it…
dress – Diane von Furstenberg
white slingbacks – Semilla Scarpe, pearl and black crystal earrings – Majorica, pearl necklace – Slane, black cardigan – J. Crew, black pumps – Brooks Brothers
silver hoop earrings – Coach, white cardigan – J. Crew, ballet flats – Anna Baiguera, marcasite earrings – Oliver Bonas, black linen sparkle wrap – Bajra, black sandals – Vigotti
black trench – Helmut Lang, black boots – Giuseppe Zanotti,
Chalcedony earrings – Belair, white cotton and leather jacket – J. Brand, black pumps – Calvin Klein
Chalcedony earrings – Belair, white cotton and leather jacket – J. Brand, black pumps – Calvin Klein
love,
Janice
Janice
I love this dress and the wrap style flatters all figures. This would be a great addition to any closet!!
Why do people always say that a wrap dress flatters all figures? And especially, why do they keep telling those of us who are more well-enowed that it will flatter? I find that inevitable the wrap slips down the cleavage, unless well-pinned (which kind of spoils it, and can lead to unsightly pulling), leaving one exposed – and with one's bust looking like two melons in sacks …… And that's only when trying them on – I never get as far as buying one, but every now and again I think I must have been wrong and I go and try again…..
P.S. the styling, of course, is as superb as always – I love all the ideas…..
I don't believe there's any style that flatters everybody -I've not yet found a wrap dress that I could wear comfortably.
I agree that the wrap dress doesn't suit all figures, especially those from DvF. The most important thing is the body underneath must be toned, as the silk shows all curves! I have seen many shapes and sizes of women look incredible in DvF wrap dresses, but all the women were athletic or did yoga. Regarding cleavage concerns, I have a large bust for my size, and I simply wear a camisole or full flip. I *like* wearing slips with dresses; I don't find it fussy.
As a busty gal with a short, thick waist, I've tried and given up on wrap dresses. But surplice and ruched asymmetrical dresses can work for our body type.
I totally agree, I have the same short thick waist and I avoid wrap dresses like the plague. And yes for surplice tops, and V-necks…open necklines that will elongate the torso, as well as slightly dropped waists. I could never wear shirt dresses, either.
I am busty with a well-defined but high waist. The only wrap dress I have found to be even remotely suitable was a completely faux wrap in which all of the pieces were sewn together so slippage was not an issue. Even then I had to wear a camisole because the V-neckline was still too low. I find surplice blouses and tops to have the same problems as wrap-style pieces, however I do love side-ruched dresses that have a higher necklines.
I have a faux wrap dress from Eileen Fisher which is a very useful dress for many occasions. I also have a large bust and that is always a factor in clothing I choose. Recently, I was buying a bra and the fitter pointed out to me that I needed to raise the straps for a sleeker/slimmer look. I have a classic hour glass figure and the space between my bustline and waistline is important.
If I could offer some extra assurance that the DvF wrap dress will be quite versatile in a wardrobe, I would love to! A printed dress can seem rather limiting, but I love DvF wrap dresses in how the "tone" of them can shift with accessories and different jackets/cardigans. I find they can go playful to professional to arty to sultry with just a few changes—like a moto jacket one day or sweet ballerinas . . .
I don't strive for a minimalist closet, but I do strive for a base "uniform" that's reflected in my closet. The wrap dress has become a part of that as much as white shirts and dark jeans. It's likely the most versatile style/piece in my closet. Love it.
Love the way you styled this, especially the last two panels. I don't own a wrap dress, but I would be tempted by this one.
Dear Janice, you are such a considerate friend! No question, I would be buying this dress after your styling. While this style of dress is now a classic, some figure types do struggle a bit. If you sew, adjustments to fit the cha-cha's and underlining the chosen fabric make this dress a wardrobe staple. Love it.
I love the dress and the stylings but I too have the large bust and short waist. Athough I have tried a wrap dress, it involves a camisole and quite a lot of under fittings. I was always worried about "bits" slipping. The dress would be great on a taller, less curvy woman.
It's so useful to show her how her neutrals can be worn with an unusual (for her) colour. I have an issue with DVF dresses: the print quality is not quite there. (Nowhere like Erdem for example. Yes way more costly but the quality shows.) So, I tire of DVF prints very quickly. That's why I'd buy the dress in a neutral and wear it with an Hermès scarf or layered necklaces including that luscious jade or adventurine.
Would definitely consider adding a DvF dress to my minimal wardrobe which is a work in progress. Any suggestions on where to look/purchase would be appreciated!
Very pretty color combination! Not one I've really thought of or seen before. I'm bookmarking this!!
Leah
Adore the one DVF dress I have. I always wear with a camisole to avoid knocking anyone's eyes out. As a 40-something of fluctuating weight it's my go to dress for important meetings, dinner with my husband and cocktail parties. It always makes me feel fabulous. Mine is bright coral pink with white spots. It's very memorable, but I never get 'that old thing again' feeling when I put it on.
I really enjoyed this post. I never thought of it, but it makes absolute sense to buy a classic style dress (whether its a wrap, sheath, ruched, shirred, etc.) in a print that includes your accent color as well as your neutrals. I know everyone is fixating a bit on the wrap dress but… I could easily see this same post done with a sheath dress in the same print.. the accessories I think would work with just about any style!
I LOVE your blog!
Mary
Hear, Hear! I LOVE your wardrobe combinations AND your commentary. Thank you for taking the time to pull your illustrations together and share them with us!
glad to hear that I'm not the only one who has learned to mistrust the notion of a wrap dress suiting all figures. Like others, I go back and try again every few years, but Nope, still not working for me. And yes, I've tried the DVFs as well and didn't find them the magic they are often touted to be. That said, I do love the styling here — for those whose figures are flattered by the dress, its versatility is manifest.
A pretty underslip or longer camisole does wonders to help this style work for everyone. I have the coke bottle figure, my boss is a former gymnast Straight as can be, my sister is full busted but straight lined, I have a good friend who is apple shaped, etc. The slip gives the dress something to cling to without revealing everything, and covers you in case of a gap. Herroom.com has some lovely ones.
A straighter cut wrap dress like this one can also be utilized as a long cardi or sweater coat in it's own right, too.
I've worn my wrap dresses backwards and forwards, unwrapped or belted, under sweaters and blouses and under other skirts.
So pretty :)