Along with everyone else, I’ve been on a dress kick this month. I love dresses and skirts in warmer weather – I think they’re cooler and infinitely more flattering than shorts or capris (God help us…). But even with all the beautiful dresses designers are offering this season, it’s been quite difficult, and frankly sometimes disheartening shopping for dresses that are flattering on my figure. After more trips back and forth to my favorite stores buying and returning, I think I’ve finally found the formula: a belted or cinched waist.
I would be a brave woman indeed to post pictures of all the dresses that DIDN’T work, so I’ll just tell you that if you are an hourglass or a pear shape I would recommend steering clear of empire waists. One of the other dresses I review here (the polka-dotted one) is a slight empire waist, and you’ll read about my problem/solution there, but I went through more dresses than you can imagine and while the empire waist dresses were very pretty and so easy/comfortable to wear, they literally looked like tents on me. They do indeed ‘camoflague’ problem areas like a tummy or wide hips, but for hourglass or pear shapes, there are better ways to disguise those areas without becoming a shapeless blob. And frankly, I think we should be much more focused on accentuating our best features than trying to hide our least favorite features.
As you can see from the picture above, I am most certainly not shapeless! In fact, I was astounded to see just how round and ample my butt is. (And no, it’s not just this dress.) Maybe it enhances it a bit, but I’ve got a butt, and apparently, it’s one of my best features. So, why hide it (as if it could be hidden…)?
This is undoubtedly my favorite of the new dresses because I know it looks the best. The wrap style is flattering for my smaller waist and the skirt falls nicely over my hips – it’s also a little longer than it looks so it covers my knees. I usually wear it with a tank underneath and a little looser, and in the evening when it’s cooler, I layer it over a lightweight turtleneck, so it’s extremely versatile. The dress is by Rebecca Beeson, size 3. I got mine at Bloomingdales and have yet to find it anywhere online, but keep checking our list of where to buy Rebecca Beeson to find it online.
The bag is the Ursula by Marc Jacobs, isn’t she gorgeous? It’s difficult to see closely here, but it’s a very light pink patent leather and goes with EVERYTHING. As you probably know by now, I’m not a fan of black or brown bags worn with black or brown outfits. Wearing a black bag with a black-centric outfit is more conservative, but also quite boring in my opinion. I prefer to buy ‘neutral’ bags that can go with black or brown outfits because they add a piece of interest and sometimes a much needed boost of color. I love the size and color of the Ursula – obviously it holds everything. And, in case you didn’t know, the most flattering way to carry a bag is in the ‘crook’ of your arm, right at your hip – really. Check it out in the mirror sometime…
Find the Marc Jacobs Ursula Bag at eLuxury.
