Saturday, November 21, 2009

Epic

I recently received a vintage, houndstooth dress through a swap. I’m not sure if I am going to keep it.

Dress, vintage (via swap). Jeans, Express (overdyed with black). Shirt, Bitten. Shoes, Isaac Mizrahi for Target.

I wouldn’t exactly call this a dress. I’m not tall, but, without pants underneath, raising my arms overhead would land me on Don’t Show-cha Your Chocha.


Besides being rather short, I’m afraid that it just isn’t flattering. It has an A-line silhouette that is unforgiving in the thick, woolen fabric.


What should I do with the "dress?"
Keep it
Swap it
Consign it
Give it away on your blog
pollcode.com free polls

P.S. I wore this to see Nate Netzley’s directorial debut: Epic Proportions. It was definitely “epic.”

37 comments:

Adele said...

Hmmm...did you try wearing it with the houndstooth skirt you wore yesterday? Or would that just be TOO much houndstooth maybe?

raven said...

I voted to keep it. I think with black leggings and kicky boots, it would be adorable. You have fab legs, thus you wouldn't look thick.

Bella said...

swap it with me! I loved it when I spotted it in Lucy.lou's swap set but I was too late, you beat me to it. I swear I would give it a good home and I have some cute stuff in my swap set that you might like. I am bella on flickr and among your contacts! Thanks!

Marie said...

I said keep it- I am sure that it feels unflattering because of the thicker fabric but you are soooo cute in it.
Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge

The Cocoa Goddess said...

Maybe you just have a longer torso. It looks like the right length for a 60s mini-dress - maybe you've just a bit more modest than some of the younger folk out there who think it's fashionable and therefore appropriate to show their chocha on a daily basis. Oy.

bekster said...

I also said to keep it because it looks great on you in these pictures, but, of course, if you feel truly uncomfortable in it, then that's something else. Still, I think it is a unique and interesting enough piece on its own that it's okay if it doesn't highlight all of your curves. The way you are wearing it here, it looks more like a coat than a dress, but I think it looks cute that way.

Healthy and Homemade said...

GAH this is SO cute!!!! Keep it, and get it tailored or cinch the waist with a belt or whatevs. I think the sleeves are cute and the neckline too, and the buttons. Basically the whole thing is cute, I'm sure you can make it work ;-P

Tina said...

The dress is so cute that even though it's not the most flattering cut, it still looks adorable on you. I would wear it a couple of times so you get some fun out of it, then I would swap it or consign it.

Liz said...

I have total faith that you can figure out many other ways to wear this piece of clothing. Keep, keep, keep it. I love houndstooth, so it's possible that the pattern is distracting me from the fit. You can do it!

Unknown said...

It's super cute. Very retro 60s. I'd hem it a bit shorter to mimic a swing coat - I think that length would be a little more flattering, and since you'd be hemming it for your figure, you could do it at exactly the ideal/preferred length for your torso.

Phat Girl said...

I think it is super cute! What if you added a tuxedo belt or even a skinny blet with it? Maybe that would give it some shape? You could also dress it up with a lace skirt or a skirt that is slightly longer than the dress to give it a suite appeal look!

Elizabeth said...

It looks really cute on you, but it almost looks like a coat instead of a dress. I voted keep it nonetheless.

Mel.J said...

I vote try it with a belt before making a decision.

Kate said...

Keep it! Wear it with a bright colored belt and you're fab to go. I hope you can give my suggestion a try. :)

Diana said...

It works nicely as a tunic. Maybe it would look more flattering if you add a belt.

Anonymous said...

I have a very similar tunic/dress from Target and just can't get mine to work. That bell shape is TOUGH!

Unknown said...

I voted to give it away on your blog. Maybe to someone who is pregnant and has to wear tenty kind of stuff. Oh hey, I fit in that category! ;)

Raquelita said...

I voted swap it. There's a shorter woman out there who will look fab in it. I actually think it looks great on you, but if you feel it is unflattering then you should pass it on.

Judy said...

Belt it or take Bella up on her swap offer!

sabina said...

Is there anyway to take it in so that it's a bit more form-fitting? If you could, it would make a cute tunic, layered over fitted pants or leggings.

otherwise, i would cut your losses; swap it. :-)

Janni said...

I love it!! I also love the retro look!

Em said...

I actually like the look you tried. It is fun and you look great! If I was a smaller size I would say...."send it my way, baby"

Holly Courtney said...

I actually think it looks great since you have thin legs. As long as you pair it with form fitting jeans or even leggings I say keep it!

ellipsisknits said...

Personally, I love it. I love the stark geometric a-line and lack of figure-consciousness. It's so mod, which completely works with your hairstyle.

Nobody sees your great legs and thinks you don't have a figure - plus the tunic length makes you legs look crazy-long.

I agree that I'd like to see it with leggings or skinnier pants. I'm assuming the thick fabric doesn't belt well.

Unknown said...

I love it!!! One of my favorites that you have worn. I am surprised you would considering giving it away. I think it would also look great with some leggings.

Travellingone said...

I vote to give it away, it's not flattering and I suspect that's because of the bulk of the fabric.

rb said...

It's not so much the body of the thing, which is not terrible but not flattering either. I think it's the neckline. It's one of those things that wears you rather than the other way around.

Red-Headed Step-Child said...

Kasmira, I'm flattered that you would name an entry after the show and give some closing comments. Thanks again, it really means a lot to me :)

Keely said...

You should wear it with leggings. It's the perfect top to wear with boots and leggings. But, if you don't feel comfortable in it, get rid of it!

Aradia said...

Sorry to be so direct: get rid of it ASAP! It doesn’t look like your style and the fit is less than flattering. It is a nice dress, but it isn’t you.

aj said...

i think it looks adorable on you!!!
but, if you don't like it, you should share it with your faithful readers. :)

jennifer said...

I think it is adorable on you! I wish I could wear this style, but I can't. I vote to keep it - I'd love to see the other ways you'd wear it!

Deborah-lee said...

I like the pattern so much, and think you could do something else with it.
Could you some how convert it to a jacket/vest or something else? I'm not sure how you'd do it but boy oh boy, I could imagine you wearing that pattern as a cape!!

Chocoholic said...

I think it looks cute. Maybe if you try it with some skinnier legged pants you wouldn't feel so bulky. You could also check how much fabric is on the bottom hem and maybe you could lengthen it some.

Lorena said...

Since i am an addict to houndstooth I would try and give it another chance.. before letting go.
Is it tooo thick to tuck ? Can you belt it ?
You being soo creative can do more with it - although i do like how you sported it .

Anonymous said...

I love the tunic! Keep it or give it away on your blog!

Just wonderng... how do you get involved in a vintage clothing swap? I'd love to do that.

Kasmira said...

zazazu - I participate in Wardrobe Swap Shop. Click on the Swap Your Clothing link (under the How To section of the sidebar) for info on the group. Most of the clothing is contemporary, but every once in a while something vintage goes into the pool.