Monday, June 15, 2009

Spring Maxi Dress: Keep or Return?

I loved hearing all your feedback on my my mini spring dress, so I'm posing the "keep or return" question to you again for this maxi spring dress:


I got this dress from Old Navy and while it is so comfortable it just doesn't have much shape. I feel like all the gathering at the empire waist makes me look a lot heavier than I am. But I love the colors and the pattern.

So what do you think--is it a keeper, or do I need to make a visit to my good friend the customer service desk?


48 comments:

JennyMarie June 15, 2009 7:24 AM  

Sorry but I gotta sy return. This dress just donesn't show your wonderful figure. You can find a better fitting one!

Mrs. McB June 15, 2009 7:49 AM  

Although it doesn't show your figure, I don't think it makes you look bigger. I actually like it. However, if you are questioning it...you probably won't wear it....

Tim & Tamara June 15, 2009 7:57 AM  

Hmmm... I the pics aren't as flattering. Maybe if it didn't have the print? I don't know. Those kind of dresses are a little hard to pull off and I just don't see this one doing it for you. Return it I guess.

Pam June 15, 2009 8:08 AM  

D -

It is really pretty...would a belt help with the shape? If not, I would probably return it too.

:o)

Colleen June 15, 2009 8:54 AM  

It's a cute dress, but I do think it makes you look wider than you are.

Simone June 15, 2009 9:01 AM  

I say return, it looks too busy on you. It not very flattering.

Leftturnyielder June 15, 2009 9:32 AM  

Return it! I don't think it does you justice. And the trend will be very dated by next year.

Eli June 15, 2009 9:36 AM  

I think these dresses make anyone look bigger, they are designed to fit very loose and not fitted. However, all the ones I have are solid color to avoid the pattern making you look bigger. I think with this dress the pattern is too busy and I don't like how it looks. I say return.

Kristal June 15, 2009 9:38 AM  

Return. Love the pattern, but I agree that the shape is not flattering. There's too much material through the waist and hips it seems.

Embellished Bayou June 15, 2009 9:40 AM  

Meh....just not doing anything for me. But I'm sure it looks better in person!

April & Geoff June 15, 2009 9:41 AM  

I say return. I was wearing a loose fitting dress and an older man innocently enough asked if I was expecting (I'm not!!).

ekwilliams June 15, 2009 9:45 AM  

I say return. I think the cut can be flattering on anyone, in this case its probably the pattern. Too much going on at the bottom!

Suzanne June 15, 2009 9:54 AM  

Try it with a belt to give it a little more form -- if that doesn't help, return that ish.

Angela June 15, 2009 10:06 AM  

have to say return. I cannot wait until this trend is over, I don't think they flatter anyone!

julie June 15, 2009 10:09 AM  

Return. I think it's the pattern, but I also am ready for this trend to say bye bye.

fioretta June 15, 2009 10:15 AM  

I agree with the comments to return it - if you're unsure about it, that means you probably won't wear it anyway. :) I tend to avoid anything loose and flowy... I just bought a more fitted maxi for a friend's (casual) wedding this summer, so it can be done!

Freckles Chick June 15, 2009 10:18 AM  

I actually like the fit on you! You wear it well. The pattern's a bit too busy and overpowering though.

MeggyD June 15, 2009 10:40 AM  

I think if you aren't 100% sure about it and super excited and comfortable - then it's not worth it to keep it. Check out target for some cute Maxi dresses and are a bit more fitted. :) Good luck!

Emily June 15, 2009 10:43 AM  

I'd return it, but if you're looking for a comfy dress,I think a solid dark color would solve your concern. I'm anti-empire these days for me. As comfortable as the dresses look, I'm of the persuasion that if you have any boobs at all, empire flows too much and can look maternity-wearish.

Kristen June 15, 2009 10:43 AM  

I say return. It's not as flattering as it could be!

Kelly June 15, 2009 10:43 AM  

Return. I believe you could find a better shape and pattern. This one doesn't do much for you.

C June 15, 2009 10:45 AM  

Love the print, but you're right, and I'd have to agree with the others- it's not super flattering. I'm sure you can find one with a little less gathering!

Lacey June 15, 2009 11:31 AM  

Well I'm going to be different. I think it looks cute. Most people know that a maxi dress doesn't form fit. I love the pattern and I have a friend that has the dress and she went through the same questions. She kept it and loved it!

Windy City Kelley's June 15, 2009 11:35 AM  

I like it. Most maxi dresses will fit the same way, but they are super comfy.

*stars*in*my*pocket* June 15, 2009 11:56 AM  

If I were 100% honest, I'd say take it back. You are way too pretty to hide in that dress. You need a more form fitting maxi. Otherwise you just get lost in it.

Amy June 15, 2009 12:15 PM  

I like the color and pattern a lot, but I would return it unless you found a cute belt or something to give it more shape.

LizzieBeth June 15, 2009 2:18 PM  

Return in. I have been coveting a dress like that at NY&Co for weeks, and when I finally tried it on I looked about 8 months preggers in it. BLECH!

Honestly, unless you are walking the runways for Vicky's spring collection, these dresses are not flattering.

Jodie June 15, 2009 2:47 PM  

I'm wondering what it would look like with a pair of flip-flops rather than strappy (are those heels?) shoes. I really do like the pattern, but I have to say if you aren't sure, I'd return it and look for something even cuter!

Anonymous June 15, 2009 2:48 PM  

I agree. Return it. It's pretty to look at though. Plus long dresses look better with flat sandals IMHO. Unless you are red-carpeting. : )

jbhat

Carazy Mom June 15, 2009 3:03 PM  

Send it to me! The cut's not bad, but the pattern is too large - it overwhelms you. You could do that dress in a small scale pattern (bitsy flowers) and it would be perfect! I am a tall/large woman who can pull off that scale and size pattern.. I carry all my weight in my belly (look 5 months preggo all the time :( Sure looks comfy!

Lindsay Willman June 15, 2009 4:18 PM  

Belt it!! It's an amazing dress and all you have to do is belt under your bust line to define your waist.

Janet June 15, 2009 4:22 PM  

Love the pattern but I say return it for something you absolutely love!

Kent June 15, 2009 4:52 PM  

Hey D! I say return - it does nothing for your figure and you have a great figure worth showing off! I'm also not in love with that color on you. I think a maxi dress would look great on you, but not this one. I also like the look of the gladiator sandals with the maxi dresses - esp. in gold or silver :o)

tashima June 15, 2009 4:56 PM  

I would have to say return it. The way the pattern gradualy gets bigger at the bottom makes you look a lot heavier.

Stephanie June 15, 2009 5:04 PM  

I don't think it makes you look heavier at all! The pattern is super cute. Plus if it's from Old Navy I'm sure it's so inexpensive you only have to wear it once to get your money's worth. Keep it!

Allison aka Half of VAMH June 15, 2009 6:49 PM  

Well I am a loner here! I would say belt it and keep it!

G+D June 15, 2009 7:38 PM  

Thanks for all your feedback everyone! I'm going to have to go with the overwhelming majority and return it. It's a cute dress, but I just don't think it's for me. Like some of you said--if I don't think it looks flattering on, I'll never wear it. And I'm sure that's exactly what would happen. It would sit in my closet and never leave the hanger. I'm also reminded of my friend Beth's feedback when I considered purchasing a "but it's SO COMFORTABLE!" dress last summer that could have doubled as a tent for a family of 4. She took one look at it and said, "You're not shopping for pajamas. Take it off." My point--I listen to good advice when I hear it. So long maxi dress!

StartingOver@28 June 15, 2009 7:52 PM  

I would keep it. I think the dress is a victim of bad photo angle (shooting up at you vs. down - my non professional opinion). I love maxi dresses but agree you would need flats!

Anonymous June 15, 2009 8:21 PM  

return it. not flattering

sonia

C~~O~~U~~R~~T~~N~~E~~Y June 15, 2009 8:28 PM  

I don't think it's the empire waistline as much as it is the angle of the V that makes you look bigger than you are.

Jaime June 15, 2009 8:29 PM  

I am a big old navy fan... Just love the dress... I am too short to pull off this look though. Have a great week.

Jaime

G+D June 15, 2009 9:22 PM  

I definitely hear you girls on the flats thing (for this dress, and the other one) but I have to tell ya, I'm really not a flats girl. I really am trying to give them a chance, but so far it's not working out for me. I just might be married to my heels for life.

New England Girl June 16, 2009 11:10 AM  

I'm torn... I love the colors, but as everyone else has mentioned, the shape isn't very flattering... maybe try with some accessories as was suggested? a nice belt might bring in the dress and make it a more flattering shape. however, if you try this and you're still not quite sure, I say return it [as everyone else]. You shouldn't wear anything you even have the slightest doubt about. I hope you find something you 100% love! :)

Alicia

superchixor June 18, 2009 6:52 PM  

I say return it.. or wear flip flops with it.. it doesn't look dressy enough to me to wear heels...

melissa o June 18, 2009 8:44 PM  

I'm not a fan - you are thin in the greatest way and this doesn't show it off. I saw if you're not doing a beach day then return!

PS - I think you should come to Minneapolis or I should come to Madison (Madison, right?) I maybe, might have, had too much wine butttttttt I do think we should make it happen. I could do pictures of the great G&D! (for free...shhhhhhh)

Karen June 19, 2009 12:02 PM  

I am not a fan of the maxi dress trend this year so I would say take it back. I don't think anyone can pull this trend off!!! Sorry G&D.....

G+D June 21, 2009 8:09 AM  

Thanks for your feedback everyone! I've returned the dress and actually found a tank top in a similar pattern/colors that I think is much more flattering, so I'm very happy about that exchange!

@Melissa O--yep, I'm in Madison. I would love to get together with you! Do you have any plans to come to the Madison area anytime soon? I rarely make it up to Minneapolis, but I have a good friend that lives in Shoreview, MN so I'd love to get up there and see her again too! Great idea--let's try to make a get togther happen! I'd love to meet you!

violarulz June 21, 2009 10:03 PM  

I really like the fabric, but if you're unsure about keeping that's probably a good indicator that you should return it while you still can. Or give it a chance, then decide to recycle it by cutting off the skirt and making a regular skirt with it. you could just run it with elastic thread to smock it (like the waist section) so you wouldn't have to measure or put in a zipper. instant new lazy day skirt.

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