modgrl's blog

More help needed on the JNY Kaleidoscope dress

May 28, 2012

Thanks to all who responded to my last Keep or Return on the blue JNY Kaleidoscope dress. I've tried to take some suggestions from the last thread. Scarlet and some others suggested dark shoes. I'm not sure about the dark shoes, I think they are too strict here. I'm kind of off black shoes altogether. Also I am wearing different under-thingies. I think it is making a difference... this is probably as good as it gets on my apple belly and it is my biggest consideration at this point. Also, I've tried some potential lengths. It can't stay at it's current length. It just feels too dowdy. I feel like it is best at the just below the knee length, which is probably how it is meant to fall on a regular height person. Thanks for your feedback, I truly appreciate any help you can give.

Is it ok or should I give it up?

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Posted in the Shopping category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

36 Comments

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    well, I'm not much help because I liked it at the original length and thought it looked good as it was and thought black shoes might work, too!

    I agree with you, though, about these - they "conservative" the look too much and seem old-fashioned with it. But a different kind of black shoe might not. Or a boot.

    I STILL think the dress looks good and to me it is not dowdy at its regular length, but I can see why you'd prefer just below the knee, and that is a very nice length on you, for sure.

  • annagybe replied 11 years ago

    I'm not loving it on you.

  • Meredith1953 replied 11 years ago

    I think you look good with the below knee length but it also looks good keen length. I am confused over whether it is too conservative. I think it looks great

  • cheryle (Dianthus) replied 11 years ago

    I'm sorry Modgirl but I am not loving this dress on you. The color and print are beautiful so I can see why you want it to work and if I hadn't seen you in so many exceptional outfits I might not know the difference. This dress is lovely but it may not be the right proportion for you.

    I think you can do better.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    Seeing it again Rita a bit more close up, there's something "off" about the dress. I don't know whether it's the neckline, the print placement, the length - I don't think it's the best choice. I do love the colours on you though.

  • modgrl replied 11 years ago

    Sad, I was really loving it - I actually love the pattern placement and hubby liked it too. Perhaps it is a thing of beauty, just not for me.

  • christieanne replied 11 years ago

    Still not a big fan - I think it is edging to the frumpy side - pretty colors but not as special on you as some of your other dresses. Sorry to be negative on it :(

  • Suz replied 11 years ago

    Interesting. I wonder if what's bugging people is a combination of the sleeve length and neckline on you.

    Again...I'm the outlier, still liking it...but I will confess that I like you more in some of your others!

    What happens if you style it with a jacket? I wonder if the vertical lines would make a difference?

  • cheryle (Dianthus) replied 11 years ago

    I looked at the pics again and it almost seems as though the ruching is starting a bit lower than it should and that means it isn't as fitted under the bust and the ruching extends a bit lower than it should. Perhaps it is not quite petite enough a cut for you.

    I do love the print and colors.

  • Deborah replied 11 years ago

    I am hoping Angie pop's by. What was her assessment when you posted for K or R?

    I may not have picked this dress for you but I find the colors very pretty and the length (as it) quite elongating. I think (in the pics anyway) that you look long and slender. A colored pump could be nice.. Im thinking the cobalt Kate Spade;) Or do you have a bootie/shootie that would work ? Perhaps by adding funky accessories could make this work more they way you want it to.

    Are the tags off? Can it go back if you decide against it?

  • Diana replied 11 years ago

    This is definitely better but I still don't love it, I'm afraid. I think the pattern, while very pretty, is too wide for figure flattery, if that makes any sense.

    And I think this is just a poisoned eye thing for me, but I do not like fitted sleeves at that length.

  • Deborah replied 11 years ago

    Just went and looked at you Keep or Return post. When I saw it then I thought it needed to be shortened but then I think the photo was at a different angle. I don't think you can go wrong shortening it to the knee. Oh and no sign of any jelly belly:)

    Im going to go out on a limb and state that I like it on you. Yes it has some elements that seem a little different for you but I think the success of the dress will be in the shoes and accessories. I have sat looking at it for a good 10 mins and I imagined what I would think if you walked past me in the street in the dress and I would think you looked stylish and sophisticated. The black shoes do make it look a tad conservative but the patter and colors are anything but conservative.

    How about your open toe booties (I am sure you have a pair) and bangles in contrasting colors to the dress???

  • modgrl replied 11 years ago

    I can still return if I need to. I should pin it to a shorter length and try different shoes. Sorry for the million questions. I feel like there should be a way to make this beautiful dress work for me.

  • cheryle (Dianthus) replied 11 years ago

    Rita, if you really love it then that is all that counts. Wear it and enjoy and to heck what anyone else thinks.

  • Lyn D. replied 11 years ago

    It sounds as though you are happy with dress and perhaps were a bit put -off by comments posted when it was ' competing' with the other one.
    I find it very appealing and flattering to you, especially with the necklace you have styled it with.
    I say don't give up on it!!

  • Mo replied 11 years ago

    Sorry, I'm with Anna. I've seen so many better outfits on you it's hard for me to find a reason to 'save' this dress.

  • christy replied 11 years ago

    If you love it and feel great in it, then keep it! But I do agree with you that it needs to be shortened. I think a longer pendant would be really nice with it.

  • Ginkgo replied 11 years ago

    Keep this beautiful dress and wear it happily! I like the long, vertical patterns of deep blue and aqua on the front of the dress, that's always a flattering look, and the deep blue is a great color on you with your dark hair. You've said previously how you need a good selection of summer dresses and I think you'll be sorry if you return this one. Please keep it!

  • goldenpig replied 11 years ago

    I like 4-6--longer length looks more current. I think the black pumps are too conservative and that's what's making it look frumpy if anything. How about with some gladiator sandals instead?

  • Joy replied 11 years ago

    I really like this beautiful dress on you. I also like it at the longer length and think nude shoes might not look as heavy. I missed your other thread.

  • Kari replied 11 years ago

    I think that 4 is my favorite length for this dress, and personally I DO like this dress (I had to come here to see it on its own aside from the Tahari dress that I am obviously biased towards!)
    What about pairing the dress with a metallic shoe? Or even navy?

  • Kiwichik replied 11 years ago

    I originally liked it longer nut you;re right just on the knee is best. have you tried it with sandals or shoes in cobalt or aqua?

  • replied 11 years ago

    You have set the bar pretty high with your other dresses. I think this is why I'm kind of lukewarm on this one.

    However, I'm voting keep on this one. Why? For starters, you seem to like it a lot. Also, I honestly don't see any fit issues. It could be a tad roomier but I like snug myself, plus I don't like how this particular type of dress looks when sized up, too drapey. Keep what makes your heart sing. There is something to be said about that.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 11 years ago

    I'm looking again Rita and reading the other comments - you love this dress, I can tell. So it needs to work. I still like the longer length (more current). Wait and see what Angie says. She'll have the right advice!

  • lyn67 replied 11 years ago

    I quite love the original length on you! Don't see any apple belly spoiling the look, you are too harsh on yourself!

  • marianna replied 11 years ago

    I still love it on you! I think the length and silhouette are different and so stylish! I also love the sleeve length. Very mod to me. I'm firmly on Team Keep!

  • Jjsloane replied 11 years ago

    I've seen others on you I liked better, it could be a case of the 2D photo not working to your advantage, but I think it's not the most flattering regardless of shoes. Maybe some edgier sandals?

    You seem to really like this and I bet you can wear it with sass. I could see it spanning seasons with boots and toppers. The color and print are lovely.

  • Kate replied 11 years ago

    The colors and print are lovely, but I'm not loving this dress on you Rita. The proportions just don't seem to be right. Sorry.

  • sarah replied 11 years ago

    I missed the original thread, but I think this dress is very pretty on you! I vote keep, wear, and enjoy.

  • Angie replied 11 years ago

    I love this on you, Rita! Swapping out the undies really helped. Good job! I vote change out the shoes to a non-black pump/sandal. Too heavy despite the book ending.

    I like the length in #1.

  • Shu replied 11 years ago

    I really like it in the original length, but I understand that its not making you feel fab. I think the thing that makes me prefer that length so much is that it is cut to taper and follow your leg line, which looks sophisticated to my eye - but when you adjust the length (by pulling the dress up on itself on the waist?) it looks more a-line, whereas if you had it actually hemmed, it would follow the original lovely line. Does that make sense?

    How about nude heels for a leg-lengthening effect?

  • L'Abeille replied 11 years ago

    Well you hardly need to hear from me now Angie has spoken! But I love it on you (I like pic #5 the best) and if it can make an apple look like that I want one too!

    I would try it with boots or flats, and a scarf, perhaps even tied horizontally across the shoulders, or maybe a short blue cardigan. Perhaps that's just me, because I'm on the tall side. But I think the flattering cut and print of the dress are lengthening on their own, so you can play the accessories against it. Does that make any sense?

  • Jonesy replied 11 years ago

    Angie has spoken!

  • RoseandJoan replied 11 years ago

    I would wear this dress in a heartbeat Rita and believe it looks great on you.

  • modgrl replied 11 years ago

    Wow! Lots of mixed reviews. I can see this dress is going to be controversial but I think I am going to try to make it work. Perhaps I can win the gang over.

  • replied 11 years ago

    I think you're right to go with your gut and skip black footwear. Anything else will be an improvement. I didn't read all the comments, but have tapering the skirt or shortening the sleeves been discussed? Sometime a sleeve can make a dress look dowdy. I love the print and colors on you; you're right to try to work it!

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Hi I'm modgrl and this is my blog. I work full time and have two sweet little ones. I have wide leeway in how I dress for my job but I know my youthful appearance and petite stature can make age appropriate polished dressing a challenge. On the weekends I like to have some fun with clothes that can take a beating while we are worm digging and puppy chasing.