I don’t think the slip is as much an issue as I thought it would be. The fabric is very sheer, but still somehow not tremendously see-through.
What do you think? It is unflattering at this length? I don’t hate it. But I’m not sure I love it. I’ll probably keep it this length regardless for a while, since not having it tailored is free, and having it tailored is…not.
So today I wanted to encourage you to talk to strangers. I do. If I see someone I don’t know and they look good, I tell them. Maybe I love their hair, or maybe they have on a great outfit. The most recent examples are last week at a happy hour, on the way out I told a woman that she was rocking an all white outfit (she looked totally banging, and I think that is so hard to do in all white!) and Saturday at the record store I told a young lady she was gorgeous. Because she was. Her skin! It was like carved marble. And her hair was like silk. She was so stunning I found myself staring a little.
Wouldn’t you love it if someone told you how good you look today? No one dislikes hearing this. People always smile. It might just be that you make their day. I know you might be shy, I am shy. Because I’m shy, I like to time my compliments with an exit if at all possible so I can say what I have to say and get out as quickly as possible. Think of how happy you can make that person, and why NOT tell them? If you keep it to yourself, they will never know you thought that. Spread a little joy, I dare you.
Dress, Sally Jane Vintage on Etsy
Belt, swap
Shoes, MIA via Urban Outfitters
Holy Santos Bracelet, Mexico, gift from Pilar
Watch necklace, Fink Gifts at Etsy
Bag, Thrifted by Nathan
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41 comments:
You look stunning! I think the length of this dress is a nice change and the brown leather accessories look fabulous!
I like it as-is! Has a great vintage feel to it. Very pretty!
Are you tall? You look tall and I think that length works fine on you.
I'm also a stranger-complimenter. It feels good to spread a little niceness around, you know? And I still remember stranger-compliments I received *years* ago.
It's such a great pattern, and it looks stunning as-is, but I definitely understand your qualms about that length. It can be tough to pull off if there's anything else in the outfit weighing things down.
I love your compliment-a-stranger philosophy! I gotta get into that a bit more.
I like this dress! Alot! I think it's a good length. I have some many things in the closet that I am supposed to alter but never get around to it.
You should try that fantastic Target belt with it also..I bet it will give it a whole new look:)
That dress is lovely, I wouldn't shorten it. I think that would take away from its effect. It looks like it hits you just below the knee, when we are getting into shin territory is when I start chopping.
Oh, that dress is just lovely! I am having serious dress envy. I think the length looks great on you, actually. If it were any longer I would day have it hemmed, but I think this length makes your legs look quite long.
My gut reaction for myself would also be to shorten it up to just at the knee or slightly above it, BUT... I think this length is a nice change-up from we normally see you wearing, which adds a neat extra dimension to your wardrobe... something unexpected! And it realy does look quite nice on you at the original length, more retro than if it was shorter.
i dont think the length is unflattering at all, but i do admit i am used to seeing you in shorter items. but hey, a little change is good for the soul!
and i LOVE your complimenting idea! i know i definitely love it when someone says something nice about my outfit. like you, im super-shy, but timing things with your exit is genius. :)
I think the length of this dress makes you look super tall and slim. Also the richness of the colors is so complementary to your skin! If I were you I wouldn't change a thing.
The dress is GORGEOUS and I think you should keep it as is.
I am shy as well, but yes it would feel so nice to get a compliment from a complete stranger. If I make it out of the house today I will try and spread a little joy!
it's beautiful!
oh hell I love this dress.
I think the length is great with the heel. I think with flats it might tread into too long territory but I think it's perfect here.
I am a sucker for princess sleeves and peter pan collars.
I like the dress length and the compliment strangers advice. I do that myself sometimes. :)
Love your blog. Love the dress. You could change it up a bit and use safety pins to hem it up, giving it a balloon or bubble effect that isn't permanent. I think I saw a dress like that for sale on Etsy with a safety pin hemline. You like to make things, might work.
I really like this length. I could see how it might feel long because it seems like your hems are usually above the knee, but I think it's a good variety. You can always enjoy it long now and get it shortened in a year or so, and it will be like two dresses in one ;-)
FWIW if you're in the market for a longer slip, my favorite slip brand (Farr West) has started doing closeout stuff on ebay here:
http://shop.ebay.com/farrwestslips/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25
They have a 26" full slip up right now for $25. I bought the 21" version (which I wear with above-the-knee skirts) for like $65 in December so it's a pretty good deal.
(P.S. I usually compliment while exiting too!)
I love the dress! The pattern and colors are gorgeous on you and I love the ruffles! That length is fine!
I too am a big fan of the "drive-by compliment", well "walk-by"... I tend to compliment people who are walking the opposite direction from me, so they just blow past and I don't have to linger!
Honestly, it'd be MORE flattering shorter. But it's not unflattering now. You could try a wider belt, and fold over some of the waistline behind the belt ...
I love you for encouraging compliment-giving. You rule, E.
The dress is great! Though I would love to see it at a shorter length on you, and maybe try a wider belt to really accentuate that teeny waist!!
Just found your blog through Weardrobe and I love it! I will add you to my blogroll.
http://www.afashionfixation.blogspot.com/
I think that the length makes it a bit more mature of a look than you typically wear. (NOT saying it makes you look old, or that you normally dress immature! )It just has a slightly different style feel than your typical outfit, but I think it works, and I like the different feel to the outfit.
OK, that dress is amazing on you. The colors, the ruffles, the cut. Like others, I think that this length works well with you. You've paired it with heels, and you already have great legs and height, so it's still quite flattering. Love it.
I 100% approve of this message. :)
I think this looks absolutely lovely on you, Erin. It's so pretty and so are you!
I am all over your challenge - that is one of my favourite things to do. I know that when I get a kind word from a stranger it almost seems to mean more, you know?
I think it's pretty cute, but I agree with you - it would look best right above or at the knee
I love it just how it is! Sometimes a longer skirt is a good thing, like on a breezy day or when you want to make sure you aren't flashing anyone while you're sitting down. I try to compliment others because I know I love hearing compliments myself. A woman told me the other day that she liked my top, and it completely made my otherwise crappy day!
I really like the length... with some pretty and modern shoes, it looks really chic.
I'm going to compliment a stranger tomorrow, just for you...and because it's nice to do.
I am a big proponent of giving strangers compliments; the joy that lights up their face is the biggest high.
I love the dress on you but I understand your uncertainty about the length. Some good suggestions already in the comments; my only one would to try to play with the length by adding in longer sweaters or seeing if you can put another skirt over it to break things up. But really, you could wear it like you are right now everyday and it would be lovely!
I think this dress looks amazing and the length looks nice. Most dresses are either a lot shorter or a lot longer, so this dress kinda stands out for having a different length. I'm pretty short, so I would end hemming it and likely pairing with heels most of the time. I think you nailed this with the shoes and the bag (I love all of the browns!).
I think the length works with the flow of the skirt.
Thanks for the encouragement. I know I love it when I'm complimented, especially by a stranger. Definitely boosts your self-esteem; makes your day a little brighter :)
I try to tell people nice things all the time. I especially try to find something nice to say about someone who probably doesn't always get compliments. Making someones day is a gift that we can give! I LOVE that. I love your dress. And I LOVE your great advice! You are a gem!
Here's a website you might find interesting in light of todays post: http://www.operationnice.com/
I think the length works, you look great. It would be a shame not to wear the dress, it's so pretty.
There's no doubt in my mind that you could hem this yourself. It's sooo easy!
I'd leave it as it is!! From all the outfits I've seen in your blog, you have plenty of short skirts and dresses already. And this one's length helps make it wonderfully vintage 40s-ish, elegant, ladylike yet alluring, even a bit mysterious, in a quietly "femme fatale" sort of way. It's an unusually seductive, womanly look for you and you ROCK it!! Also, it's a huge pleasure to see you in those darker colors and rich jewel tones; they SOOO complement your exquisite skin and hair and eyes. I actually think this goes in my "Erin Top Five" most flattering outfits ever. Those colors make you glow! and the style makes you look so willowy and tall and elegant. :-) And I always complement strangers; you can tell when it makes their day. Like someone else said above, I too remember stranger compliments from YEARS ago. They can be powerful indeed.
Leave it as is, and then later you can still have it altered and it will feel like a while new garment!
And complimenting strangers is def the way to go. I do it all the time. Usually I get a good response, but sometimes I get a weird look that says "Lady, I don't know you. Why are you talking to me?"
Yup, like many of the commenters, I think this is a great length on you - very ladylike and gorgeous with those shoes!
I try to tell people they look nice even when I don't know them. There's a woman who gets on my bus who is ROCKING the pencil dress in a way only curves can, and I'm dying to tell her how amazing she looks, but the bus is always packed when we're both on it. One day I'll get close enough to tell her - in a non-stalkerish way... :D
Those wedges are fantastic; I'm super jealous. :) Just found your blog today, and I'm loving it. Dressing stylish on a budget can be tough! You're pulling it off for sure. :)
Robyn
ChiChiSaysRobyn.blogspot.com
I love the dress as is. As others have stated, it's different for you and makes you look extra long and lean.
First off -- love Rilo Kiley (and secretly the Spice Girls). I think we are music soul mates.
Second -- this dress is gorgeous. What a great find. I think it makes you look so tall and it's so flattering!
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