We found the perfect LBD for Gina: flattering and versatile! The fitted waist showcases her small waist and curvy figure, plus the soft drape around the neck is very feminine.
The first outfit below would be perfect for a cocktail party. The statement necklace plays up her warm coloring and is in proportion with her body scale. It also brings the attention away from her bust.
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| Necklace: Jones New York Dress: Ralph Lauren |
We added some flair to the outfit by combining a soft print in the bag with a leopard print heel.
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| Clutch: Banana Republic Pumps: Ivanka Trump |
A cardigan and some cute flats tone down the dress for a more casual look. Perfect for dinner plans with her girlfriends or–why not?–a date night.
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| Belt: J. McLaughlin Clutch: Aldo |
Remove the necklace and add a handbag, Gina is ready for a busy day at work.
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| Handbag: Gina’s own |
I hope I have inspired you to go review your own LBD! Make sure it brings out the best in you and adds versatility to your style. Use accessories and layering to reinvent it, create exciting combos and, ultimately, look fabulous!!
Do you have the perfect LBD? Or do you feel like you need a better one? Please share your experience and do not hesitate to contact me for expert feedback!
Just wanted to suggest for anyone hourglass shaped who needs a LBD, Trashy Diva makes awesome, super flattering dresses that fit a large bust. Right now they have a stretch velvet LBD as well as some other styles. 🙂
Thanks, Brittany. Also, I keep meaning to tell Marketa to look into Trashy Diva for a jacket.
I wanted to give some behind-the-scenes info on this session. First, your eagle eyes may notice some boob bifurcation going on with the LBD. We decided to overlook this because (a) it almost seems like part of the folds of the cowl neck; and (b) this dress had more vavoom than any of the others that Silfath had Gina try on. Interestingly, Gina thinks she has big arms. According to Silfath, ALL women think they have big arms, but Gina's aren't. This gives her a lot more versatility.
Gina purchased the belt after the closet session with Silfath because Silfath said she needed something slightly wider. For some of us, a wider belt is a necessary balance for our chests (hence my experiment with wider belts for the Katerina dress). The detail at the front of this belt is an added bonus for emphasizing the waist and drawing the eye from the bust.
I have a little black dress that actually is almost a copy of the one in the post. Mine, however, is from H&M and I paid 10 euros for it. However, it's the only dress I've found in a regular store that even comes close to fitting be. I think it works for almost every occasion, and, I actually liked it so much that I bought one in grey and one in red too.
http://marvelicious.blogg.se/images/2010/hm-red-dress_116636261.jpg That's not me but it stills gives you an idea.
Oh my goodness, Helena. No way! That's exactly the dress that I posted on my blog last December: https://hourglassy.com/2010/12/is-it-slow-fashion-or-no-fashion-for-us.html
Tell me more–what bra and dress size do you wear?
Just goes to show, you have to try things on!
That looks fantastic!
Gina looks fabulous and I love the dress! My LBD is from Australian designer Leona Edmiston, who unfortunately has very few shops in the US. She designs gorgeous dresses ("frocks") that are great on curves, though she doesn't have too huge a size range.
Thanks for the introduction to Leona Edmiston, Satsumaart. Her "frocks" are gorgeous! (It looks like I would fit her size 6 in the bust and waist.)
Darlene: I usually wear a 28GG/H, but I'm more of a true 26H/HH. I would say that I'm quite a true hourglass with a 26 inch waist, 38,5" bust and 37" hip and really narrow shoulders. However, from the front I do look quite straight. All my hourglass feuture is in the front and bak, almost nothing on the sides.
What size in clothes is a lot harder, but I usually wear XS/34 i H&M-clothes. US and UK sizes is not what I'm used to. Some years ago I still bought shirts and jackets, but only buttoned them below the bust. However, that's not possible anymore, and unfortunatly I'm a bit too small for most Bravissimo/Pepperberry clothes.
Because of that I sew most of my clothes, I just finished a basic black dress jacket. When I do buy I always look for clothes in jersey with a lot of stretch. When I found that dress in one colour in the right size, and it fitted as if it was supposed to be on the same kind of body as mine, I actually went to four other H&M stores to find one in the other two. Great basic dresses that are cheap too, how often do you see that?
Helena, I can see why you snatched these dresses up from the other stores. I'm so jealous that you can sew. I would love to feature the jacket you made on my blog if you're interested in guest posting.