Look for Leah’s Off the Rack column again next week.
Guess what I did today? Had a personal shopping session at Anthropologie!!! When I arrived at the Rockefeller Center store this morning, this is the rack of clothes that Allison (pictured) and Nanette had waiting for me.
I’ll share the wins and fails soon, but for now here’s a sneak peek of a surprising discovery. Below from left to right are the Channeled Dots Column Dress and the Serena Sweater Dress. If it were up to me, I wouldn’t have taken either one back to the dressing room with me because of the solid band of fabric across the top.
It turns out I would only have been half right, and not for the reason I thought. Check out how flattering the dress on the left is! However, is the dress on the right even the same one that the model is wearing??
To be honest, I couldn’t even zip the size 12 column dress up, and my hands are by my shoulders to hide my armpit fat (one of the reviewers wrote that “it cuts too early in the armpits. It will give the thinnest girl armpit fat that hangs out the side”), but I was so amazed by the flattering shape created by the panels that I had to photograph it.
The sad Serena dress is another story entirely. All those horizontal lines aren’t doing me any favors, but Nanette brought up one very interesting observation: it needs a wider waste band. It’s also far too short. Do you have any thoughts?
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Here’s a new discovery: the DVF Cala stretch slip dress. It could be another great alternative to camisoles under dresses. The website says that it “works perfectly under our signature wrap”. (Is this a new phenomenon that the creator of the iconic wrap dress now offers a concession to cleavage concerns, or has this been around for a while?) I like that you wouldn’t have to worry about the hem of your camisole riding up, and it’d help give you a nice smooth line. I also like that the spaghetti straps are detachable.
Here’s the Q & A with Diane von Furstenberg that brought it to my attention (in the November issue of InStyle Magazine).
Q: I really want to buy a wrap dress, but I feel self-conscious because I have a large chest and am afraid of wardrobe malfunctions. Any ideas?
A: Confidence is the most important thing; you have to feel comfortable in what you are wearing. I suggest putting a camisole or a slip underneath your dress. Consider a cami from Wolford, which has a bit of stretch and will give you some extra support. Buy a white one and a black one, and they’ll come in handy with many other pieces in your wardrobe as well. Or wear our simple Cala stretch slip dress. It really holds you in and ensures a more discrete neckline.
I’m a HUGE fan of wrap dresses and wrap necklines – I have so many of this style! I like the idea of the full slip, especially for a “real” wrap dress that you have to tie in place. However, I also love Niki Biki cropped camis to give you bust coverage without having to worry about a cami creeping up your waist. They add a pop of color, too.
And for those times I WANT to show the ladies off – my Elomi Betty is SPECTACULAR under wrap dresses. 🙂
I hadn’t heard of Niki Biki. You should write a review sometime! So far, I’ve heard of Perfect Cami, Chickies and Second Base.
Now I want to see you in your Betty under a wrap dress, too!
I love Anthropologie. I have a gorgeous teal top that I can’t wear…bought it before I started wearing “the correct bra”.
I think the Serena’s center stripe would need to be taller and it would need the side panels like the Channeled Dots design. That said, I couldn’t wear either one so what do I know? The Channeled Dots is flattering.
I wonder if a full slip as a camisole would also hide any embarrassing un-wrapped wrap dress moments…hmmm…. I live in fear of true wrap styles unwrapping when I sit or getting caught in the wind. With me in it. Because it’s happened before.
Unwrapped dress moments–yes. I think this is a better option when it’s cooler, though.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who has the problem of turning regular waists into empire waists!
I bought a slip dress cami thing a few years ago. I found a great red dress that is just a little too full of cleavage, but the material shows anything underneath. I found a great black slip dress that does just a little shaping to smooth things out. I love it.
that left is very surpising indeed! Somehow still, even though it technically is my kinda style, it seems tad wrong but can’t quite put my finger to it. But you definately inspired me to try a personal styling session at a local prestige department store and see how they would dress me!
and just booked one for next Friday! They do it in two stages – first is an interview and they take measurements. Second session is then the selected outfits.
How did they determine what to select for you? Did you meet them before hand?
I made the appointment online, and they gave a list of words to choose to describe my style. I think I chose “classic”. In a follow-up email I mentioned that I’m large-busted.
I always wear a cami with my wrap dress!