Post # 1

Member
3788 posts
Honey bee
I added this as a reply to my thread comparing two dresses, but I suspect people aren’t scrolling past the initial poll/question and this is the important part! It happens. 🙂
I got to try on a dress very similar to the one I am considering buying used — Enzoani Dakota, as worn by our own lovely hostess bakerella and some other lovely bees before her. That dress is NOT sold in my area, so I tried on Blue by Enzoani dress called Champagne, which has a similar fit but some different details like beading under the bust and a different pattern in the lace. I really, reallllllly liked this dress, maybe even more than the Dakota, though it’s unfair to compare them because I haven’t seen Dakota in person.
Anyway, to make a long story short (too late!), I am considering buying the Dakota based on how this one fit. I was concerned that I am built too boxy for it — opinions, please. I WILL NOT BE OFFENDED IF YOU TELL ME IT LOOKS TERRIBLE; I may by it even if you tell me that, but I want to know honestly. Thank you!

Post # 3

Member
2588 posts
Sugar bee
I’m not crazy about what it does to your waist–it minimizes your thighs a little too much and, imo, makes your top half look less curvy (and sort of unbalances the whole look). No offense! I think something less form-fitting in the thigh/hip area would be better for you.
Post # 4

Member
7587 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
I turned the computer to the man sitting next to me and said what do you think? I feel like he gives better answers on this stuff because he’s a guy and it just flies out. LOL. He said it makes you look square on top. Then he said sponge bob square pants.
I wouldn’t go that far, but I would say that there are probably other shapes that are better for your body type. It looks like you have an athletic build and so your bust, waist and hips, are very similar in size and not really curvy enough for a mermaid/trumpet style dress.
Post # 5

Member
1816 posts
Buzzing bee
Gorgeous dress and I love you in lace! However, I think that dress is a bit too mermaid-y for my tastes. If it was more of a fit and flare I would like it better.
Post # 6

Member
1332 posts
Bumble bee
Have you ever tried one of those waist-nipper type undergarments? I bet you could achieve a more hourglass figure with one of those and then the dress would be more flattering. It’s a gorgeous gown though!
Post # 7

Member
637 posts
Busy bee
While I think that there may be other shapes that flatter your shape more, I do think that it still looks beautiful on you. If I was with you in the dressing room trying on different dresses, I may say keep looking, BUT if you wore that as a bride in a wedding I attended I would think “that dress looks awesome” and not “she looks square”.
Hope that helps!
Post # 8

Member
3788 posts
Honey bee
That’s what I was afraid of. I felt really good in it, but looking at the pictures makes me unsure. I swear I am the least photogenic person on the planet.
Post # 9

Member
464 posts
Helper bee
I definitely don’t think it looks terrible at all, but I do think that there is probably a more flattering style of dress that still has the qualities you love about this one.
I agree with Statutory Grape, that maybe if it was less mermaid on the bottom that it might seem better proportioned. I think you would look amazing in one that’s fitted on top and then has an A-lined bottom. I love the top and I love the lace, I’m just not loving something about how fitted it is at the knees.
Post # 10

Member
3788 posts
Honey bee
The shadow of belly pooch probably isn’t helping, but I swear it’s a lot flatter when I turned to the side!
Post # 11

Member
1810 posts
Buzzing bee
I think it’s the fact that the top isn’t the right size so is not fitting like it should be, and it looks like your legs are not side by side, but instead, one leg is in front of the other. That gives the illusion that it is super tight in the knee area and makes the photo look a little wonky. I think it’s a beautiful dress though.
Post # 12

Member
2588 posts
Sugar bee
@Amaryllis: I didn’t notice that, to be honest. I’m just not loving the way it makes you look sort of ruler-like on the torso but then too narrow below. You could try a waist cincher, but I agree with summerbride–an a-line with a fuller skirt would work best on your body type.
Post # 13

Member
1641 posts
Bumble bee
I am built EXACTLY like you. I don’t have a ton of waist definition.
I think that this dress looks ok on you, but I think you should try something else. I never thought I’d buy an a-line, because I didn’t want anything princess-y. But a-line can mean a lot of different things. I got a slight a-line with rouching on the side, and the roucing made a HUGE difference. It actually gave me a waist where I don’t have much of one. As far as buying it becuase it fits well- well, I found that most of the dresses that I tried on fit well due to the structure of wedding dresses in general.
I’d keep looking, honestly.
Post # 14

Member
3788 posts
Honey bee
I do plan to look into Spanx or some kind of waist shaper, regardless of which dress I end up with.
@menobride: It’s so frustrating. I loooove the personality of this style; if that makes sense. I wish I could make my body match how I feel about myself. :
Post # 15

Member
1068 posts
Bumble bee
I’m not a big fan of this silhouette since it’s so tricky. I’ve seen some other dresses that are similar but may work better for your body shape. I say keep looking!
Post # 16

Member
3788 posts
Honey bee
My “old” dress was a slim A-line, and I really thought it looked terrible because it just sort of hung around my hips. I figured if I went fitted, it would give the illusion of curves.