As a petite woman I normally shy away from prints that are oversized as they can overwhelm my small frame.
Ha ha!
NOT!
I’m like a moth to a flame when I see crazy oversized prints.
I saw this dress almost two months ago in the consignment store and loved it then. It was too large and pricey so I walked away. I was surprised when I returned recently to find it still there and reduced by 50%. The dress had waited patiently for my return.
The artsy print reminds me of a Salvador Dalí painting. What is more fabulous than wearing a painting?
I know what you’re all thinking…
“Wearing a painting while holding a litter of baby pugs while Matthias Schoenaerts hand feeds me dark chocolate!”
but come on guys, I couldn’t hold a whole litter of baby pugs.
I’d try though.
Oh yes, I’d try.
This is another one of those tent or A-line dresses that I normally steer clear of as it can add visual weight to my body but the artsy print persuaded me to look past that.
I took the dress up through the shoulders which helped reduce the size of the arm holes. It made it a little bit shorter, which I might regret come spring, (which has yet to show up here BTW…we had a blizzard on Sunday!) but for now it is perfect with some dark tights. If need be I can simply rip out the stitches come Spring. I didn’t cut any of the dress. It was a quick fix rather than taking it in down the side seams. When it comes to sewing I’m gifted lazy like that.
I’ve layered a cardigan under for some much needed warmth on the arms.
Someone get Mother Nature on the phone STAT. Snow in April should be illegal.
The person that brought this dress to the consignment store cut out all the labels. Including the one that tells me how to clean the garment.
Why?
I friggin’ hate it when people do that!
Now it’s a guessing game as to how I should be washing this. It had better not be another issue like I had here. Once was more than enough.
Wearing heels and tights creating one long lean lower line helps to minimize the tent-like properties of this dress.
I was going to write the fact that the dress is shorter and the print doesn’t cover all of my body ensures that the print doesn’t overwhelm my frame but then I remembered this outfit…
And this…
So forget that tip.
My #1 no fail tip on how to wear an oversized print if you’re petite is…
Wear some kind of heel and strut around like you own the place. Confident people can wear whatever the heck they want.
Linking up with Turning Heads Tuesday, I Will Wear What I Like, My Whims Wednesday, What I Wore, Throwback Thursday, 52 Pick-me-up
Love the print on that dress! I’ve become one of those people who cuts out (some) labels because I can’t tolerate them rubbing against my skin. 🙁
I have done the same sometimes, but usually just the tag at my neck where it touches which is most often the label of the brand.
I’m actually surprised that the consignment store even took this as they are normally label obsessed.
I love the first dress is beautiful, and the print is cute. I like the look, is elegant, basic and wonderful.
Re: cutting out labels – sensitive skin. I cut the labels out of everything or risk spending the day scratching and itching and having to slather Polysporin on the welt I get from that tiny little corner of a piece of fabric that most people don’t even notice.
If I don’t remove the labels I might as well not buy the garment. The person who gets it next if/when I set it free is not my concern.
This is beautiful and the print delights my eye. Snowstorm here im Mb and highways around Portage closed yesterday.
Love it (and a bucket of baby pugs too). It reminds me of a Ted Baker print. Truly no fair to have snow in April? How is end of June – that is when I am hoping to visit Toronto, and I have no snow boots : >
xxox
Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
End of June will probably be hot : ) Or possible your “normal”. LOL I promise you will not need snow boots at that time.
ah, plucked from the same garden, we two. And what’s wrong with tent dresses? Anyway, you look divine covered in gigantic tulips. Shall we meet sometime wearing big fleurs? Yes! in LA, right?
p.s. how’d it go with your shadow blog site?
I’m not a tent dress gal normally. Personal preference is all.
Yes : ) I’d fly to LA today if I could!
They finally stopped stealing my posts, I think. I haven’t been back to check in a while.
Yes, I’m hoping to go in Dec….but that is still so very far away and it is snowing here today. I’d love to be on a plane to LA today.
When I read your first statement (of course I thought you were serious)…I was thinking—that’s not the Suzanne I know & love—then the clouds cleared and it all made sense!!
Of course it’s an absolutely beautiful dress—who cares that it’s tent like? Everyone will be focusing on the print–not the silhouette (and your fantastic wit!).
And as a fix it girl (sorry—it’s hard not to add my two cents)—i had my mom sew a piece of fabric at the bottom of a too short dress once—you could get a similar color to the sleeves and then it’s look deliberate?
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
ps…March & April are our snowiest months—but at least it melts fast!!
I actually think there is a nice little hem on this dress should I decide to take it down or even choose to take it in up the sides and remove the shoulder stitches I have added.
I have added fabric to quite a few of my dresses over the years. Funny thing is that people then think they were made like that.
This was funny and is true: Confident people can wear whatever the heck they want.
I think this dress is very modern and looks very cool on you. Love the red and green with it. The tights are green aren’t they? Really good dress.
You would have liked these dresses as well. I don’t think they are for sale anymore (and they were expensive):
https://www.google.nl/search?q=art+dress+ladress&rlz=1C1CHMO_nlNL565NL565&biw=1920&bih=955&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj0ufGtrfrLAhUBGg4KHa1qBjoQ_AUIBigB
Greetje
Eeek…I hate to see what I actually look like on your computer screen. Am I green too? No, the tights are brown, and the dress is in fact burgundy and brown.
Now I see they are brown. That is why I asked. There was a slight tone of darkgreen on them but I wasn’t sure. So brown it is. And you look perfectly normal my dear. Have no fear.
Greetje
Those art dresses are cool! I had never seen them before.
I totally agree with you! Most fashion “rules” are utter nonsense and if you just OWN IT, you can wear what you like.
The key thing is that you feel good in it so you can get the required amount of strut!
🙂 Another great dress in your collection of beautiful and unique clothes!
Large or small print – the dress looks very good on you!
Take care and have a very HAPPY day xo 🙂
I have a confession, Suzanne….I am THAT label snipper….. :o/
I have some kind of obsession with things rubbing my skin and I snip snip snip.
I am not responsible for this dress though (phew!)
XXX
Samantha
I’m so glad to see posts about prints and petites — and throwing out this rulebook everyone keeps talking about! I don’t see why I can’t wear something bold, as long as it fits proportionately and I feel good strutting my stuff!
Love the dress and what you’ve done with it! Will you post about it again later when Mother Nature finally remembers what season it is?
– Sherry
http://www.petiteover40.com
This dress is so pretty, I can see why you need it in your closet. I love how you were able to wear it for the frigid spring.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
LOVE it!!!! And you are so right, a confident woman can wear anything!
Girl…you could wear a potato sack and look good in it! Just sayin’.
It really is like a work of art on you. And you always look tall to me, so clearly the prints aren’t overwhelming you. I want all the puppy pugs!
So true, if you have confidence you can wear anything and look amazing.
The print on that dress is fantastic, you are a walking piece of art. You went back and it was reduced, if that’s not a sign from the second hand gods that you should buy something then I don’t know what is.
Cutting the labels out of clothes annoys me, too. I chuck everything in at a 30 degree cool wash and hope for the best. The other day I noticed one of Jon’s finds was dry clean only but it made no difference, in it went and out it came, the same size, the same colour, just cleaner. xxx
That print is absolutely phenomenal…I’m in love with it. The only thing that would make it even better? If it had pockets so you could tuck even more pug puppies inside and carry them around with you all day.
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
I want a bumper sticker or tee shirt that reads Confident Women can Wear Anything!
Bring on the print I say! I’ll take it at any size and I’m a reeeeeeeal petite but I punch above my weight print size when I wanna!
This is a divine dress – it’s got tulips on it. I friggin’ adore tulips! Nothing to do with being married to a Dutchie, (ok maybe an itsy witsy bit). The muted tones are gorgeous and brilliant to wear a cardie underneath. I thought it was a long sleeve top so points to you.
April sure is a bizarre month. I was wearing gloves today in London. Nuts!
http://petitesilvervixen.blogspot.co.uk/
Hahahahaha….I love that….strut around like you own the place. I so CAN’T get Steven Tyler out of my head now!
No question…you can rock a large print girlfriend!
You said it perfectly! When worn with heels and confidence you can wear anything your little (big) heart desires! BTW, are you tired of the jumpsuit becuase I would gladly wear it with confidence, haha. Actually both the dresses as well.
Hear hear – heels and confidence are all you need! But heels especially, as they are magic confidence givers in themselves. I seriously find that adding heels to outfits that otherwise aren’t looking quite right can be like some sort of magical fashion plaster!
I really love the print and can certainly see the Salvador Dali reference. Like your tips for petite ladies.
And those pugs….. I would try too!
Thanks for linking up with TUrning Heads Tuesday!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
You rock a tent dress. Hahaha. This looks sassay on you. I love the oversized print. And yes, it was a sign when you found it again discounted. Of course I love your shoulder alteration technique.
I want to play with those puglets!!!
Yes, like Vix, it’s survive or die when it comes to washing – into the machine it goes. I’ve had a few casualties, but I get over it.
Bahaha! I read the first line and was like, “Who is this?! She better follow this up with a ‘just kidding!'” lol
I definitely see the Dali vibe in this dress. It’s very dreamy and pretty but also a little surreal and strange. It’s interesting. I dig it!
I appreciate your simple tips for not being overwhelmed by oversized prints. You know I’m right there with you on strapping on a pair of heels and strutting around like I’m a boss because, you know, I am the boss of my body and how I clothe it!
<3 Liz
http://www.withwonderandwhimsy.com
You look fabulous in that tulip dress – really lovely! I wish I could make find like that!
I too cut out labels – they irritate my skin to the point where I feel like I am going to go crazy and end up with a hole scratched into my skin – by the label and by myself. I often said I will run for Congress, just to be able to pass a Law that says they are not allowed to put any labels in the neck – it should be in a side seam! That is how much it irritates me!