Can This Dress Be Saved?

danidance · 07-22-2007, 02:07 PM

People,

I bought this dress from that funny "bag lady" on ebay for $50. It's really sweet, but I think it has some issues.

The expanse of undecorated velvet across the butt is not doing me any favors - it's a lot of jiggle potential there....what can I do? wear a scarf? that would be weird with the front design, I don't think that carrying the design around would work at all...

Should I just put it in the resell on bhuz for cheap stack?

Tummy still sticking out - a pair of spanx would do wonders but then, no jiggle at all. Are the armholes too deep? guess it would help to have some bosoms, but then the dress would be too short.

MelanieLA · 07-22-2007, 03:23 PM

Wow I think it's REALLY sexy and different. I love the front design. I think a hipscarf in gold would be fine. It doesn't matter if you cover some of the appliques in front, it's done with plenty of other similar dresses, and with assuit, which has design in front and back.
If you really don't want to obscure the front at all, you could venture downtown and look for appliques that match, and sew a few on to cover your butt. That would be hot.
Oh wait I just re-read that you said you wouldn't want to carry the design around. Why? That would look good. Not in a straight line, but in a staggered clump.
The armholes look fine.

DeborahDances · 07-22-2007, 03:27 PM

Yep, I would just tie a hip scarf around it. Maybe make one with a wavy edge to match the neckline of the dress.

tamrahennatx · 07-22-2007, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danidance

People,

I bought this dress from that funny "bag lady" on ebay for $50. It's really sweet, but I think it has some issues.

The expanse of undecorated velvet across the butt is not doing me any favors - it's a lot of jiggle potential there....what can I do? wear a scarf? that would be weird with the front design, I don't think that carrying the design around would work at all...

Should I just put it in the resell on bhuz for cheap stack?

Tummy still sticking out - a pair of spanx would do wonders but then, no jiggle at all. Are the armholes too deep? guess it would help to have some bosoms, but then the dress would be too short.

I think your tummy is sexy

dunyah · 07-22-2007, 03:54 PM

Hey, I bid on that! I think it looks great on you, I am probably too tall for it anyway but I thought it was cool. I think a hipscarf would look good with it. If you do sell, can I be in line?

tamrahennatx · 07-22-2007, 03:57 PM

Oh and what about a thin hip belt with long fringe? It would give the whole thing an 80's retro feel.

*eta* and it would highlight the tummy. Yum!

Lauren_ · 07-22-2007, 04:29 PM

I think a hip scarf OR a fringed belt in gold would be fabulous. I like it!

lotus · 07-22-2007, 05:07 PM

the neckline is disturbing me a little; I thought I was seeing nipple at first glance.

vilia · 07-22-2007, 05:08 PM

I think it already looks great on you, but rather than carrying the design around, would just two bands of that front design down the back either side of the zipper work? It would cut you in half (not that you need to be, but I know we all seem to like that effect on ourselves) and camouflage the butt area a bit.

danidance · 07-22-2007, 05:21 PM

you're right! it looks it in the picture there on the right side, but it definitely is the dress. would that I were so perky!

In person, it looks okay but I can probably just pull it up a little on the shoulder and that would solve the armhole thing too...just a hair - like maybe 1/4 inch.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lotus

the neckline is disturbing me a little; I thought I was seeing nipple at first glance.

danidance · 07-22-2007, 05:22 PM

my tummy thanks you....I was thinking fringe - do you mean to sew it on or a fringy independent belt?

Melania - I think the gold coins are the right idea. I will try it. I don't have a coin belt in the right tone, but I'll see what I can improvise to test it out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tamrahennatx

Oh and what about a thin hip belt with long fringe? It would give the whole thing an 80's retro feel.

*eta* and it would highlight the tummy. Yum!

danidance · 07-22-2007, 05:25 PM

If you've got narrow hips and thighs it would probably be longer. It is exactly the right length on my 5'6" size 10 hippy body. a narrow build with more up top might atually look way better in this dress. If the coin scarf doesn't look good I'll let you know before I put in the swap meet. It came with gauntlets too - it's quite pretty and very comfortable. The cutouts on the leg are at just the right height on me.

I think you're tall, right Dunyah?

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunyah

Hey, I bid on that! I think it looks great on you, I am probably too tall for it anyway but I thought it was cool. I think a hipscarf would look good with it. If you do sell, can I be in line?

tamrahennatx · 07-22-2007, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danidance

my tummy thanks you....I was thinking fringe - do you mean to sew it on or a fringy independent belt?

Melania - I think the gold coins are the right idea. I will try it. I don't have a coin belt in the right tone, but I'll see what I can improvise to test it out.

I was thinking an independent belt.

Marianna · 07-22-2007, 05:45 PM

I have a funny suggestion for tummy sticking out and "potential juggle in the rear" :)

I made a skirt and top for myself to wear, a long time ago (not belly dance, as evening wear) I made it out of lycra, it was a little more expensive (with nice texture) but definitely thinner materical.
So if I would have even try to dance on the dance floor, everyone would have been looking at my "backside".

I have taken an old pair of pantihose, cut off the legs in midthigh area and wore that under. It made my tumy flatter, but the real wonder was how my butt looked so nice and firm, no jiggle at all! I will be using this method all the time if the issue ever arise, I'm thinking even under some lycra belly dance costumes.

try it and tell me if it works! It was very comfortable becausthe legs were cut off - also make sure you cut it in midthigh area so it doesn't roll up all the way.

Marianna

danidance · 07-22-2007, 05:53 PM

Marianna,

I definitely do that for my everyday work dresses in light fabrics. Now that Target and others, including the Spanx brand, make an underwear/short that is way better than pantyhose cut-offs, I've been buying those. The Target brand is good but Spanx still is the best IMO.

I want a little jiggle for shimmies but not so much my entire backside looks like jello.

Lauren_ · 07-22-2007, 05:57 PM

I think shortening it at the shoulders is brilliant, that'll bring up the neckline and the armholes. Don't bring up the neckline too far, though, it's so sexy right now. A pushup bra would enhance the effect!

Some of the Eman costumes I just tried on at Dahlal's had, basically, cutoff pantyhose sewn inside them!

danidance · 07-22-2007, 06:06 PM

I AM wearing a push up bra!

I'm cursed with low flying boobs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lauren_

I think shortening it at the shoulders is brilliant, that'll bring up the neckline and the armholes. Don't bring up the neckline too far, though, it's so sexy right now. A pushup bra would enhance the effect!

Some of the Eman costumes I just tried on at Dahlal's had, basically, cutoff pantyhose sewn inside them!

laura 2 · 07-22-2007, 08:05 PM

I'd just like to say that, judging from the side picture, your boo-tay looks fabulous in this dress. And the color is really flattering on you too.

ashadanzatrice · 07-22-2007, 08:41 PM

i think you look really sexy in it, and i hope you will work out something you like in the coin or fringe belt department! as your fellow low-flyer, i would agree with shortening the straps just a little, but i think the neckline itself is beautiful.

reina · 07-22-2007, 10:23 PM

Dani, I like it and I think you can wear with with a coin hip scarf and it will look great. You could also cut the neckline lower, so that you have an exposed bra and then match the bra to a hip scarf and possibly even to the drapey arm bands that LRose sells. That would also look cool but requires nore risk and skill to pull it off. Rain

Lauren_ · 07-22-2007, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danidance

I AM wearing a push up bra!

I'm cursed with low flying boobs.

LOL! Me too.

Helpful friends are always suggesting I should shorten my bra straps on my costumes, but honestly, then I'd have underboobage. They just ARE that low!