Monday 8 September 2008

All wrapped up

For many years I've lived by the notion “if you have to tie it,  don't buy it”. It's quite a general, day to day rule if I'm to be honest. I accomplished the shoe tying skill a good year after my fellow class mates. I  still struggle to wrap odd shaped gifts and tie ribbons around them with only 2 hands. Let's not even start with my inability to use glad wrap successfully. Just imagine the level of fear involved with the terribly popular  “flatters every body shape” wrap dress. (Note to non dress obsessed readers: 99% of wrap dresses are made from jersey and of all fabrics this is the least forgiving. Making this iconic dress a triple threat. You have to wrap it around your person, tie it to the side and watch the lycra cling to last nights extra scoop of raspberry sorbet – c'mon, where's the fun in that?). In desperation, I once decided cut and quality could possibly be where my problem lay. Alas, not even a DVW could give these somewhat curvy proportions a pleasing silhouette.

Yesterday, however,  I was  convinced by my “wrap dress wearing friend” to once again try on the dress from hell. What a pleasant surprise. When I explained my woes to the sweetest store manager at Leona Edmiston (QP Bne) she explained, “the heavier the jersey (LE signature sleek jersey in this case) the more weight on the hem. The heavy hem then causes the dress to  fall down the body rather than stretch across it”.  I did a lot of smiling and head nodding having not a clue what she was on about. All I knew was that a discovery had been made, I was wrapped, tied and needed a lay-by form. Diane best watch her back, I think Leona's about to tap and unwrap her signature piece.

9 people have commented:

Imelda Matt - The Despotic Queen of Shoes said...

“if you have to tie it, don't buy it”...LOL

So which one did you buy? How's tricks in le Vegas, have you settled back into the swing?

Shannon said...

I cheat and buy cotton wrap dresses. They don't give as much slink, instead holding and shaping nicely.

Mind you, now that I'm pregnant, the stretch in jersey is a godsend and I'm getting past the point of caring what my thighs look like as long as I fit into the dress!

Make Do Style said...

Agree wrap dresses can cause all sorts of issues but as a proud owner of two DVF numbers - Leona is right ref hem weight. Makes all the difference and the cut of the wrap helps too.

GirlonTour said...

Still loving your blog Francis! Gives me my fashion fix, whilst I am stuck in a time warp and the country I live in appreciates woman wearing only black or black. As for the wrap dresses, you can soooo find one for any figure I believe. I am def not of the slight variety and I have 3! And if you choose correctly you will have them for years. I still wear a black Cue one I bought in 1997 and it still gets comments.

Skye said...

I am opposed to wrap dresses on principle as I have no waist to speak of and they always look dreadful on me - those Leona ones look very pretty in the photos though. I'm looking forward to see one on you!

Lady Melbourne said...

Man, I discovered the glory of wrap dresses years ago- Diane Von Furstenberg hasn't made her fortune out of nothing!
Think clevage, and well cut.
Anyhow, which one did you get? Trust Leona Edminston to make them look sexy as all get up.
I've missed some great posts by the looks of things since I last visited!
LM
x

Candice DeVille said...

Yum, what a great selection. And yes, your SA was correct. A heavier weight jersey, ( a nice viscose / lycra is perfect) well cut, makes all the difference. If you stay away from any wrap dress under about the $90 price point (not including sales) you should be much better off. I know that is over simplifying things, but it is a good guideline to finding the better quality fabric.

Helen said...

I struggle with wrap dresses as they tend to gape around my chest- I have quite small boobs but quite wide hips. Perhaps I have been looking in the wrong places? As these dresses you have shown are beautiful :)

Ms Unreliable said...

Jersey has never been a flattering material on me, but I somehow managed to find a beautifully cut black Wayne Cooper wrap dress that has now lasted me for years. It might be time to diversify though!