Swing Vote

Posted by Rachel, Editorial Coordinator

When the heat index is through the roof, there's nothing as comfy and cool as a dress. I've got 'em in different lengths, all kinds of silhouettes, and even in (gasp!) colors other than black. But I'm still having trouble making up my mind about this summer's biggest trend: the trapeze dress. Consider this little number, which caught my eye at Old Navy:

Having just escaped the shackles of maternity wear, I was initially hesitant to wear something so voluminous. On the other hand, I loved how effortless and breezy it felt. And at $20, it wasn't a risky investment. A couple of friends have since commented that this cut is unforgiving on any frame, while others have cautioned that people may think I'm pregnant -- either still, or again! Although these critiques made me a tad self-conscious, I decided that my morning commute would be the test. If someone offered me a seat on the subway, I would reconsider the look. Luckily, no one did, but I'm still wondering what the overall consensus is. Have you been loving or hating the trapeze look?

Comments

[Kristina]

oops...i guess that would be Isabelle below

[Kristina]

Isabelle (above) says "I am sixteen years old, 5'7", and 120 pounds, so I think I'm pretty average..."

Kristina dies laughing. :) Oh to be average again!

[amy h]

I love it, but I actually AM pregnant. :) It has been nice to fill out my maternity wardrobe with this stuff, and not have to go to a maternity shop!

[sami k]

addendum: i was wearing my black tent yesterday, cinched in at the waist with a long white silk sash, and as i was feeling unwell i had one hand on my wobbly crampy too-much-coffee belly, and a clove cigarette (every old goth's favourite occasional vice) in the other. being of a rather - achem - voluptuous disposition, i did kiiiiiiind of worry that people were going to get the wrong idea.

*blush*

mind you, i get paranoid about being mistaken for expecting when i'm wearing slim slacks and a dress shirt.

[sami k]

yeah, not a fan of the pseudo-maternitywear myself, but i bought two of these, and they look really cute if you tie them at the waist with a sash.

as long as you're short, mind you - they apparently look more like weird little-girl shirts on anybody over 5'7" :|

[carrie]

i'm just glad i'm not the only one who's had this problem! i recently bought a trapeze style shirt from the gap and the first (and last) time I wore it, a waiter said "i guess YOU won't be having any wine..." once i figured out what he meant, it was so embarrassing for both of us.

[Anne]

WHY would anyone wear a trapeze dress? It doesn't even look good on the model! SHE looks pregnant and I'm sure she's at least six feet tall and probably a size 2. So, on my 5'8", curvy, non-size 2 body, fuhgeddaboutit! Why would I want to look pregnant when I'm not? Belted or not, it's not for me!

[Lindsay]

These dresses are great! They have been my summer staple and will be a great transition piece into fall. I have a big chest, all you need to do is through on a high waisted belt and it gives me all the shape I need.

[Nikki]

LOVE this post. I'm wearing the trapeze tank from Old Navy right this second with a suit for the first time. It's different, but I think it works!

[Jessica]

I have a very straight figure so I am constantly looking for something to give me shape. I bought this dress on sale ($14.50) about a month ago and it has been my favorite find of the summer. It is extremely versatile too. There is enough fabric to cinch it in at the waist with a belt or wear it with a cropped jacket to give it shape and not sacrifice length.

( I do that here: http://www.mystylediary.net/NewOutfits.aspx?image=08-03-07_12.48.32.PM.jpg&user=lautumn )

In the fall I plan on wearing it with a turtleneck, opaque tights, and flats. Or, maybe a collard shirt, belt and boots. This dress is fun to experiment with and make your own.

[K]

I love them. I have a very similar one from Old Navy. But it helps that I'm petite, slim and uh, "flat".

[Rachel]

This is really interesting to read. It seems that most of the commenters all feel the same - that they are so cute on the rack, but when we put them on we're not so sure... and some people are getting asked about being pregnant! I tried on a few trapeze shirts this weekend (at Old Navy!) and I loved them on the hanger, but they looked ridiculous on me! I did find one that was a bit loose, but still fitted enough that it was very flattering. And it was frustrating because about 50% of their shirts are now in this style.

The dresses... I couldn't get away with them becuase I have such a long torso and they seem to be so short. I dunno.

my vote is - they are kind of pretty, but they are not very flattering and can definitely cause people to think you are pregnant! they totally defeat the goal of trying to look womanly and create an hour-glass shape.

[LmL]

i tried on sooo many of trapeze dresses this weekend - i look like im wearing a tent or that old landy in the nutcracker with all her kids under her dress lol - def not for me!

[Manders]

I tried one on, and it makes me look pregnant--which isn't necessarily a good thing, since I'm 22 and still look like I'm in high school...

[Ter]

1. No, I can't wear this stuff. I am a curvy girl with a big old rack, and have sworn off horizontal stripes (which I love, tragic!) and anything trapeze/empire/that silly cut where there's not so much a bodice as there is a strap with yards of fabric sewn on. Even on my most confident days, I'm not taking any chances. An offer of a subway seat would send me sobbing home seeking 100 cc's of shiraz STAT!

2. I'm kind of shocked at all of the "When are you expecting?" stories! I have found the only failsafe policy is to not even mention pregnancy to a woman unless you can vidually identify a) the turkey timer popping out of her belly, or b) the actual baby coming out of her vagina.

[Dice]

I'm of average build, and while I love the comfort of this season's style, holding a cocktail is the only way that anyone is going to think I'm not pregnant. They may be cute, but it takes a specific style to make it work.

[Erin]

I bought this dress this weekend (at less than $20), but plan to wear it as a nightgown and for run-to-the-shared-bathroom trips when I stay in hostels in Europe this fall. I'm 5'3" and my boobs make the dress hang in more of a box shape than it does on the model in the photo, but it's possibly the most comfortable thing I've ever worn. Plus, I was able to buy it 2 sizes smaller than usual and still have it fit - a big plus!

[miss]

when me and my girl friend go out and see girls in these big unflattering styles of dresses we look at each other and ask 'uh oh did she forget her belt?'

belts solve everything for me these days!

[fauxpas!]

at 5'8" and around 140lbs, I'm pretty comfortable with my body and can honestly say that there is not a lot to imply impending birth, but I have to say that I have been asked 2 separate times this summer if I am expecting in my beloved trapeeze dress. To the ladies credit, both women were considerably older, so perhaps it is time to run a refresher course about when to ask a woman when she is due in our current fashion climate: never! I will not be deterred though, I know what's under that dress, and it is one comfy, happy body!

[Kim]

I'm in the exact same boat as you -- I even have the dress but haven't been brave enough to wear it! I was thinking of pairing it with a cardigan that cinches the dress in at the waist or above to lessen the maternityness.

Also I'm breastfeeding so a one-piece dress like this is out of the question.

[Isabelle Missbach]

I disagree with everyone so far. I have a BB Dakota Royale Minidress that I am absolutely in love with. I am sixteen years old, 5'7", and 120 pounds, so I think I'm pretty average. I find trapeze dresses to be more forgiving than anything else! This dress is fitted at the bust and sleeves, so it makes you look beautiful and skinny while hiding nearly every flaw. I wear them with skinny jeans and black patent pumps, with my hair in a slick bun. Keep your hair and whatever's underneath low-volume and you can pull off the dress like the best of models.

Don't be afraid to try it!

[Ashe Mischief]

I love the style. Like most women, almost anything with even an empire waist gets me, "When are you due?" questions (being curvaceous doesn't help). That being said, I'm certain that pairing it with the right pieces could make it apparent that it was a clothing piece and not maternity wear.

[Kelly]

I think they are gorgeous in print, but in real life not so much. I cannot pull them off for certain because they make me look pregnant. And after losing all the weight from my first pregnancy, I don't want to look it again until I actually am. Instead of going with the trends I just look for something slimming or continue to wear clothing from years past.

[Kelly]

I think the trapeze dresses make 98% of the women who wear them look pregnant. Even the trapeze-type tops make the wearers look like they're expecting. There are many other dress styles that are far more flattering and much easier to pull off.

[Kim]

I love the trapeze look, but I am officially re-thinking it. I've been asked TWICE this summer "when I am expecting" while wearing the look.

Again, I love it. I don't think it loves me back though.