A dress happened

[moonshadow]

OKAY

And without further delay:

womanwithindress_01.JPG

Jumper dress from "Woman Within". I feel this is the more practical one of the two. The one I'd most likely wear out and about. It doesn't look extremely feminine and fits good.
My daughter said she's pretty sure my mother has one like this... not sure how I feel about that. Sort of stirred a awkward feeling deep inside. But I still like this one the best. It does ride a little high when I bend over or sit down. It also doesn't have a wide flare so there isn't enough fabric to push between my legs so I've practiced sitting with both legs together or cross. There is a small slit in the back that my modest side isn't crazy about, but people are just going to have to get over it... in a reversal of the song by Mindy McCready..... "girls do it all the time!"

ebayblackdress_01.JPG

Black maxi dress from ebay. The prettier one of the two, however is more feminine and the girls say it makes me look taller and skinnier. My gut shows a little more in this one, as do "other areas". The only issue I have with this one is it drags the floor. Not to where it's unusable, but I have to be careful how I walk. It is also quite formal, or not something you'd wear just any old day. Yet then one must ask "what is a proper formal occasion for a man to wear a dress anyway?" Sort of a catch 22. I want to wear it somewhere, but can't think where. Certainly not something I'd wear on a hike in the woods. Maybe a date? But how would my wife feel? She's been doing better, and I don't want to push her too far. She has seen me in both the dresses, and is getting better at acceptance... but a date in one? Maybe a skirt, but I don't know how she'd feel about the dress on a date.

It's a classic case of "all dressed up and nowhere to go!"

Thoughts on dresses in general:

While I may buy one here and there, so far I'm digging the skirts more. It seems they offer more flexibility in every way. Also I've come to find that many of the dresses I've tried just seem to be so formal, whereas many skirts seem more "everyday". I'm seldom formal in my activities so it's difficult for me to find a dress that suits my lifestyle.

That said, the dress from woman within (top photo) will probably get a fair number of days out and about over the years... even if Mom has one too.

[Caultron]

To simplify sitting in the Woman Within dress, consider opaque tights that match either the dress or the shirt you're wearing under it.

And to reduce the impact of either dress, consider wearing a shirt or jacket over it.

[renesm1]

Dare I say it, but leggings with the first dress would also be a good option!

[moonshadow]

Dare I say it, but leggings with the first dress would also be a good option!

Im curious..... why?

[dillon]

The thing I don't much like about that dress and a lot of dresses, frankly, is the large scoop neck. To my eye, and this is just one man's opinion, that sort of neck just isn't styled right for a man. It seems meant to suggest or emphasize the feminine bust, and I don't think that's what most of us want to do. But that's just my opinion, and all that really matters is whether you like it. Other than the neckline, the fit seems good on you. I might give thought to wearing it over a mock turtleneck leotard or bodyshirt.

[moonshadow]

The thing I don't much like about that dress and a lot of dresses, frankly, is the large scoop neck. To my eye, and this is just one man's opinion, that sort of neck just isn't styled right for a man. It seems meant to suggest or emphasize the feminine bust, and I don't think that's what most of us want to do. But that's just my opinion, and all that really matters is whether you like it. Other than the neckline, the fit seems good on you.

I agree with that. That's one reason I like the jumper better. It seems more "apron-ish".

Additionally the arms on dresses tend to be very short and narrow.

Im glad to have a few dresses in my collection, but honestly I'll probably be more of a skirt wearer.

I might wear the top dress this weekend. Still debating.

[Reaper_Man]

i actually like the scoop neck, i have a couple of dresses with similar necklines ... i would wear that dress

[moonshadow]

i actually like the scoop neck, i have a couple of dresses with similar necklines ... i would wear that dress

I want to. I have no buyers remorse. Im just trying to figure out a proper occasion to wear it.

Btw: either dress on a date is a no go with the old lady. In fact she want me to wear trousers.

Ill probably let her have her trouser wish on her date night. She has been well behaved on the skirt thing the last month or so. Ill compromise a little.....

....but that doesn't mean I wont make grimacing faces when I sit just on principle! Lol

And OF COURSE I expect her to wear traditional women's attire, that means a nice skirt or dress for her....

Fair is fair after all.

[Steve]

I'm with renesm1 re: leggings (it at least needs something else). I like the jumper look better, but it looks "incomplete". The skin tone in your legs doesn't match with that color shirt and the navy jumper. It is, however, a very promising look.

[Couya]

I don't think one needs to match ones clothes with one's skin colour. If you are pale, you are pale; if dark, you are dark, and that's it. Nor do I see any need to hide one's knees with leggings or stockings. I wear long woolen socks when it is cold, but not to hide my skin.

What I do not like about women's dresses and other tops, is that the sleeves are usually narrow and the armholes far too small for comfort. On the other hand, I do like scoop necklines. I have always felt most annoyed that it was impossible, in France, to find t-shirts or pullovers that did not choke you. More recently, I have been able to order -shirts with low necklines from abroad, and find them very comfortable.

I have never bought a dress and probably never will. I am happy with knee-length skirts and enjoy the firm for around my waist (the narrowest part of my body!).

Martin

[crfriend]

I don't think one needs to match ones clothes with one's skin colour. If you are pale, you are pale; if dark, you are dark, and that's it.

I don't think it's a matter so much of matching, but rather what shades or tones look good with a given complexion. Very vivid colours, for instance, can overpower a pale complexion which is why such shades are usually seen on folks with darker skin. I think it's more a matter of balance than anything else.

[moonshadow]

Speaking of skin tones. I surprised no one has pointed out an obvious issue in skirt no 2.

The "farmers tan". Which looks silly on my body.

There is only one way to fix that, more days in the sun topless. Combined with short pants (or skirts) that should eliminate the leg issue too.

All though just for the record, On women (of course) I find pale skin attractive.

[dillon]

Speaking of skin tones. I surprised no one has pointed out an obvious issue in skirt no 2.

The "farmers tan". Which looks silly on my body.

There is only one way to fix that, more days in the sun topless. Combined with short pants (or skirts) that should eliminate the leg issue too.

All though just for the record, On women (of course) I find pale skin attractive.

You'd best hurry with that tanning mission. It won't be long before tanning in the VA Appalachians becomes a pretty chillly way to spend a day!

[Steve]

I don't think one needs to match ones clothes with one's skin colour. If you are pale, you are pale; if dark, you are dark, and that's it.

I don't think it's a matter so much of matching, but rather what shades or tones look good with a given complexion. Very vivid colours, for instance, can overpower a pale complexion which is why such shades are usually seen on folks with darker skin. I think it's more a matter of balance than anything else.

Carl expressed my sentiment very well there thanks -- not "matching" per se but there are colors that go better or worse with certain complexions.

[moonshadow]

Thanks all for the ideas. The shirt is just what I was wearing that day. I would probably wear my black shirt and if going for the look add some dark hose on my legs.

Definalty something to experiment with.

Still its fun to wear. All matching aside. And I like it.

Ill admit my eye for style is..... how shall I say... "unorthodox?"

At this juncture the farmers tan is what my eye says needs to be dealt with first. Whether Im pale or tanned, I'd like my body to be consistent.