It’s become something of a tradition to post wrap dresses the day before Thanksgiving. After all, they’re the perfect thing for days when you need to be comfortable because you’re about to eat your weight in turkey…or tofurkey, as the case may be.
Elected Official
Linda Cashmere Wrap Dress (DVF, $495)
Hill Staffer
Ann Taylor 3/4 Sleeve Dress ($128)
Paid Intern
Without question, the most worn item in my wardrobe is a black-and-white striped tee. I wear it in winter under sweaters, in spring with white jeans, in summer with black shorts. I’ve been wearing the same one for years (it’s the best). But they don’t make it anymore. So here are some options for replacement.
When I started this blog, influencers still re-wore clothes. There were no haul videos filled with the latest from Shein before it winds up in a beach in Ghana poisoning the planet. There were no sponsored campaigns delivering fresh wardrobes each month. The content machine doesn’t like reruns.
When I was young, my Mother used to bring me along when she would go shopping for fabric. As a result, I spent a lot of time, killing time, flipping through pattern books. So when I spotted this dress, I was instantly transported to the pattern table at a Jo-Ann Fabrics.
Without question, the most worn item in my wardrobe is a black-and-white striped tee. I wear it in winter under sweaters, in spring with white jeans, in summer with black shorts. I’ve been wearing the same one for years (it’s the best). But they don’t make it anymore. So here are some options for replacement.
When I started this blog, influencers still re-wore clothes. There were no haul videos filled with the latest from Shein before it winds up in a beach in Ghana poisoning the planet. There were no sponsored campaigns delivering fresh wardrobes each month. The content machine doesn’t like reruns.
When I was young, my Mother used to bring me along when she would go shopping for fabric. As a result, I spent a lot of time, killing time, flipping through pattern books. So when I spotted this dress, I was instantly transported to the pattern table at a Jo-Ann Fabrics.
Before we start today’s reader questions, I wanted to take a moment to talk a bit about mental health. For those who experience mental health challenges — whether occasionally or frequently — talking about our struggles is a double-edged sword.
LOVE the wrap dress idea for Thanksgiving! Seems sophisticated enough to meet the significant other's family but also very comfortable. Guess I'll be on my way to the mall tonight…
Thanks Belle!
I have a lot of problems with wrap dresses, but the biggest issue is the deep v neck. If I wear a skimpy bra and position it perfectly it just barely covers the bra, but of course these dresses shift around a lot so there inevitably are times when half the bra is hanging out for the world to see. I know some people wear camisoles underneath, but I don't love that look, so is there any other solution besides pinning the dress to the bra?
It's a wrap: Fashion tape, or taking the dress to a tailor and having them sew the v-neck up a little.
I have the Gemma wrap dress from banana, also a very nice option. This sounds overly simplistic, but you have to wrap the underneath layer reall snug around your waist before securing the top layer and tying it all up. That seems to keep it from getting too low for me. Also, two small safety pins inside, a large necklace or a light scarf can all a touch of modesty 🙂
It's a wrap: I too was annoyed by this until I found a very simple solution and no tailor is required. If you can sew on a button, you can do this.
1. Put the dress on and arrange it so it looks good and everything is covered
2. Locate the V point of the neck where the left and right sides cross over and pinch it with your fingers
3. Use a safety pin to secure the two sides together. For a short term solution, you can leave it at that. If you are careful with the safety pin, it will barely show. You could also use a decorative pin or broach.
4. Take the dress off and put a simple stitch or two where the safety pin is. Use thread that is the same color as the dress and it won't show.
Sewing on a snap closure isn't difficult, and it solves the problem for me!
The problem that I encounter with wrap dresses is that, when I'm walking outside, the top layer blows up exposing a lot of leg and/or my underwear. Thoughts on how to stop that from happening? Thanks!
I like the wider sash on the DvF dress. Otherwise, they sure do look the same, or at least in photographs close enough that I wonder if the DvF photographers didn't just do a better job. Do people really see a $375 value difference in the DvF versus the Ann Taylor? Even if say the DvF fabric held up longer than the Ann Taylor, would it be that much longer that I wouldn't be better off in the pocket book to buy two Ann Taylor's?
I've done the safety pin thing (or sewed it for a more permanent solution) but feel it pulls on the fabric too much.
And yes Deb, I have that problem with the bottom half too. For that reason I only wear wrap dresses on occasions where I won't be outside for more than 5 seconds, and ideally where I'm seated at a table so I don't have to obsess over what my skirt is doing every time I recross my legs!
Love the wrap dress from Land's End – I picked one up in eggplant, and it fit so beautifully that I just ordered another in black. Not bad for under $30 with the 30% off coupon!
https://www.landsend.com/pp/womens-34-sleeve-knit-faux-wrap-drapey-ponte-dress~245295_59.html?sku_0=::N41
The Paid Intern dress from Old Navy shrinks terribly! 🙁 I have it and washed it on delicate and air dried and it still shrunk a full size!
I'd like to ditto the commenter right above me and second their rec of that Lands End dress. With coupons and a sale, I ended up getting it for $13. It has an unusual weave, but I like it, especially for the price.