Every week I get e-newsletters from in my inbox announcing the latest trends. The next time I happen to be in a store I inevitably pick up one or two of these hot, new styles—dying to be at the height of fashion—and see how they look on me. Some things turn out to be a big hit and I wonder how I had ever lived without them before. Others, well… eh.
A few weeks ago the new Diane von Furstenberg arrivals cluttered up my email account with photos from Bloomie’s and Neiman Marcus to Bergdorf and Barney’s —brightly printed trapeze dresses galore. How carefree and easy the dresses hung on the professionally styled models! I later found myself in Zara, my favorite Euro-chic, wallet-friendly retailer, and low and behold: racks full of trapeze styles for as far as the eye could see. I took a few to the dressing room, slipped one on and what can I say… I wanted to love it so bad. I wanted to be one of those effortlessly stylish girls strolling along in the summer heat with my perfectly airy dress flowing in the breeze. But I just felt like I was wearing a tent, a shapeless muumuu with yellow flowers on it.
The thing about the trapeze dress is it just doesn’t seem to do anything for any body type, curvy or skinny. Just check out the photos below. The dress’s lack of shape makes Mandy Moore look heavy, which we all know she’s not. Lily Allen looks short and squat. And Kirsten Dunst, well, she could have rolled out of bed in a sheet and looked better than that. It is just a needed reminder that not every new trend looks good on everyone—or looks good at all for that matter.
What do you think of trapeze dresses? Leave us a comment.
Mandy Moore
Kirsten Dunst
Lily Allen
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Great minds think alike! I thought the same thing in April:
http://xoxoanp.com/rando/not-feeling-it/364
I have never seen a woman flattered by trapazoid or babydoll dresses. Sure, there are some woman who look beautiful in even a tent, but they look even more beautiful in a dress that compliments their figures.
I see so many of these dresses in the stores and so few being worn. It is no wonder.
What?! I love babydolls! I’m sorry, but they’re so comfortable and cool for summer. I wear them with heels and choose to buy the styles that skim the body, not billow out so you look pregnant. I think there are a LOT of women who wear trapeze dresses wrong (like in these pictures), but it CAN be done to flatter.
I love babydolls, but trapeze dresses aren’t for me. I think you have to be pretty tall and leggy for them to look good on you – otherwise you just look like you’re wearing a mumu.
Horrible idea for anyone’s figure. I just don’t understand why someone slender would want to hide their figure, or why someone larger wants to risk looking pregnant. Bad idea all around.
No. No. No. And ugly shoes to boot (no pun…)in those photos.
Yes, just plain awful! The only people who look decent are stick figures, a la Nicole Ritchie, but like someone said before, those people look even better with something that flatters their figures.
They have a name for them huh ??? I just thought they looked like tent dresses. UGLY on anyone. If you have a figure show it off why hide under the garbage bag??
It’s the season to be preggers. I’d love to wear these dresses if I am indeed pregnant. Otherwise, they definitely don’t fit to flatter and give the illusion of a large waist and belly, especially when everyone else is wearing tight-fitting clothes! I don’t want people asking me if I’m pregnant if I’m not.
When I had put on a few pounds in the past, I went the ‘big clothes’ route. Luckily, I caught a glimpse of myself in a reflecting window. Fat clothes just make you look fat. Not flattering on anyone. As are clothes that are too tight. To me, it’s not the style that’s important, it’s the fit. No matter what your size, wear clothes that fit and flatter what you have. I could smack those celebs in your photos upside the head! If I had their figures, I’d be walking around totally nude!
i disagree with the comment about having to be slim and leggy to wear trapeze dresses or them not flattering your figure. i LOVE these dresses and think they are so cute with heels! (5′1″)
Let’s not knock trapeze dresses altogether, ladies. This may be a tricky trend to pull off, but the light, flowy elegance is well worth the effort! I have a fave trapeze dress, and I always wear it with colorful leggings and strappy sandals. I think the leggings help draw attention to the shape of my legs so it doesn’t just look like I’m wearing a bag. That’s the hope, anyway. :)
Those dresses are to short and made of heavy fabric. It should be flowing like crepe or shiffon. And plain color black, white or red. At least I’ve had so many compliments. I am curvy/heavy. Add gorgeous earrings and flirty shoes.