K/R: Divergent Panther Dress - ETA another possibility at bottom.

The packages from my last round of orders (the ones that spawned my I've Got to Stop Ordering Stuff post) are making their way in. 

I know this dress is not typically my style, nor is it 00Noir or UWP. I knew that when I bought it, but the panthers still called to me. I have been looking for a fun cat dress for years and haven't even tried one since the disastrous hospital gown look a year ago. Most cat dresses feature either ugly cat images or Way Too Frilly design elements or baby powder pastels. 

At least the colors on this are somewhat sober. And the fit-flare skirt doesn't give me the usual pooch enhancement. 

My main question: does this look too young for me? I'm not built as delicately as our resident fit-flare queen, so I'm not sure if it just looks silly on my body type, too. 

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This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

34 Comments

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    I'm hopeless. Because I can't help loving it. And I'm not sure if that's just because I have a serious sugar eye for a kitty print or because to my eye, you look great in this!! 

  • replied 10 years ago

    I like it Rae! It looks flirty and fun. I think pairing it with the boots and jacket help to take away any tweeness.

  • Ariadne replied 10 years ago

    I think it's fantastic on you.

  • Eliza replied 10 years ago

    This is beautiful on you. Like Ceit, I love how you styled it. Not 'tween- almost a nod to classic with a serious edge. Great fit.

    What do you think?

  • lyn* replied 10 years ago

    I WOULD WEAR THIS IN A HEARTBEAT. 

    It looks fab on you too - it looks edgy and city-chic on you, especially with your footwear choice.

    Now: WHERE DID YOU GET IT AND HOW CAN I GET ONE?!!!!!

    ETA: http://www.modcloth.com/shop/d.....tion-dress This one? 

    ETA2: IT IS TOO SHORT FOR ME. *cry cry cry*

    ETA3: Same company that made my awesome flamingo dress :)

  • Marley replied 10 years ago

    Hmmm . . . I'm just not sure Rae.  I really want to like this - but, for one thing, the length is giving me pause.  I really really wish that it was longer because then I think the "twee-ness" factor would be minor.  But, the print, the flared skirt, and the length, all scream twee to me.  (So sorry!)  P.S. It does not look silly on your body type.

  • rae replied 10 years ago

    Suz, we clearly share the same sugar eye! 

    Yep, Lyn, that is the one! The reviews are so right that it runs small, though. I got the M and it is just big enough. I am 5'4" for length reference.

    Marley, I see what you mean. Now I wish I had tried the L, too, in case it gave it more length. 

    BTW, the last cardigan was part of the same order, but it is not a K/R because I loooove it. Comfy and thin for work, but with jacket details I love. And a magnet in the collar to help it drape nicely closed. :D
    http://www.modcloth.com/shop/c.....n-charcoal

  • Adelfa replied 10 years ago

    I knew someone long ago, a very stylish woman, who said "If you think you can wear something then you can." Obviously this is not strictly 100% true all the time.  But there's  huge germ of truth in it. And I think this dress falls into the category covered by what my friend said. I think you can rock this dress. I love it with the gray. And you are young enough to indulge a desire for whimsy now and then.

  • lyn* replied 10 years ago

    OOOOOH, my sister has the Airport Greeting Cardi too!!!! SHE LOVES IT.

    I think I might need a "large" :p

  • CocoLion replied 10 years ago

    I like it on you!  I believe that you can take almost ANY garment and make it "yours" -- that is what styling is all about.  The black booties toughen this up and make it you.

  • CocoLion replied 10 years ago

    PS flared minis are really on trend and you can punk them up this year and make them look un-twee. 

  • MsMaven replied 10 years ago

    I like this dress on you.  While I am a cat lover, I don't particularly like cats on clothes except for leopard and cheetah.  This one is for an adult--it isn't cutesy.  

    I do think it's plenty long for you.  If I could find a dress that hit me as close to the knee as this one, I'd gladly buy it because I get desperate for a dress.  Maybe I've been looking at too many models in short dresses for too long.

    I like the colors.  I think it's a great idea to dress against your usual style or type once in a while.  Why be predictable?  If it is comfortable to wear as far as fit--I vote keep it. 

  • Deborah replied 10 years ago

    Rae, I think the dress looks fantastic on you.  It is not as sophisticated and edgy as the looks you have been posting but it is cute and fun and suits you. 

  • ramya replied 10 years ago

    I want it too.... stalking on ebay.
    Oh I like it on you rae.
    I am one of those who don't stick to descriptors.do if you like it n eould live wearing it keeps

  • Marley replied 10 years ago

    I'm back.  I haven't been able to get this dress out of my mind - and I've looked at your pics several times over the past couple of hours.  I've had a change of heart.  I think that if this dress makes you smile, makes you feel lighter, and brings a smile to your face - then you should keep it and enjoy wearing it.  I don't know what I was thinking when I mentioned the length of it - I mean, you are a young woman with beautiful legs - and this dress is not too short for you!  The navy makes it a little more "sober" (as you stated) - and cats are your love.  So - I vote YES!  (wait - did you ask for a vote????)  Well, anyway - KEEP!  =^^=  That there is my attempt to "make" a cat.  What am I missing??

  • Day Vies replied 10 years ago

    #4 is my favorite because I feel that topper adds the true Rae treatment (where did the boots go?).  If I weren't familiar with your style I'd think this was absolutely darling because I love it even your hair works with this look. But, because I know your typical look I just wonder will this dress sit abandoned in the closet. On the other hand looking at the pink cat dress I understand logically why you would like it but it was not a Rae look (Sweet pink kittens?!) Blue panthers please -- definitely more Rae! 

    Overall if this dress calls it calls. You should keep it if you love it. If it was a whim that passed send it back. 

  • ManidipaM replied 10 years ago

    You look fab is about all I wish to say. But not twee, too girly, too underage etc if those are concerns. Not unless you mean to add frilly ankle socks and cute hairband like an anime character or something. This is smashing with charcoal cardi. Just slightly more lighthearted than your usual---which is not a criticism of either look in any way, shape or form. Do keep!

  • goldenpig replied 10 years ago

    Ack! Too cool! Love it on you, the cat print is perfect. And loving the big cat keeping watch over your mirror!

  • catgirl replied 10 years ago

    I like it.  You don't always have to be true to your moniker - if you're wearing it and love it, then it's "you" - at least that's my new motto.  

    I was obsessed with a similar panther print a couple of years ago but the dress didn't work for me. 

  • Julie replied 10 years ago

    Dress looks fabulous!!

    Could we see it with some white jeans?  My eyes can't tell is skinny or boot cut would work best, though. Either may be fine depending on the boots you wear with them.

    Cheers

    Julie

  • replied 10 years ago

    You have to keep it!

  • Lisa replied 10 years ago

    Great dress, it has a fun pattern but doesn't feel delicate even though the cut of it is reminiscent of a delicate dress.  I prefer it with the shorter cardigan because it doens't hide the flare of the skirt.

  • RoseandJoan replied 10 years ago

    The dress is very flattering Rae and I love how it is styled, with regards to 'is it me?' I would look at where I am planning to wear the dress and how I would feel wearing it to these places, for instance if it is work dress would I feel confident, approachable and professional?

  • Sara L. replied 10 years ago

    I actually think the dress fits your style the way you've styled it here with the boots and jacket.  It's plenty long enough, which is surprising since so many flared dresses seem to be really short lately.

  • rachylou replied 10 years ago

    First, your hair is looking really good, Rae.

    Second, I love the way you've styled the dress with the boots. You look good, you definitely look good.

    Third, it was a bit of a "whoa" when I opened the thread. Totally not what I imagined, and it *is* giving me Sailor Moon feelings. But it's not that it's not grown up enough - it is.

    Would you wear it to work? It seems like it could be a great work dress.

  • AviaMariah replied 10 years ago

    I don't see twee at all and I think you've made it "yours" by the way you've styled it.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago

    I swear you can wear anything Rae! This looks fantastic on you and you make it work with your style with your boots and toppers. Are you confident you will wear it?

  • rae replied 10 years ago

    So DH likes it, too. How many cat clothing items is too many to have? I do love this and would definitely wear it to work and social events, but I am not 100% sure it is the One Cat Dress to Rule Them All Forever and Ever Amen. KWIM?

    I just got an email survey from Constvct (a custom-printed dress company I had forgotten about), and now I'm wondering if I should hold out and wait until I can get one of my own ideas made (1-2). Cost would be $200 for the jersey A-line and $400 for the cotton/silk shift... so 4-8 times the cost of the panther one. #3 is an example of how the jersey one hangs on the body.

    Or, I can hang onto the panther dress and use it as a stop-gap. It IS the only one I've liked enough to try in an entire year, even with the current cat craze... I'm sort of afraid to give it up... 

  • DeniseP replied 10 years ago

    Love this playful vibe! Really, is there anything you cannot wear, Rae?
    FWIW, your hairstyle seems to anchor this dress, though, much more than the longer hair length, if that makes sense?

  • Thistle replied 10 years ago

    Writing this before I read another posts so I don't get my opinion swayed. ;)

    I do not like the first cat dress. It does not feel like your style to me. Not 00Noir. Not fun and playful. Just not Rae. I can be totally off base on this and only you can answer if you will wear it a lot. I feel like you are settling on this.

    Te second dress you linked to above feels more like Rae. Yes, playful kitties, but with all the right edge to it and something think you would wear more. Is it THE ONE? Only you can answer that, but I would hold out for theone, especially for such a statement piece.

  • peekaboo replied 10 years ago

    I think the dress is flattering, but I'm not a cat person so not feeling that part of it...but OMG I NEED that airport sweater!

  • lyn* replied 10 years ago

    The self-design place sounds really cool; I enjoy the cat graphic on that a lot! I don't know if it's an "instead of" though - I am on the fence.

  • rae replied 10 years ago

    Yeah, Lyn, that's how I feel. Cats are popular on adult clothes right now, but they won't be forever. Maybe I have room for one edgy cat dress and one ladylike one...?

  • ManidipaM replied 10 years ago

    And FWIW the edgy one is too edgy to date I think. So you could get this now and invest in the custom one later if you prefer.

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