Ask the Fashion Police: Which dress should I buy for a formal dinner dance?

It's been a while since we had an Ask the Fashion Police question to resolve, so when Anita wrote to ask for our help with a fashion dilemma, we thought it was high time to revive this section - and, of course, to enlist the help of our other readers.

Anita writes:

Dear Fashion Police,
I have to attend a formal Annual (Dinner/Dance) Ball in December; and I know it's ages, but you know it takes ages to find the perfect dress!

I am a size 0. I have medium coloured skin, black/very dark brown hair and black/very dark brown eyes. I can't decide which one of the following gowns to wear:

Dress One or Dress Two

Dear Anita,

Oh, how I wish I had this particular problem! Both are lovely dresses, but I share your reservations about both the back of dress A, and the colour of dress B. My reservation about the olive dress, however, is purely a personal thing - it's not my favourite colour, but I think it can look great on darker skin tones, and going from your description, I think it could look great on you.

But I don't think it has the "wow factor" you're looking for. Dress A has more of that, both in terms of the colour and the sweetheart neckline, which I think is that little bit dressier than the plain neck of the other dress.

But I'm not so keen on the back:

Again, this is purely a personal thing, because there's nothing actually wrong with this style - it's just not to my taste, and I'd like this dress a whole lot more with a plainer back.

So here's what I'd do...

I'd buy dress B, assuming the size 2 would work for you, or you could have it altered. Then I'd dress it up a little, buying a wide ribbon/sash in either the same colour if you can find it, or a contrasting one if you can't (gold might be nice) and play around with it: tie a bow at the front or the back, tie it around the waist and fasten with a corsage or sparkly brooch, that kind of thing. You could also add a brooch/corsage to one side of the bodice if you wanted - just don't go overboard with too many accessories, or you could end up looking like a Christmas tree!

Then I'd add a pair of killer stilettos (again, I think gold would work) and a short necklace or choker, et voila! You're good to go.

But that's just me, and, of course, it's all a matter of personal taste, which is why I'm turning the question over to our readers, in an attempt to get you a more balanced view.

So, what do you think, readers? Which dress should Anita buy?

P.S - Please remember to keep your suggestions constructive!

Comments

[Amanda]

First of all, you sound gorgeous, Anita!

I have a friend of the same colouring as you, and she often wears that olive colour, which looks stunning on her. So my pick is the green one. Plus, I like how it's elegant without being fussy.

[Am]

Yes, I'm with Amanda and fashion police here - the olive one sounds like it would compliment your skintone and hair/eye colour.

I think the idea of dressing it up with corsages and ribbons (as suggested by The fashion police) is a great one - just give yourself plenty of time and I'm sure you could come up with something lovely.

The added advantage of this is that you could always buy ribbons and corsages of different, contrasting colours and wear the same dress for other occasions and look totally different!

[Danielle]

The olive would look better with your coloring, but in my opinion, it is a bit drab, especially at the bust. If you have the time, I would say keep shopping!

[Zoe]

Oh, isn't it always like that? If only you could have *that* dress only in *that* colour and without the ruching but *with some contrasting piping, please!
Anyway. Love the olive, gorgeous colour. Love the cut and bodice detailing on the silver one. Considering your size (fellow miniature size, here) I think the silver one would be more flattering, actually: a busy bodice would distract from a (probably) small bust.
Good luck!

[Jazz]

I have similar coloring and I love the olive color! Definitely try dressing it up a bit, though, as suggested, if you do get it. You shouldn't rush so much just yet - you do have time to keep looking around. (If it's in your shipping zone, try Nordstrom's. Particularly ABS.)

[Cadi]

I love the idea of the olive, especially with a wide gold ribbon sash! But be careful, I think i see beading at the top of it...so that'd be something to coordinate with. Some awesome earrings would be nice too :)

[JC]

I would definately go with the olive one, I always think green looks stunning on people with your skin/hair/eye colour

Hope your decisions been made a little easier and have a great time!

[kkd]

I think that olive color is gorgeous with darker hair, and I have to agree about the back on dress A... not a huge fan. Definitely B

[Theresa]

That olive green will look absolutely stunning on brown skin. And I actually like how simple it is. I wouldn't do anything to it. Keep the focus on your face: makeup and hair, gorgeous gem earrings, maybe a pretty bracelet with amber, bronze and gold. Let the dress highlight your skin, so that you wear the dress and the dress doesn't wear you.

[Claire Soto]

The green one. The shape, color and overall look is much better.

[david dankert]

do you wear brownor black shoes with blue pants ?