Marshmallows, perhaps, but *fashionable* marshmallows
Two articles on the same website discuss the return of the Empire waist in the latest fashions; interestingly, the writers have opposite opinions on its suitability, though both articles invoke the name of Jane, and with good reason, as the empire waist dress was in style during the period that all her books were published, so we are accustomed to seeing and imagining her heroines wearing such gowns.
The first apparently agrees with Joe Wright, the director of P&P3, who said that empire waist dresses make women look like “marshmallows.”
Still, it’s not a look I would wear today, even though you’ll see empire tops and dresses in all the shops right now (a reflection of our current ’60s fascination, says Style.com).
And if I needed any reminding why it’s a silhouette only a few women can wear, I had to look no farther than the 59th Cannes Film Festival last month.
At least eight actresses crossed the red carpet in dresses that cascaded from the bust, and all but a couple looked - to put it kindly - pregnant.
[. . .]
Now, most women I know don’t want to wear clothes that add pounds. Most of these actresses are rake-thin.
And most of them still looked fat.
Think twice before you buy an empire dress - unless, of course, you are pregnant. In that case, it makes total sense for the times.
Actually, it depends upon the cut of the dress. If it is full and gathered in the front, and the wearer has poor posture as so many young celebrities seem to these days, yes, you will look pregnant. The second article has something else to say.
In fact, the empire shape is one of the most flattering known to women. It frames the face and flatters the breasts and decollete. And these are the parts that are easiest to enhance. All you need is makeup and a good bra (which Miranda Richardson was clearly lacking at Cannes).
Moreover, worn properly, the empire hides the parts that are most difficult to mask - the flabby belly, jiggly thighs, big bum.
Get it cut on the bias in a flowy fabric without gathers in the front and you’re golden. And make sure it fits! That’s ninety percent of the problem that celebrities have when they look stupid in an outfit–because it doesn’t fit.
June 9th, 2006 at 10:03 am
I have owned and worn empire waist dresses of various levels of formality. Heck, my wedding dress was a modified empire. It’s very flattering. If you’re long waisted and short legged(like I am) it hides where your legs start. It drifts gently over the hips.
I don’t like those newer empire tops that are tunic-length and bunchy. That’s a bad combination and it’s no wonder people look pregnant in them.
June 9th, 2006 at 11:52 am
I wish that the not quite empire waist of the most recent P&P would come in it’s not the fifties exactly on the waist, and not quite the empire waist, it goes right with the rib cage, and in a almost empire dress it makes it a bit of a longer leaner look and a lot more foolproof, and the way that Lizzy’s were w/ just a bit of pleating in the back, just perfect.
June 25th, 2006 at 11:19 am
I have to say that I am surprised about the article that states that women look like their pregnant or fashionable marshmallows when wearing a classic, elegant empire waist dress. I for one am so relieved to see beautiful, elegant, flowy feminine, timeless fashion come back then the usually trashy, stripper inspired clothing. How hard is it to push your breast over the top so it looks like Mt. Everest or to wear a hem line so short that all your stuff is on display for all the world. However it is so much more difficult to be Graceful, Humble & Stunnig where your beauty comes from the inside then excudes outward for other to see and admire. The women with names like Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Jackie O create the raw meaning of what a lady really is and how she should present oneself. So as for the Empire waist dress if your pregnant wear it, if you have short legs wear it & if you just want to feel like a Lady with grace & elegance WEAR IT!! Welcome back LADIES!!!