In a message dated 7/27/2007 8:56:17 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

short  women should 
always wear one color, or at best, different shades of the  same color. 



**************
 
Hmmmmm... whatever. Most fashion advice is very subjective.
 
I can't think of a much more flattering look for a short woman with some  
curves than an 1870's princess gown with a contrasting plastron front cut to  
accentuate the curves and going right down to the hem.
There's a particularly fine example in...oh what is it?...  "19th  Century 
Fashion in Detail" of a blue and cream bold floral brocade with a solid  cream 
entirely ruched plastron front that spreads at the bust and hips and nips  in 
at the waist. The brocade is subtly draped to form some slight folds at the  
hip and no doubt some more dramatic folds at the back....but I can't see the  
back in the picture.
 
Lemme see if I can get my hands on the book.
 
 
Yes...it's "19th Century Fashion in Detail" by Lucy Johnston. The dress is  
on page 62 and 63. The drawing of the back view reveals a big vertical bow  at 
the bustle. It's actually draped from the hips on down, with horizontal rows  
of lace on the widening plastron below the hips. This, with its contrasts and  
horizontal detail, would look fantastic on a short person.
 
I was mixing it up with the gown on page 200, which is 1880's. Another  bold 
blue and white-ish floral brocade but this time a bodice and skirt....but  the 
pattern on the fabric practically hides this. Beautifully and skimpily  
draped at the front with a big, but not complex, bustle. This was  definitely a 
short person's dress, again looking fabulous.
 
There is also in the book another princess gown of cream with a plum pin  
stripe widely spaced. It has a cascading pleated ruffle, cream on one  side and 
solid plum on the other which you see as it formally zig-zags  down the front 
from high neck to hem. Very lovely. Page 174.
 
All these gowns' designs could be tweaked for evening. [Well, the 1st  one is 
an evening dress]



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