empire waistline

The simplest form of an empire waisted dress would be a babydoll, where the skirt part isn’t very tapered or seamed, rather seems to hang off the bust. A more classic/sleek/attractive form of empire waisting would be if the skirt part is tailored and fitted to the body. After following the bust line to a high waist, the skirt cut in a slim a-line fashion, not swirly or swishy or too full, but rather simpler lines.

Empire waisting can emphasize the bust area quite a lot, so if one is rather big chested or self-conscious about their size, this isn’t necessarily the best of styles to choose. Being as the rib cage directly under the bust is used as a waistline, it is a good style for people who have no clearly defined waist, as it has a narrowing effect.

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Alright... I have tried my best to render a depiction of what an empire waisted dress might look like. There’s something a little off, the bust is either too big or the waist too small or leg area not long enough, but I think it’s pretty good for the purpose:

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I have performed a massive scientific study (which consisted of approximately 10-20 of my friends who are men) on the topic of empire waisted dresses, and the opinion is unanimous:

Men hate empire waisted dresses.

For the most part, men don't know the name of this particular style of dress. But, and I swear I'm not making this up, we sit around sometimes on poker night or watching football games and the bar and talk about how we hate this particular style of dress. Consider this recent conversation, which I overheard at the garage while getting my car worked on:

First mechanic: Hey Bob, you know what kind of dress I really hate? When the waist is way up here (gestering with hand in middle of chest, slightly above beer belly but slightly below breast-level).
Second mechanic: Yeah, those totally suck.

What makes matters worse is that all of the women (friends, girlfriends, etc) I've talked to on the subject seem to believe the opposite, that wearing an empire waisted dress is somehow attractive to men. This is not the case. The only times an empire waist is appropriate are 1) on sexy lingerie intended to come off anyway and 2) on flower girls at weddings.

Now, don't get me wrong. This isn't a sexist "don't wear anything men don't like" w/u. I merely post this information to bring about better understanding between the sexes. Feel free to wear whatever you want! But heed my words: next time you are wearing something other than an empire waisted dress, ask a man (whom you are not dating) what he thinks of them (gesture like the first mechanic did, beer belly notwithstanding) and you'll see.

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