If your taste for lady egg exposure lies closer to Victorian rather than Elizabethan standards, this message is for you. Perhaps the skin two handbreadths from the base of your neck morally reddens with bashful manifestation or perhaps you care not to reveal the previously smooth valley which age has begun to furrow.
As an admitted bashful bosom, you are no doubt skilled in the application of the neckline rising power of a camisole. But why not try a solution that includes built-in propriety?
Shabby Apple is a modest Camelot, home of treasures like the 90 Words Per Minute Secretary Dress. Let us admire each facet of this gem.
1. Neckline. Tying the neckline around the literal neck, keeps the entire bust and all that leads up to it divinely sequestered.
2. Sizing. While this frock is labeled “generously sized,” I found the size smaller I ordered to be just a bit snug. I believe the draping would be more flattering if ordered in the traditional size.
3. Seasonality: This light-weight jersey is the perfect weight for a spring or summer day-dress. If you want to transition this piece into fall and winter, I recommend pairing it with a pair of embellished stockings and a sweater vest or core-warming cardigan. And let that playful little neck-tie peak out. With its ability to layer or stand-alone, the 90-Words Per Minute Secretary Dress could quickly become an all-season favorite.
4. Elementals. The rouching on the sides helps the dress to drape smoothly over shapely hips, however, given the overly cozy size I selected, it created a few unsightly lines across my generous bottom. Pick the right size, and this will not happen to you.
Does your closet need one of these too?
Then, click on over to Shabby Apple’s Blog and find a promotional code cloaked like your sweater puppies, and redeemable on any Shabby Apple dress (see some of my high-necked favorites below).
Or you can enter up to two times for a chance to win your own Shabby Apple 90 Words Per Minute Dress.
Way to Win 1: Visit Shabby Apple’s Blog, become a follower, and leave a confirming comment on their blogpost with the hidden promotional code.
Way to Win 2: Visit the Shabby Apple Store, and leave a comment on this Cardigan Empire post detailing your favorite dress, and why you think it would suit your body type.
The winner of Shy Décolletage Bosom Friend will be selected on Friday, October 9th. The winner gets to select a 90 Words Per Minute dress in her size of choice.
I love how you paired that cardigan with the dress. I have quite a few Shabby Apple Dresses but right now I have my eye on the Fifth Avenue, Polo (with a great belt) and the Upper east Side. I am tall with a linear figure and think these will work well to give me a waist!
The Nantucket dress is one of my favorites!
Per your instructions I added myslef as a shabby apple follower but never saw a code.
I love the Carousel dress!
I love the Beauty Mark dress! It’ll show off my small waist and is the perfect dress to dress up or down.
Love the Madison Ave!
There are many Shabby Apple dresses that I love, but only a very few that I think would love ME with my soon-to-be postpartum, pear-shaped body! The Azure Coast dress might just fit the bill. I wouldn’t mind winning the 90 wpm dress though – it might look nice on me someday… or be a great gift!
Oh I totally LOVE Bon Voyage…trying to decide if it hugs the hips too much for my Pear shape though. Totally put the Ballerina in my cart. The ruching will be friendly to my waist and the A-line skirt will be kind to my hips and buttocks.:)
As a center, I do not find dresses that i love frequently. Especially while I’m nursing. However, I think the empire waistline on the yorkshire dress would skim rather than hug my center.
I love the “trapeze” dress, I think the tight waist and full skirt would be good for my thighs.
Upper East Side has been in my shopping cart ever since I saw the picture of nienie in it. I want the red shoes and tights too!
I love fifth ave! I think the high waisted skirt look would be flattering on my body. And it looks so classy and elegant.
Shabby Apple has the most wonderful dresses. My favorite is the Madison Avenue. Oh how I covet that dress.
I saw your mom tonight and she told me the good news. So excited for you!
XOXO
Jen
I’ve been eyeballing that Fifth Avenue dress since giraffes were considered “short people” It would work great to camouflage the decolletage and hide my latin lover hips:)
I’ve never owned a little black dress. I’m in love with Antiquated. Lovely and feminine.
You know I was thinking why not give the girl from Manhattan the “Fifth Avenue dress?” It makes logical sense.
I’ve been eying the Fifth Avenue dress for quite a few weeks and I think I’ll be purchasing it soon. I know it would flatter my figure because of the night waist skirt and the pattern would camouflage any lumpys that may show throw, the neckline is beyond classic and I am a bit upper arm shy and the 3/4 sleeve is calling my name…nay, screaming it.
My heart is set on the Ballerina, Upper East Side, and now that you’ve said the 90 minute dress fits bottom curvy ladies, I’m set on that one too!
Where is the Shabby Apple size chart? I could not find it!!!
I love the Duck Beach Dress. I think the ribbon bow would emphasize my small waist, while the a-line fit would flatter my lower figure. Plus, I look really good in red!
hey everyone! you can WIN THE 90 WPM dress on my blog this week! come on over!
Oooohhhh. I’m absolutely LOVING the 5th Avenue!
I love the Upper East Side dress. The 3/4 sleeves would hide me shy arms and the stunning color would make my eyes pop.
Wow, I love almost every dress at Shabby Apple, but the dramatic collar on the Mary Jane Watson dress is AMAZING!
The Fifth Avenue is my favorite…I’ll just have to bend the budget this month to buy it.
I’d much rather have the dress than a nice dinner out
ooo, I’d love the 90wpm dress! I finally bought my first Shabby Apple dress and I’m waiting for it in the mail. It’s the Antiquated dress, and I think it’ll be my dress because it’s basic black (I’m alll about basics) and it travels well (I’m alll about the travelling!)
LOVE them all. How do I choose just one? The Trapeze would be one of my faves.
Linnea
I would love to win the 90 words per minute dress b/c I can type that fast! : ) Seriously tho, I’m a Shabby Apple fan and have shopped from there in the past. They are great to work with and have so many beautiful styles to choose from. I would love, love, love to add this dress to my collection! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
I added myself to follow Shabby Apple on Twitter, but couldn’t find the place to follow their blog? Does this count??? PLEASE, let it count!
My favorite is the Marseilles dress! I think it would be flattering because the tie would give me a nice waist while the skirt would be flattering over my hips. I’m guessing it’d have a little bit more 50’s look on me…
I’m loving the look of the 90wpm dress in your post too!
I am in love with Beauty Mark, the black bow dress. That pleated bottom is adorable.
I love the Ferris Wheel Dress. I think it would accentuate my waist and take the eye away from my hips and chest. Plus the colors are good for a blonde!
I’ve been eyeing the 5th ave dress for the last 4 months. I love it. My mom has used Shabby Apple dresses for bridesmaid dresses with my brother’s and my sister’s weddings. I only wish they had been around for mine.
I love the Sunday Afternoon dress – the pleated waist is perfect for my body type. I always have a hard time with dresses – without a defined waist, they drape over me like a gint t-shirt or sweater. Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway!
Well, I’m following Appple a Day’s blogs now and from taking your wonderful class… I learned that I’m a bottom figure so this specific dress would be great for my body type because the sleeves sorta puff out to even out the hip area to balance everything out. Also, the dress looks like it’s a “A” line shape which is also great with balancing and the bow near the neckline draws your attention up rather then down. AND the blue would be perfect for my skin tone! According to my color charts.
I’ve been eyeing several Shabby Apple dresses, but didn’t realize they had a blog! I absolutely love their dresses because they are stylish, refined, ladylike and very sexy in that they leave some things to the imagination.
I’m currently infatuated with the Moss and Ivy dress, but I think the Storm dress would flatter my very curvy and very petite hourglass more, with it’s lovely cap sleeves, v-neck and tie belt at the waist.
I love the Coney Island dress. As I lack in the torso department, empire waist dresses do wonders for my stunted torso and make me look long and lean.
I LOVE 5th avenue!! This dress would make me appear taller with a nice pair of heels.
My hubby was just called to the MTC in a Branch Presidency which means I go too. BUT now all my skirts and dresses must be midcalf length! I have been dying to find suitable attire that is not made of polyester! HELP ME! The Olive Tuxedo Dress would be PERFECT. Embellishments on my meager upper half and beautiful straight lines flowing effortlessly over my not so meager lower figure. Perfect to pair with a jacket or cardigan for my name tag. OOOOOHhhh I need this dress.
Love, love, love the Antiquated dress! So chic!
Your cardigan is adorable. Where did you find that gem?
I follow Shabby Apple via Bloglines!
I absolutel love both the Fifth Avenue Dress and the Carousel Dress…. adorable, adorable, adorable and delightfully figure-flattering! Both look so put-together and GORGEOUS… and both are on my wish list!
I love the Antiquated dress. I love how it draws attention to a smaller waist and torso and away from the hips (yes, I am a pear!).
I love the Ballerina dress. The neckline would flatter my upper half while the cut of the skirt would “hide” the excess of my lower half.
I love love love the Lincoln Center dress. Cute, without the need for a camisole (oh, how I’m tired of camisoles!). Flattering a-line skirt, interesting off-center buttons that perhaps don’t gap as much? It’s just adorable.
I’m going to have to go with the teal Odyssey maternity dress. Thanks to babies my figure is ever changing and I’m not sure what will flatter me after this one is born in April, but I do look very lovely in teal.
I never thought to do the cardigan with that dress – beautiful! I’d love the Elizabeth 1 dress….perfect little black dress.
I love the Some Like It Hot dress! Wrap dresses are definitely my friend, and I love the color.
I have been eying the fifth ave dress for a while! I love the silhouette and I think it would go well with my hourglass figure.
I LOVE their dresses, wish I had known about the site when I was pregnant! maybe next time. I heart the Carousel dress. The straight a line skirt always seems to work well on my body.
I love the Carnival. I’m long and linear and the skirt has great lines.
I’m from the UK, and had never heard of this company before. The dresses look incredible, and really great value for money. I love the Azure Coast, wrap dresses really flatter me and (according to your previous posts) teal is one of ‘my colours’. Brilliant.
I’m a follower over at Shabby Apple…and I’m SO glad, I had no idea they had a blog!
I’m a big fan of the Madison Avenue Dress!
Lisita, take another look, the code should be available to you now.
I love the Carousel dress soooo much! Well, I love them all…..I check out their website almost daily! Peeking for a sale or something!
Laurie~
Sara,
Here is a link to the sizing guide: http://www.shabbyapple.com/fitGuide.html
Jaime, your twitter definitely counts.
I love the Coney Island dress. The empire waist would flatter my apple figure and look great in that shade of red. This is such a great giveaway! I love the 90 words dress too!
My issue is that I am an apple– but tend to like the clothes of every other bodytype but mine, LOL. I love everything in the fifth ave dress, but would probably look like a pregnant giraffe (even though I am not pregnant).–I guess I need to get a lookbook or online shopping appt to redo my wardrobe. =)
Anyway, of the ones best suited to my apple shape, I like the Yorkshire dress. I think I am warm so I look good in brown.
I love Shabby Apple’s Marseilles dress. I’m on the tall side and have trouble these days finding dresses long enough to cover enough thigh. This one fits the bill. And the stripes and waist tie would help distract from my “baby belly” (harder to get rid of after boy #3).
I love, love, love the Mary Jane Watson dress. As well as the Fifth Avenue dress. AND the Ballerina. And! the 90wpm dress. Ahhh so many to choose from, so many to love.
I heart Shabby Apple! I just bought the ballerina dress to wear to a wedding. I showed up matching the bride maids to a T (pearls and everything). It was so embarrassing!
I love the carousel dress, the fabric is so dreamy.
How to choose just one???
My fave would have to be Bon Voyage. I’m on the curvier side with a small waist and I think it would fit beautifully. I love how it says “fits generously.” That’s great for hourglass figures if we need to nip in the waist but have a hard time finding something that fits the hips and bust.
I LOVE the Tuxedo IV dress. The ruffles down the front would flatter my figure and I love the elegance of the cut.
Well I love the Five to Nine dress, but I don’t think it would flatter my poochy, baby tummy.
So for a dress I both love and would be flattering, I’m going to with the Jackie O dress.
I have the Fifth Ave dress and it’s wonderful! It makes me look tall and accentuates my waist. I’d love to try the Madison Ave dress!
The Olive Tuxedo dress would be fabulous. I love the color and the tiny belt and the length. Just love it all!
choosing a favorite dress from shabby apple is like choosing a favorite kid!! Okay…not that dramatic, but I love all of their stuff. I love the marseilles, and the 5 to 9 a lot.
I think I love the ballerina dress. Good for my pear-ness.
Shabby Apple makes me wish I had a shopping addiction, and money. I once thought I had an hour glass figure but let’s be honest, I’ve been petite since day one and the Olive Tuxedo dress stood out to me. Besides the shape to help my small figure feel modest but still attract attention, the beautiful color will help my green eyes pop.
Oooh, such cool collections! I pick the Nantucket. If I were 21 again I would go with Ferris Wheel.
The Coney Island dress is my current favorite
I own three Shabby Apple dresses, including the 9 to 5, which is similar.
But in true Cardigan Empire style, I don’t wear it too often because it is starting to pill and not look so sharp. But it is still one of my faves and I would love to replace it!
I am currently crushing on the cats cradle!
I love Shabby Apple and was so happy to find beautiful, modest dresses. I own two of them: Madison Ave. and Ballerina. I would love the Sunday Afternoon dress and think it would look great on my apple shaped body because it defines and flatters a waistline. I love the dresses and love how their are so many that flatter. Shabby Apples customer service is great too. I have emailed them with questions and always get a nice and helpful response.
I actually just purchased Fifth Avenue thinking it’d be perfect for my hourglass, but sadly the way it puckered at the neckline was all wrong for my narrower shoulders. For its replacement, I was hoping the Jody Maxman dress would be a better fit with the way the belt nips the waist.
I like the coney island dress as far as the regular size dresses go- I don’t have anything like it, and I am pretty sure that is one of my colors. I like the sicily dress from the maternity section. It is simple and I don’t like fru fru when big and round.
I love the carousel dress…the fabric, the color and the A-line cut works for my long torso, which is hard to attire.
I love them all and I’ve actually had my eye the 90 Words Per Minute for a while now. It’s a great color on me and I’m thinking it would be just right on my new curves–I’ve lost about 30 pounds this year. I also love anything with a belt–I’m just hair away from being an hourglass (I lean less than an inch towards lower), and I love the way belted dresses look on my curves. I’m loving Mary Jane Watson for that reason.
I love the Jody Maxman. The fun ruffles on the bodice add interest to an area that is completely uninteresting on me. Hooray for ruffles on the boobless!!
erica.zimmerman@gmail.com
I am in LOVE with the Tuxedo IV dress. It’s so perfect and I think the buttons down the front would be ideal for nursing!
I love Cat’s Cradle ( I own it, lucky me), but I really want 16 Candles someday. I follow.
Slate has been one of those dresses I just wish to have!
The Yorkshire dress is my favorite. I have had my eye on it for awhile now. I love how the empire waist hides my “had a few babies” tummy. Plus it isn’t too long for my 5 foot frame!
I love the tuxedo dress and the Fifth Avenue dress.
I love how versatile the 90 words per minute dress is!!
How can I choose a favorite Shabby Apple dress? For now I really have my mind on that 90 wpm dress! I think it would draw attention to my blue eyes (and away from my ample bosom) while accentuating my curves in all of the right places. I’ve got some cardigans I’d like to try over it this Fall. Thank you for the great blog and the info on Shabby Apple!
XOXO
I love the Bon Voyage and Cat’s Cradle dresses! So stinkin’ cute!
I love the washington square park dress. I like thet it pulls in at the waist before flaring back out to mask a pear’s hips
Lovely giveaway. I’m a fan of the Nantucket Wrap Dress.
My favorite dresses are the Carnival and Martha’s Vineyard because I like the waists on them.
All of their dresses are so great, I’m having a hard time choosing one! I love the Coney Island and Upper East Side in that brilliant blue. And the Yorkshire would be perfect with my new brown boots all winter long. All A line to be sweet to my hips.
Rosie the Riveter was the dress that I liked that fell into my body-type category, but I like the Avenues (Madison and Fifth)
Washington Square Park and I could be best friends. Love the longer arm coverage + perfect waist cinch = loooove!
The olive tuxedo dress WILL be mine!
Love the Slate dress.
I love the Fifth Avenue dress! I think that high waisted looks good on me, because it makes my legs look longer than they really are!
I am a follower!
I like the Sunday Afternoon dress, because I am nursing. It has lovely little buttons that keep everything under wraps when needed, and discretely allow access when baby says so. And it accentuates the waist to flatter my curves, flatter my thin ribcage, but hide any lingering baby weight.
Oh my goodness! So many pretty dresses. But if I have to pick favorites, I’ll go with the Jackie O and the Nantucket. I’ve fallen in love with both.
(Apparently, you can take the girl out of New England, but you can’t take New England out of the girl.)
And as a shy-chested hourglass, I think they’d both suit me well.
I LOVE the 24K dress…I need a non-black party dress like this; it’s gorgeous!
Oh I absolutely love Madfison Ave. The buttons, the houndstooth. So classy!
I just found your blog and love, love, love it! The Coney Island dress is one of my favorites. I love anything with a ruffle and think the empire waist is very flattering.
I love the Fifth Ave. dress! I’m not sure what my body type even is, but it sure is a gorgeous dress
I am so in love with “A Sunday Afternoon”
I think it will flatter my mythical curves
I love the Yorkshire and Coney Island dresses. I need details at the top to detract from my bottom!
I love Shabby Apple and there are so many dresses on the site that I adore. I would especially love the Fifth Ave dress. I think it would be very flattering and the giraffe print is fantastic!
I love the Antiquicated. It would look darling on me!
Cleopatra FOR SURE. I think it will help my tiny torso look longer. Love this dress!
Oh the 90 Min. dress is just what I need to spice up this hot Fall we are having here in Texas. The neckline would so take away from my lovely backside!
I really like the Daisy. For next Spring, of course. I have had my eye on the Daisy for awhile now. But the 90 WPM dress would be great too!
I won the 90 words per minute dress during the NieNie Auction and I love it! Its so flattering for my curves and I loved that I had to order a size down – I have never ever bought an xs before. I always get comments on it from people.
I dont need another one but just had to comment that it really is a great dress!
The dress that I caught my eye is the “Madison Avenue.” I adore the neckline and think that it would do great things for my hourglass waist. But the Lincoln Center looks pretty cute too…
I need the Upper East Side because the skirt would be good for my pear shape.
I love the Aristocrat! My wardrobe is sadly lacking a little black dress, and it’s nice to see one that isn’t too “little.”
Vanderbilt is one of my favorites. It’s subtle yet has the feminine detail I love. It works great for us apples!
LOOOVE the Buttoned-Up! The tuxedo look is very becoming on my less-than-ample bosom! :o)
I think this blue secretary dress is interesting. It’s very cute, but I wonder about the pleats on the sides. How would this type of dress look on a triangle? This dress may go terribly wrong on the wrong body type.
A dress I really like that might look good on a triangle would be the Carousel dress. Empire waists tend to minimize the hips…
That Tiery Eyed or Red Delicious needs to get into my closet STAT!!!! I <3 shabby apple! you can’t go wrong with their dresses! At least I never have before!
That Tiery Eyed or Red Delicious needs to get into my closet STAT!!!! I <3 shabby apple! you can’t go wrong with their dresses! At least I never have before!
I can’t decide I love the I’Ety – I think the lines would help with creating a more vertical appearance for those of us in the peite world, as well as emphasizing my waist. The otherthat I love is the Fifth Ave – I just can’t take my eyes off of it, I love the neck line, and the sleves, as well as the emphasis that the white could give to the upper torso, while the pattern could smooth out some of the new shaping from two children. Oh how I love them.
I love their dresses- in pictures! They just don’t make ones to fit my chest, unfortunately. They look super cute for the slightly smaller chested girl, though! I wish they made ones that would fit me better! I may have to enter their design contest to design one that would fit me- so they’ll make it.
I already have the Midtown dress which fits like a dream! So my next dream dress would have to be the Jackie O’.