Improvised Sack Dress Worn Two Ways

I really like the idea of a sack dress (or is it a shift dress? I just never know.). They seem so effortless, and breezy. My head if full of the Jamie & the Jones Staple Basics Midi Dress, the Elizabeth Suzanne Georgia Midi , and the Ace & Jig Harbour Dress. 

I have tinkered with sack dresses before by modifying the Lou Box Top (original design by Sew DIY). And, I've made the slightly-more-structured-than-a-sack dress Lodo Dress from True Bias. There are plenty of pre-drafted options out there like the Tessuti Yuki Dress, the MIY Collection Fulwood Dress, the Mariella Walker Maya Dress, and the darling of sewcialists the Named Clothing Inari Tee Dress. I could have used any one of these patterns to similar effect, but propelled by sartorial hubris I decided to make my own. 

I used the arm opening from the Lodo dress, an old school neck facing (shown below in Liberty Tana Lawn) bound at the edge to add a little intention to a dress that could easily be mistaken as thrown together, and the width of my Lou Box Dress with a midi length. There is no shaping, and a straight hem. Laid flat it would be a perfect rectangle. I'm pretty sure the fabric is rayon modal denim from Joann Fabrics. You've got to pay careful attention to the seam finishes to prevent it fraying into a pile of fuzz at your feet, but I think that little extra effort is worth the shimmery drape. 

I like the idea of a sack dress, but they don't lend themselves particularly well to my pear shape. I'm always torn as to whether I should adhere closely to the silhouette that is most flattering, or use my powers of garment construction to make less flattering styles as flattering as possible. Rather than throw all caution to the wind with this dress, I'm giving myself a life line for days when I don't feel very avant-garde. I made a matching obi belt to add a little structure at the waist, and conform to a style I am much more comfortable wearing.

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