Banded.
jennabee:

THIS. What is this, exactly? Because a million different iterations of this item have been in stores for about 2 years now, and — though I own a few of them, admittedly due to the concealatory (sidenote to concealatory: are you a word?) powers of the extra fabric around the tummy, and my utter determination not to allow my muffin top to disclose the many pounds I gained in college — I don’t really get it. A dress? A tunic with leggings? Or a shirt? Because it CERTAINLY doesn’t work on a 5’8” girl as a dress, wearing it with leggings kind of makes everyone over 100 pounds look like a potato with legs (and somehow seems criminal, like too little clothing), and these things with jeans can look a mess (and also seems criminal, like too MUCH clothing). So, THIS. How does one wear this? Oy. Life’s Forever21-related difficulties.
I’m 5’6” and still in college - meaning that this definitely constitutes a going out dress in my book. I might throw on some tights (opaque or patterned) - but definitely no jeans or real leggings. This dress is $12.50 of perfectly skanky collegiate going out apparel.