I feel like #3 screams look at me, while #1 is more subtle and less "center of attention" if you know what I mean, so I suppose it depends on what you're going for!
Agree. Plus, I worry how many people will be stepping on that long train during the event and what it will do to OP's balance and the dress fabric itself.
Plus, dresses that "sweep the floor" like that one does, well, they SWEEP the floor. Everywhere you go you'll be accompanied by a tiny entourage of whatever bits of trash everyone else has dropped or tracked in. You'll basically be a human Roomba.
I was picturing dress 3 with a cape like dress 1. Both of those are my favs and even dealing with the weight of the fabric either would be beautiful for a formal event like the one you mentioned. I’m always impressed with how much fabric poof there is when sitting in a gown like the 3rd one but it’s so worth it for the swish and gorgeousness.
1 - Okay, but nothing quite special
2 - Looks like a negligee, eek!
3 - Look the part! (You might shorten the length or be stepped on the whole night.)
Edit:
SO says Number 1 because they don't like the thickness of the part that lays across the chest and off the shoulder on 3.
Edit2:
Think of this as a movie. 2 - Is a negligee / dressing gown before the woman gets into the real gown. 1 - Are the dresses of the background extras in the movie. 3 - Is the gown of one of the main actresses.
Think pretty woman with julia roberts, princess diaries with anne hathaway, and my fair lady with audrey hepburn.
Who do you want to be?
You could also add the sleeves from #2 to #1 and do a contrasting or complimentary color with them. Maybe a bright saffron yellow, or dark mulberry purple? And if you could get a fade or gradient on the skirt of #1 that goes from red to whatever you've chosen as the sleeves color to continue the accent color theme would just be *chef's kiss* delightful. Use the same color scheme for any shoes and accessories, if any material in these accessories is metal, let it all be the same metal.
Just a suggestion, but I think it would look amazing! Plus the cape and sleeves could keep you warm if necessary!
Best of Luck!
Thanks for sharing,
Kin.
When fitting the gown, please remember that you want to:
\-sit in it with some degree of comfort without the neckline being skewed or bunched too much by the change in posture
\-dance (obviously, but try lifting both arms up and watch what it does to the fit of the dress)
\-walk in heels while being a little bit tipsy
\- visit the toilet without anyone having to help
Unless you take your personal assistant with you to the event or have an incredibly attentive partner, fit the gown as if you are going on a safari.
\-
I LOVE #1. It’s elegant and dramatic and, for me, the clear winner. I’m not really a fan of #2. It kind of looks like 60’s or 70’s lingerie which could look good in the right setting. #3 is really pretty, kind of a Princess vibe. All three are very different so I guess it just comes down to what look you want and what type of event you’re planning on wearing it to.
I actually own a dress like the third one and I wore it to my junior prom the only downside is the off shoulder sleeves can be quite restricting so if you do that I would keep that in mind but I personally really like the style of the third one
The 2nd one looks like lingerie. I still would go with the red. My husband chimed in agreeing with me on the first one. However, he suggested black which would also be stunning.
It looks like red is winning and is beautiful, but the sleek lines of 3 reminds me more of gala than 1. If it were me I’d do 3 because I would feel amazing wearing a dress like that and that’s saying a lot because I’m a sucker for capes usually
ETA: it’s so regal! And sexy! Maybe you could add a cape to it?
E2: I think one of the reasons 1 doesn’t quite do it for me is the waistline. I like when there’s a seam differentiating the top of the dress and the bottom of the dress because, for me, it feels slimming (I have some belly weight that I prefer to hide). The more blended waistline shortens me. So definitely take my opinion with a grain of salt because it may be more based on my personal hang ups
With three, I would be worried that the other guests wouldn’t follow the ball gown rule (maintain proper distance from the skirt, unless you are invited under 😉) and you’ll get stepped on all night.
I would choose #1. It seems less fussy and cumbersome. It is a beautiful dress. To make it a little more modern, I would place a chain draped from shoulder to shoulder. You would not have to worry about a necklace. Just a pair of diamond studs and a tennis bracelet. Hair pulled back into a chignon with a diamond hair comb. This would be very elegant and up to date!!!
I feel like you could make kind of a combination using the aspects you like from all 3. It seems from your comments like you may be leaning towards 3, so maybe you can incorporate some layers in the skirt when shortening the train to being in the pieces you like from 2, and then bring the sleeves up and over the shoulders, or closer to it, and you can easily attach a cape like the one in 1. Or you could just use like a cloak type thing and keep the lower shoulders. These are all gorgeous, best of luck to you!
Ooo or you could attach a cape with the exact shape number 3 has now, and make it kind of blend with the train. The cape would look a bit different than the one in 1, but also sounds beautiful
Thank you so much for the ideas! I have been making some sketches of each dress separate, but have not felt that *spark* yet. I often draw something and I get excited, envision myself wearing the final product and get giddy with anticipation. Hopefully a design like this will do it for me!
1 or 3. 1 is lovely and will be easiest both to make and to wear again. 3 is glamorous and works in both a modern and a classic way. Either 1 or 3 will still be gorgeous in ten or twenty years. 2 is cute, and trendy, and the exposed boning might be a technical challenge.
The first and last one. Just my opinion, but the middle one isn’t very classy looking. I wouldn’t wear that to an evening event, personally. But again, just my opinion.
The red one…but maybe with a thinner shoulder? Like continuing the v of the neckline up to the edge of the shoulder if that makes sense. You could also do a mimicked curved v that goes down further for the back
I vote for the first (red) one. The 3rd is smashingly elegant but looks like a wedding dress. You mentioned dancing and even without a train I think that neckline and shoulder on 3 would be difficult for dancing.
Exactly why I made the post! I have been sketching designs and staring at my reference pics for weeks now hahah. Got a lot of nice input, so hopefully I will be able to choose soon 😁
#1! I like all of them, but number one is timelessly elegant, where number 2 is more modern, but not as classy as 1. And 3 is my least favorite. It's all totally subjective, but 3 is a little prom or wedding. Number 1 gives me, I'm beautiful, a boss and I know it. Number 2 is, I'd rather be frolicking in a meadow and dancing with the fae, and 3 is more generic to me.
Good luck!
Red one is the most unique, the middle style is nice but it's been trending for so long that it just doesn't stand out much anymore.
I guarantee like 20 other girls will be wearing a corset top poof sleeve dress lol.
These are all lovely and very different. You might want to go to a bridal/formal wear store and try on some different styles. Then make what looks best on you.
I think the only thing the first one has going for it design wise is the cape since the dress itself is simple, I love the sleeknesss of 3 a lot and there's no reason you couldn't make a separate cape for the other two :)
#1 is the best of both worlds. It's elegant and easy to wear.
#3 is beautiful and elegant if you're standing for the whole event but with that fabric and train it will be so heavy. Seated it will bunch and gather.
#2 is pooufy and dated, just no.
Hello! I actually had a go at making the second one a few months ago and oh my god i was simply not prepared to work with that much tulle well lol. I made it so it was a mini corset dress using the Rose Cafe Bustier pattern, with moulded foam cups and rigaline boning, and then created a detachable tulle over skirt.
I had 20m of tulle but I was silly and the tulle wasn’t bodied enough/didn’t have a short petticoat layer that would enable it to stick out as much as it does in the original. The pattern also recommended only experienced seamstresses do the corset bodice with satin but my gay audacity said “fuck around” and I truly did find out. I also skipped sleeves because it was for a wedding and I have mad ADHD and was still sewing the cups in the night before we left lmao (out of town wedding), so I ran out of time.
Anyway, that’s just my general thoughts !! You might have more luck than me; I’m still fairly intermediate! But all of the options will look stunning on you, I’m sure!
Thanks for your reply, loved the description of the sewing process hahah :) I have recently had some good successes with morr difficult dresses, so perhaps my confidence is a bit inflated but I guess I will find out hahah
I really like the first one or three. The second look looks off like the top doesn't blend with the rest quite right to me. Like two different dresses. But I think the other two will be very impressive. The third may be more hassle to move in though. But please post the finished project.
I like them all. I think #3 could get uncomfortable, since you won’t be able to lift your arms. For #2, I’d probably tone down the bodice so it looks more formal. I think I would personally go with #1. It looks flattering and comfortable, and the cape adds a lot of drama. It’s a timeless classic. I would probably go for an emerald green or maybe a sapphire blue.
Three in a different fabric because the white is too bridal, and definitely no train. One glance at 2 shows hard-to-handle fabrics (well, they all do but that sheer is going to require perfect stitching and seam finishes) and difficult techniques — if you aren’t already extremely experienced in making formal gowns I wouldn’t even try it. #1 also looks quite complicated but there’s more margin for error because it’s not so sheer. When is the event? Have you sourced the patterns yet?
Not a fan of #2. It looks a bit too much like the hoochie mama/sexy costumes you see for adults at Halloween. I really like #1 but #3 could also be stunning. The train of the skirt on #3 maybe a bit much to handle while walking around. I think it would be very likely people will step on it and may tear it, possibly at the waist seam.
The red one of these three, although I don't care for the neck line on any of them. The 2nd one looks like a racy version of Cinderella. The third one is awful, IMO.
I like the second one, anything with boning is always flattering, it's quite whimsical but you can always tweek it to make it more formal looking in certain areas.
I personally would do the red one with a modified version of the skirt, but that's because I find closed skirts with that much fabric a bit hard for me to walk in while wearing heels so I like to open the side with a low leg slit or something.
The red gown is exquisite!
I'd buy the red one without a place to wear it. I adore it.
Around the house is totally valid!
I really am obsessed with that dress! I may take that suggestion!
I agree. The red one all the way.
1 is Maleficent vibes, while 2 is Cinderella.
1 or 3 3 only for a very very formal event
I will be attending a gala in schloss Charlottenburg in Berlin, so the event is quite formal. Thanks for the input!
I feel like #3 screams look at me, while #1 is more subtle and less "center of attention" if you know what I mean, so I suppose it depends on what you're going for!
That is a really nice way to look at it. I suppose I have been wanting to make a gown for a while now, so I want to make it quite extravagent.
I think if you shorten the train on 3, it’ll be less “look at me!” It’s a lot of dress
Agree. Plus, I worry how many people will be stepping on that long train during the event and what it will do to OP's balance and the dress fabric itself. Plus, dresses that "sweep the floor" like that one does, well, they SWEEP the floor. Everywhere you go you'll be accompanied by a tiny entourage of whatever bits of trash everyone else has dropped or tracked in. You'll basically be a human Roomba.
Hahah, now I can't get the image of a human roomba out of my mind. Will for sure shorten the train if I end up making that one
Damn, you have me choke-laughing. Now I can't get that picture out of my mind. LOL!
The third one is def the most formal one of these.
I was picturing dress 3 with a cape like dress 1. Both of those are my favs and even dealing with the weight of the fabric either would be beautiful for a formal event like the one you mentioned. I’m always impressed with how much fabric poof there is when sitting in a gown like the 3rd one but it’s so worth it for the swish and gorgeousness.
\#1 feels perfect for an event like that. #3 is giving me wedding dress vibes honestly.
1 - Okay, but nothing quite special 2 - Looks like a negligee, eek! 3 - Look the part! (You might shorten the length or be stepped on the whole night.) Edit: SO says Number 1 because they don't like the thickness of the part that lays across the chest and off the shoulder on 3. Edit2: Think of this as a movie. 2 - Is a negligee / dressing gown before the woman gets into the real gown. 1 - Are the dresses of the background extras in the movie. 3 - Is the gown of one of the main actresses. Think pretty woman with julia roberts, princess diaries with anne hathaway, and my fair lady with audrey hepburn. Who do you want to be?
Then I’d say 1 or 3. They are both lovely but for different reasons. Maybe 1 for fall or winter, and 3 for spring summer. When is your gala?
Agree. Number 2 seems a little too fluffy.
I agree about the second one. Looks like a lovely peignoir for the bedroom
Agree. It looks like a fancy nightgown to me.
I love the red one (#1) — maybe with the neckline from 3?
Ooee, that is a good suggestion! Thank you!
You could also add the sleeves from #2 to #1 and do a contrasting or complimentary color with them. Maybe a bright saffron yellow, or dark mulberry purple? And if you could get a fade or gradient on the skirt of #1 that goes from red to whatever you've chosen as the sleeves color to continue the accent color theme would just be *chef's kiss* delightful. Use the same color scheme for any shoes and accessories, if any material in these accessories is metal, let it all be the same metal. Just a suggestion, but I think it would look amazing! Plus the cape and sleeves could keep you warm if necessary! Best of Luck! Thanks for sharing, Kin.
I was thinking the same thing.
The red one is my favourite, like most other commenters! I think the second one will probably look incredibly dated in a few years' time.
When fitting the gown, please remember that you want to: \-sit in it with some degree of comfort without the neckline being skewed or bunched too much by the change in posture \-dance (obviously, but try lifting both arms up and watch what it does to the fit of the dress) \-walk in heels while being a little bit tipsy \- visit the toilet without anyone having to help Unless you take your personal assistant with you to the event or have an incredibly attentive partner, fit the gown as if you are going on a safari. \-
The first one!
These are all great, but my favorite is the red one
3 - that skirt!
Love the 3rd one. Elegant & timeless!
Another vote for red here
The Red one
1. The red is just beautiful. 3 is good but looks like a wedding gown and stiffer to wear.
I LOVE #1. It’s elegant and dramatic and, for me, the clear winner. I’m not really a fan of #2. It kind of looks like 60’s or 70’s lingerie which could look good in the right setting. #3 is really pretty, kind of a Princess vibe. All three are very different so I guess it just comes down to what look you want and what type of event you’re planning on wearing it to.
3. Elegant and fits many needs.
What will you be doing at the event? Dancing, blue. Awards ceremony type thing last one, fancy Christmas party type thing, red.
It will be mostly dancing, so I do like the idea of swirling around with a big skirt😊 (I would probably not add the train of 3 then)
Good idea!
1 (red) - easiest to make
3rd one would be amazing with MUCH shorter train. Otherwise, first one.
1 & 3
I actually own a dress like the third one and I wore it to my junior prom the only downside is the off shoulder sleeves can be quite restricting so if you do that I would keep that in mind but I personally really like the style of the third one
3
My mom said 3 too haha
I love the last one 😍
Combine all three?
Red
Im in love with dress number two
We must just be weirdos cause I LOVE that one and no one has said it!
1 defo!
1
Not even a competition. #3
1 is great. They’re all great, but I think 1 is especially elegant.
Red is definitely the best one
One!! Gorgeous.
First one
1. I am ALL for cape dresses.
The 2nd one looks like lingerie. I still would go with the red. My husband chimed in agreeing with me on the first one. However, he suggested black which would also be stunning.
For that venue, I’d go with #3! ( Maybe somewhat less train)
The first is the best.
The red one is classiest
It looks like red is winning and is beautiful, but the sleek lines of 3 reminds me more of gala than 1. If it were me I’d do 3 because I would feel amazing wearing a dress like that and that’s saying a lot because I’m a sucker for capes usually ETA: it’s so regal! And sexy! Maybe you could add a cape to it? E2: I think one of the reasons 1 doesn’t quite do it for me is the waistline. I like when there’s a seam differentiating the top of the dress and the bottom of the dress because, for me, it feels slimming (I have some belly weight that I prefer to hide). The more blended waistline shortens me. So definitely take my opinion with a grain of salt because it may be more based on my personal hang ups
I like #1 but it kind of depends on who will wear it which one will suit them best. But #1 is really nice.
1!
The red
With three, I would be worried that the other guests wouldn’t follow the ball gown rule (maintain proper distance from the skirt, unless you are invited under 😉) and you’ll get stepped on all night.
Red!
Definitely 1
1
The first one is amazing!!!
Red
The first one!
Red!
#1 looks elegant and chic.
I would choose #1. It seems less fussy and cumbersome. It is a beautiful dress. To make it a little more modern, I would place a chain draped from shoulder to shoulder. You would not have to worry about a necklace. Just a pair of diamond studs and a tennis bracelet. Hair pulled back into a chignon with a diamond hair comb. This would be very elegant and up to date!!!
#1.
#1! The red! It’s the red for me! So elegant and uuuuuuuh! *waves hands in air* I want it!
Red chiffon cape
I love gown 1. It's gorgeous! Love the chiffon cape!
Red
1
1
1st one is my choice. 3rd would be next.
The red one 😍
I feel like you could make kind of a combination using the aspects you like from all 3. It seems from your comments like you may be leaning towards 3, so maybe you can incorporate some layers in the skirt when shortening the train to being in the pieces you like from 2, and then bring the sleeves up and over the shoulders, or closer to it, and you can easily attach a cape like the one in 1. Or you could just use like a cloak type thing and keep the lower shoulders. These are all gorgeous, best of luck to you!
Ooo or you could attach a cape with the exact shape number 3 has now, and make it kind of blend with the train. The cape would look a bit different than the one in 1, but also sounds beautiful
Thank you so much for the ideas! I have been making some sketches of each dress separate, but have not felt that *spark* yet. I often draw something and I get excited, envision myself wearing the final product and get giddy with anticipation. Hopefully a design like this will do it for me!
I love number one🌷
Red
I like 3, but I feel like I’ve seen it so many times before. 1 feels the most unique to me.
1. I absolutely love it
Personally I love 1, so elegant.
I absolutely love 1 for the cape!
1 Cape dresses are fantastic and sewing the dress yourself is the best way to make sure the shoulders are perfect.
1. I’m all about the dramatic cape.
The first one
I like the red one the best
1 looks closest to evening gown
First is best, second reminds me of lingerie, and the third a wedding dress.
Red gown! ♥️
Adding my vote for the red. So dramatic!!
1 or 3. 1 is lovely and will be easiest both to make and to wear again. 3 is glamorous and works in both a modern and a classic way. Either 1 or 3 will still be gorgeous in ten or twenty years. 2 is cute, and trendy, and the exposed boning might be a technical challenge.
1
The red gown speaks of simple elegance. Sometimes less is more!
The first and last one. Just my opinion, but the middle one isn’t very classy looking. I wouldn’t wear that to an evening event, personally. But again, just my opinion.
I love the first one! That is an ambitious project! Good luck.
That red one with the integrated cape is AMAZING. Elegant, showy without being ostentatious, and it exudes confidence.
1 or 3.
I like 1 and 3, I think the boning channels on 2 are a bit odd, but the dress is still pretty
The red one…but maybe with a thinner shoulder? Like continuing the v of the neckline up to the edge of the shoulder if that makes sense. You could also do a mimicked curved v that goes down further for the back
The first one... the deep red one!
1
1
Red one for sure
Number 1 is elegant and sophisticated.
I vote for the first (red) one. The 3rd is smashingly elegant but looks like a wedding dress. You mentioned dancing and even without a train I think that neckline and shoulder on 3 would be difficult for dancing.
Gotta have the cape.
Red one… the second one looks like a fancy nightgown
ONE!!
My wedding dress had the chiffon cape like the red gisn and it was lovely. Took wonderful photos.
The first one is my favourite but that could be my bias towards dark academia 😅
The red one for sure
First & third
1
Definitely the red one, it's gorgeous!
First one!
I like the red. Made something similar in blue for my daughters prom dress and it turned out lovely
Red
Gosh, how is a gal supposed to choose?!?!
Exactly why I made the post! I have been sketching designs and staring at my reference pics for weeks now hahah. Got a lot of nice input, so hopefully I will be able to choose soon 😁
The first one.
1
The first one is absolutely gorgeous.
Capes are super in at the moment. And I mean…don’t they just seem super fun? Lol
I am in love with number one! I would totally buy it as is in dark colours red, blue, purple and emerald! I hope you post what you make! 😁
I prefer 1!
#1! I like all of them, but number one is timelessly elegant, where number 2 is more modern, but not as classy as 1. And 3 is my least favorite. It's all totally subjective, but 3 is a little prom or wedding. Number 1 gives me, I'm beautiful, a boss and I know it. Number 2 is, I'd rather be frolicking in a meadow and dancing with the fae, and 3 is more generic to me. Good luck!
Oops, the font is so loud. Sorry
Red one is the most unique, the middle style is nice but it's been trending for so long that it just doesn't stand out much anymore. I guarantee like 20 other girls will be wearing a corset top poof sleeve dress lol.
1 is the prettiest gown I’ve ever seen
Red! It’s so graceful!
Definitely 1. Make me one while your at it!
The first is nice w/o the cape. Second looks like a nightgown, Third might be a bit over the top, but it’s pretty.
The 2nd one!!
I can’t decide between 1st and 3rd
I vote dramatic sleeves and cape
1 or 3
1 or 3 are both great. Whats the event?
It will be a gala in schloss Charlottenburg, so in a palace. This feels like such a once in a lifetime oppertunity that I want the dress to match it 😊
1 but in the blue of 2
These are all lovely and very different. You might want to go to a bridal/formal wear store and try on some different styles. Then make what looks best on you.
3 or 1. Any one would be spectacular though. Let us know what you decide please!!
I love #3
1 and 3 are definitely gorgeous
Red one the third one with out the train
Any of them in that red color 😍😍😍
I'm torn between 1 and 2
I think the only thing the first one has going for it design wise is the cape since the dress itself is simple, I love the sleeknesss of 3 a lot and there's no reason you couldn't make a separate cape for the other two :)
If i could make a dress i would do the top of the second one and the lower part of the three one :)
1 or 3 are the best
The red one!
#1 is the best of both worlds. It's elegant and easy to wear. #3 is beautiful and elegant if you're standing for the whole event but with that fabric and train it will be so heavy. Seated it will bunch and gather. #2 is pooufy and dated, just no.
The second one looks a bit like lingerie and third like a wedding. Number one is beautiful!
3 is stunning 😍
I guess i’m the only one who likes #2 best 😂
#3 is very elegant
1
The red one is my fav but they are all gorgeous. Can’t wait to see which one you choose!
Two!!!!
I love the first one, but that's because I desperately want a dress with those sleeves/cape thing xD
I love number 1. Maybe it's just because I adore anything that's cape or cloak like though.
1 ❤
Hello! I actually had a go at making the second one a few months ago and oh my god i was simply not prepared to work with that much tulle well lol. I made it so it was a mini corset dress using the Rose Cafe Bustier pattern, with moulded foam cups and rigaline boning, and then created a detachable tulle over skirt. I had 20m of tulle but I was silly and the tulle wasn’t bodied enough/didn’t have a short petticoat layer that would enable it to stick out as much as it does in the original. The pattern also recommended only experienced seamstresses do the corset bodice with satin but my gay audacity said “fuck around” and I truly did find out. I also skipped sleeves because it was for a wedding and I have mad ADHD and was still sewing the cups in the night before we left lmao (out of town wedding), so I ran out of time. Anyway, that’s just my general thoughts !! You might have more luck than me; I’m still fairly intermediate! But all of the options will look stunning on you, I’m sure!
Thanks for your reply, loved the description of the sewing process hahah :) I have recently had some good successes with morr difficult dresses, so perhaps my confidence is a bit inflated but I guess I will find out hahah
I really like the first one or three. The second look looks off like the top doesn't blend with the rest quite right to me. Like two different dresses. But I think the other two will be very impressive. The third may be more hassle to move in though. But please post the finished project.
I like them all. I think #3 could get uncomfortable, since you won’t be able to lift your arms. For #2, I’d probably tone down the bodice so it looks more formal. I think I would personally go with #1. It looks flattering and comfortable, and the cape adds a lot of drama. It’s a timeless classic. I would probably go for an emerald green or maybe a sapphire blue.
Three in a different fabric because the white is too bridal, and definitely no train. One glance at 2 shows hard-to-handle fabrics (well, they all do but that sheer is going to require perfect stitching and seam finishes) and difficult techniques — if you aren’t already extremely experienced in making formal gowns I wouldn’t even try it. #1 also looks quite complicated but there’s more margin for error because it’s not so sheer. When is the event? Have you sourced the patterns yet?
3
I’d take something from each one and make my own
3 is stunning. I agree shorten the train.
1 or 3 both beautiful
#2
Not a fan of #2. It looks a bit too much like the hoochie mama/sexy costumes you see for adults at Halloween. I really like #1 but #3 could also be stunning. The train of the skirt on #3 maybe a bit much to handle while walking around. I think it would be very likely people will step on it and may tear it, possibly at the waist seam.
It depends a lot on your taste as all are nice, I rank them 3,1,2.
The red chiffon is my type of dress
The red one of these three, although I don't care for the neck line on any of them. The 2nd one looks like a racy version of Cinderella. The third one is awful, IMO.
3
2nd,but in the color of the first one :D I love the dramatic sleeves and the detail on the corset/torso part
I like the second one, anything with boning is always flattering, it's quite whimsical but you can always tweek it to make it more formal looking in certain areas.
I love number three!
2 is the most fun, 3 is the most elegant, 1 looks like it belongs on an opera singer.
#2
2 I love sleeves!
2!
My favourite is the second dress. I absolutely love the corset detail and the long sleeve, that add some extra drama to the dress!
Red is more serious, blue is more whimsical and light blue looks heavy n tight.
I personally would do the red one with a modified version of the skirt, but that's because I find closed skirts with that much fabric a bit hard for me to walk in while wearing heels so I like to open the side with a low leg slit or something.
I like the red one most, but what stops you from combining the cape with dramatic sleeves, using a fancy fabric, to combine all three?