It's obvious that one is a dress and the other is a skirt. And yes, one it black and one is deep blue. But unless you want the bandage strip look all over, the skirt is a very similar (and well-priced) alternative. Personally, I love the dress and all the reviews make it sound like it's universally flattering. ModCloth pieces, on the other hand, do not often fit me, since I am neither a junior size nor a size 0-4 in women's clothes. But if you can pull off the ModCloth stuff, it's a great option if you don't want too much of a good thing.