Returnable Item of the Week: the JC jersey strapless dress (opinion needed)

This pictures-taking-while-trying-outfits hobby of mine that I have started for fun really helps me to realize what looks good on me and what doesn't. It's like going shopping with my mom or my best friend (which I can never do, sadly, because they both live in Italy).

For exemple, a couple of weeks ago I bought the sorbet striped cardigan without trying it on in the store (the line was too long). What attracted me was the low price ($29.99) and the fact that it was available in the color that I liked, which was sold-out on the Internet. However, once home, I put it on quickly as I used to do before starting the blog, ie with what I was wearing at that moment and without really thinking to the whole outfit, and decided to return it because I found that it wasn't anything special and also too lightweight to be useful as a cardigan. But a couple of days after, I was browsing all my favorite blogs and I saw Shannon's (of A Bigger Closet) post about the same cardigan (in a different color than mine) and thought that she looked really cute. So I gave it another try, this time armed with camera and different bottoms.
First, I tried it with a pair of GAP boyfriend chinos:



The problem here is that I cannot wear these chinos any longer, even belted, because as you can see they are too big for me now (BTW, they are a size 4A and they are on sale for $15 in case you're interested). So, I would need to buy another pair of chinos to wear this look, but in case I decide to buy a pair of the Jcrew ones when they go on sale, I take mental note that I could wear it with them (I know, this is kind of silly but I know that one day I will replace them).
Because of the light weight, which I initially thought of as a downside, it crossed my mind that it would be the perfect cardigan to wear with shorts. So I tried it with two of my favorite pairs of shorts, a white pair by Theory and the JCrew chambray seaside ones:




I think that the last look is really adorable and this is when I realized that this cardigan is a keeper, especially for that price (not to mention that it's also perfect with the tiered ruffle skirt).

On the other hand, last week when they were running the free shipping promo, I gave in and bought the jersey strapless dress that went on sale for $49.99. I had tried the papaya one in store and thought that it was too beachy for me (as you know I don't live anywhere near a beach and halas, we don't own a summer house in the Hamptons just yet), so I ordered the grey charcoal which is more suited for the summer in the city.
I really liked the color (especially paired with the spice olive!) and the weight of this dress but when I look at the pictures that I took, I have mixted feelings:




My first reaction when I saw the first pic was "Is that me?", and I don't mean it in a good way. I look matrony and it's not a look that I usually try to achieve. So if I have to trust these pics I would return it. However, I really wanted to like this dress so I decided to try it again without the strap and wearing flats (which is the way I would probably wear it most of the times). I can't show you this second round of pics as they don't want to come out of my camera, but I realized that what bothers me in this dress is the lenght. I think I would really like it shorter (one or two inches above the knee).

So the question now is, keep it and take the risk of having the alteration done or return it, since I don't like it the way it is now?

Those of you who have this dress, how do you like the lenght? Do you think this dress is worth the alteration? I would love to hear your opinion! Also, do you take pics of yourself when you buy something to help you to decide what you really like? Or you trust your best friend/mom better?