I love my gathered bodice white regency dress, because it goes with everything. I also tried both of those patterns you have, and I found that the gathered one stayed on my shoulders better. The neckline of the simplicity pattern is really wide and falls down my slopey shoulders. If you're worried about the gathers being too much, I would make the front bodice piece shorter and attach it to the straight front skirt from the other pattern. Just make sure you still have enough ease to get the skirt opening over your head and shoulders!