^^^^^Was a costumer in my former life.. lol I attended a lot of sci-fi conventions and there were lots of people into period clothing. I loved (still do) to sew and ended up sewing period costumes for people way back when.

Do you have a seamstress near you that you can show this 2nd pattern too? Many have the ability to alter patterns if they are close to another one that you like better.

After comparing the pictures side by side, it doesn't look to me to be too difficult to alter the McCall's pattern to resemble your first selection closer. Part of what is distracting you and the "feel right" is the fact that the overcoat portion of the 1st dress is more fitted and the drawing of the second dress is gathered at the waist. It also looks like the 2nd dress is actually one piece and the first dress is actually 2 pieces with the "corset" look being what I call the overcoat. The sleeves aren't a problem to change (taking the holes out) and is very easy to alter.

__________________
A blessed thing it is for any man or woman to have a friend, one human soul whom we can trust utterly, who knows the best and worst of us, and who loves us in spite of all our faults.