Reviews: To Dress…or Not

A couple of outfit ideas at
the Soho Anthropologie (NYC).

Soho seems to have all the pretty Anthropologie dresses. I want them all! (I’m not picky, just greedy.) I tried on a bunch over the weekend. Unfortunately I got stuck in a dark dressing room — which, can we chat Anthropologie? Why do you make some of your dressing rooms so dark?? I’m not sure what advantage not seeing the clothing is supposed to bring. I’m glad your lighting isn’t antiseptic hospital grade like some stores but seriously it’s like trying on clothing by candlelight. Some of these photos are a bit grainy as a result. I tried to brighten and clean them up as best I could.


The first dress I tried on is Maeve’s In-A-Moment Dress ($118), which is basically just a sleeved version of their Jacqueline Dress (no longer online). I tried on the purple skirt version and the yellow skirt version is in the photo at the top of this post. There is a belt on this dress and it’s a cheap, ugly, tacky piece of crap. I have no clue why Anthro even bothered adding it. It’s not up to snuff at all.

My true size 6 was a close but comfortable fit. The zipper was a real pain — it got stuck at the skirt and was tough to open and close. The corduroy skirt is slim wale and soft. Very nice. There was some poufiness though in the rump area. Not as nice. The bodice was a complementary light grey similar to J.Crew’s light pewter color. This is a pretty dress. I’ve wishlisted it but I’m not dying for it (yet).


I had very high hopes for the Asters Everywhere Dress ($178) by Moulinette Soeurs. I tried on my true size 6 and it just barely zipped over the bust. I’d probably buy an 8. The sash is really nice. And I love the print. I like the cluster of 3D asters on the shoulder but like the Always A Lady Skirt ($148, review here) there are also random 3D flowers on the skirt. In the 3rd shot from the left above you can see one — it’s not the flower my ring finger is touching, it’s the one right below it.

One thing that really annoyed me is that there’s a really obvious vertical seam down the front of the dress. In the far left shot above you can see it clearly in the middle of the skirt. Why oh why would there be a vertical seam in the front? It irked me so much that I’ve crossed this dress off my wishlist. I would only see the seam every time I wear this. Such a shame.


Another floral print populates the bodice of Maple’s Vie En Rose Dress ($158). I was able to zip up my true size medium but my chest was pretty squished. True to size but busty ladies will want to size up. The skirt is boiled wool similar to the Texture Study Dress ($148, review here) while the bodice is a cotton-spandex mix.

I love the look of this dress. I think sizing up to a large will provide better coverage. In-store the Floating Lace Blouse ($128, review here) was layered over it to great effect. Or you could always go the Shopbop styling route. This was my favorite dress of the ones I tried on though I wish it was not strapless.


The photographs do not do Isabella Sinclair’s Simply Lovely Sweaterdress ($138) justice. It’s a pretty blue illustrated better by the product shot. I tried on my true size medium and it fit pretty well. The overlapping v-neck wasn’t doing me many favors. The arm has two buttons on it which were also pulling a bit. I did however really like the dress from the waist down. This would be fun to dress up or down and while the skirt is long it’s perfect for keeping you warm on cold winter days.

On sale I would snap up this dress in a second. I won’t pay full price because I’ll need to layer a cardigan over it to wear it comfortably. The waist is belt-ready and did I mention the awesome color? Worth mentioning again.


We’ve seen Kim from Anthroholic look fantastic in it. Tien too. But on me the Horizon Line Dress ($138) was meh at best. Not getting down on myself here — I just didn’t like it on. I tried my true size 6 and the skirt portion was fine. Kind of cute even. But the top was all kinds of messiness. I felt like my chest looked droopy (not that my nonverbal communication slumping shoulders are really helping).

It’s made of very nice silk. It certainly has that romantic quality to it. The SA suggested I try the red version but they were out of my size so maybe next time. As of now not for me but lovely on many others.


One other huge disappointment for me was Tracy Reese’s Granted Wishes Dress ($318). The problem can be summed up in two words: bubble hem. Or how about two more: sad sash. I love Tracy Reese so much. One of my favorite designers. So it pains me to say this but this dress was a complete disaster on. Not fun at all. I couldn’t wait to get it off. My true size 6 fit fine but did I like it? Not a bit. I hate to turn anyone off from this dress but this is not a $318 dress by any means.

I will now go and hug my Emerald Cut Dress (no longer online). Now that’s a Tracy Reese dress. What dresses are on your wishlist?

25 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    December 4, 2009 / 1:31 pm

    Hi Roxy,Great reviews! I am coveting the Simply Lovely Sweater Dress. Did you happen to notice any pilling/shedding issues on the one you tried on?Thanks!Sarah

  2. December 4, 2009 / 1:47 pm

    Hi Sarah – None at all. It does have angora in it so it will pill a bit. I've noticed that Anthro items that pill do it a lot the first time you wear them and then seem to settle down to almost no pilling after that. Hope that helps a bit.

  3. Anonymous
    December 4, 2009 / 1:57 pm

    Yes, it does–thanks! Sarah

  4. December 4, 2009 / 2:03 pm

    ooh thanks for reviewing the in a moment dress- I was interested in it and now I think I might just go for ordering it as I wont have time to go to the store in the next weeksad that tracy reese dress was a let down- I saw it online and thought the pattern was beautiful.

  5. Hydra
    December 4, 2009 / 2:08 pm

    Roxy,Thank you so very much for fulfilling my request to review the Simply Lovely Sweaterdress. I have been lusting after it for awhile. I popped into my local Anthro earlier this week and for some reason, they STILL do not have it in store. So the review helped a lot, thank you again. Oh, and I finally tried on the Cerulean Swing Coat…divine! Definitely pulling the trigger on that one, though I may try to suppress myself and cross my fingers for a sale. Thanks for all you do here on your lovely blog!

  6. Anonymous
    December 4, 2009 / 2:17 pm

    oh such a shame that the tracy reese dress was a let down, i had such high hopes!! I love the sweater dress on you, I think it's so pretty!you mentioned the soho store had the floating lace dress styled over Maple's Vie En Rose Dress. you dont happen to have any pictures do you? I bought the floating lace top along with the blushing faille dress, but am considering returning both since I dont really know if I'd get much wear out of them. I just dont know how to style the lace top even though I love it!!

  7. December 4, 2009 / 2:24 pm

    I also tried on the In-A-Moment dress and had the exact same thoughts. The belt is so unnecessary. And goodness gracious, the zipper! When I put it on I only unzipped it halfway, because it stopped at the corduroy. Then once I had it on, I panicked a little on how to get it off. After much wrestling I finally released the zipper all the way. I love the way the dress looks on the hanger but I decided for me it's just not worth it…the elastic banding around the sleeves is not good for me, and I felt a little frumpy with the contrast of light cotton on top and heavy corduroy on the bottom. Oh well!

  8. December 4, 2009 / 2:39 pm

    I have heard so many people say negative things about the zipper on the In a Moment dress. When I tried it on I didn't find it any more difficult than most of the side zip dresses I try on. I'm not a huge fan of the side zips, I always think they add a little bump to my already wide hips. I really loved this dress on though. It probably could use a better belt but since I'm very accessories challenged, I'll probably leave the ribbon there for now. I also think the Horizon Line dress looked cute on you.

  9. December 4, 2009 / 2:47 pm

    Natalie – Great choice! Which color do you think you're going to get? I'm torn between the purple and yellow versions myself.Hydra – Happy to help. 🙂 I am soo jealous you're getting the Cerulean Swing Coat. I have it on my wishlist but have to wait on that one.Anon – I have to run to Soho today so I will snap a photo if the dressform is still up. They change them often there!CS12 – I am with you on the sticky zipper. My mom taught me a good trick — rub a candle against the zipper and the wax helps lubricate the teeth. Not that I was going to do that at the store…although Anthro does carry candles…hmmm…TeriLynn – Thank you! I'm glad to hear that the dress wasn't sticky on the dress you tried on. Maybe it depends on production runs.

  10. Anonymous
    December 4, 2009 / 3:07 pm

    This is pretty OT, but does anyone know who makes the Fairhill Boots? I adore them, but my size is sold out! Boo!By the way, I know you hate it, Roxy, but for what it's worth, I think the Granted Wishes dress looks adorable on you in the pic!

  11. December 4, 2009 / 3:17 pm

    haha, you should definitely try to sneak a candle into the dressing room next time! 🙂

  12. December 4, 2009 / 3:55 pm

    Hi Roxy,I think the In-the-moment dress, the Asters Everywhere dress and the Horizon Line dress look fab on you. I personally like the yellow (my favorite color) version better than the purple in the 1st dress.I ordered the Asters eveywhere dress online before I read your review. I love the print and the sash too, lets see if the front seam bothers me as much as it does you. Another dress I'm really longing to see is the Longing-for-yellow dress. Love the bold sash and the yellow, did I say its my favorite color?

  13. December 4, 2009 / 4:09 pm

    Hi Roxy! Lovely dress reviews. I had to laugh when you said you were going to hug your Emerald Cut dress! Mine is hanging in my closet and sometimes I just go stare at it for awhile. It's so beautiful, and probably my favourite Anthro dress ever. I'm glad to see that the Horizon line dress isn't as short as I was afraid it was going to be (I ordered it the other day). I've read reviews saying how short it is, even on short girls! But it looked fine on you. Thanks again!

  14. December 4, 2009 / 4:17 pm

    I really like the Asters Everywhere dress on you Roxy! I also think you need the Simply Lovely sweater dress – it's so flattering on your figure.I tried the purple In-A-Moment Dress on the other night and just like TeriLynn, I had no issues w/the zipper sticking. Maybe it is production runs like you mentioned.

  15. December 4, 2009 / 4:53 pm

    thanks for nice dress reviews – does the vie en rose dress come with straps (in a pouch or something?). I really like that one but it will fall down on me without straps. Pity about the Tracy Reese one, but yes isn't the Emerald Cut dress beautiful – whenever I wear mine random people comment. So glad I bought it (on sale 🙂

  16. December 4, 2009 / 5:21 pm

    Anon @ 10:07 – the Fairhill Boots are by Sam Edelman. Love the brand!Archana – I will be interested to know if your dress has the seam. Please come back and let us know!Carly – Glad it was helpful. 🙂 Kim – Good to know on the In-A-Moment Dress. Makes me feel like if I order online I'll probably get a non-sticky zipper.Syndeygirl – I didn't notice straps. Usually when a dress has them Anthro will include a product shot with the straps.

  17. December 4, 2009 / 5:37 pm

    I tried the In A Moment dress and had the same problem with the zipper. The belt is a cheap, horrible thing that should never have been added to the dress. I added it to my wishlist, thinking that I would only get should it go on sale, but boyfriend hated it, so it's off my wishlist for now.I really do like the cut of the dress, I just wish the materials were a little better.

  18. December 4, 2009 / 5:51 pm

    Thanks for the reviews. I had the same experience with the horizon dress. Loved the bottom but the top portion didn't work for me. The Simply Lovely sweater dress is such a pretty color on you! I purchased the night blooming dress although I'm not sure if I will wear it enough to warrant the purchase so for now it sits in the closet with tags on.

  19. December 4, 2009 / 7:01 pm

    roxy- I think I am going to go yellow. I have very similarly hued purple cord pencil skirt, so I feel like purple would be overkill, though I like the purple a bit better.and I just saw your comment on Chloe's blog and can I just say thanks so much for posting the trina turk sale!! (but not really because now I might be broke forever.) I just bought four things….. and now need to go figure out a way to bargain myself out of this one with the bf (damn combined finances.)

  20. December 4, 2009 / 8:02 pm

    roxylove the reviews how funny i felt the same way about the horizon dress. It just made me look weird. I didnt try the red version on, but i feel like it would have the same fit issues

  21. Shiri
    December 4, 2009 / 9:18 pm

    hi roxy, thank you for the reviews. what boots are you wearing (not the uggs), they are so cute!i'm coming to nyc in 2 weeks, how's the weather? is it puffer weather now or wool coat will do? i plan to stay till new year's and want to pack light so i can shop! 🙂

  22. December 4, 2009 / 9:27 pm

    Tien – ah, the boyfriend veto. It's ruined many a dinner.amers72 – I hope you keep the Night Blooming Dress! I'll have stylings of that one coming up soon.Natalie – my enabling strikes again. >:}ali – that's what I'm thinking too but it's worth a shot. You never know.Shiri – they're J.Crew's Brewster Tall boots from last fall. I LOVE them. NYC is normally 30s-40s at this time of year but it's been unseasonably warm for weeks. Puffer vests are great, and a wool coat is always a good idea. Also hat, scarf and gloves! It's very wind-tunnely around here. (Sorry, I know that doesn't help in packing light.) Enjoy your time in NYC. If you need any recommendations/suggestions feel free to drop me a line by email.

  23. December 5, 2009 / 12:07 am

    Great Reviews Roxy 🙂 I agree with you on the belt of the In-A-Moment dress, though I found he quality of the whole dress a little lacking! There were threads coming loose everywhere, boo 🙁 I also agree that the Horizon Line dress is lovely on others, but the top did nothing for me! Maybe we should both get the Scalloped Clouds skirt instead? :)I haven't seen the Asters Everywhere dress or the Simply Lovely Sweaterdress yet, but I am smitten with them. You look great!

  24. Anonymous
    December 6, 2009 / 8:48 pm

    Went into Anthro today to do a couple of returns and then went stalking new items. Saw the Simply Lovely Sweater dress and the color is beautiful, might put it on my wish list,but if on sale. It looked great on you. Also saw the In a Moment Dress and thought the quality and especially the belt was lacking, not worth full price in my opinion as another poster mentioned. Asters Everywhere dress looked cute.


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