I’m not going to pretend that Anthropologie’s late summer and early fall offerings pleased me one bit…on my last few store visits however I’ve left with a shopping bag every time. The brand impressing me the most right now? It’d have to be old stalwart Moulinette Soeurs which is coming out with some beautiful prints upon flattering dresses! I had hoped to find the Handpainted Island Dress ($348) or Equinox Pleated Maxi Dress ($188)…I found neither but did find some other amazing options!
I hadn’t planned to buy any more printed dresses this year but these options are so good that thought might fly right out the window.
Note: My sizing is currently floating — I started a new muscle-toning exercise regimen in June! For reference I am currently sitting at 34-29-38, size 6/M in sweaters, 6 in dresses and 29 in pants, 34D. I am 5’8″.
In late November I’ll be attending a fine art awards gala for work and the French Fields Gown ($268) seems like it would be the ideal gown for the event! The back is very open but from the front this dress is all whimsical formality. I love the huge pink sash! I wish I’d tied it tighter around my waist instead of slung around my hip for these photos, but in truth the sash is pretty fussy. It’s attached to the dress via 4 loops and when you’ve opened the back it takes gentle tugging to loosen the sash enough to get in. There are four hook-and-eye closures in the back (two on the back, two at the neck) and a short zipper. The material is a polyester-nylon-spandex mix and the skirt has an acetate lining. The bodice is unlined but very thick material. Nothing is going to show through.
Moulinette Soeurs’s sizing was all over the place for awhile but this dress fits like designs from a few years ago — tight around the bust. I’m in an 8 here instead of my usual 6 and this is the ideal. There is some give in the top but I doubt a 6 would have fit over my bust. The bodice is very plain and that’s somewhat understandable given the skirt. I don’t think you need a statement necklace as Anthro suggests. This dress is enough on its own! The skirt is nice and long, with an extra inch or so of material on the ground when I tried this on sans shoes. That means heels are an option for us talls! There’s a petite version of the dress too.
This gown is lovely, truly. Fits well, feels nice, looks great! In my cart.
The Baikal Dress ($198) doesn’t look like much on Anthropologie’s website — loose on the hunched over model who has a bored look on her face. In real life though — wowza. Anyone with curves NEEDS to try this dress. It does amazing things for the body. This dress is made from that weird neoprene polyester and it feels OK, just a bit slippery. I like the thicker material because it yields an extra flattering fit. The cap-sleeved, v-neck stunner is assembled from a bunch of different panels sewn together so the print varies from dress to dress. I’m not so in love with the placement on the dress I tried but I love the idea.
I’m in my usual size 6 here which felt free through the skirt and a little tight (manageable though) over my bust. The dress spilled to just below my knees and has so much work potential for me — I’d throw a sweater or cardigan over it in colder weather. It does have a little bit of a 50s housewife feel to it, what with the big pleats on the skirt and the necklace I’m wearing helping that idea along too…the print is decidedly modern with lots of feminine appeal. The care label says dry clean but I’m going to guess that you can wash this one inside out. (No promises though!)
I can’t imagine life without this dress. It’s coming home with me at some point, though it may be on sale. If it makes it to sale. It’s so flattering I could see it selling out!
How much fun is the Pinion Dress ($168)? TONS. The shape of this dress is what I’ve been hoping to see at Anthro for a couple of years now — the flirty, fun shape of youthful vibe but with a slightly longer skirt so it’s work-appropriate. This dress doesn’t quite make the knees but the skirt is so huge who will notice? The cap sleeves could be troublesome for some though I do love them. I also adore the perfectly scooped neckline and the defined waist that is belt-ready. It’s made from the same polyester as the Baikal Dress ($198) you just read about. The pattern on my dress differs from the catalogue shot but is the same as the model product shot. I’m not sure if the pattern varies from dress to dress or not — I think perhaps no.
In terms of fit I found my usual 6 to work great. The material has a ton of give, though it’s not going to stretch out much over the course of the day. No spandex here. The material is thick but not heavy. As mentioned in the paragraph above, this dress hits just above my knees. The sleeves do stand up a bit off the shoulders but aren’t too puffy. Just a little cap action.
Another cutie from the Moulinette Soeurs team! I love it. Wishlisted.
I guess they couldn’t all be winners. It was very nice of Anthropologie’s Chelsea Market crew to offer me a pleather hospital gown…but I don’t need one. Nor do I much like the way the Vegan Leather Shift Dress ($178) sits on my body, though I saw a SA who was more lithe than me rocking it. This shift is not curve-friendly at all. I got a really good laugh out when I first saw myself in the mirror. It’s hugging me in all the wrong places, while my poor tiny waist looks saggy and baggy beyond belief. On the plus side I do like the color and the stitching around the neckline and arms. It’s a cool updated 70s shape. There’s a back zipper. It hits a few inches above the knee.
A 6 was unworkable so it’s up to an 8 I went for these photos. Does an 8 look any better? Not really. But again, this dress isn’t the right shape for me. In terms of craftsmanship and such it seems well-made…I can’t say I’ve ever gotten onboard with this vegan leather trend but it’s nice to get the look of leather at a way lower price point.
I think this dress would be fun with a long open cardigan that’s just shorter than the dress and a pair of booties. Not for me though! Back to the rack.
And just because, here’s a bonus OOTD! I’m wearing my favorite Anthropologie dress ever, the Ferrous Flower Sheath from 2008 (it was wrinkly from sitting all day alas), along with an old J.Crew cardigan called the Traversa Cardigan, the J.Crew Tiny Flowers Necklace from last spring (here’s the fall version), Enzo Angiolini’s Call Me pumps in natural and my beloved Céline Nano.
More reviews to come — I have about 15 more dresses, plus skirts! If you have reviews to share please add them to this morning’s Weekly Community Reviews open thread. What do you think of the dresses in this set?
2 Comments