hmm…where did I leave thatring of fire?
Green, after enjoying a couple of years on top of the color food chain, has recently gotten the shaft. This is a total bummer for this hazel-eyed chick. I love how green brings out my eyes and I look forward to Pantone declaring it the 2011 color of the year. Til then, Anthropologie gives us a nice green surprise by way of the Cockadoodle Dress ($168). Made by Floreat, this halter-style dress has functional buttons down the front but actually closes via side zip. It also has a bit of ruching in the back to help with fit.
I sized up to an 8 immediately because the 6 didn’t look like it would accommodate my chest. I was right — even the 8 barely did the job. This is one of those dresses that is either going to fit you perfectly or be a total mess, with no in-between. The dress is pretty curve conforming and the material is surprisingly unforgiving. I had some extra pouf in the skirt I would have liked to eliminated but otherwise the dress hugged me like a glove. Anyone with a long torso, a pear shape, or an apple shape is going to be frustrated by this dress.
One more note — this dress was a real pain to get on. The lining got stuck around my waist and turned me into a twisted mess for a bit. Anthro seems to be having lining issues this spring. I am going to pass on this dress.
The Blazing Rays Dress ($158) is a spicy orangey-pinkish-red with beach days on the mind. I decided to once again size up to an 8 for my 34D bust. Unfortunately that was still squishing me something awful. There was no 10 in-store so I took shots of the 8. The folds around the waistline in the shots above are because the too-tight bodice was pushing down.
Bodice issues aside this is a really lovely dress. The skirt’s double tulip layer with varying stripe pattern adds some visual interest and the detailing on this dress is very well-done. All the pretty pleating of the product shot had been flattened out during shipping and it created some side volume in the skirt. Some steaming will fix that. The material is soft and the look is right. Wishlisted.
Moulinette Soeurs’s Plains & Prairies Dress ($148) is the definition of fun. I love the voluminous skirt that brings back Little House on the Prairie memories from when I was a munchkin. I tried on my true size 6 which was tight around the bust but fit everywhere else.
The lining on this dress gave me issues but once I got the bustle settled all was right…almost. I still had some bulk around the waist from the lining but didn’t want to fuss with it too much. I chose to tie the sash in back but from the product shot I should have come to the front. Like with the Blazing Rays Dress above the skirt was all kinds of flattened and misshaped from shipping. Does Anthropologie never steam in-store? It just seems like a poor choice, the skirt was making me look pregnant and that’s no incentive to buy. Still some steam will fix the shape so I’m willing to overlook it. In the end I will most likely pass on this dress. It’s pretty but the spaghetti straps leave me nervous.
The Blazing Rays dress looks great on you! I don't usually comment, but thanks for always providing the best reviews!! I always check your site before buying since I have to have things shipped!
Generally, in the case of dresses, the first size run to be put out on the floor is steamed. This is, however, dependent on the amount of different dresses received and how busy the store is in the morning. At least, that's how it was in my store. Unless the item just really, REALLY needed it. Customer service always took priority over steaming.
Great reviews Roxy!LOL, I am SO with you on the Green-for-Pantone-in-2011 campaign! Probably not likely though after this year's turquoise though. Oh well, I will continue to enjoy the green train until it completely peters out. Love that color 🙂 The fit of the Cockadoodle Dress sounds light a nightmare though and I think I will skip even trying it on — probably for the best anyway, as with all the closely clustered roosters on it combined with the halter neck, I think I would have felt like I was wearing an apron :)Love, love the Blazing Rays dress (even if it is not steamed, it still looks good on you!). Thanks for alerting us to the fit though…uh, I think I will just start with trying on like a 12 or something if it is that boob squishy.You nailed the look of the Plains & Prairie dress — innocent and fun! Reminds me of all those Laura Ingles Wilder books I used to read as a kid too :)Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!
I didn't realize the first dress was called the Cockadoodle dress because the "print" is embroidered roosters! Ack! I looove the Plains and Prairies dress on you here!
Thanks for reviewing the Plains and Prairies dress. I love its sweet and summery look.
I wanted to comment on the Cockadoodle dress because I have it and I LOVE it! You are certainly right that it will not work for everyone, and you DEFINITELY need to try it on. But it worked perfectly on me, and I am a pear shape. I am 2 sizes difference between my top and bottom, and the size in between (8) fit great. The skirt was actually accommodating for my gigantic booty (40")! Also, I said this in my review (which no one read I guess!) that it is much easier to get on if you ignore the zipper and just button it up the front.But since the dress is getting such mixed reviews do you think I should return mine and wait until it goes on sale? It's not like I can wear it for another 3 months anyway. I do love it, but I would love it even more at 1/2 the price!
I had the same problem with the Cockadoodle dress as you did Roxy. Only I was sized out 🙁 There was no way this dress was going to comfortably fit my 38DDs. Also, for those of you ordering this dress online, note that the back is different than the product shot. The elastic was moved from the waistband to the top of the back. It might not matter to you, but it made a difference in terms of fit for me.
The blazing rays dress looks great on you! I wish that I could wear a color like that. Red hair tends to clash…
Girl, you look good in green! I'm with you – green is my absolute favourite colour. ha ha ha, I didn't know Pantone declared a colout of the year, but I must say I like this year's choice! I suppose it's in the green realm… (: You know, no matter how much I like something on, if I hate getting into it because it requires too much tugging, stretching, or contorting, I will leave it behind. I *know* I will never wear it if it's a pain in the arse.
BTW Roxy, I ordered the Sun Grown tank for myself after I saw how freaking fabilis you made it look! (:
anotherfishinthesea – thanks for coming out of the woodwork to let me know! I appreciate the feedback, and I hope that my reviews have been accurate for you. :)Anon @ 12:33 – ah, very interesting, thank you for the insight. I take your point about customer service over steaming.goldenmeans – yeah, you're right, green is probably not going to follow turquoise for color of the year. Oh well, I'll search for it regardless.bonjouritsjinah – OK, hee! I love your comment. Roosters indeed. I think it's cool that the print is not obvious until you get close to it.melissamolasses – welcome! Hope it was helpful.Anonymous @ 3:22 – hmm, tough call. If you really love it and would be "I have to find this on ebay now even if it means paying above retail!" upset if you missed out, then no, keep it. But if you could tolerate the chance of missing out then it would be worth it to return and wait for sale. lindsey..elizabeth – thank you for pointing out the difference in back! I'm sorry this dress was not accommodating to you. I hope this does not become a trend at Anthro — a store that is SUPPOSED to fit women with curves.Ady – *bows*. Thank you. Did not even think about the red hair issue — my hair turns quite red in the summer, now I know I'll have to work around that if I get this dress.post-fab princess – oh yay! I'm so glad yo ordered the tank. Can't wait to see it on you. 🙂
I love how the blazing red dress looked on you.. very hot (and I'm straight)