Normally I’d complain about this type of catalog shot — where we can see neither the dress nor the shoes very well — but my gosh it’s so pretty I just can’t. Instead I squinted my eyes and thought, I think that dress looks cool. It is a dress right? Not a romper? I’d be OK either way. And those shoes…look…nice…maybe.
Sara from You, Me & Anthropologie looked fantastic in the Knotted Poppies Dress ($158) and gave me a first glimpse at the dress. I probably would have passed this one by otherwise. I grabbed my usual size 6 which fit but had all sorts of weird pouf around the waist. This is happening a lot with Anthropologie’s dresses for me this Spring. I don’t know if they changed fit models or what but I hate it, a lot of items are cut much slimmer through the hips and thighs yet have all kinds of room in the tummy and rump. They’re shaped in ways that mean they no longer fit.
The v-split along the neckline also means the dress is not work-appropriate. That leaves garden party as the only time I’d wear this one. No thanks. Too bad, as I like the color and I like the yellow sequin flowers and I like the print. The fit is off though so this one went back to the rack.
I moved on to Bailey 44’s Drawing Parallels Dress which is reasonable at $78…no wait, there’s a 1 in front of that??!? $178? Har. Talk about paying a premium for the name on the tag. I grabbed a medium and found the dress to be pretty cute on, though the right side of the dress was drooping for some reason. The thin-striped underlayer is a nice touch and I like the oatmeal/black color combo. The cons outweigh the pros here though. Dry clean only. Rayon. Could find this at Old Navy. Pass.
The Night Blooming Dress gets a spring cousin in the Zoya Dress ($158). Nothing bad to say here — this dress is beautiful. I didn’t like on me quite as much as Tabitha’s earlier version. I grabbed my usual size 6 and found it a bit tight across the hips so I’d probably size up to an 8 to buy it. Time will tell if this one has the same quality issues that some reported with the Night Blooming Dress (zippers tearing bodices, etc.). Wishlisted for sale time.
You’ll notice that the print of the Orange Blossoms Dress ($138) that I tried on is different than the print of the product shot. I think I like the one I got a little bit better. Speaking of dresses that are cut slim through the hips and thighs, I had to size all the way up to a 10 in this one. I thought maybe I’d gained weight or something but the dresses in my closet fit the same. So, uh, either I’m crazy or Anthro is. Either way, the 10 worked.
This dress has pockets (yay!). And the sash is really nice though not as long as in the product shot. I didn’t expect to like this dress but I did. Wishlisted!
Last weekend was the first time I’d seen Girls From Savoy’s Sunray Medallion Dress (now $100) in-store. Then it went on sale on Tuesday — strange. I tried on my usual 6 and found the cut generous. I would not size down though because the bust was just right. The shoulder straps were longer than I’d like.
This dress is long, long, long. The color is a nice pastel yellow and the medallions? Lovely. Still this dress just misses on the fit. Despite being a happy color it looks kind of sad, doesn’t it? On second cut I’d consider this one.
My favorite on you out of all the dresses you tried on was the Orange Blossoms Dress, definitely a good wishlist consideration.
I'm glad someone else is liking the Orange Blossoms Dress! I agree with you, though, about the weird fit issues lately. If one part is too tight then another is seriously billowing, so there's not even the prospect of sizing up or down. I never got into Anthropologie before late last year, because whenever I trooped along to the store with my mother, nothing would fit me properly, and I worry this is what's happening again!
I love the Zoya dress on you. I didn't really think it was that great until I saw it in person. The colors are stunning! I think I will have fit issues with it just like I did with the Night Blooming Dress.I also really like the Orange Blossoms Dress on you.Have you see the Rippling Pond jacket at your store? I contacted CS, and the closest store to me that has it is 8 hours away. The reviews online says it runs really small, but I'd need shoulder measurements to figure out what size I would need. If you see it, please review it!
$178 for the Drawing Parallels Dress is just crazy talk… you however look LOVELY in the orange blossoms dress!! I am thinking about trying it on, and it never even caught my eye before this 🙂
The Orange Blossoms Dress didn't initially catch my eye, but it looks lovely on you! I might have to add it to my wish list. It reminds me a little of Wight's Sago Dress from last year (one of my all-time Anthro favorites).
Thanks Stephanie! It's on there, along with 404 other items (eep!).Hometown Queen, you've undergone an identity transformation! I am so glad I'm not the only one with fit issues. Curves are not a bad thing.Tien – will do. I'm on the road at the moment but will look for it when I'm back in town.emily – thank you! Yes, $178 is beyond nuts. I was laughing in the fitting room.Lola – that was a favorite of mine as well, though the fit didn't really work on me.
Thanks Stephanie! It's on there, along with 404 other items (eep!).Hometown Queen, you've undergone an identity transformation! I am so glad I'm not the only one with fit issues. Curves are not a bad thing.Tien – will do. I'm on the road at the moment but will look for it when I'm back in town.emily – thank you! Yes, $178 is beyond nuts. I was laughing in the fitting room.Lola – that was a favorite of mine as well, though the fit didn't really work on me.
The orange blossom dress is all kinds of cute on you – I love orange, and I'm not recalling you having a lot of it in your closet…this would for sure be a good addition!
I love all your posts but where are your OOTDs? I just love those-they really help me when I am getting dressed. It's my favorite part of your blog-seeing your clothes and the way you put things together.
Jan Russell – it's true, I don't own much orange. Mostly because I tend to turn red in the sun, and red and orange…well, you know. ;)Anon – what a nice thing to say. 🙂 I have a backlog of photos I need to edit, including selected OOTDs from the last 2.5 weeks. I will try to get something up before the weekend but if not on Sunday for sure.
Roxy – the orange blossom dress looks so great on you!! I really love it with your coloring and the cut is really flattering on you. Great pick for the wishlist!!
Oooh, love the Zoya dress- so pretty!And I think most stuff from Bailey44 is overpriced, unfortunately. I loved the brand and found it worth the price until the sleeves ripped on a top I wore only twice- both sleeves, two big holes where the sleeve connects to the armpit/body.Not impressed *AT ALL*. >:|
I did a fitting room review as well for the Zoya dress. I like it too, but have to agree its on my sale only WL!-Amanda(The Pretty Pauper) http://www.prettypauperstyle.blogspot.com
You're right, I have! Well spotted. I think it was confusing people!
The Zoya dress is really pretty! But yeah, what is up with the price tag on the Drawing Parallels dress? You said it just right–could find the same thing at Old Navy.
Roxy the Zoya dress is just gorgeous on you! But, I agree with you, I don't think it is quite as special as the Night blooming dress. The Orange Blossoms Dress is also fab- thanks for reviewing both of these, it's so nice to see them on a person.