Looking for your rock lobster?I’ll be updating the sale thread in a bit with 2nd cuts — just a very short list that’s gleaned from the comments. Also the Rare Bloom Tee (now $30) hit sale today! Odd, but cool.
Edme & Esyllte and I normally get along famously. I size down; item fits perfectly. Today though this reviews set kicks off with two cases of chest smushing. I wouldn’t say I’m upset…more like downright angry. I was ready to buy the Salty Seas Dress ($138) at full price because it would be too perfect for the New England BBQs I go to over the summer. I had been warned that the chest was tight on this dress so I stuck with my normal size 6.
And what a mess it was. The chest was so incredibly tight! I could barely zip the dress over my 34Ds. Meanwhile there was this huge pouf of extra fabric in front that gave me that oh-so-flattering first trimester look. I was pretty devastated (well, as devastated as one gets over clothing anyway). Anthropologie’s dresses have in general been cut for smaller chests this season and I do not approve. This is a brand I could turn to because it’s accommodating to curves. For the love of pete don’t tell me it’s going the way of the waif. I haven’t had straight proportions since I was 10. I gave an 8 a shot (far right shot) but it would require so much tailoring to make it work that I can’t justify full price. It’s disconcerting to me that the online reviews are so out of whack on this one. Back to the rack. Angry face on me.
Equally as circulation-depriving was the Polka-Peppered Dress ($148) by Maeve. Since this one is strapless I’m not as surprised. I’d already sized up to an 8 for these shots. This just strikes me as one of those dresses that’s not for my body shape. More and more of Anthro’s dresses seem to be like this but whatever. I’m going to attribute it to a passing trend in this case and hope it’s not an overall brand shift.
This dress had some really nice things worth highlighting. I like the simple bow across the bodice and there are pockets! Love pockets. The waistband is a really nice touch that accentuates how small I am across. This dress is a poly-cotton mix that seems breathable. Cute and work-ready with a cardigan over it. Not for me though. Back to the rack.
Maeve did much better by me with the Hushed Season Shirtdress ($98), whose price seems to be missing a 1. Under $100? Awesome. The sole online review trashes the dress but I had the complete opposite experience. My normal size 6 was perfect! It’s cut as a shift yes but with just enough room around the hips and thighs to show off curves nicely. The color is also fantastic. I love this brilliant cobalt blue Anthropologie is using on several pieces this spring.
I have said it before but I must repeat myself. It’s odd because Maeve is a brand I never used to fit into but these days it’s the Anthro brand fitting me best! I thought maybe my body changed in the past couple of years but it really hasn’t. I hold dresses from 2010 up against ones from 2007 in my closet and they are cut differently. I’m glad to know at least one Anthro brand still has options for me. Wishlisted!
The less dress I tried on was the popular Two-Wheeler Shirtdress ($128). This dress runs large. This is me in the 6! Very loose around the waist and big in the skirt. I love the pattern and while I’m sad the dress isn’t nearly as bright as the website shot showed (sigh) I still love it. One size down to a 4 and this dress would be perfection. Wishlisted!
I will have additional dress reviews in tonight’s post.
I love the idea of two wheeler dress but it looked awful on me, the fit was way off especially with the tight armholes. It's on my wishlist too though, even though my size is sold out lol.
I love your choices today. I've been waiting to try on the Hushed Season and Polka Peppered dress. The Salty Seas is already a fav of mine. Too bad it didn't work out, it's perfect for summer.
No! I wanted to love the lobsters! An online review suggests the problem can be alleviated by shortening the straps – do you think that would work? I'm going to run by 5th Ave during lunch to try it on.Below is from the online review:yes, the straps are too long, but they are an easy fix from the front with a small pair of scissors and black needle and thread. since there is that little loop on the strap at the front, the adjustment (even if you do a hack job) is completely hidden. found that once the straps were shortened (which raised the bust line), the top no longer squished and the top fit perfectly on the chest!
Aaaaaaand sorry for that double post – blogger told me "no" the first time so I had to retype.
I actually really liked the Polka-Peppered Dress on you! Smashing!I tried the Hushed Season Shift and am going to go back and pick it up now that I have a gift card to put towards it!Thanks for the reviews!
Thanks, Roxy! You look great in the Hushed Seasons dress. I hope you get it!I'm so happy with my Two-Wheeler Dress. I rarely buy Anthro's dresses at full price, and I often regret it when I do. But this one I'm so happy I snagged now. It's so comfy, quirky, and flattering on just about any body type/age, imo.
That's too bad about the salty seas dress. The Two wheeler and hushed season dresses look very nice on you though. I so can't wait to get to an Anthro to try on some of these new things! My wallet isn't very excited though I think.
i was disappointed with the salty seas dress on the rack. i didn't even try it on, b/c i anticipated fit issues. so sad.
OMG the 2wheeler dress is all but sold out online…..arggh. when did this dress come out? I thought it was from the last catalog? i'm worried about the tight armholes…if i have slightly chubby arms and I'm usually a 12 in dress size..does that mean I should move up to a 14? plus i'm busty with a 36F 😛
the two-wheeler dress is really growing on me (and it looks good on you roxy!). thought i'd get sick of the bike print, but the cut is sooooo flattering on everyone who tries it on (wishlisted!)… on another note, has anyone seen/tried on the Rainforest Shirtdress? it's been on the site for a while and it's got some good reviews but i haven't seen it in the stores. (NYC/NJ area)
Too bad about the Salty Seas dress.I really like teh Two Wheeler on you. It's a pass for me. The armholes were so tight, I couldn't even yank the dress off of me. I was barely able to undo one button on the sleeve and that gave me enough room to take it off. After I had it off, my arms were so red. Did you have any issues with the armholes?
Thanks Kim! The Hushed Season Dress is factored into my April budget at the moment, so unless something else too cute to pass up comes along it will soon have a spot in my closet.tippy & Tien – so interesting, because while I found the solid Reed Shirtdress to be tight in the arms I did not have the same issue with the 2-wheeler dress. (The plaid Reed was fine in the arms for me.)Lisa – aww, thanks. I am bummed. Still. :(JenLynn – I hope you have better luck with the Salty Seas dress! I agree it is made for summer.Anon @ 9:09 – huh, I have no idea if that would work for me. On sale I would give it a shot though.Hometown Queen – blargh. My breasts are inconvenient to fashion at the moment.Katie – thanks! I could barely breathe in it though. ;)Lauren S. – ITA on the 2-wheeler. It's such a classic piece! The one that two years from now new brand fans will still be asking about.Maureen M – hee, wallets be damned. Your little french bulldog is too cute for words! I want one.Anonymous @ 9:51 – I had the same fears. I just tried to fool myself into thinking it would fit.Hazel – hmm, I think a 14 would be better if you're concerned about fit because you can always tailor in. I hope you find it!Miss JR – I have not seen it yet but I hope it shows up soon, as I'm very eager to try it on.
Hey Roxy, have you ever reviewed the Traversing dress? I don't know if this one has been around a while or what, but I haven't seen any reviews on it yet, and i'm curious.
OOPS.. I didn't realize you have a search bar! NICE! I found it. Bummer! I have a body like yours (big boobs) and I just ordered it, but now I doubt it will fit.. :0( It's a cute dress
I am in complete agreement regarding the Salty Seas dress. There must be something off about the pattern. I'm pretty small (5'1", 97 lbs), and sized out of a lot of clothing but this dress smashed my chest flat (had a really hard time zipping) and it made me look fairly pregnant.The other dresses look good on you though!
I have the exact opposite problem when it comes to bustiness. I've got nothing up there. I've always thought clothing should have different bust sizes within each size. Like size 0 for example could range from a 32AA up to a C, etc. Although, each item would probably cost a lot more
Roxy, I'm the one that emailed you a few weeks ago about my beloved lobster dress :)I know what you mean about the fit…I don't even have big boobs (36smallC) and it wouldn't fit around my ribcage! I have broad shoulders and a broad back, so the 12 wouldn't fit. I haven't been able to find a 14 in a store to try on to see if even that would fit, but I really, really want it. Most of my family lives in Maine and New England so I think it's perfect… don't know how to make my ribcage smaller, though! Fingers crossed that the 14 works. The dress looked super cute everywhere else! I even contemplated buying it, getting a safety pin to hold the upper part together,and camouflaging the top with a cardigan….then I came back to reality…lol.That shirtdress looks great on you!
Thanks Roxy. He can be a trouble maker, but I still love him to pieces 🙂
thanks for the reviews 🙂 the hushed season dress looks great and comfortable and classic 🙂 and since i have the opposite issue with dress tops, your review makes me want to try on the salty seas top! though…1st trimester belly doesn't not sound so appealing… 😀
Oh, Roxy – I love you in that Hushed Season shirtdress! It looks wonderful on you! I actually bought the Lean Lines tunic yesterday, when it went on sale, because I loved how you looked in it in your review! Of course, my body type is totally different from yours, so I'm not sure how it'll turn out. Oh, and as for the Salty Seas dress, I reviewed it last week, and I think there's something wrong with the dress! I tried on the 2, and it was REALLY tight and uncomfortable in the chest – and look, I'm just barely a 32B, so there's no call for that. Thanks for the reviews!
I really like the two shirtdresses on you, especially the Hushed Season Dress you should totally get it.
Just a question about the Polka-Peppered dress- It looks like you and I have the same body type (at least the same bra size!). In the pictures the dress looked really cute on you but did it squish you too much? I am looking at it on ebay and from the measurements it looks like the 6 would fit me. . .but you said you were wearing the 8. Just wanted to get your input since you have tried it on and I haven't.
Hi Cait – yes, the 8 was totally squishing my chest. I'd size up to a 10 to buy even though the 8 worked fine everywhere else. I am a 34D by the way if that is helpful.