Anthropologie and Bailey 44 just keep rolling with the success of the column dress. The latest summery version is the Maia Column Dress ($178), which trades in the usually subtle colors of its predecessors for a bright combination featuring yellow and red. Aside from its tank configuration it’s just like the other versions — nylon, spandex and more nylon. The dress claims to be 37.5″ long on the product page, but it cut right across my knees which makes me think it’s more in the 35″-36″ range.
It’s funny to me how some versions of this dress look fine across my hips and thighs and others emphasize my widest part. I sized up to a large in this dress and found it alright in terms of fit, though I wouldn’t mind just a little more give across my bottom half. If this dress came in an XL I’d want to give it a go. As always this dress is very flattering on curves, hugging and shaping a curvaceous silhouette. The tank straps are nice and short meaning not too much cleavage is revealed; I think it would just be too much given the body-hugging fit.
I would prefer to pick this dress up on sale but the chances of it hitting sale are slim…so I’m kerfuffled. Wishlisted for now, and a little more on this dress below.
As promised in my tumblr post on chambray dresses, my ideal styling for them is as an overlayer. The Maia Column Dress works perfectly under the Fremont Shirtdress ($148), a chambray shirtdress that’s as versatile as it is lab coat-like. The first thing you notice about this dress is how incredibly soft it is. It’s made from tencel that has been softly treated. Then there are the front pockets, which look like double pockets but are in fact one long catchall. The buttons are a little rough and hurt my fingers a bit as I unbuttoned the front.
The dress is longer in the back and shorter on the sides, which means that when you sit down your thighs will be on full display if you’re wearing this dress by itself. Try unrolling the tab-rolled sleeves and you’ll find this dress looks like a bulky warehouse suit. Best to keep those sleeves tabbed up. The denim sash that comes with the dress isn’t very helpful for cinching. I’d ditch it for a real belt.
I tried on my usual size medium which worked well in this loose, drapey dress. My preference is to wear it open, because as you’ll see below when closed it looks like a chambray straitjacket on me.
To add some more shape I asked for a belt, and a wise SA brought the See-Through Bloom Belt ($48) which pulled the look together nicely. The only belt size in-store was a small; I’d say this belt runs TTS. Another belt option is the Studded Corset Belt ($58) which I’ve tried a couple of times and love, though I hate how the two sides overlap in the middle on me. The latter belt seems to run a little large; the small is labeled as 28″ online but it felt loose.
Here’s the Fremont Shirtdress ($148) closed up with the denim sash done. For a curvy gal like me this styling does nothing. The waist needs definition to make this work.
And here’s one more layering option. The dress underneath is the Cuillin Dress ($248) which I reviewed in this recent dress set. As for the Fremont, it’s wishlisted as I hope for it to hit sale soon.
Although I’m highly tempted to make fun, here in NYC I see lots of women biking in maxi dresses. It seems like dangerous sport to me yet when I tried on the Mariner Maxi Chemise ($88) I couldn’t help but think, this would make a fantastic weekend bike dress. In case it hasn’t already been established I’m a sucker for these biased stripe patterns which flatter curves something amazing. The simple spaghetti-strapped frock starts of body-hugging before easing into a gently pleated skirt.
This chemise is cotton-modal with adjustable straps and a bit of smocking in the back to help accommodate chests of various sizes. I tried on my usual size medium and found it nearly perfect. There was a little bit of looseness right below my bust and the dress came down pretty low on my back, revealing the back of my bra strap.
The main critique I have is that you can find similar dresses at a much lower price at the likes of Old Navy. So I’m not exactly dying to spill out $90 on this chemise, no matter how fab. Wishlisted but waiting for sale.
Just when I thought Maeve and I were on the same page in terms of fit, along comes the Peony Slipdress (now $80) to throw all congruence away. This adorable summer dress has thin spaghetti straps, a tuxedo-pleat bodice and a lazy floral pattern on a bed of blue. The back is very open and will require a special bra.
On the rack this dress looked like a simple fit-and-flare. But in the dressing room it was a whole other story. My usual 6 was a no-go, so it was up to the 8 you see on me above. And that was still extremely tight. I’m not even sure a 10 would work. Sizing up is no problem for me when needed, but I think the issue here is more a dress not really cut to work with my curves. As sometimes happens.
Here’s what the back of the dress looks like. The center seam is somewhat annoying. I do like the buttons up the back but as I mentioned it leaves quite a bit of your back exposed and likely your bra.
This dress is pretty but doesn’t work on me. Back to the rack it went.
I love the idea of the Buffed Chiffon Dress (now $130). A floaty, elegant dress with a pattern that seems to move. An empire waist and a gently pleated skirt. (Unlike the product shot, which makes the dress look as though it has a full bodice with waist-cincher.)
A 6 fit fine though the v-neck dips down pretty far for a day dress. Perhaps those romps through the flowers will have to turn into careful walks instead. The colors of this dress also brought out the yellow undertones of my skin which I didn’t love. This dress is very light and airy. It’s cute. I’m not in love though. Pass.
Three very different floral patterns combine to make the Arcadie Dress (now $120), a floaty dress that runs large. Could you imagine if the patterns on this dress were reversed? Simply swapping the stronger patterns that currently live on the bottom up to the top would make this dress balanced and flattering on many. Instead, its current configuration makes your bottom half look bigger. Something over half of Anthro lovers probably don’t want. I have to question the design critiques that went into this dress. The high tie-string neckline is very cute and a bit of that classic Anthro feel that’s been lacking. But who could look at this dress and not notice how bottom-heavy it is? With the small neckline that’s only enhanced. Boo.
My usual size 6 felt big so I scrambled down to a 4. But the dress makes me feel like a big old triangle, heavy on the bottom and light on top. Not the look I am going for. Also, the lining of this dress is tight. So the dress required some shimmying to get on.
Here’s a closeup of the neckline. I really like it although it is tough for a busty gal like me to pull off. Unfortunately, this dress is a pass.
Looking for more dress reviews? Check out some recent dress reviews set: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. Or click the “REVIEWS” link in the top navigation bar for even more Anthropologie product reviews. If there’s an item you’d like to see reviewed, let me know in the comments! What do you think of the items in this reviews set?
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