NOTE: In case you missed yesterday’s post, Free Shipping is back on Anthropologie’s website now!
Inside, another set of Anthropologie dress reviews await! Well actually one tunic pretending to be a dress. We’ll get there.
Note: For sizing reference I am 34-29-38, a size 6/M in dresses. I’m 5’8″.
I know dresses and you, Paisley Palette Shirtdress ($118), are no dress. It’s a tunic pretending to be a dress for the taller among us. Anthropologie classifies this as a spring dress but there’s an awful lot of brown for my taste. Made from rayon, this tunic feels like silk on the body. It has roll-tabbed sleeves, a nicely defined waist, and a henley placket. There’s a pocket over each breast. The neckline has no collar which strikes me as odd. I feel like the visual weight of the pattern combined with the tunic length make a collar almost necessary. Anthro clearly doesn’t agree.
I tried on my usual size 6 which cinched in beautifully at the waist. This tunic is shorter than my fingertips at the side and not long enough for me to feel comfortable in the front or back either. So I’d layer leggings under this for sure. The rolled up sleeves required some gentle cajoling to get into place. Otherwise the 6 felt great.
This is a piece where the pattern placement varies from tunic to tunic. If you can try this on in person you’ll be happier. For me, this piece is a pass.
A wild botanical print covers the Tropicalist Shift ($148), a shift dress that’s plagued by a tight slip underneath. This seems to be a recurring issue with Anthropologie’s designs, not so frequent that I find it with every dress but it seems like 5 or 6 dresses every season have an outer shell that fits alright and a slip with no give for any curves.
This dress is polyester with a split-end sleeve. On the model the split gives the sleeve a bell effect but I did not find that the case in real life. The dress has a low waist band, two flat-front pockets and a shorter mini length. There’s a wide scoopneck and a rear zipper.
I often size down in HD in Paris so in the photos above I’m in a small. It was tight across the thighs so I’d stick with my usual size medium. If you’re curvy on bottom like me you’ll want to do the same. I was shocked by how tight the slip is! Even in the medium it was a fuss to get on and it was hugging my legs tightly. I wonder how walking in this thing would ever work.
This is the kind of dress that would be fun with tights and a hip pair of heels. I’m not a fan of the fit on me however so it went back to the rack.
When I tried on the Andrassy Dress (now $100) it was still full price and seemed like a new arrival to me. I was shocked when it went on sale last week! On further consideration I suppose it makes sense; the dress is made from a thick sturdy material that might be too much come Spring. The jacquard floral and lovely dark green color make this an excellent winter staple. (The color on Anthro’s site is closer to real life, my iPhone shots have an inaccurate tint of teal for whatever reason.)
This poly-cotton mix has a beautiful fit and flare shape, though the angular shoulder is a little odd to me. This dress defines the waist beautifully and hugs curves nicely. The skirt is plentiful without being overdone. There is a side zip. I’m in my usual size 6 for these photos and it fit perfectly. I was pleased that the armholes are not too big and that there was enough room through the bust. It hits just above the knee.
A truly gorgeous dress that’s at a great price! Recommended if you’re still looking for winter pieces.
So the Alcott Dress ($88) runs large. Very large. This comfy, winter-ready cotton/rayon frock has nice long sleeves, a rolled cowlneck and a length that hits about an inch and a half above the knee. There is a waistline though it’s hardly defining, and the skirt can pouf out over the butt.
You’ll want to size down in this dress for sure. I’m already in a small instead of my usual medium for the photos above and it’s still huge on me. I’d go down to an x-small to buy. It feels like you’re wearing a big, comfy sweatshirt. The waist is easy to belt to help cinch it in further, though I’d worry about the effects on the pleating. The dress I tried had a weird, tailing-in seam on the skirt but the other dresses I saw didn’t have the same issue so I think it’s just a production error on this dress.
I like this pink color a lot. I’m not as in love with the shape of the dress. Another pass for me.
I’ve loved the look of every Byron Lars dress but I’ve yet to find one that fit perfectly. That continued with the Lace Study Dress ($258). It’s strange because the shape of the dresses agrees with the shape of my body — curvy. And yet something is always off.
This dress has a nude lining, a lace overlay top with beautifully detailed buttons an a stretch-panel floral skirt. The skirt comes up high for a vintage look and there is a simple scoop neck. The material is a mix of polyester, cotton and nylon. The back and front of the skirt have circular cutouts that open when you walk; this seems to be a staple of the Byron Lars design. There’s a triangle vent in the back of the skirt to help you walk.
I find this brand to run small. Here I am in an 8 which is one size up from my normal 6. The dress hugs everything but the skirt portion more tightly than I’d like. It makes my thighs bulge more than normal and I felt self-conscious about the degree to which my tush is, umm, tushing. Any small lumps or bumps will be magnified by this dress and that’s the opposite of what I want.
I completely understand the idea of this dress, vintage appeal with a body-celebrating design. Unfortunately it only feels celebratory if the fit is flattering. On me I’m not sure it is. So regrettably this dress is a pass.
What do you think of the dresses in this reviews set? What items would you like to see reviewed next? I’ll have skirts and tops next week!
