Reviews: Agnita Dress, Layered Column Dress, Skyscraper Dress, Chrysanthemum Moon Chemise, Mushroom Picking Chemise, Color Notes Chemise

I have three more sets of dress reviews to get through before moving on to tops, skirts and sweaters. Let’s keep the reviews rolling, right after this important message.

By request, I will be running this at the top of my posts for the next several days:
If you have been affected by the Anthroholic Personal Shopping services issue (meaning if you either waited several months before getting your item/refund, did not get a full refund because Anthroholic kept the finder fees, or are still waiting for items/refund) you should contact the Illinois Attorney General – Consumer Protection Division and FILE a complaint. Doing so will allow the IL AG to aggressively pursue legal action against her, the outcome of which could include not just restitution to her victims but her permanent ban from online solicitations and profitability. The link to the IL AG’s downloadable complaint form is: http://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumers/filecomplaint.html.

You can also register a compliant with the FBI’s internet complaint center (aka iC3) If you are an international victim this is the link you should use, though USA victims can also use it.

Agnita Dress ($388) by Ailanto, TTS
style # 22870612, grey motif (008)
★★★★☆ 

I was so excited to see the Agnita Dress ($388) in-store! It’s been on my wishlist since it debuted online. This reminds me of a classic Anthropologie design, the kind you’d see circa 2002-03. The detail work is fantastic. There’s two types of tight cable weave of the underlayer with a cotton floral fabric layered on top. The sash is a coordinating floral that trades a green background for brown. Two buttons sit at the front and back neckline and a side zip helps this dress come on or off. I am sad to see that the dress only runs up to size 10.

Of course all this detail comes at a price — nearly $400 to round it. Anthropologie is flirting with luxury price levels here. From time to time I’ll see designer brands like Tibi or Nanette Lepore at Anthro so this is not groundbreaking. I’m sure for many though this price will make the dress an impossibility at full price and a reach on sale. It’s doable for me if I budget myself right but the question is do I feel this dress is worth $400? I’m not sure.

In the fitting room I was pleased to find that a 6 fit me well. The design on the front will be tricky though — though I was wearing a supportive bra I felt the design pushes my chest down visually, making me look saggy. I’d wear a push-up bra to correct this but it’s annoying. Otherwise I’m quite happy with the dress. I like the little soft pleats in the skirt and the decidedly fall color palette. I don’t think I’d invest in this dress at full price but on sale it would be near the top of my list. With that in mind this dress is wishlisted for sale.

Layered Column Dress ($178) by Bailey 44, size up
style # 21181631, black motif (009)
★★★★☆

A bit of Hollywood glamour resides in the Layered Column Dress ($178), a bodycon design with a little something extra. Zig-zagged tiers of modal make up the long piece. I love that the thin gold (grey?) stripes give this dress some pizzazz yet you could wear this to work or out on the town easily. Lots of styling options here.

Bodycon isn’t a shape I reach for. And once I put this dress on it’s obvious why. I sized up to a large knowing I’d need the extra room. But even that room didn’t help me around either my bust or my thighs, both of which are protruding and stretching the dress in ways it’s not meant to be stretched. I’m happy with my body and I know to avoid this dress shape. While it didn’t work on me though it’s clearly made well and cut to flatter. So if your shape will work in this dress it’s a versatile winner. For me though, it’s a pass.

Skyscraper Dress ($298) by Leifsdottir, TTS
style # 22767370, grey motif (008)
★★☆☆☆

Talk about a dress that was not made for me. Leifsdottir and I usually work well quite together but the Skyscraper Dress ($298) was an utter failure on. This polyester dress is a take on the combination dress trend we’re seeing right now — it looks like two dresses put together into one. The first fabric is light grey and crinkled into sharp pleats. A black crepe provides an intense contrast, such that the dress does look very architectural. Which makes my heart break all the more. I love this style!

The problem for me lies in the top part of the dress. If only I could stand like the model all day — legs spread, ribs puffed out, arms on hips. In reality I’ll have to stand up straight at some point though and then the dress will look how it does in the photos. Exposing up top, but not in a flattering way. This is me in the usual size 6. The size is right but the fit is poor. I find it odd how the pleated grey poly and the black crepe do not meet in the back of the dress, leaving the grey floating out in space. But at least the bottom half looks OK. The top does not and that makes this dress a pass for me. Back to the rack.

Chrysanthemum Moon Chemise ($68) by Lilka, TTS
style # 21123492, blue motif (049)
★★★☆☆

Speaking of combination dresses, the Chrysanthemum Moon Chemise ($68) certainly fits the bill. I received a few requests to try on some more chemises that could work as dresses and this one was asking for a shot. The dress has both a scalloped fan fabric and a Japanese floral print working together in harmony. The racerback is only the floral print however. Two thick straps in front make this chemise supportive and it is just barely thick enough to wear outdoors. (I’d recommend at least a half-slip underneath though.)

A medium felt comfortable on. The rayon material is soft and slightly stretchy. My main issue is that the top portion is cut pretty small for my 34D bust. As a chemise it’s fine but as a dress it’s bordering on inappropriate. Too bad, because the dress is cute! With a little more material this could have been a contender. Instead it went into the reject pile. Pass.

Mushroom Picking Chemise ($58) by Lilka, TTS
style # 22139570, neutral motif (015)
★★★☆☆

Though I despised mushrooms as a kid I’ve grown to love them. Enough to wear them as a print on a dress? Questionable. Lilka’s Mushroom Picking Chemise ($58) is populated by fungi both gilled and capped, conical and campanulate. It’s a cute design that is perfect for sleeping. Is it daytime-ready? Probably not for me. It’s more than a little sheer so you’ll want to layer a slip under this if you plan to wear it outdoors. I like the large pocket though it does my chest no favors.

A medium fit well and fell comfortably. The chest portion of this dress sits a bit too high, causing the front of the dress to rise on me somewhat. But the material is nice (it feels silky), the print is adorable and this is perfect to sleep in. Perhaps with the right layers under and over it this chemise could double as a nice causal dress. Wishlisted for sale!

Color Notes Chemise (now $30) by Eloise, TTS
style # 21107180, gold (070), neutral motif (015) or green (030)
★★★☆☆

Were it still summer the Color Notes Chemise (now $30) would make a serviceable weekend dress. If you live somewhere where the weather is still warm you might want to give this chemise a shot. It comes in solid green or gold (my alma mater’s colors!) or a pretty floral printed neutral motif. It’s nice and long, hitting right at my knees on my 5’8″ frame and has a tank-style top with a gently pleated skirt. It is pretty sheer so be warned — a layer below will be required. Through a cute denim jacket over this and you’re all set for a day out and about!

I had no issues with my usual size medium. I love the deep scoop neckline and the pretty golden color. Since this is meant for sleeping I can’t find much not to like. I wish Anthro would thicken the material a bit and do simple dresses like this! It would be a nice thing to see. As it stands this one’s just a bit too thin for me to feel comfortable. Pass, but recommended if you don’t mind layering.

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