Every once in awhile Anthropologie lobs a curveball. Deletta’s Curvy Shift ($118) is so simple I found myself wondering where are the ruffles? Why no flower appliques? Once I slipped this dress on I was more than ready to accept it for what it is — awesome. It’s a simple silhouette but so flattering. The vertical darts are tailored from straight at front and center to slightly curved as you move outward to create a streamlined shape. The tank dress shape is basic yet easy to dress up. I felt terrific in this!
I tried on my true size medium and while not loose, it felt a bit big. There was some puckering in back around the zipper due to extra room. The pictures above are the medium. I sized down to a small on another Anthro stop and that felt a lot better. So you’re safe to size down in this one…and true XS’s are sized out. Just to warn you, the zipper trail is shorter than you think. I spent a good 30 seconds grumbling to myself about how Anthro’s zippers have really gone downhill lately as I thought it was snagged. But when I pulled the dress off I realized it’s only a half-zip. Oh. Grumbling taken back!
This one is a definite buy but I do think I’ll wait to see if it’s likely to hit sale.
Maeve’s Pike Place Dress ($148) looks like it belongs at Anthro’s sister store Urban Outfitters…though it is a good 7 or 8″ longer than the dresses you see at UO. It also succeeded in making me feel old (I’m only in my 20s for cripes sake!) as I owned a dress almost exactly like this when I was 12.
There’s just a tinge of goth to this distressed frock mixed with some tartan skater. Still there was a lot to like about this dress. My true size 6 was an easy fit. The length is great and there are pockets. I thought the skirt was maybe a bit too voluminous. Whoever tried on this dress before me had undone several of the hook and eye closures on the bodice, which is annoying because they’re only for show. The dress closes via side zip. I tried to redo as many as I could. I found the bodice to give great support and there is boning on the sides.
Speaking of the boning…
…yikes Anthropologie! I noticed what looked like a dust bunny on the dress but when I went to pick it off I realized it was actually part of the boning sticking out. Not cool. You can also see it in the far right pose above. I checked out the rack and several of the other dresses had the same issue. The fabric on this dress is kind of thin and I can see this happening easily even to the dresses that were OK. They won’t stay OK for long. This dress is a total pass and gives me frowny face. Anthro’s quality is usually much better.
The last dress of the day was Bailey 44’s Rushing Ruffles Dress ($188). The brand amazes me — they really know how to take simple fabrics and create amazing silhouettes. This dress was no exception. I slipped it on in a medium and immediately felt lovely. What I don’t like about this brand is their cheap fabrics at ridiculous prices. $188 for rayon/spandex jersey? You have got to be kidding me.
Besides the simple diagonal ruffle there’s ruching at the waistline, all of which creates a feminine and flattering look. The fabric feels easy and despite the dark color I could see this becoming a spring and summer mainstay. However the price really kills me. I would not feel good about paying full price for this — or any of Bailey 44’s items. I will wait for sale.
Gigi also tried on this dress. Her review is here.
I tried on the Curvy Shift the other night and my regular XL fit fine throughout the body but was far too big in the top. This was amazing to me since my issue is usually the opposite! There was so much extra fabric that it gaped up in the shoulders, front and back, and you could see right into my bra under the arms. So I grabbed a size L and it was too small across my hips but fit fine in the chest. I was so bummed because this dress provides a lovely shape. I am glad it worked for you!
Hi Roxy,Yay for the Curvy Shift! It looks great on you. As for the Rushing Ruffles, it's cute but, as you say, oh so overpriced.Thanks for these reviews!Sarah
Roxy, the Curvy Shift dress is perfection on you. I love it!
The Curvy Shift looks great on you so does the Rushing Ruffles Dress. I agree I wouldn't pay that much for Baileys items, it's a sale item for me.
I had the same problem as Jacqueline with the Curvy Shift… SAD FACE! the waistline was soooo flattering.Jealous that it looks so amazing on you!My grabby hands were defeated by the pricetag on the rushing ruffles dress. Couldn't even bring myself to try it on out of fear I'd like it too much and somehow talk myself into pulling the Very Overpriced Trigger! 🙂
Apologies for misspelling your name, Jacquelyn! My iPhone was trying to "help" but has weird ideas about what should be autocorrected!
Hey Roxy. Thanks for the review of the curvy shift dress.I'm excited that anthropologie is putting out some pieces that are easily incorporatable to my work wardrobe (the pleated pencil skirt for 88 is amazing if you haven't tried it on)
i love the curvy shift roxy, thanks for the review. i agree about the bailry 44 dress. the price is crazy for the quality.
Really want to try on that shift now, thanks your reviews are super-helpful! Can I suggest an all blazer post? I think there are like 15 on the site right now, many interesting jersey ones too! Wondering about the quality/fit on these 🙂 thx!
Roxy: I am almost certain the Curvy Shift dress is a spring/summer version of the Kindest Cute Dress. First thing I thought when I saw it in the store. Fabric is different, but darting in front makes the waist really tiny and body curvy. On my list in the teal.The Rushing Ruffles Dress looks great on you also, and agree about the price for the material. Will wait for sale.BTW: Ordered the Climbing Cowlneck in the purple and it looks FABULOUS On. Wouldn't have paid it much mind if not for your IRL. Thanks….I think.. (only kidding)
Jacquelyn, you're tall. What was the length of the Curvy Shift on you?
You look great in the curvy shift dress. The Bailey 44 label needs to come down in price. The cut of that dress is fabulous, but the price for that fabric is not.
ps. thanks for the link love 🙂
I love the curvy shift on you!
Roxy, I am in love with the curvy shift. I need this dress in my life. I'm debating on what size to order. I was going to order the L, but now I'm wondering if I should get the M. I'm a 36D and size 10 waist. What do you think?Thanks,Emilee
The Curvy Shift and Rushing Ruffles dresses look fabulous on you. Both of these dresses are on my wish list so it was great to see reviews. There's no way I'm paying full price for the Rushing Ruffles either though.May I make a request for a review of the Plains and Prairies dress?
Hi Roxy! Looove the curvy shift dress on you. I walked right by it at Anthro yesterday, thinking quite frankly that it reminded me of something I'd seen in Target . . . but I was dead wrong! I guess it's one you have to try on.I ended up coming home with the Cockadoodle dress, which I LOVE! It somehow remindes me of carefree summers and gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. But it won't work for everyone – I'm 5'3" and it hit above my knee. And, I totally agree about Bailey 44! I almost got their puckered up cardi but, at the advice of Anthroholic Kim, I got the $13 F21 version instead and it's worked out great. $100+ for rayon jersey is a no-go in my book. And the thought of having to get it dry cleaned gives me nightmares!
Hey there Desert Flower. The Curvy Shift hit about three inches above my knee, just at the border of my "no go" zone. I really liked it, and if it had fit in the chest I would have walked out with it.
Jacquelyn that's too bad about the Curvy Shift. 🙁 It's pretty stretchy, I wonder if the hips would settle nicely over time.Thanks Sarah, Rosa, Stephanie @ 9:53, Stephanie @ 9:58, ali, gigi, and Brianna! I was pleased with the dress for sure.Kim G – I walked by the Pleated Pencil Skirt but was already carrying about 15 items, so I plan to grab that next time. Good to hear that it fits well!Lisa – Absolutely, I tried on 4 or 5 on Friday so I will run that post tomorrow. :)Bronzi – Yay for the Climbing Cowlneck! I would like to pick up the purple at some point. Emilee – go for the M. melissamolasses – sure, I will be on the lookout for that dress.Paige – I am in love with the Cockadoodle Dress! I adore that from far away it looks like a medallion print but up close it's roosters. Made of awesome.
Hi Roxy,I thought the same thing when I saw the Pike Place Dress appear online! I owned a dress that was just like it when I was 16. Not something that I'd care to repeat at the ripe old age of 26 🙂
his was amazing to me since my issue is usually the opposite! There was so much extra fabric that it gaped up in the shoulders, 34b bra
Thank you for trying on the Pike Place Dress! I was somewhat interested in it because of the lace-up back and online it looked like it might be good for curves, but you've saved me some shipping. Bless you!I think the Curvy Shift does look great on you, but I just don't understand why everyone is so excited about it. I need a little more "unique-ness" or embellishment to get me to pay over $100 for a dress. But it is very flattering on you 😉
Basic is nice but for what it is, the Curvy Shift is way overpriced. I don't think I could stomach that purchase, even on sale. I can never stomach any basic designs at Anthro prices, and this is coming from someone who spends half a paycheck there on a regular basis. ;)The Pike Place dress is definitely UO style – I have a dress from UO that's really similar! I think it would look much better shorter, to be honest. I am not feeling that length for type of dress. Thanks so much for reviewing it! I never trust the online pictures to gauge length of a frock/skirt so this gives me a much clearer picture – no for me!
Thank you so much for your review of the Pike Place dress. I'd been mooning over it online for several weeks now (the lace-up back part especially!) to the point of contemplating paying full price instead of waiting and hoping for a sale.But seeing how cheap it looked with the boning poking through the fabric, I'm happy to say my craving is over!
In defense of the Pike Place dress: I just bought the Pike Place dress today for $39.95 and there was one eyelet hook missing, so they gave me 10% off. I think it's a cute dress. I am 5'0" and the size 2 fit well (it was a little loose on top, but with the straps attached, it will be fine). I think this dress works for me, even though I'm short, because my shoulders are wider than my hips. I didn't find any problem with the boning coming out, but I'll keep an eye out for it and handle the dress gently. For some reason, this dress was actually very forgiving, flattering and slimming…and I don't usually say that about strapless dresses or most dresses for that matter. For the sale price, I think it's worth it. It's casual and cute and I think it will go well with a yellow or green cardigan and some nice wedges or sandals. The length is long on me, but that's ok because I don't want a dress to be too short when it's strapless (it would feel like too much skin is showing). I love the frayed seams and the lace up in the back–it's feminine but a bit edgy at the same time.