The Lime Juice Dres ($138) has me slightly kerfuffled. I just adore the medium green shade that I’ve seen a couple of other places recently. It’s not so deep as an Irish kelly green yet it’s not pastel either. It’s more the color of grass a few days after a mow.
Here’s the thing — I know I was one of the loudest complainers (whiners) in 2009 about how friggin short everything was. And for shorts that will return this year. But dresses have gone completely in the other direction. Now they’re super long. Many times hitting below my knees which is impressive on someone 5’8″. As a 20-something this is a bit frustrating because length tends to age. Luckily many dresses end up being just the right length for day (34-35″ for me) but I’m wary of anything longer.
I tried on my true size 6 in this Girls From Savoy dress. The dress was too loose under the arms and in the back but I would not size down as it was still the best fit overall. I noticed immediately that the ruffle at the neck seems to be shorter in real life than it is in the model shot. Or it could just be that they need a good steaming to settle down. As it is the ruffles are a bit clownish. I love the thick sashes at both the neck and the waist.
My main issue is that I feel too covered up in this. This is just a personal taste issue — the quality of the dress is there and it’s beautiful. I just was not loving it. Back to the rack.
Over on the party tip is Corey Lynn Calter’s On-The-Fold Dress ($188). It’s like totally 80s in a way that I love. I immediately sized up to an 8 to allow for my chest. The zipper on this dress is HORRIBLE. There is nothing worse than a sticky zipper on a dress on a corset with boning. It got stuck about halfway up and I had to turn the dress around on my frame to coax it past it’s sticking point. I’ve noticed that Anthropologie has been using thinner zipper beds than they used to. Anthro, please change them back! This is the 3rd or 4th dress where I’ve had this issue recently.
Once on this dress was pretty cute. The boning was giving me decent support. I like the crossover heart shape of the bust. There’s a high slit in back that makes this dress easy to walk in (though it may be too revealing). The main issue for me was that there was a big air pocket in front where the dress poufed out under my waist. This is mostly likely due to the curvature of the top of my thighs but no amount of pressing or smushing could get the pouf to go away. For this reason the dress became a pass for me.
This Leifsdottir dress is the Precious Stones Dress ($258). I tried on my true size 6 and it was a perfect fit. It’s made of stiff cotton with an open back and adorable gold jingle buttons that literally jingle as you move.
I just adored this dress on. I’m not really sure how practical it is but I dig the Alice in Wonderland vibe it’s providing. The top’s v was perfectly cut to make my chest look fantastic and the skirt has just a bit of fullness to it. The back, while open, concealed my bra and even though there was a side zip I was able to get this one on pullover style with no issue. I wish it had pockets but that’s my only complaint. As soon as this appears online it’s headed right to my wishlist.
I have been looking for a nice denim shirtdress for ages. So I was very excited to see the Traced Denim Dress ($118) in-store. When I saw that Maeve made this dress I got nervous — Maeve hardly ever fits me correctly. Luckily my size 6 in this dress worked perfectly.
Though it is denim it’s pretty soft and it’s lined inside. There’s a denim tie belt which I’d probably forego for a thick leather one. The buttons are dark brass-colored perfection and I like the dark orange contrast stitching. I feared the double coin pockets on the top but they look alright. The only thing I do not care for are the sleeves. They are winged cap sleeves that fly away too much in my opinion. I have this dress wishlisted but will wait for it to go on sale. Then I’ll take it to a seamstress to get the sleeves made into regular caps.
Hey Roxy! I actually really love that Lime Juice dress on you. Your waist is teeny tiny in it! I think I like the look of a different belt on it though, like the model in the catalog. That's a dress I've been waiting to see on someone, because I'm thinking of snatching it up. Thanks for the reviews!
I love the Harlaquin dress on you. It is beautiful! I can't wait to add it to my wishlist.I feel you on the longer lengths aging. I am short, so I have been great with the current dresses, but I just can't pull off the whole Lime Juice dress look. I am not tall or thin enough.
The Lime Juice dress looks WAY better on you than on the model- I think :-)Love your reviews.
Oh, oh! P.S.- Have you tried on/reviewed the Ruffles Everywhere Tunic??? I can't decide if I want this or not- it's in my shopping bag, waiting to see how it fits someone….Lemme know 🙂
Hi RoxyI agree that lime juice dress is a little clownish at the neck. I thought the clc dress looked cute on you though. Also love the harlequin dress!
Thanks Carly! You're right, I think a belt would do the trick. I have a feeling I may fall in love with the dress yet.Graceybug I was thinking about that while writing the post. If you're under 5'6" I think this is going to be a tough dress season.Thank you prettyface! I did try on the Ruffles Everywhere Tee but haven't written up my review yet. Quick impressions — it's decently flattering and looks best belted. The bottom is sheer so you'll want to wear a cami underneath. True to size.ali – The Corey Lynn Calter dress is very cute! I think if I had a party to wear it too I'd throw a cardigan over it and make it work.
Hi Roxy! That Lime Juice Dress is so beautiful, I want you to love it! The color looks so good on us brunettes 🙂 Did you try tying the neck sash in a few different ways? The SA was super helpful for me and tied it off to the side in a bow and then showed me how to style it also in a square knot. And I mean WAY off to the side, like on my shoulder. It really changed the look of the dress to much less matronly. Also, she suggested a wide leather belt (not on the website) but it is a good 4-5 inches wide with a narrow bronze/golden d-ring closure. It really gave the dress a much younger vibe. I am still looking for a sweater to top it with – something light or springy. To me, this dress hollers, "Spring cometh". Also, the Harlequin dress looks great on you! I love the playfulness of the pattern/design. Fun birthday bash dress perhaps??!!
I saw the Traced Denim Dress in store last night and silently debated trying it before ultimately nixing it because of the breast pockets and my 34Ds. I think I may have to revisit it now… Thanks!
Hey Roxy, the lime dress actually looks good on you, maybe another belt will make it better. I actually tried on the denim dress this weekend and I liked it. Like you, I haven't been able to find a denim dress in a loooong time Great suggestion about using a leather belt instead of the belt it comes with. The Harlequin dress also looks fantastic on you. I also tried the Here&There dress. I wanted to love this dress but the slip under was smaller than the dress so I will pass on it too. I loved the best and show and the Raveneli blouses. I must have them. I didn't like the on the wing blouse the buttons on the side irritated me a lot. They should have put a zipper instead.I also got the snowscape tank I got to try it on for the first time this weekend and I loved it 😀
Hi Roxy,Thanks for checking out the Lime Juice Dress. I think you're right, that it can look a little matronly – I have to wonder why they added another green sash at the waist. Having a bow at the collar and a bow at the waist is a few too many bows. I'm wondering if pairing it with a different belt and some textured tights and fun shoes will make it look a little younger.I think that you will fall in love with it yet. The dress certainly fits you well and it's sooo perfect for spring! Do you think that the length would be horrible on someone who is 2 inches shorter than you? I can't decide.
The leifsdottir dress is adorable! Is the sound really annoying though? 🙂 Everyone in my office would hear me coming!Also, any news on the aniseed skirt/IRL pix? Thanks!!
Roxy: I liked the Lime Juice dress on you as well. However, I think another belt is in order though. Hopefully, as it gets warmer (will it ever for us Ny/NJ folks) you'll think differently.
I'm 5'0 and I tried on the Lime Juice dress and in the end I sort-of loved the different vibe the cut & length of the dress gave me. I also love the tips for accessorizing the dress and 'spicing' it up. I ended up not getting it though b/c the neck did look a bit clownish on me as well, the color wasn't great for my skin tone & it just wasn't *love*…yet :)I like the Harlequin dress on you but I still think that the Here & There and *especially* the Ablaze dress look absolutely drool-worthy on you! * 34" is the ideal dress length on me as well, hitting me just a few modest inches above the knee. I think this is totally bizarre b/c I'm 8 whole inches shorter than you! Anyone know how this works?
Oooh, Denise I like how that styling sounds.Anon @ 1:01 – Yes, give the Traced Denim Dress a shot. I was pleasantly surprised. :)Stephanie – Nice pickup! I LOOOOOVE my Snowscape Tank so much. I've already worn it a few times.Lola – I think you should be OK the length. It's meant to be a bit below the knees so as long as it's above mid-shin you're fine.Lauren – The dress gives off a discernible jingling. No ninja moves while in that frock. 😉 Aniseed skirt review will run tomorrow evening. I just have to edit the photos and write my thoughts up. Bronzi – I am enjoying the cold. I walked everywhere yesterday because the 2/3 train isn't running below Chambers St this weekend. Yes, I am nuts.Anon @ 4:42 – I am all legs! That's my explanation anyway.
Oh, also, tomorrow morning we will have another guest post running to give a different perspective on a few dresses. So if you're looking for another person's take come on back in the AM. 😀
lol just to clarify I only got the snowscape tank this weekend, the others are on my wishlist 😀 The tank is really awesome. How did you style it when you wore it?
Ready for this? I start with a light brown tissue turtleneck from J.Crew. Then I have a short sleeve tee in ivory. Then the tank. With my Duchess necklace from J.Crew. I will try to snap some shots once the underlayers come out of the wash — I was just thinking I've done a terrible job with not taking OOTD shots in weeks.
It would be great to snap some pics 😀 I wouldn't have thought of styling it that way.
Love the Lime Dress! Really suits you 🙂
Wow that lime dress is beautiful! and only $138!
I'm 40, so I'm always happy to see a dress that doesn't end at the crotch! You can always hem a dress up an inch or two if it's too long.I LOVE that denim dress. I saw it in the store the other day but didn't try it on. Darn it, I guess I'll have to go back!
Oh, I saw the Harlequin dress in store last week but didnt' have time to try it on…I did however take a picture of those darling buttons though, which I am completely smitten with. You look awesome in it!I also think the On-The-Fold dress is beauuuutiful. So pretty on you. Sucks to hear about the zipper though! I've noticed a lot of Anthro's zippers indeed sucking too lately and it frustrates me to no ened! Though, to be fair, this is not their fault since CLC is not an Anthro brand but an independent designer and I'm not sure if this was one of their Anthro exclusives.