I love dresses year-round to be sure but come colder weather dresses plus parties equals happy Roxy. One thing I love about living in NYC is that there are endless holiday parties, each one with its own crowd, theme and style. It gives me an excuse to invest in a few new dresses a year because once you’ve been photographed in one at a party you can never wear it in front of an overlapping crowd again (alas, this is also the downfall of party photography). My hunt has led me to several stores but of course Anthropologie is the main player. I was eager to try on Moulinette Soeurs’ Spirited Away Dress ($128). It’s another dancer-inspired piece (reminds me of a classic ballet) that would work well for an ice-themed party.
Unfortunately I was less than thrilled with this dress on. In fact, instead of dance something else came to mind: muumuu. Not to take anything away from the dress itself, which I sized up to an 8 in vein, because it is beautifully made. The tulle both laid flat and distressed plus the rosettes along the waistline were really stunning and I love the v-shaped back straps. But my chest pulled the waistline up to make it look like I had a big tummy while the skirt sat in a less than flattering way. Total blech on me but still worth a shot if you’re in love with it.
Another candidate for my ice party is Yoana Baraschi’s Frozen Crystals Dress ($178). The icicle neckline and ivory sash are the stuff dreams are made of.
I sized up to an 8 in this one but I would have been fine in my true size 6. The top is jersey which is unexpected and a slight disappointment. A party dress made from jersey? I dunno. And jersey stretches and fades…OK for a top but not exactly what I want in a dress I hope to keep for years. Aside from the material this dress was everything I’d hoped for and more. The icicles and beading were done very well and the skirt portion of this dress is nothing short of awesome. I love the sash just as much in real life (it has no tie). I could see this being worn for day. Which doesn’t help me for the party but does make me want this dress even more. To the wishlist it goes!
I completely missed Remark’s Longest Night Dress ($168) in the catalog but in real life I was all about trying it on. The neckline is adorned with several tiers of beads and paillettes in a way that gives the dress a Morracan vibe and it has a bubble hem so well done that it does not bother me at all. I kind of like it.
This one is alpha-sized and looked like it runs small. I grabbed a large (one size up) and I’m glad I did. The medium never would have fit over my chest. Unfortunately the quality of the neckline work seems suspect; a paillette flew off while I was putting the dress on and I was being very careful. But oh my goodness how awesome is this dress? It’s made of linen and cotton and it just breathes nicely. The tie waist was a little above my natural waist but worked nicely to balance the pouf of the skirt. This dress would work well in any season.
Moulinette Soeurs gets another spot in this post with the Swirling Villages Dress ($188). I cannot believe all the different shapes Moulinette Soeurs is releasing this fall…they’re all amazing. This brand is tough for me to wear but its shapes like these that keep me punishing myself by trying them on.
This was much closer to a win for me than the Spirited Away Dress. My main issue was obviously the cleavage this dress shows. With a push-up bra this could be my party look but with a little more demure cut this could have also been an everyday dress. As it is I’d have to wear a cami underneath. I tried on the 8 which fit well. The print on this dress is amazing and so is the removable belt. It’s not silk but it is slippery like it and there are non-bulky pockets. There isn’t much bad to say about this one. The cut of the bodice just doesn’t thrill me.
Hey lime sash! You know I’m trying you on. Corey Lynn Calter, your Curtain Closer Dress ($198) calls to me. And it says buy me.
I had no idea this dress was velvet until I grabbed it. I can’t decide if that’s a dealbreaker. It should be because I attract dust like no other human being. But oh my goodness the shape of my true size 6. And the fit. And the sash! I loved this. I LOVED this dress. It’s so simple yet so elegant and velvet reminds me of my favorite party dress from when I was a kid. I was very close to taking this home to be my new LBD (little black dress) but I bought something else instead. You’ll have to come back tomorrow though to find out what.
I actually am intrigued by the Frozen Crystals dress specifically because it's jersey. I also LOVE that the sash doesn't tie because I find tie sashes difficult to work with. I'll try it on soon and make a decision. Thanks for the reviews!
Roxy: felt the same way about the Swirling Villages Dress. I would have to wear a cami underneath it and that look isn't a pretty one at all. Ruins the look of the dress. The fabric is nice for rayon, the pockets don't add bulk at the hip area and the length was good also. Belt with the colors was a nice choice also. Alas the clevage factor made it a pass. I tried on the size 8 as well.The Curtain Closer Dress looks D-i-v-i-n-e. And I love velvet for the same reasons and the holiday feel of it(I had a little red velvet dress as a kid :-)). Unfortunately, I recently bought the Mod's the Word dress, so another velvet dress would only be in my future if this one went on sale.Good choices.
Oh, how I looked forward to getting my hands on the Spirited Away Dress. It looked so beautiful online. But what a huge disappointment this dress was when I finally got it! The fit was TTS, but the shape was completely unflattering on me (especially the skirt of the dress). I had to return it. Perhaps, it would look good on different body shape, but on me, it was a complete disaster. What a pity!Slava
Maria — very interesting. If I didn't have schemes of using it for a holiday party the jersey wouldn't bug me so much. Anon @ 7:40 — Pity about the Swirling Villages Dress, isn't it? So close to perfection. I loved the Mod's the Word Dress though it didn't quite work on me. Great pick even if it means forgoing the Curtain Closer Dress.Slava — I'm sorry to hear the Spirited Away Dress didn't work for you either! Just makes me glad Anthro has other lovelies to choose from.
Roxy, the Longest Night Dress and the Curtain Closer dress look great on you. Very flattering. I agree about the Frozen Crystals dress–jersey is not a material that is about longevity. Pilling and fading is not something I look for in a dress that will be in my wardrobe for years.
I really like the Longest Night dress is really gorgeous on you. Thanks for the reviews Roxy.
I love the frozn crystals dress on you roxy and I'm super excited it's jersey- I can wear it to work!
"I would have to wear a cami underneath it and that look isn't a pretty one at all."COSIGN! The number of pretty items with way too low necklines and way too little bust room is my #1 beef with Anthro. I don't think the first dress says "pregnant" so much "look at my chest!" which personally is not a message I wish to convey.
I loved the Swirling Villages Dress but I had the exact opposite problem. I'm tiny in the chest area so a 4 was still slightly big but the bottom lining was cutting off my circulation (not the fabric but just the lining) and by sizing up the top just fell off. Although I still really like it and might have a new lining placed in it which I have done to other items. Good picks on the dresses!
Roxy – I bought the Curtain Closer Dress when it was on sale and just wore it for the first time a few weeks ago on my anniversary even though I'm head over heels in love with it. I see that you say it'd be a great little black dress, but I feel like I can't wear it except in very fancy occasions and only in the winter. Can you suggest how to dress it down or where it in the other seasons because I'd LOVE to get more use out of this dress!