So many reviews to run; so little time! Today I’ll be posting three reviews sets! First up, dresses…
Sometimes Anthropologie takes a step forward, and sometimes I wonder what the eff they are thinking. This is the Bergamot Lace Dress ($148). It’s a fine dress I suppose. A rayon/spandex slip is covered by large floral lace. It has a scoopneck and a short skirt — mini to be sure! This dress hit about halfway down my thighs.
If I covered the label of this dress, would you think this was an Anthropologie dress? Because this smacks of Forever 21 to me. I think I’ve seen this dress at the latter about 2,000,000 times, probably with a leather jacket over it and Doc Marten knockoffs since the 90s retreads are so hip right now. (Whatever.) At Forever 21 this dress would be $21.08 or something. So Anthro, does this look like a $148 investment? Mais non.
In terms of fit, my usual size medium was fine. This dress is shorter than I’d want 90% of the time, though in the winter with tights underneath it wouldn’t be so bad. The waist sits a little high and as a result the front was pulling away from my body. It’s not that this dress is poorly designed. It’s not, it’s actually quite pretty. But there are so many cheaper versions out there. The lack of reviews on the website seems to confirm audience ambivalence.
If you’re looking for a sunny lace dress try the Vera Dress ($98) by Maeve instead. This one is a pass. Like totally.
The Cerise Shift Dress ($148) is a polyester crepe shift that has echoes of a 2008 design I loved. This shift falls straight from the shoulders and has fluttery sleeves (in a cool crisscross in the back). There are two front seams — one down the center and one about two inches above the hem. In the back there’s an inverted v pleat that I’m mixed on. The sleeves are 70s to me, not bad but certainly flying out from the shoulders. The dress hit me 2 inches above my knees.
Like all HD in Paris dresses this runs huge. I am in a 4 for the photos above. One thing I’m finding as that I go down in size the items are getting shorter which is a total bummer. I would like this dress to graze the top of my knees. It gets way short when I sit down. There’s not a lot of shape in the dress either. Another possible maternity option I suppose!
I think this would be a fun date option. I do love the cherry red color. But this didn’t grab me enough to pay full price. Waiting for sale.
Anthropologie had a great dress on their hands in the Flamingo Repeat Shift (now $90) but they downgraded that a bit when they decided to make the sleeves longer between catalogue photo shoot and production. See how in the catalogue shot at the top of the post the sleeves hit the model right at her elbow? Doesn’t her waist look tiny? Now look at the dress on the website model or on me. Lower sleeves leave the dress looking boxy. Yes, you can roll them up. But boo!
From afar this dress looks like a pink pattern. Up close you can make out the kissing flamingos. I like the silk inserts at the shoulders and across the back. The dress hits me right across the knees and that is awesome! I’m 5’8″ for reference. Sizingwise I felt this dress runs pretty big. I am in a medium here which felt big. I’d size down to a small to buy. Note that the dress is slim across the hips, or at least it is on curvy me.
Pretty pattern, troublesome sleeves. Perhaps a buy on second cut? For now, wishlisted.
Maeve’s dress fit has been increasingly workable for me, with the exception of the Rosegold Lace Shift (now $80). This dress has spotty online reviews and I can see why. A medium turned up as a return in the Rockefeller Center Anthropologie and I delighted at a shot to try it on. Sadly, the fit is so weird on curves.
The dress is polyester lace with bands across the upper chest, waist, thighs and bottom hem. Underneath there’s a polyester lining. A high neckline and knee length make this dress seem very work-friendly. The back is partially open with a window, but it reveals nothing that should remain hidden.
If you have a straighter shape and a small bust I think this dress will be a hit. On me, it was laughable. The waist, normally one of my best features, looked contorted. In order to make room for my bust the neckline puckered and stuck out. And there wasn’t enough room through the hips and thighs. I have no idea what happened here; I guess Maeve decided to make a dress for another body type. It reminds me of the Maeve of old and the fit issues I used to have with them. I hope they don’t continue in this direction!
Pass.
The Mango Dot Dress (now $90) was an online exclusive but I’ve seen more than a few in stores on the sale rack recently so I figured it’s worth a review. This Ace & Jig dress has popped back a few times but in case it’s sold out at Anthropologie youc an also hunt for popbacks at Shopbop or EA affiliate Les Nouvelles, both of which carry the dress in a cooler pattern. Sorry Anthro.
This is a cotton-poly dress that’s super lightweight and also pretty short. I tried on a medium in-store but really needed a small. Then again the small could be so short it’s unworkable. The medium already hit a few inches above my knee. On the hottest summer days I wouldn’t mind the loose fit, but I don’t like the way the bodice looks like it’s frowning because the dots droop. That’s why I like the other patterns better. They have both vertical dots and horizontal dots, with more of the stripe pattern too. I love the braided neckline and the way the skirt is gathered.
This dress is a cute little summer frock! You may just spot one in your local Anthro. For me however it is a pass.
By the by, does anyone know the name of the necklace the website model is wearing with this dress? I’m stumped.
The Vesica Rising Dress ($158) is so close to being amazing with an issue so big I can’t give it more than two stars. This dress is cotton eyelet with a removable lining — such a cool idea so you could wear different colored slips underneath. I’d rock pink right now! Or blue. On the top portion the eyelet is triangular while on the skirt it’s rectangular. The dress is nice and long, spilling to below my knees. And the top has sleeves which I know will make some in the community happy.
My usual size 6 fit great! Alas, there is a huge construction issue with the top. My arms were stuck! The way the sleeves meet the back of the dress allows for barely any arm movement. I felt like the Hulk about to bust out of the frock. I’m not sure how no one noticed this but it makes the dress unwearable. I’m not sure you could fix this through tailoring either because it would require more material.
So beautiful. So not workable. Sad! And pass.
The Natalie Dress (now $140) from Alexandra Grecco is midcentury beauty that runs unexpectedly large! Such a beautiful bodice, with a silk spaghetti slipdress and a tulle layer over it is meant to have the perfect fit and as I discovered the hard way your normal size is going to be way too loose. The dress hits just below the knee and has a beautiful soft v in the back.
I am in my usual size 6 here and I think it’s clear a 4 would have been better. The entire top portion was too loose; the skirt too big as well. Even in a dress that doesn’t fit right I can see all the pretty potential here. No wonder one of the online reviewers considered this a good wedding dress option! It’s too late for this year’s proms but perhaps next? This dress keeps popping back and will probably get a second cut soon.
Beautiful and worth hunting down. I’m just waiting on another cut. For now, wishlisted!
It took us all the way til the end of this sizable reviews set but I do have one winner to share! This is Greylin’s Londrina Tunic ($168) and while short it’s also pretty cool. Foulard is a print I’m loving for fall. This dress isn’t quite foulard but is in a similar vein. And it’s silk to boot! This tee-shirt style dress has beauitful blue pops of color along the bottom hem, the sleeve edges and down the placket. It’s a mini for sure, hitting me about mid-thigh. It would be fun to wear this over leather leggings or slim jeans.
I grabbed a medium but it didn’t leave any room for my curves. It was tight around my hips and the buttons had some gaps. So I would size up to a large to buy. What I like about this dress is that you could easily layer it over another dress, leave the placket entirely unbuttoned, belt it, and you’ve got a heckuva cool look! That’s how I’d wear this frock.
Cute, small, but potentially worth it. On my wishlist!
Coming up in a bit: tops! What do you think of the dresses in this reviews set? Want more reviews? Check them all out here or use the search the archives box in the sidebar to hunt for a particular item review.
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