Wednesday’s TPS Report: Grey Knit Dress

51 Comments

1. I was excited about the price until I saw the dress…. If it makes the model look this dumpy and sloppy (and I assume that the point of the model is to look good in the dress), I can hardly imagine how awful it would look on me! Between the clinginess, and the belt which doesn’t doesn’t define the waist so much as add bulk to it… disaster!

   1. Shayna – agree, dress looks sloppy. Plus if it makes the model look so busty, I shudder to think how I would look in it!

2. I dont think the dress is that bad, but I don’t think it would be work appropriate in most places. Among other reasons, a dress like this would look really silly with pumps and other “business-y” accessories.

3. It just looks dumpy on that one model. It looks better in some of the other pictures – on the other model and on the mannequin. Kudos to Shabby Apple for so many different photos. I still don’t know if I LOVE it, but at this price it’d be worth trying to see how it looked on me.

   1. Agree – the pictures on the mannequins make it look much more structured and worth a try. I would wear it with chunky silver beads and almond-toe skin tone heels — agree with AIMS that classic pumps wouldn’t really work.

      For me, the belt would make/break — on the model, it seems to want to settle around the natural waist (which I think looks strange given the seam under the bust), but it’s nicely placed at empire height on the mannequins.

      1. I don’t trust clothes that look better on a mannequin than on a live model, esp in online photos where they clip the back and do other things to manipulate the form + fabric of the item.

         1. Yeah, but it looks killer on the other model.

            1. Sorry, disagree. I hardly consider that look “killer”.

      2. Totally agree. The belt doesn’t quite work, and I think that has to do with the seam under the bust and THEN the belt at the waist. It looses some of its definition.

         I really like the color, though, and the capped sleaves make it a nice summer but still modest choice for the office.

4. Off topic:

   Does anyone know where to find good quality, realistic faux pearls? I don’t wear animal products, so I don’t want real pearls. I had a great set that I lost and I have no idea where they came from (they were a gift). Nordstrom has some I might try, but the low price kind of scares me because I worry about the quality:

   http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3052745?Category=&Search=True&SearchType=keywordsearch&keyword=pearl+earring&origin=searchresults

   http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3099470?Category=&Search=True&SearchType=keywordsearch&keyword=nordstrom+pearl+necklace&origin=searchresults

   Thoughts?

   1. The gold standard for fake pearls is Erwin pearl.

      You might want to rethink the “fake pearls” thing though. A lot of pearls are made chemically nowadays, so they look real, but are not real pearls by any means. If the descriptions says “pearl nacre” then that’s the fake stuff. What I am trying to say is that you don’t need to choose between glass/plastic and real pearls. There’s some in between.

      Another great pearl site is ross simons–they have it all, big, small, etc. But most of their pearls are real.

      And if you are patient (and tolerant of real pearls), Macy’s has been putting a 100″ strand on sale for $99 every few months or so.

      1. Brooks Brothers.

      2. Agree. The trick is also to be sure that they are hand knotted on silk and have a good clasp. Erwin usually does this.

         Also, you need to pick the right size. Too big screams “I’m fake,” whereas why would you get tiny fake pearls? 7mm should be about right.

   2. Okay, I was going to say that I got a really nice set of “costume” pearls at Nordstrom, and was going to recommend you buy the ones you were looking at, until I clicked on the link. For me, the lobster claw closure and the chain in back to shorten or lengthen the strand just kills these, and makes them look like something from Claire’s (even though the lengthening chain does have a cute little diamante charm on the end). The strand I got at Nordy’s were big enough to slip over my neck (and tie, double loop, or triple loop) so they didn’t have a closure. This closure looks . . . cheesy. I have bought nice artificial pearls at Macy’s and at J.C. Penney believe it or not. The “pearls” themselves look nicer on the strand I have from Nordstrom (more pearlescent/authentic looking), but even the J.C. Penney strands I have are strung on string (not fishing line, for instance) and are knotted between each “pearl,” which gives them a more “expensive-looking” finish than just a bunch of beads crammed on a clear fishing line for example. Also, the strands I have bought that do have closures have either a circle and bar closure (http://www.desiredcreations.com/images/miscImages/miscPCNcklClosures/findings.jpg) or a little gold cage closure (like this, if you can see it: http://www.diamond.com/media/common/products/images/N/P/N/0/NPN_023870_b_l-18_Inch_8-85mm_Cultured_Akoya_Pearl_Necklace_w14K_yellow_Gold_Clasp.jpg )—not the lobster claw closure. In fact, however, it is not even so much the lobster claw closure I object to on this strand you linked to (and I have a few costumey-looking “big pearls” from Talbots and Ann Taylor that have lobster claw closures)—it is the chain coming off the end of the necklace. In my opinion, just, no. My necklaces tend to work their way around my neck so the back is in front and I wouldn’t want that showing . . .

5. It looks more brown than gray to me. I think it would look lovely with chunky turquoise accessories.

6. Love a good jersey dress and love the price, but don’t like this dress. The color is drab and the clinginess just doesn’t help it’s cause. Is it me or do her breasts look odd in it? (No bra maybe?) Normally, a v-neck would be good on me as I am well endowed, but I’m not sure given this picture. Given the overall look I just have to pass.

   1. The dress looks very booby to me, and I don’t know why because it isn’t that low cut, I think its very clingy.

7. I think this would be a comfortable weekend/hanging out dress, but I don’t think I could ever wear it to work. I do have jersey work dresses, but they all have more structure than this one.

8. Love the dress, as I do most Shabby Apple dresses. Slightly retro, feminine, without being in-your-face sexy. This would be perfect in my office.

   1. I’ve never heard of this company but many of their dresses are SO cute. How is the fit and quality? I’m thinking of ordering a few of them.

      1. I’ve ordered 2 dresses from Shabby Apple. One I had to send back. The zipper was so difficult to maneuver I couldn’t get in and out of the dress by myself, too bad, because it looked amazing on.

         The quality is built to last, and I mean, really last. The materials are very sturdy, but not “tough” if that makes sense. Colors are vibrant and match what is on the website. Fits slightly larger than most places, but there is a sizing chart that will point you in the right direction. I wear a size zero in most places, and the xxs is what I went with here. It’s an LDS company, so the fit is going to be very modest, probably more so than what it looks like on the model.

         Shipping is pretty quick, and returns are very easy if something doesn’t work.

         1. Thank you!

9. Concept is good, execution is a miss (cut, fabric, stitching, everything). Check out this Etsy dress I’ve been swooning over and stalking….Takes this concept and elevates it to perfection, IMHO. And it’s custom-made! http://www.etsy.com/listing/48495966/wrap-dress-with-shawl-collar-short

   1. Ooh, so cute. I love it with the elbow sleeves. I’ve never ordered anything from this website, is the quality generally good?

      1. I’m waiting on my shipment. Will you let you know… ;-D She’s got 100% great reviews

   2. Thanks for this — her shop is amazing!

   3. Wow, I LOVE her clothes! I have never bought anything from Etsy but have heard good things about it from this site. Please do post your feedback here so we can all benefit!

      I REALLY like this dress of hers:

      http://www.etsy.com/listing/43264709/soft-cowl-dress-in-elegant-taupe

      1. Also, if anyone uses Etsy and has recommendations on other designers, please share. That site is so overwhelmingly large that I don’t know how to find work/career dresses on there.

         1. I like this shop for jewelry:
            http://www.etsy.com/shop/SterlingOdyssey
            It doesn’t seem to be handmade, but vintage sterling silver. Prices are really good.

      2. Clerky, that’s on my “wishlist” too!!! SwwwOOOOOooonN! LOL.

         1. I’m with you. That dress is gorgeous, as is a lot of her other dresses. Please report back!!

            1. Hey ya’ll, Lirola emailed me to say she is getting tons of clicks… She said she’ll give a 10% discount on any item available for a discount (excluding bundle listings). Just enter: Lawgirl at checkout so she’ll know you’re from Corporette.

               I promise, I’m not affililated with her in ANYWAY… I found out about Lirola and other Etsy designers on a fashion blog for ultra petites (totally not me, but great blog): http://www.alterationsneeded.com/2010/05/reader-mail-made-to-measure-on-etsy-for.html

         2. Gorgeous!!!! i am not supposed to be shopping but am loving 3-4 of her dresses!!!

   4. Thanks, Lawgirl. Lirola’s pieces are so pretty! I am all excited.

10. I am not a fan of Shabby Apple. I like their designs, but the quality of the (one) jersey dress I purchased was poor. It has pilled, and the finishing on the dress is less than what I like. I won’t purchase from SA again, unfortunately. I welcome others’ experiences!

    I prefer Reality in Style (realityinstyle.com). I have one dress from them as well, and the dress is far better made and the jersey is so much better than the Shabby Apple dress. (RiS is new, but they promise some great updates for fall from their Facebook site. And no, I’m not associated with them, just found them to be very customer-focused for a small start up!)

    1. Thanks for the new site. There’s a huge price difference though between the two companies. A $275 dress should be better than a $70 dress. I would expect better quality, fabric, etc. at that price point…IMHO.

11. This is ok. Not Fabulous. I like this one better:

    http://www.shabbyapple.com/p-588-liz-and-darcy.aspx

    They call the one at the link a bridesmaid dress, but I would wear it to the office. It is simple, stylish and looks like it would be flattering on.

    1. ooh, nice pick. I also love the name!

    2. Oh, now that one is gorge. I’d get it in an instant if I could afford it :(

12. wow, I think this looks awful on the model. looks way better on the mannequin, which in my opinion is not a good sign…

13. Off topic (but the Etsy discussion made me think of it)…
    I am totally obsessed with Novica jewelry lately. I just purchased these earrings: http://jewelry.novica.com/earrings/filigree/favorites/gold-vermeil-filigree-earrings-flower-shower/165531

    I know many of you hate dangly earrings for the office, and Novica has so many original styles (dangly and otherwise). Here are some button earrings, totally work appropriate: http://www.novica.com/itemdetail/index.cfm?pid=164034

    Seems like a great website.

    1. this site looks awesome (I love filigree jewelry), and it is apparently somehow associated with national geographic? I’m sold. Thanks for the link.

       1. I love the concept – and the jewelry – on this site! Thanks for sharing

    2. I have loved everything I’ve purchased from Novica and I always get compliments when I wear their jewelry. Plus, you get a personalized thank-you note from the artist and it’s helping support fair trade practices across the world. I’ve also bought pottery/glassware from them as housewarming/wedding gifts.

14. I can’t imagine buying anything from a company with Shabby in the name and wearing it to work. I already have a hard time looking pulled together and just looking at the label would send me into a schlumpy funk for the day.

    1. Not a fan of, like, Urban Decay?

    2. @anon: “schlumpy funk”: Love. That.

15. Out of all of the options at Shabby Apple, I think this is one of the least work-appropriate ones. I’m sure it doesn’t help that the model looks like a petulant child and her posture isn’t doing it any favors. But putting that aside – I hope it is less clingy on someone other than this model, because the first thing I noticed were the b**bs and that’s pretty much the opposite of what I look for in a work dress (I’m not trying to disguise them – they are there – but I’m not trying to highlight them, either).

16. This is a pretty good dress to wear to work if you are working for a social service agency or legal aid. It really has that down-at-the-heels look to it.

    1. 75, do you honestly mean to sound as derisive as you often do?

       1. Ditto. I often think that 75 is a troll.

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