So long story short, I wavered between buying this dress in a regular 6 or petite 8. I went with my gut (and the fact that the dress was only one inch shorter in petites) and bought the P8. I now love it so much I want it in navy. It's a sickness, I know.
Also in this review is something no one (to my knowledge) has reviewed, the classic linen cardigan (short-sleeved). I love this, too, and I bought it in a medium.
Also, everyone, be prepared for a shock. I AM WEARING ALL NEUTRALS. Yes. It is true. The dress is a perfect match for darling CW's eyes and I love that I get to be reminded of her all day just by simply looking at my outfit!
Here is the polyvore. :)
This is the whole outfit on me. The cardigan gives this outfit a sort of "short skirt/long jacket" vibe (I LOVE CAKE--the band--not the food). The sandals are Dr. Scholl's and they really do feel pretty good after all day wear.
The dress is a bit wrinkly (at 2:30 pm and having worn it since 7:30 am) but whatevs (as Mr. Dina would say). I kinda like that because wrinkly fabric=summer in my mind (is that odd?). The cardi is in GREAT shape. And because it was a touch cool this morning (HeidiG., did you wear a scarf?), I threw on this to keep me a bit warm.
This dress hits a few inches above my knee. The upper part of this dress is PERFECT fit on my body. It is like a seamstress came to my house and custom built the bodice just for me. LOVE IT. Or maybe their petite model is actually my twin...which would be very, VERY wrong.
I am showing you this shot because it has pockets. I love pockets on dresses, so long as it doesn't make me look "hippy." And because of the slight A-line to this dress, it doesn't. Phew.
So, petites or short-torsoed ladies, get thee to jcrew.com and get this dress. Just leave one in navy for me, please. ;)
29 comments:
oh my gosh, you're right--this dress fits you perfectly! it's beautiful, and you look so radiant in it :) you can rock both neutrals and colors, girl! lucky :)
Cute! :)
I had Dr. Scholl's just like that, except they were mustard yellow (dijon). Miss those! So comfy.
Gorgeous on you! I was worried that it would wash you out (e.g. wash me out too since we're about the same level of paleness) before I saw the photos, but it doesn't at all! I might have to try this on!
I love this dress so much! Pockets too? I didn't know that....I'm trying to hold myself back!
Great set!
You look fabulous! And of course, you made me put that dress in my cart (for now). Waiting for another % off though. I have the cardigan, and love it!
Have a great evening!
Oh wow, that looks GREAT on you! It seriously does look like it was made for you. :)
That dress looks AMAZING on you! Aw geez, now I'm going to want it myself. :P
I got the linen cardigan (in both colors) from the UPS truck yesterday, and good golly they're LOOOOONG. I imagine that look works with a dress (as you have it styled), but I just can't see myself wearing it with jeans (or shorts! good lord! it's about a whole shorts length beyond the shorts!) Such a shame too, I just love the color and the fabric.
The dress is just perfect on you! Love love love it! So much better on you and Summerilla than me. And CW's eyes, awwwwwww!
Love love love the cardi, too. I am going to have to try that one - I was eyeing it on the way out of the store Saturday, and forgot to look at it today.
Left you a message earlier - give me a call this evening if you get a chance.
And - no scarf for me, but I did wear the library shawl cardi with white tee & outlet matchsticks - and was comfy all day, hehehe.
CUTE! not to mention sassy!
I really love the dress on you! It's so perfect on your figure. I'm dying to try it on after your review.
'Lookin' good, Ms. Dina! :) And in a petite no less! Woohoo!
Like I said over at Ms. HeidiG's blog yonder, you all are awful (or is it great?) enablers!!
You look so great in that dress! I match things according to my daughter, too, now I'm obsessed with labradorite jewelry because they change color like her eyes. Being a mom is the best! Congrats on your at home year. I wouldn't have it any other way.
I am in agreement with everyone else...the dress looks AMAZING on you! I also think you look beautiful in Neutrals...you should really wear them more often. :)
Sorry- but while I agree the color really suits you, I think it is WAY too tight on your bust. Also, aren't you a teacher - given how short it is while you are standing, I think it must expose quite a lot of thigh when you sit? Sorry, to not join in the general 'lovefest' - I just think it would flatter more with a little more breathing room in the bodice and if it were a bit longer....
Guys!!! I am going to comment back later for everyone else, but I have to take care of this one first...
Anon @ 9:09: Thank you for the compliment on the color. I do truly appreciate it and will try to find more in this shade.
In regards to fit...I have for years been told that I wear my stuff way too baggy (and some days...like today...I wear things a bit loose) because I am trying to hide my figure (which I see as having way too many faults). Now...I am 9 months postpartum and still nursing my baby. Here's the thing...I have 8 pounds and a baby to wean before I will officialy be back to me at my best. I choose to buy things that fit "tighter" now so that when I do get there (which is so close I can taste it) I have a dress that is just lovely on me. Oh, and that cardi stayed on me ALL day so that I wouldn't overexpose my chest.
In regards to length...I don't sit in front of my classroom. I will sit in the back with my ankles crossed (just like they did back in the '50s). I am very proper. I am very conservative. I am a (proud) product of a catholic school education (where you didn't wear any skirt above your knees ever...an inch or two was scandalous).
I think that your comment was made for my general welfare but you didn't realize that I saw what you were saying yesterday morning when I saw me in this dress in the mirror and yet because of my growing confidence decided to go forth and squash my inner critic.
And because of my fairly conservative nature, your worries about me being improper should be quelled. I am definitely not improper. (Or maybe not for where I work...your school or work may be very different...but I am certainly not going to go into a law office and complain about how boring the black and grey suits look...that is the culture of where they work!!!)
Happy day!!! You will definitely like today's outfit better. It is a lot looser. I almost look like I got pregnant again and am looking to cover it up!!! ;)
I think the dress is perfectly fine for teaching... not that I am a teacher, but having been a student, and knowing several teachers, I have seen faaaar worse on those in the profession. Plus, don't most teachers sit behind a desk? The kids aren't getting a show. :P
Dina explained it all-- not that she had to-- but it sounds like a pretty good explanation to me. She's a very proper lady! :)
WOWW!!! Great dress on you! Super purchase!!!
Check out this video for a huge laugh! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1ZZreXEqSY
This dress does look good on you, and I really like it in that color, too! It's funny that it looks good on some figures but not on others. I tried it in petite in the navy as well as papaya colors, but even though it fit me, it didn't really look good. I'm more with Heidi and good in classic hourglass-friendly shift dresses.
I think you'll look good in the navy too. Enjoy!
Hi - well, I certainly did not mean to hit a nerve as much as I clearly did so I'm sorry. I can totally understand now that you explained about the fit of the bodice - it just looked as though it might not be comfortable, but sounds like it will fit you perfectly in a few months. And as for length, for me being tall, and loving to wear dresses and skirts, if something hits me at the place where it hits you, I would be a little uncomfortable how much of my thigh was exposed when I am sitting. That was all I was a bit surprised about - I was NOT making any judgment on your character. If you are able to wear such a pretty dress at that length and are comfortable with the length, then that's great. I have long spindly legs so maybe I am even more self conscious. I am fine in the winter with tights, but feel a bit 'exposed' in the summer, that is why I commented. It is good that 'dress codes' in schools are more relaxed as it is certainly a very suitable dress I think.
Again, sorry, if I offended you. It was not intended. I guess these blogs are a bit of a 'club' so I better not write again, just read....Oh and know that we all have inner critics and our own issues. Your baby is beautiful. I have spent most of my life having even complete strangers comment on my body and how I look. Just the other day a stranger stopped me in a store and asked how tall I am and how much I weigh?! She actually told me that maybe the reason I don't have a husband yet - I had admired her baby - was because I am so thin. I am not sick and it is not enjoyable to have complete strangers make comments like this. So - we all have our issues. I am sorry if I hurt your feelings.
Oh, Anon...you didn't hurt my feelings!!! That is why I put "happy day" and I thanked you at the beginning.
I think I do this long commenting back because I want you all to see I have a VERY LONG inner dialogue with myself every morning before I put something on...it is sort of ridiculous actually! ;) So whatever you say...I have probably already said to myself multiple times (Dina, is that bodice too tight? Dina, is the skirt too short? and so on...)
This whole blog thing is about me finding a confidence I have never had. I am not shy but I am nervous about my choices and I am SURE people are judging me wherever I go...I think it goes back to my "bad" boyfriend (read my very early posts to see more on that). I am slowly getting happy and used to myself and so the response I made was to let you (and others) know that!!!
Please continue to post...I know that my outfits don't always please everyone (including my dear sweet hubby)...but in the end...and this is something I wish more women did...it should be about making yourself shine...and however you feel good...just do it in your own way!
Cheers!!! :) I will give CW a big ole hug from all you all today! (That is a lot of hugs!)
Oh, and your friend with the "you have no hubby because you are so thin" comment? Wow. That friend sounds toxic. Are you still friends with her? Hopefully that was a one-time only thing!
Oh, I now see that a stranger said that to you...thank, God. :) What did you say in response?
Anon - I am utterly appalled that someone would say that to you!! I mean, a frenemy, maybe because girls can just be awful to each other - but just a random stranger telling you that. What the...? People are so clueless. And they also thing they have every right to get in people's business. I still remember when M was a baby, I had him in the front of the shopping cart wheeling into the store and some older lady came over to see him, squeeze his leg and then inform me that he was cold and didn't have enough clothing on. I just wheeled away. I would just chalk that woman up to someone who has serious issues and saying that to you was her only way to make herself feel better.
Hello again. Well I am glad to have cleared the air. And I agree with what you said Dina about women dressing to make themselves feel good and shine. I also feel teachers play such an important role these days in developing young girls self esteem. Thanks for what you and Heidi said. In fact what I wrote was an amalgam of 2 incidents - one where a stranger said she had 'watched me' in the local Starbucks, and then proceeded to quiz me on my height and weight etc. Another stranger was the one who made the husband comment. I had no response for her as what could I say. It can be quite demoralizing. So, as I said, we all have our issues, and I know that many more are trying to lose weight than deal with the situations I describe, but I have a doctor who ensures I am healthy, I don't need strangers saying these sorts of things and it can really hurt....these days I think we all need to support each other, strangers or not. Kindness is always better than snarky comments I think. Oh and unsolicited advice re how to care for your baby, discipline your children etc, also falls into the same category - what are people thinking..? I know when I have children I will NOT want a stranger touching them!!
Have a great day everyone.
This dress looks absolutely perfect on you Dina. Lovely! Would never have guessed it was petite sizing. :) BTW, you inspired me to get the Cottage dress and I have to say I just LOVE it! Thanks so much for the sizing info. I went with an XS and the fit is perfect. :)
i love this dress on you. i wish jcrew made dress in tall, so that i could wear them.
to to to cute!!!
Hi all: I am glad you all liked this...like I said to Anon the other day...I had a very long dialogue with myself before I chose to wear it...
Rats on Parade: The length of the cardi is ridiculous. It is like the library cardi...that said...I find I LOVE the longer cardis with something shorter...like this dress, or minis, or shorts...good for all us this happens to be the style right now. I actually find that when I wear the longer cardi with pants I just look dowdy...it is weird...I have no idea why...
Beth: Speaking of sassy...LOVE your new photo!
CheesyGoodness: LOL. I am also obsessed with trying to get matching things to her...not necessarily the same item (although I do have a few items like that), but within the same family of patterns or colors. I am glad to know I am not alone!!! My son is basically a clone of me so I do it less with him...with my daughter I think it brings us closer together (since she looks more like her daddy). Not that I need that...but I know you guys get it!
A Bigger Closet: I cannot wait to see the cottage dress on you...I bet it is beautiful!
This dress looks great on you! I'm eying one myself now...
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