You guys. I cannot BELIEVE this dress retails for $118. I pulled it out of the package and was completely dismayed. Instead of being the thick fleece-backed terry I was expecting it was flimsy, thin and cheap-feeling. It was like something you'd find in the junior's dress section of Ross. Not the quality I expected from Madewell at all. But, I gave it the benefit of the doubt and tried it on. The zipper up the back is a nice detail and the dress fit. Technically.
But yeah, no. It was a puffy, Tweedle Dum nightmare on me. Hark (and please excuse the crummy photos - they were originally meant for Marianne's eyes only):
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| Oh no no no no. |
I tried it on with heels because everything looks better in heels:
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| Ergh. |
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| Blergh. |
But only marginally. Really, I think it's just the wrong cut on me. Too short, too pouffy, too young. I'm so disappointed, though, and really hoped it would be an easy winter-to-spring option. Boo. The search continues. I'm definitely considering this one. And maybe this one? We shall see.
boo sorry it didn't work for you. It didn't work for me either--the pleats at the waist were horrible. I'll join you in your quest for a better one!
ReplyDeleteIt's sort of Alice in Wonderland-ish. Which would be great if you were 19 and younger. I know you just barely missed that margin. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'm 25 and I love it! I have both that version and the earlier sleeveless version (which I layer a button down under)
ReplyDeleteThe waist of the dress is just a smidge off. But $118? Hahahah, that's funny.
ReplyDeleteJust to be clear, I didn't pay retail, but I KNOW RIGHT? Ugh.
DeleteThanks for the review; you have saved me. I was really liking that one too.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it is THAT bad on you - might look cute with a cardigan - but not $118, and definitely not if the material is crappy. Thank you so much, though, you just saved me a hunk of money (not $118, because I would have bought it on sale, but still!)
ReplyDeleteI was also shocked at the material on this one. For some reason, all Madewell dresses seem to have a very high waist - which is highly annoying and often unflattering! I'm really short-waisted too so I can't even imagine being tall and trying to make it work. If it was final sale, do you think you could try to tack down the pleats a bit, that might improve the overall look!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. Every time I think a madewell dress is cute, I try it on, and the waist is crazy high and hits in the worst place, plus they are usually way short. Granted I'm 5'8", but still, who are these designed to flatter?
DeleteNot final sale! I just returned it. I agree with you both that the waist seemed unusually high.
DeleteThe waist is definitely weirdly high! It's a shame it didn't work out :( I want a dress made of comfort...especially if there's one that isn't $100+, haha
ReplyDeleteYeah, those kinds of dresses are completely hit or miss...you can't tell until it's on if the waistline is going to drape correctly, if it is indeed hitting at the right place. Then the length has to be just right...the neckline. Any of those things wrong and it veers frumpy, or 80s dance teacher, or Meant For 6foot tall 11 Year Olds.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever looked at COS? They have really high quality basics, sometimes the stuff is crazy minimalist/Scandinavian/ (it's owned by H&M), but I used to live near a store and I'd go in all the time; some of the stuff really works. The quality is really really nice; like you can't find anything wrong with it quality, and luxurious. Anything accessory is glorious- the scarves, socks, shoes (and the kids things are soooo cute!) I don't know if they ship in the US? I'm trying to find out- but I attached a link if you didn't know them/wanted to take a peek. If you do know/hate COS, ignore all this lol
http://www.cosstores.com/Shop/Women
Thank you, that looks like really cool stuff, but they do not ship to the US. Wah.
DeleteZut...Petit Bateau, perchance? I haven't looked at the Spring collection but they always have simple dresses in heavy- or light-weight tee fabric...
DeleteBeen reading your blog for a little while- it's really funny :)
I'm afraid that Target sleeveless dress will look like that on me - so scared!
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's just slightly off in enough places to turn it all wrong. If the waist hit differently and the sleeves had a less demure cut and the pleats weren't so pleat-y, it might have really worked.
ReplyDeleteI stalked the dress online for a month before finally biting the bullet and ordering it. I AM IN LOVE! Had it a week and already worn it twice. But, I am short, so the waist hits perfectly. The Target striped sleveless version hit too low and the zipper did this funky upper butt bubble thing...it had to be returned.
ReplyDeleteBut the Madewell Sweatshirt Dress LOVE! I have heard great things about the James Pierce version (and the black is on sale at Nordstrom now).
Oh, good! I'm really glad it worked on you. It's so cute and I had such high hopes.
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