Saturday, February 20, 2010

J Crew Dress Review - Basket Weave Portico Dress

My much-anticipated (well, for me at least) J Crew package arrived on Wednesday afternoon. So I was thrilled to get the long beach cardi, the tall minnies, the pearl Jackie, and the crystal fireworks earrings all at 20% off. Like I said before, the savings more than offset the shipping, and I have returned the full price items.

And it was a great time to try some dresses that were catalog/jcrew.com only...20% off, so yay if they worked. And no worries if they didn't since the shipping was already taken care of. Sorry for the delay in getting the pictures up - Thursday was cleaning lady here, then meeting at office, followed by team happy hour. Friday was Valentine's parties at school, reimbursements to dole out, and sleepovers here. We are currently in the lull between 1 basketball game and 1 soccer game.

The J Crew Basket-weave Portico Dress (#22888, $118). This did not work on me at all. Well - you can see that from the picture at left. I ordered this in a 10, based on the model picture (but more about that below).

First of all, the pros:

1 - The color, brilliant orange, is gorgeous!! Love love love this color - I hope J Crew has more in it this spring. The dress is also available in dark slate. (dina - are you so proud of me for bypassing my fave J Crew gray for orange?)

2 - The fabric is beautiful. It's a cotton-silk blend and feels divine. Nice and lightweight for the summer.

3 - The neckline is fantastic with the basket-weave. Interestingly enough, the packaging outside the dress said "Tutenkamen dress", so maybe this is yet another example of an item that will have a different name in-store than online. The dress does not say online only, but I haven't seen it in stores yet. Maybe it will be part of the new release next week.

4 - It has pockets. (need I say more?)

Now let's get to the bad...it's all about fit. First of all, check out the dual images below of the dress, both from jcrew.com:


At left we have the thumbnail that appears when the dresses are all listed, with this dress on a dress form. At right, the model picture that appears when you select the dress and go to the product page. Guess which one is more accurate...the left pic that shows an a-line dress or the right pic which shows a dress that appears a bit tight on even the model's hips? Yep, the right one. All I can say is that I'd love to see the back view of the left pic, because I'm guessing the back of the bodice on that dress is pinned within an inch of its life. Plus, the way they pinned it makes it appear to have a much higher waistline, giving the illusion of an overall length below mid-thigh on me.

When a dress looks like that on the model, it really should be a warning sign. It fit me pretty much like the model, only it didn't look as good. It was tight around the butt/hips. And it was short. And because of that, plus the fact that the fabric is so lightweight, it would bunch up around my waist when I walked or raised my arm, and then stay up. Not too attractive.

And as tight as it was around the lower half, it was so loose - I don't even know that a belt would help. Again...fit like the model pic.

But is it a bad dress? No, not at all...on the right person it would work. I have a fairly straight figure (you know, a brick and all that) but for someone who is really, really straight and not too tall, this would be a great dress.

Here was my initial Polyvore if the dress had worked...not gonna need that now. But I do love the orange/pink combo.

22 comments:

preppy little dress AKA "PLD" said...

Adorable dress!

Pamela said...

The color is so pretty but the shape-not so much!

Mikaela said...

i love the color!! i can't wait for summer and bright oranges and corals to come back!

Kathy said...

The color is very pretty on you! I have been judging the fit of clothes by the model pictures, it seems to be fairly accurate. If a piece of clothing makes these stick thin models look big, is too tight or whatever, it is probably not right for me!

DrBabyMamaDrama said...

The color is divine on you. I hear you on the shape of the dress. I hate it when dresses ride up like that.

DaniBP said...

Great review, Heidi!
I like your Polyvore too: orange and pink are fab together!

Suburban Princess said...

Oh that looks like it would be a perfect dress :O( I hate when something isnt really how they make it look in a photo :O(

Amy said...

I love that color on you! I don't think it looks bad on you, it's just not the best.

According to Moi said...

You got me right at the part where you said if you lifted your arms, the dress would stay up. That's the sign right there that you can not keep this thing. & a pity too b/c the dress is adorable!

post-fab princess said...

I think its pretty darn cute on you! But I feel ya - I find that dress style sooo hard to wear.

C said...

color is nice... I bet the Bigger Closet Blogger would slit the sides and make a tunic out it.

Jayna Wallace said...

Such a cute Polyvore! 'Least you can use it for color inspiration anyway!

JulieStyles said...

The color is great on you. I agree with you - the dress form photo must be clipped in at the waist - such a bummer!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful color I agree however the dress is too short, it would make a great tunic.

Heidi remember you said in an earlier post that you were sending snow my way? Well you can stop sending it we are going to receive 20 inches by the end of the week. I honestly though Spring was here, I was about to wear my shoes.

Anonymous said...

Could you belt it with a gold belt and wear it over white pants??? The color is oh-so-pretty!!! J. Crew makes "tall" in some of their tops--well--they need to get with it and start making "TALL's" in their dresses! These hemlines need atleast an inch for people over 5'7"!!!

Summerilla said...

The color is beautiful, you were right. Major bummer it didn't work out and I hope JCrew does offer more stuff in this color, I think it's great on you.

Kristin said...

Thank you for posting this. I too was taken with it but worried it wouldn't fit right. It has such a lovely neckline. You definitely need to find something in this color - it looks great on you!

A Bigger Closet said...

LOL at C's comment!! That, or I'd belt this one and wear as a tunic over white capri's or a mini, with gold heels. ;))

I do love the orange color on you Heidi, but agree about the fit. I think you can find a similar style elsewhere as we move into spring/summer.

Monique said...

I think the color looks very nice on you. Sorry you are not really loving it.

HeidiG said...

So we're all in agreement then? Gorgeous color, cute dress, totally crappy fit on me. Ok, right. Got it. And yes, I hope hope hope that J Crew has more of this brilliant orange because it is so yummy in person - without veering into neon territory which not everyone loves.

casual-crew - I apologize for the snow. I'll see what I can do about that. :)

C - yes, ABC would totally refashion it as a tunic and it would be fab. And actually, if this dress ever goes down to super-mega sale, I will pick it up and have that done. Some slits in the side would definitely ease the bunching issue.

yogagirl - i don't even think it would work with a belt without sizing up because it would still bunch. but you are so right about JC needing more Talls - these 15" skirts...meant to be worn at the waist...seriously???

prashant said...

i can't wait for summer and bright oranges and corals to come back!
designers video

Pink Inc. said...

I really like that dress I almost bought that dress tonight!