Tuesday, February 23, 2010

J Crew Dress Review - Jersey Promenade Gown

The Basket Weave Portico Dress was just bad. The Checkered Puckered Shift Dress (which I haven't even posted yet, but will) was no good either. Don't worry, though, I will post soon to share the scoop with you all. Both of these have been returned to J Crew.

But the Jersey Promenade Gown (#23480, $118) is still hanging in my closet. Still haven't fully made up my mind. I certainly haven't clipped the tags, but since I got 20% off, if I want this dress, this is the one I should keep. It's online/catalog only, so it makes for a good ridealong to get free shipping if you want to check it out.

*** I just posted this and am already editing it. The dress now appears on the website as $94.90, as part of the online-only 20% off tees & knits promotion.***

For starters, much as I like the Sheer Lilac, you know I'm a sucker for all of J Crew's dark gray's, so I did order it in Dark Pewter. I ordered a size 8 in the dress.

I'm still just not sure whether I like it or not...but it may go deeper than that and just be a question of whether or not maxi dresses really work on me. I love the idea of maxi dresses. I love the idea of not having to shave your legs or being able to cover up mosquito bites. But with my height (5'10"), it really is just a *lot* of fabric.

I think this is as flattering as a maxi dress gets for me, but I don't know that it's me. And I'm not really a boho girl...preppy/classic/casual is much more my style. And I believe that my legs are one of my best features, and I like dresses that show them off. Above-the-knee length is my friend. Except of course, for last spring, when I tripped over the puppy gate and ended up with a bruise that ran most of the length of my shin - at that point, a maxi dress probably would have been a good idea.

But on to the fit of the dress, because that's what you're really interested in, right? I have to deal with my existential style issues later. (But again, can't you tell from my expression that I'm not 100% comfortable?)

First of all, bravo, J Crew! It was not low cut down to my navel. Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating, but it did look rather low in the pictures - as in low enough to require special bra purchases. I have on a normal bra here - I think you could actually get away with a regular bra with the clear straps.

The draping on the bodice and twisted straps are very flattering. I love the banded waistband - I think it gives the dress more shape than the usual maxi dress.

I'm happy to field any other questions on the dress. I think, in the end, this will go back. Who knows. But while I waffle, it's still hanging in the closet...

This was my initial Polyvore for the Jersey Promenade Gown:

Jersey Promenade Gown
Jersey Promenade Gown by HeidiGblog featuring J Crew

31 comments:

snaphappy said...

That dress has snaphappy written all over it! I had a black maxi dress from Target that I loved last summer . . . but it was from Target, so I'm not sure the quality is there to make it another summer. I was able to dress that dress up or down -- same for this one? May need to head over to your house to check it out in person before ordering . . .

Summerilla said...

I love this dress and think it looks great on you. I completely understand feeling like you're just covered in fabric though, I feel similar about maxi dresses. I had this dress on my wish list for so long but then decided I probably wouldn't wear it enough to warrant the price. But if you do keep it you really do look great in it.

snaphappy said...

Forgot to mention -- the dress looks AWESOME on you!!!!

HeidiG said...

snaphappy - you are welcome to try it on anytime...for example, one of the many times you dump your kid here (and it's always the same kid, too, hehehe). and thanks!

Summerilla - now see, I thought the ikat halter dress was so fab on you. And thanks for the feedback.

Anonymous said...

This dress looks so cute on you!

snaphappy said...

Happy to dump BOTH of my kids on you next time!!! :)

La Belette Rouge said...

That dress is fantastic on you. If I were you I would definitely keep it. And I love how you styled it. Super cute!

ashley said...

i think it looks great on you and you should keep it! im not that tall and so most of those maxi dresses drag on the floor for me. does this come in petite? hmmmmm

Suburban Princess said...

I think it's cute! And with accessories you could un-boho it!

Unknown said...

It looks lovely on you and I think you may have convinced me to purchase as I have been on the fence. Thanks for the review and you must keep!

Kathy said...

The dress does look nice on you! It is a good lenght for you, it looks perfect for some flat sandals or flip flops.

Megan said...

I really like this dress! I really like it on you! It looks so flattering and like it fits perfectly - length-wise too.

When you pointed out this isn't normally your style - I can see that, compared to how you usually dress (always so well), this long dress does stick out a bit, but how fun it is to switch it up sometimes and test your comfort level? It looks great!

Unknown said...

My first impression is that it's not you. However, I know how much you've had your eye on this and how much you're on the fence about it. I think part of you really wants to do this one, so make it work. Try it with a few necklaces and put your hair up to show the neckline off. My first pick would be your confetti necklace. Don't you own it in white? Might be too much of a contrast, but try it. Otherwise, go for 2 long, layering necklaces. I think it will be a longer version of the dressy jersey strapless dress. You will look & feel so beautiful in it during one of your spring/summer brunches w/your fab hubby cooking it up in the kitchen...

$.02

Anonymous said...

I don't know what I think about the dress, it does look good on you, but I like the shorter ones on you better.

Anonymous said...

That dress looks lovely on you - keep it! I think you wear it well.

Pamela said...

Oh Heidi, that dress looks great on you!!! KEEP IT! I bet you'll find that you'll reach for it over and over again this summer. With flip flops for day and a cute sandal for evening, it's a keeper!!!!

Anonymous said...

The thing I find about maxi dresses for me is the length is too long when I want to stay cool in the summer. Does that make sense? That is why I prefer shorter summer dresses to and find the maxi difficult to wear. I found a very nice one on super duper sale in the UK and that is the only reason I bought it. For the price and you not being that into it I would return it and maybe wait for super sale?

Summer said...

I have found that since I have so many clothes that if I instantly don't LOVE it I return it. If I waffle it usually just sits in my closet....go with your first and usually correct instinct.

Kristin said...

The dress looks awesome on you. Maybe if you book a vacation to Hawaii STAT you can justify keeping it? :) Otherwise, I'm with the others who say if you don't love it now it should probably go back. You will feel the love later for something else!

AppGal said...

I like it on you! Now I really want to try it myself in the lilac color. I still am hesitant to spend that much on a trendy item, but it would be perfect for those summer evenings in the mountains when it gets a little cooler. Hmm...maybe if it goes on sale :)

Drewablank said...

I do remember that you have been keeping your eye on this dress for quite a while. I can picture you wearing it with possibly a lightweight cardigan (not the long ones though - that will totally throw off the length of the dress) and some accessories like you have in your polyvore. Maybe even the Dina hoops! ;)

But I, being "not that tall" (like Ashley said, heehee), will leave the maxi dresses to you statuesque gals. Although, the thought of being able to cover legs and bugbites...

J.CrewJD said...

I think maxi dresses are great for us tall girls! I have had trouble finding any that are long enough... am glad to know now that this one will be if I ever buy it on sale. Not paying $100 for knit dress, because I'm cheap/poor/unemployed.

I say keep it. I agree with gigi, try wearing your hair up with it. It looks really great on you!!

JustVisiting said...

Keep it! Really, I think this dress makes you look so elegant. Someone w/your height absolutely pulls off this dress and it is a nice change from your regular attire. Good to hear no special 'pasties' needed!

post-fab princess said...

I think you look gorgeous! But you have to me comfortable in it...

OneCraftyFox said...

I think this looks lovely on you!

HeidiG said...

Thanks for all the feedback, ladies! I really appreciate it!

I did try it on in person for drewablank and dinagideon last week and we all liked it. Sometimes I am too busy taking pictures to stop and look in the mirror. What really bothers me about it is how my arms look - but that's something that only I can change...and will happen with any sundress. So time to get back to some curls and pushups.

I am keeping the dress for now...will continue to look for it on sale...and see if I really wear it. If I don't it will go back. (And I totally agree with hair up - of course, that's pretty much how I roll in the summertime!)

prashant said...

I probably wouldn't wear it enough to warrant the price. But if you do keep it you really do look great in it.
designers video

Unknown said...

I ordered this dress and was SO excited about it... Unfortunately, though a lovely shape, the fabric was SO heavy! When I walked, it felt very binding and not flowing at all. Plus, this is a dress you'd normally wear in warmer weather, and I'm pretty sure I'd be far too hot in it. It looked so lovely and flowy in the picture, but the fabric is just way too heavy and almost binding (you could hear it when I walked, which is weird).

Had to send it back = (

Anonymous said...

This is the dress I am using for bridesmaids dresses. J. Crew is out of them and I still need 2 size 10's, and 2 size 4 or 6's. If you want to sell your dress PLEASE contact me at casey.dougherty@charter.net

kortney said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
kortney said...

It is a lovely dress!
I bought it on sale for a wedding in rose. It is J.Crew's usual high quality.
BUT I need the slate grey (bride changed her colors).

Anyone want to buy my rose dress, size 2 (same as P4)? NWT.
or trade me the grey, size 2 (or P2)?

email me keemalkin@gmail.com
Thanks.
Heidi, it looks great on you.