Loft Fern Print Maxi Dress

Loft Fern Print Maxi Dress (#240415, $98). I got this dress with the 40% off dresses promotion, so it was only $58.80 - which, for me, is a more reasonable price. It's navy - Midnight Navy, to be exact - so you know I'm a fan to start with.  And I've been wanting a maxi dress, but the knit ones just haven't worked out for me.

I finally ended up returning the J Crew Promenade Jersey Gown because it just felt too heavy, esp for the price I paid, so I questioned how much I would end up wearing it (thanks to Kate who originally pointed that out, and Anon/Fave Fit Model who mentioned it in another post).  Plus the whole bra thing was going to be a pain. 

I am doing the review now, while the dress is actually up on the Loft site, so that hopefully the link will work.  It's been disappearing from the site over the past few days, which means stock must be running low.

I am wearing a 4 here.  Yes, you read that right - a 4.  But I swear that's not the only reason I got it (snicker).  Fit on this dress is *all* about the bust - it glides right over my hips.  If you are non-curvy like me, you can size WAY down.  And it's plenty long on me, but you could still get away with it if you were just a bit shorter, I think.  I had originally gotten the 6 and then returned it - it was just too loose on the bust so I kept fidgeting with it - anyone see Bachelorette last night (I embarrassingly admit)?  Poor Ali kept pulling up that left shoulder strap all night long.  I think her dress must have been too big because she kept having to pick it up any time she walked and then there was the strap thing.  Plus, she was kinda standing like she needed to hold the straps up via shoulder position (we've all been there, right?).  I just wanted to take in an inch or two out of the straps - she would have been so much more comfortable.

But back to this long dress, which is way more wearable than a long black evening gown, at least in my reality...with the fabric design and ruching over the bust, if you are non-curvy, you can get away without wearing a bra (and I'm not in the pic at right) - always a bonus in the summer.  But it works fine with a strapless bra, too, if you want a little more shape...and it's not bloody hot outside.

The fabric is fantastic - cotton voile, so it's nice and lightweight.  (see comment above on heavy jersery promenade gown).  And it's machine washable - always nice for a summer dress when you've been outside in the muggy heat and you feel icky so you *know* your clothes are icky.

It's also a nice, lower cost alternative to the fab >LL Bean signature sail boat dress here - which is not machine washable. (I've been coveting that dress, btw, but I realize the Loft one actually is more practical.)

And E approves - I had her vote on dresses before school this morning.  So it's a keeper.