Review: White House Black Market Geo-Print Wrap Dress
Monday, May 28, 2012
I've been on a lattice kick as of late, first seeing a Tart dress in this pattern (was too late to the game, can't find it anymore) and then a J.Crew iPad cover in a similar pattern (happy to say I got my hands on this). So imagine my giddiness when I saw this pattern in a gradient version on a WHBM dress.
Still unsure of their sizing, I ordered the Geo-Print Wrap Dress in sizes 00 and 0 (sold here) for $138 + 20% off = $110.40 to try on. There wasn't much of a noticeable difference in fit between the two, with the exception of the neckline -- the v-neck felt higher with less gaping in size 00 for me. Size 0 measured 0.5" larger all around.
Approximate measurements:
Size 00 - Length: 36.5"; Across bust, below armpits: 14"; Waist: 11"
Size 0 - Length: 37"; Across bust, below armpits: 14.5"; Waist: 11.5"
I don't have much experience with WHBM items, but this dress looks to be pretty well made. It's lined and made of decently thick material (95% polyester and 5% spandex). The dress fits very comfortably and doesn't seem to wrinkle easily, a nice plus.
Wrap dresses are supposedly universally flattering, but I didn't really feel tall and slim like the model looked above. That reason combined with uncertainty over whether the wrap dress is "me" has me leaning towards returning the dress. However, I really do love the print. Help me decide: should I return, wait for further sale, or keep?
For reference, I'm wearing size 00 in the following photos:
23 comments
I look awful in wrap dresses. I always look super square. I can't figure out what it is, other than the fact that my body is very straight. I have yet to try a DVF though, which is supposedly the ultimate wrap dress. So we'll see if it's the dress or me. :P But I really don't feel like myself in them, so I really just try to avoid them in general.
ReplyDeleteI have mixed feelings about this dress. Overall it's not bad. From the back it looks nice. From the front, well, I think it would create a smaller waist if it actually had a belt. I think the top part of the print would also be great on someone with broad shoulders and a larger bust. It seems to give the illusion of making everything up top small due to the print. But since you are neither broad shoulder-ed, nor large chested, it seems to make you look rather square-ish. Again, it's not bad, but I think you can do better.
I haven't really thought about my body type when dressing myself, but it does seem like I'm a pear shape, so a reverse print (larger pattern on top gradually becoming smaller towards the bottom) would probably do me wonders. Thanks for pointing that out!
DeleteLove it! You DO look long and lean. Keep it!
ReplyDeleteHaha, put my image side-by-side with the model's and she looks long and lean! I can't get over how frumpy I look (and feel) so the dress will be a return. Thanks for your feedback!
Deletei LOVE it! i think you look beautiful in it!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the vote of confidence :) After more deliberations, I'll be returning the dress. I won't be settling as there is only so much space available for dresses in my closet ;)
DeleteI really like the dress. I like how the patterns changed in shape, but gradually. Looks good on you.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely give it a try yourself if there's a WHBM around you. If you're not pear-shaped like me, the dress will probably look completely different (in a good way)!
DeleteIt could be the pattern that is too overwhelming on you. That print makes your top half look super petite and the bottom half larger than you actually are. Also, it looks like the wrap is too high. I found that the most flattering warp dresses hits me at my narrowest, which for me is my natural waist. I love a good wrap dress, but I think this on is a pass.
ReplyDeleteFrom the back, I feel like the dress nips in nicely at my waist. But from the front? A completely different story. I wonder if the lower the front wrap, the lower the neckline is? If so, I don't know if I can get over the self-consciousness. Thank you for the feedback as I'll be returning this dress!
DeleteI think the dress looks lovely on you! I would keep, or if you're unsure, wait for further sale!
ReplyDeleteAfter more thinking, I'll be returning the dress. I just didn't feel like myself, whether fit played a role or just the overall style. Thanks for the feedback, Olyvia!
DeleteThe fit of the dress looks good on you. However I have to agree with unknow at 7:02pm, the pattern makes your upper body look tiny and bottom seems larger than what you usually are. I think this one is pass. You can find a better one for a better price.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ying! The dress will be a return for me. Perhaps I'll get lucky one day and find a version where I'll feel more myself in the dress ;)
DeleteI like the side and back fit photos but I'm not in love with the front because it doesn't seem very figure-flattering. The waist looks a little too high in the front but just right in the back (from the darts?) - could be just the angle of the photo? I vote return. $110 is a bit expensive for a dress that doesn't make you feel amazing in it.
ReplyDeleteI wondered for a sec if it was the camera angle (camera propped on a slanted chair), but I also looked in a full-length mirror and the dress didn't look right there either. So I'll be returning. Thanks SPG!
DeleteI like the fit from the back. Unfortunately I see some odd fitting on the top...It is elegant wrap dress for sure. I agree with SPG, the waist seems too high from the front. I would say return. You can see size zero how the waist fits like even though the neck is too low...
ReplyDeleteSize 0 felt and looked the same to me too, higher waisted than I'd like. The neckline isn't too bad; I'm just self conscious lol. Both dresses will be a return for me. Thanks SS!
DeleteI've got nothing new to add to the others comments - the waist looks too high in the front, great back and side view. I always feel frumpy in a wrap dress - for me, I prefer a fitted sheath. If you can find somewhere on eBay or in store this WHBM dress (Callandra has it), I would try that. I actually knocked off my own version of this over the long weekend and it fits me really well and makes me feel tall and slender and sort of curvy. I suppose I should blog that...I am such a bad blogger
ReplyDeleteI would love to see your sheath creation! Blog when you have time though :)
DeleteThe fit and length are lovely on you, but something about the change in size of the print and the place the waist hits that just isn't as flattering as it should be. If the print was the same size throughout, I think it would be perfect.
ReplyDeleteHmmm yea I'm not feeling it from the front but I think from the back it looks really nice! Maybe if the size of the pattern didn't change it would be more flattering.
ReplyDeleteWrap dresses are challenging to wear but I think the dress is really fashionably sexy. The hemline is a bit long though so a shorter one to show off your legs would be nice. Plus the waistline cut needs some work to emphasize your hips a bit. I myself don't wear clothes that I don't feel right in it. I have to be comfortable in what I wear so I can look good.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to hear from you. Constructive criticisms welcome!