Wildflowers

Friday, June 27, 2014

wildflower dress, orange clutch
I was in London riding the Tube when I saw an extremely petite girl (< 5') board the train wearing a gorgeous floral printed dress. I'd like to think I was being sneaky with my covert glances trying to get a better look, but that's probably because she was too busy concentrating on keeping her balance without holding onto any handrails.

From what I could discern, she was wearing the mini version [left photo below] and it hit her around mid-thigh. Her dress was made of canvas-like material (later learned it was hemp), so the floral print looked like it was painted on. I thought that was so cool and unique. Alas, I knew even if I somehow stumbled across this dress again, it would be much too short on me. My hunch proved to be true when SIL found the mini version when we were in Rome. She's ~5'2" and the dress was borderline indecently short on her. Sigh. The upside was that we now had a brand to go with the dress.
RED Valentino wildflower dress
[left] RED Valentino wildflower mini dress ($297 at Valentino store)
[right] RED Valentino wildflower dress ($238 at BG / $357 at Saks / $357 at Valentino store / $595 at Nordstrom / $595 at Shopbop)

A quick google search on RED Valentino returned a longer dress in the same floral print (!) Unfortunately the longer dress was made of cotton instead of hemp, so the print didn't look painted on. It's still pretty in person, just not as cool looking. The cotton fabric also made a slight swish-ing sound which may bother some.

I first tried on the dress in US 0/IT 38 and found it to be super unflattering. It emphasized my bony torso, so I looked like a long rectangle on top, then all of a sudden, the bottom skirt portion poofed out in an unproportionate way. US 2/IT 40 was looser on me everywhere, so the skirt poofiness didn't look as jarring. SIL (who is shorter and curvier than I am) also tried on both sizes but had the opposite results. The smaller size flattered her curves while the larger size made her look stocky due to its boxiness. I wish we had taken comparison photos because I don't think my descriptions are clear enough at highlighting the differences.
wildflower dress, orange clutch
I ended up buying the dress at Nordstrom because they price matched Bergdorf's sale price. I read online that the policy is to price match on exact items for sizes that are in stock only. I didn't see any more sz 2 left on BG's site, but figured I'd print out a screenshot and try my luck with a SA at a Nordstrom brick-and-mortar store... and it worked!

When I wore the dress out for the first time, I couldn't help but check myself out whenever I passed by a mirror, lol. So vain, right?! I kept glancing at the pretty print, and think I fall a little more in love with it each time. I'll probably have the bust area taken in by a tailor some time down the road; it's only noticeably baggy when I lean forward.

The same floral print is also available in a skirt ($198 at BG / $223 at NM / $297 at Saks / $297 at Valentino store) and shorts ($210 at Valentino store) versions.
open cardigan, wildflower dress, orange clutch
sunglasses: Walmart aviator (similar)
lips: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in softsilver rose (sold here)
cardigan: Alternative Apparel (this season's sold here - on sale)
dress: RED Valentino wildflower (sold at Saks / Valentino / Nordstrom / Shopbop)
ring: Elizabeth and James Windrose (sold at Shopbop / Zappos / Revolve Clothing; similar)
nail polish on toes: Sally Hansen in mellow yellow (sold here, here)
shoes: LOFT Vaughn t-strap sandals (great dupe; similar)

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12 comments

  1. Beautiful dress on you - I can see why you fell in love! (And how are you liking the clutch? I've been considering buying the same one).

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    1. Love the clutch, especially the cheery orange color. Roomy enough, sturdy, and low maintenance -- don't have any complaints, really :)

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  2. That dress is gorgeous!!! The colors are just so pleasing to my eyes! Love this!

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  3. I can't pull off the lower waist line of the dress but love the print! Feeling inspired to look for something similar in a skirt.

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    1. RED Valentino did make a skirt version in this print (see sentence right before the last photo!) I don't know what the fit is like, but I think it's worth checking out in person if you can. Otherwise, I hope you can find something similar that you love. I'll also keep my eyes out and share if I come across any :)

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    2. hi Cee, love this dress. tried to order from Nordies but they would not price match

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    3. Hey! Unfortunately it's up to the SA's discretion if the same sizes/color aren't in stock elsewhere. Did you live chat with an online rep? You may have better luck in person if there's a Nordstrom near you. Or keep trying live chat... perhaps you'd talk with someone else and get lucky. Good luck!

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  4. omg that dress is amazing and so is the print. it looks lovely on you. i like the version you picked!

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    1. I bet you could make an even prettier version! Especially now that you have drop waist dress experience under your belt ;)

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  5. This is stunning on you! I can't believe your SIL managed to actually find the dress from the tube. I clicked right on over to purchase then saw 29" length...definitely made more for a 'tunic' as shown by the model. Great find at the price matched price!!

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    Replies
    1. Jean, I actually think the mini/tunic may work on you! Yes, the dress will be short, but I don't think it'll be THAT short. When my SIL briefly considered the mini, we saw that you could let out the hem another cm (she was hoping for an inch), and she's 2-3" taller than you. I think the Valentino store offers free shipping + returns, so def give it a try if you're curious!

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