Anabela

Ordered this for a charity dinner and the burgundy fabric looked rich under warm lighting. Being rounder through the middle I expected to tug at it, but the wrap tie sits high and the A line skirt skims past my stomach. Sleeves have enough room for fuller arms. I ate, sat, and danced for five hours without adjusting anything.

The deep wine shade is gorgeous in person. As an apple shape I worried about the middle, but the ruffled wrap front skims over it instead of gripping.

The skirt portion is generous and lovely, but the seam where the bodice meets the skirt pressed hard against my ribs and left a mark. I wore it for a two hour dinner and was glad to unzip it afterward. The lace work is genuinely good, so a larger size would probably fix everything.

The wrap waist is forgiving, but the shoulder seams sat narrow on me and reaching forward tugged at them all evening. Pretty dress otherwise.

Most maxis I try are short on me, this one hits the floor properly at five ten with a two inch heel. The floral detail at the waist is placed flatteringly and the neckline is not too low for a family event. Ordered two weeks before a wedding and it arrived with time to spare, hanging it overnight released most of the fold lines.

Color is a true deep wine, exactly as pictured. On an athletic frame the V neck and the flutter sleeve balance my shoulders nicely. The hem came unfinished, which I did not expect, so I paid a tailor to finish and shorten it. Not a deal breaker, just budget for it. The chiffon overlay moves well and the floral waist hides the seam.

I sized up based on reviews and regretted it, the bodice gaped at the bust and the waist tie had to be pulled very tight. The dress is pretty and the color is a warm burgundy rather than a purple red. My advice is to trust the chart, this cut already carries extra room through the body. Return was simple and the replacement fit properly.

Wore it to a November wedding and felt appropriately dressed without competing with the bride. The belt at the waist is adjustable, which I appreciated.

After the first arrived I ordered another for my cousin's reception. The chiffon layers do not cling, the sleeves cover without feeling heavy, and the tie waist can be cinched as tight as you like. I am five nine and the length grazed the floor with flats, so heels work fine. Washed on gentle and hung to dry, no shrinking and no color bleed onto the lining.

The sleeve cut is what sold me. It is opaque enough for a church service yet delicate in the photographs, which is a hard balance.

Nothing stiff about it, the overlay floats and the waist tie means you can fix the fit after dinner.

It came folded tight and the chiffon held deep creases that a quick iron would not touch, so a steamer was necessary. Once smoothed the dress looked lovely at a formal dinner, arms and bust fit properly, and the wine tone photographed rich rather than flat. If you travel with it, pack it flat or hang it the night before.