Liberty Bouquet ShirtdressClick here for product page
Item 37356
Regular: $148.00
Now: $99.99
Since today is Tuesday (the day we JCAs share our reviews,) I thought I would add one of my own...
J.Crew describes this little number as the following:
One of our favorite spring dresses (and it's easy to see why), beautifully rendered in a classic shape and dressed in a gorgeous floral we're so enamored with, you'll spot it all throughout our collection. The motif hails from London's famed Liberty Art Fabric (they're legendary for their distinctive textiles and prints). So chic and easy in crisp cotton poplin—it's the one you'll reach for again and again. Short sleeves. Fitted. Button front. Slight A-line skirt. On-seam pockets. Falls above knee. Import. Machine wash.I always had my eye on this Spring 2011 piece. You put together my love of shirtdresses with a beautiful Liberty floral print, and well... you get magic, that's what. So of course, I was drawn to this dress but not so much the price tag. When it finally got reduced to $99.99 (which is still pretty darn high), I thought I would take the plunge and order it. Good thing I did, because quantities are running out. But now for my review...
I went with a size 0 on this dress, and it fit perfectly on top. (For reference, I am a 34B and 28" waist). There is plenty of space for my size 6 hips thanks to its generous skirt. So when it comes to sizing, use just your chest measurements.
The dress is not lined and short. Which makes me wonder why J.Crew dares to ask such a high price tag for it. But after trying it on, I get it. It really is a cute dress. But it honestly should be lined. The dress isn't see-through or anything, but it's something that should be there. Also worth mentioning, the dress doesn't button open all the way down, so you have to step in it.
It also honestly needs another 4-5 inches in skirt length. At 5'8", I am not a giant. But I kind of felt like one. In fact, I felt a bit like Alice, as in Wonderland– with the dress' Peter Pan-esque collar, button sleeves, and short skirt– who ate the piece of cake to make her grow while the dress did not.
I ended up experimenting with different skirts underneath the dress. This is a trick I have been doing for some of the short-length Anthropologie dresses I bought this Summer, like the Magellen Dress. Seriously, did all the retailers get the memo to go really short or were they all just trying to save money (refer to "Cost Cutting Tweaks Help Retailers Save $$$")? Back to my point... I ended up finding that the grey version of J.Crew's Cotton Taffeta Belle Skirt (Item 97636; $78.00) looked really nice underneath the dress. The colors worked well together.
So I am on the fence, leaning towards keeping the dress. The sale price is still high for me, especially considering how short it is. But the fit, pattern, and style are all really cute and I can work with it. Would I recommend this dress, I don't know. What do you all think?
For more reviews on this dress, check out the following additional reviews & real life images:
- Tofu Salad (I'm Shoe Shopping): "Jcrew fitting room pictures"
- shopping on the fly: "J Crew Liberty Bouquet shirt-dress"
- my superfluities: "J. Crew Reviews: Floral Edition!"
- my closet travels: "Give me Liberty!!"
Well, I bought this dress and loved it. But the first time I wore it I realized how short it was, and the wind whipped it everywhere. Now I am having it lengthened but that won't solve everything. You are correct, it is too lightweight because of the lack of a lining. It really should have been lined.
ReplyDeleteAlso, even with taking down the hem I fear that it won't be long enough for me. (I am 5'7").
Great review Alexis. After seeing this dress on dinster (shopping on the fly) I bought it and so wanted to love it but it just didn't work for my straighter figure. I find this type of dress with the fuller skirt to work better on curvier gals, at least those with curves on the bottom. I had to size up to fit my bust and the skirt just billowed endlessly. I tried it on so many times with different shoes and finally relented and sadly sent it back. :^(
ReplyDeleteDaniBP: I was thinking the same thing! I did an imaginary test trial and saw that the dress would still be a couple inches above the knee if I lengthened it- short still but better. What I am curious is how you would do it with the middle seam where the buttons are- I didn't notice any extra fabric there. Please tell me how that process goes for you!
ReplyDeletexoxo: I think you are right about body type/shapes. For my pear shaped frame, this dress works because it emphasizes my small waist while hiding my hips. Too bad it didn't work for you. :(
ReplyDeletesub :)
ReplyDeleteI bought this one full-price after seeing it on Shoe Shopper -- it looked so great on her!
ReplyDeleteIt is a trickier style on a straight figure...I have a longer torso and this dress can make me look a bit boxy through the waist. But once I belted it, it looked much better.
I haven't worn it yet, but that's thanks to the crappy spring weather we've been having. I plan to wear it this weekend to Father's Day brunch with the family if the weather cooperates.
Alexis - Have you tried www.vintagehem.com? They sell slips that's supposed to peak through under a short dress/skirt.
ReplyDeleteOr, maybe you can wear the dress with leggings?
Haha. Dani's imagery of the wind whipping everywhere has me smiling.
ReplyDeleteWhich does, of course, convince me that Jenna and co. must have made this for the mid-Atlantic's very specific summer season, in other words, NO wind and such high heat and humidity that no lining is a blessing.
In fact the last time I wore mine it was a very hot and humid day and it felt perfect, just covered enough and lightweight enough that I felt reasonably comfortable.
I love the other ideas on how to make the shorter skirt work, esp. a peekaboo slip of some sort.
Sub :)
ReplyDeleteI also bought this one at full price but returned it due to the short length. Such a shame they didn't make it longer because the color and print are very pretty.
ReplyDeleteI like the print on this dress but not the shape . Some time last year, I was trying on the white Schuyler(?) dress when my mother was visiting. I asked her for an opinion and she said 'Oh, it's so sweet, you look like you could just be going to First Communion.'
ReplyDeleteShe actually meant it as a compliment(!!?). Needless to say, I could not pack it fast enough to send back. And that has ended my affair with short, high waisted, puffy dresses.
Peter Pan collar does not help.
I bought a few dresses from S/S 11 online and was shocked at how short they were when I tried them on. So many of their dresses this season are minis. Not my thing. I'd have bought a dozen different dresses if the hemlines this season were 5"-6" longer. Ugh...
ReplyDeleteIt looks cute on some people but just not my style. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI cannot understand why the J Crew designers are still making such short skirts and dresses. They are looking quite out of date now as hemlines are dropping. I'm not expecting them to make all of their clothing below the knee, but this mid-thigh thing is so last decade. For a company that now prides itself on being fashion forward if not cutting edge, they are very much behind on this element.
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ReplyDeleteOff topic, but I was wondering if anyone else noted the red J Crew pumps on net-a-porter? I think these are the same pumps from the Fall 2011 preview, seen
ReplyDeletehere, and the same style as seen here. I totally disagree that these are "modern" pumps, they're actually quite an old style. But I think this is the direction the J Crew shoes are going so those of you who hate platforms should be very happy. :) I'll be happy too because it will put a stop to my shoe-buying binge. :)
Interesting review. Indeed a typical dilemma with J Crew these days: cute dress/skirt, too short hem. I can say that about the short sleeve hideaway dress.
ReplyDeleteI've not been in a shirt dress mood this season, so I passed on this dress from the beginning. But I do love Liberty prints. The Liberty Print Vintage Mini skirt has exactly the same print, so I got my fix that way. The floral pattern and the color is very pretty in real life!
I loved this dress at first sight but knew it was going to be way too short so I did not even try it. I also read another JCA's review that said it was obsene when she raised her arms. I am at least 2 inches taller than you Alexis so I am SURE I would need to add a skirt or slip to it. Would you attach the skirt to this dress or just layer it. Just wondering since the same thought had crossed my mind with other JC dresses.
ReplyDeleteHey Tamara,
ReplyDeleteI noticed the red shoes at Net-a-porter as well. They also had some in a light color, clay maybe? I am actually going to try these shoes since I almost broke my neck in my 4" JC platforms and honestly I don't need the length. Little children think I am some kind of giant and are likely afraid I will fall and crush them. I cannot wait for the fall line to finally come out! I am over the heat already!
I fell in love and paid full price for the dress. The length was perfect for me as a 5'3" petite but it was a little awkward because the armholes were cut too low. It sat in my closet for 3 months while I waited for warm weather. But after I read shoppingonthefly's review, I couldn't get Sally Draper off my mind!
ReplyDeleteI ended up selling it on eBay last week. Love the Liberty print, but as a petite it makes me look like something my mom would have sewn for me when I was in 3rd grade!
Speaking of short flimsy floral dresses, on my way home from work tonight I went past a young woman with that type of dress on. It's pretty windy here tonight and she was walking with the wind blowing against her back. She kept reaching behind her to hold the dress down, checking herself in the reflection in the windows, and finally got so exasperated she stopped and sought shelter in a doorway. I don't know what happened after that.
ReplyDeleteAlexis, I also wear a skirt under this dress -- and I'm 6 inches shorter than you! I wear the white eyelet skirt from earlier this spring. I also went up a couple of sizes for a more roomy fit. Yes, with a skirt under, it works better. It looked a little too difficult to take down the hem. Maybe J Crew should sell crinolines to go under their too-short skirts! Although then they would make more money from us than they do already.... thank you for the shout-out =)
ReplyDeleteDinster that is a great idea for J Crew. Of course I would buy as I am stuck with these short dresses that I bought under the influence of crewlade.
ReplyDeleteTamara.Chicago: that exact thing happened to me in my Liberty dress last week. It was terrible. Don't know how many old codgers saw my knickers. I had to run home and if you had added tears I would have then looked exactly like Sally Draper!
Alexis I am going to see my Tailor today about my dress. You are right the middle seam is a problem, I can't do the job myself. I may have to actually add more fabric at the bottom, or have it lined with the lining then coming down a few inches past the hem. What a commotion!
I'll let you know what I do.
Thanks everyone for sharing your reviews & thoughts on this dress. :)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like the majority would have liked a few extra inches on the dress! By saving money on fabric, J.Crew lost some sales. ;)
Pansy: Those slips on that site you shared are great! I might be picking up the white and polka dot versions. Thanks for letting me know about them. :)
Shekster: I just used the Belle Skirt as a layer (not attached). For the most part, it looked like part of the dress with like a solid block of fabric at the end of the dress. I also don't have to worry as much about gusts of wind. ;)
Dinster: Your suggestion of a white skirt underneath is brilliant! I don't know why I didn't consider white, but that looks great with the dress too.
DaniBP: Please do share how the meeting with the Tailor goes. I am curious how it will turn out (and maybe I would try the same). :)
LOL dinster, it reminds me of when I was in grade school and the girls weren't allowed to wear pants (yes it's true) so we used to wear shorts under our dresses so we could play on the playground equipment.
ReplyDeleteDaniBP, don't give the codgers heart attacks! :)
I like the under-dress garment idea, perhaps some ruffled bloomers that say something like "Love Japan" or something nautical.
I just want to add by the way that I am the queen of lengthening dresses and skirts. It usually requires that I buy two garments, though one can be a smaller size in many cases. If anyone is a novice at this and needs help, email me. I've done it many many times.
ReplyDeleteUPDATE: I am making some returns tomorrow and decided to try on the dress again. I did a mock trial of sitting down and notice a weird puff at the middle. Even when I pat it down, there is a weirdness there. (Not to mention the minimal coverage to my legs.) So the dress gets return because of the weird puff. ;)
ReplyDeleteTamara and Shekster,
ReplyDeleteDo you think they are the same pumps that are in the product shot for the Minnie pant in summerweight bi-stretch Italian wool? Link here: http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/pants/croppedtrousers/PRDOVR~44450/44450.jsp
I actually called CS to ask about the shoes in that photo and they had no idea and guessed that they were the model's own shoes.
Caitlin,
ReplyDeleteThose are the same shoes I saw on Net-a-Porter in the clay color. I recognize the color and the stitching around the side of the shoe. Maybe they won't be out until the fall. Very odd that CS did not know about them.
tamara.chicago: The pumps from the fall 2011 preview have been on Net-a-Porter for awhile now. I mentioned them back in May in this post here on JCA. Since they're already on Net-a-Porter, they should be available on the J.Crew site soon.
ReplyDeletetamara.chicago, Skekster, and Caitlin: The Mona Leather pumps are available online this morning right here.
ReplyDeleteSo based on your review, is the size 0 a roomy fit? Because for a 0 the fit says it's a 32.5 bust and 25 waist, but does it fit better for 34 bust and 28 waist?
ReplyDeletesub
ReplyDelete