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| Ivy & Blue Zelda Drop-Waist Dress |
Cynthia: The Zelda Drop-Waist Dress by Ivy & Blue at Anthropologie is my favorite new dress.
Marcy: That’s what you say about every new dress.
Cynthia: Well, this one is special. It’s a gorgeous silvery slate-blue grey. I’m not sure if that’s really a color but if it is, it’s the color of this dress.
The fabric is soft and slinky and comfortable.
The waist is more of an empire than a drop. Kind of in-between the two actually.
The armholes go up high enough so that I am not embarrassed to move my arms.
The knife pleats are fun, twirl-worthy, and keep their shape.
The length is a tad too long for my liking. Half an inch shorter and it’d be perfect. (I’m 5’6″)
Overall, the fit is loose. I am in my normal size but could have possibly gone down one size so that it fit a little better from the waist up.
Marcy: So why didn’t you?
Cynthia: Too complicated. I bought this online-only dress with a combination of discounts and gift cards and since it was already a very involved process to buy it, I couldn’t imagine trying to return it for a smaller size. And then if that didn’t fit… then what? What a hassle.
Marcy: Yeah, but it’s too big from the waist up.
Cynthia: I studied the model photo very carefully and it’s supposed to be a little loose.
Marcy scrutinizes the model photo.
Marcy: You need to get your glasses checked.
Cynthia: My glasses are at the optometrist getting new lenses.
Marcy: See! Take it to the tailor. The dress is too big on you.
Cynthia: No, Marcy. It’s a 1920’s Art Deco flapper style dress. Hence it’s name, Zelda, after novelist Zelda Fitzgerald who was known as the “first American flapper” and was a 1920’s icon of fashion and scandal.
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| Zelda Fitzgerald |
Cynthia: See? Zelda’s dress is really loose.
Marcy: You are not Zelda. And it’s not 1920. It’s 2015. That’s ninety-five years into the future. And your dress is too big. Take it to a tailor.
Cynthia: Well can I twirl a little more?
Cynthia starts to do the Charleston.
Marcy: No!
Cynthia: You’re so bossy.
Marcy: It’s my blog and I’ll boss if I want to.
*I’ll update if I decide to take Marcy’s advice to get it altered. What do you think? Should I take Marcy’s advice? After staring at these photos for the last two hours I am thinking it needs a little hike up at the shoulders.
*You Might Also Like:
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20 Comments
I'm torn! At first glance I thought the top looked a little big but after reading your blog then looking back at it, I like it! It seems like they should be able to exchange it though even though it was complicated to buy it because it's not a money transaction. I can't wait to find out what you decide.
It's funny how things look different from the mirror to a photo. I already took the tags off and wore it so I would definitely need to take it to the tailor.
xo,cynthia
I think that's a lovely dress! It's beautiful! I guess I would take the top in a bit on the sides or shorten the the top a bit. I hope you wear it some place fantastic 🙂
That's what I think too! It needs to be shortened a little and maybe not so billowy on the sides. I should maybe try pinning it first to see if that makes a difference.
I need to find someplace to wear it! Instead of my living room.
xo,cynthia
You can always take it to a trusted tailor for advice. Tell them that you aren't sure, but you think it needs some tweaks. Then see what they say. You can always tell them you want to think about it before committing.
Excellent advice, Merrie! Thank you! I knew you would know what to do.
xo,cynthia
How about buying the smaller size, pay full price, then return the one that doesn't fit and get a refund?
I already took off the tags and wore it so I am committed to this one. I thought of that before I took off the tags but for some stupid reason I did not do that. Ah well. LOL – I am assuming that you are in the camp with Marcy that it's too big!
xo,cynthia
It looked good in the fist photo and didn't seem big til I saw the professional one, but they may have pinned it or photo-shopped it and maybe a smaller size would still fit loosely.
Don't stress, enjoy the dress. It's great!
Thanks! I must say – it drives me crazy when I see that a company has pinned their clothes. So misleading!
Oh this dress is lovely, lovely! It looks so lovely on you and Marcy kitty is very wrong. You do have to decide if you would be more comfortable taking it to the tailor and maybe in real life you are seeing something that I am missing in the photo. But the pictures look great and I'm glad that you bought this dress instead of the one with polka dots. That was a cute dress but this one is so special and a great addition to your closet.
Enjoy your dress,
Stacey
Thank you, Stacey! I do love this dress! After that 20% dress discount in November and my bday discount and a gift card, I got it for only $56. I'm so glad I did. I so appreciate your opinion and will tell Marcy!
xo,cynthia
Yesssss! You know I've been waiting for this this. And the wait was definitely worth it. You wear this so beautifully. Sometimes special statement dresses wear the wearer, but not here. You look so classic and lovely. I think it fits you well, and had you not said anything, I would have thought it was perfect. After looking at it for awhile and taking your concerns into consideration, maybe you should have it taken up a tiny bit in the shoulders, as you suggested? It's a little slouchy under the bust, but I think you want that slouchy billowing affect more across your bust than beneath it. The fabric dips a bit in the bust,and getting it taken up might accentuate your bust and waist more.
I am totally nit-picking, and I am certainly not this anal about the fit of my own garments or how things fit on others. It's just you asked, and to appease your anal-retentiveness, I'm giving you my two cents! lol
I'm like you in terms of romancing eras past. Have you seen Midnight in Paris? I'm definitely guilty of nostalgia for eras I've never known. And I just adore Zelda Fitzgerald's character. I quote her all the time when I say lame things: "I will never write a great lyric. My true talent lies in drinking!"
Have a great weekend, you lovely thing!
<3 Liz
http://www.withwonderandwhimsy.com
Thank you so much , Liz! I really appreciate your thoughts on this! I think I will follow the advice to take it to the tailor. Seems like most everyone is in agreement that it needs to be lifted a little at the shoulders and possibly in the bust area too. it took me so long to put up this post because I was hemming and hawing about whether it fit. I took so long that all of a sudden it was New Years Eve and I was going to wear it whether it fit or not.
Yes – I love Midnight In Paris! Love Zelda! Now I want to rent it again! And of course I am going to look up her quotes online. How fun!
xo,cynthia
You look stunning!!! I love that dress on you. I do not think it is too big. It looks so pretty. That color is scrumptuous. I know what you mean about the hassle of returning it. I just sent a giant box of returns in yesterday. I had been putting it off because for some reason I always get nervous about returns. It did feel good to get it done, though. And since I have not purchased anything from Anthro in weeks, I don't have any returns sitting around! Wheee! Did your 40% off order end up getting cancelled? Mine did. Oh well. It was not meant to be, I guess.
I hope you get tons of wear from your gorgeous new dress!
Jenni
Yes! My 40% off blouse did get cancelled. I have to say I was a little annoyed. I was on Roxy's blog and it seemed like everyone had the same problem. I really don't know why Anthro can not get it together with their shipping and order fulfillment problems.
Thank you for the advice on the dress! I have to say I am so excited with the discounts I got on it that I keep calling it my Fifty-Six Dollar Dress! woot woot
xo,cynthia
I think this dress is so perfect on you. I love the colour, and the pleats and draping are so pretty. Just gorgeous.
awww… thank you, Liana!
xo,cynthia
That dress is stunning on you, Cynthia!! Seriously, it was made for you. I'd say you always need a bit of wearer's ease as they call it with a dress, so you can have that slice of pie and not feel like you're gonna burst out of your dress like the Hulk – am I right? I think the one thing you could do with altering is the length, and just have it taken up a leeettle beeet… Either way, don't you dare return this! You look too pretty in it, okay?!
Thank you for the advice, Gwen! I think you are right about the hem. Half an inch I'd say. One must always always always save room for pie. And cookies.
xo,cynthia