Here is my quick review on the Gap Jersey Maxi Dress. This dress comes in “jade stone” and “true black,” and is also available in three striped variations. Sizing ranges from Petite, to Regular, and Tall, from XS to XXL.
Likes: Soft, drapy material. Grecian-inspired pleating is pretty, and higher waistline elongates legs.
Dislikes: I’m on the fence about the length. Also, my chest can’t seem to fill out the pleated area.
Verdict: Unsure. Got this for 50% off. I’m probably keeping unless I find a more affordable version from F21/H&M.;
Here’s how the length looks with flats on. It’s more of an ankle-length dress than a full-length maxi, so it’s not maximum lengthening for the legs. However, the ankle length made it very easy to move around in – no tripping. See how the Petite XS looks on Cher, who is a little taller.
Flat Sandals: Miss Trish of Capri for Target (old). I collect these cute, affordable flats every year. Check out the adorable version for little girls this year. I would just cut the middle horizontal strap off. Sz 3 or 4 in little girls should fit like a womens 5 or 6.
In other shopping news, Khatu and I popped into Ann Taylor’s new “concept store” in Chestnut Hill, MA. The store is the same, but got a major face lift complete with easier-to-browse sections and pretty pretty chandeliers. I left with this striped boatneck tee that I am now in love with (marked down to $17.99). Outfit posts to come soon : )
Nah, return. This fits awkwardly in all the wrong places.
Love the striped shirt though!
Wowzers – so much feedback! Thank you so much everyone for sharing your honest opinions. I agree the bust is too loose.
@Third Time Charmed You have the opposite problem! No wonder the top probably fits you much better : )
@Anonymous Hi there! I'm very sorry but I think they're discountinued for good. I know a lot of ppl are looking for them. Ebay is probably the only place now and it's not worth it…I see the sellers have jacked up the prices from when they were on major sale.
@Anonymous Claud – how odd that it no longer lets you comment under your blogger profile. And yes with your height the PXS would def not work – and sorry to hear regular XS was so loose.
@xoladiihoneyxo Hi there – I think she said they were from H&M.; You should check out her blog! I linked to it up above. I just love her style.
@Carla Krae Great third option. I watched some of their affordable dresses last year but they sold out quick!
I wear my Maxi Dress down to my ankles. These dresses are perfect for these hot summer days.
I have those target sandals! I love them. The striped top is adorable and will go with everything. I like the color of the dress but it looks too loose all over.
I'm not too big a fan of the dress – it looks a little bit maternityesque in certain angles and you probably don't want that right now! It does look a bit better with a belt though.
I don't like the dress on you. I think based on your body type, you need something that cinches at the waist rather than below the bust. The color is beautiful though. I hope you find the perfect maxi..am looking for one too.. 🙂
thumbs down. You can definitely find one that fits you wayyyyy better, esp in the chest area. makes the chest look so droopy. I bet if Kendi look off the jacket she was wearing, I'd say the same.
Khatu-if you're reading this…love your belt & white trouser jeans. makes you look so tall!
I also think you should return the dress. The bust looks too baggy. I like the striped AT top though.
I think the bust looks too long but if you shorten it I think the length won't be ideal. I also think it could be taken in in the bust. I do like that it comes in a variety of sizes/lengths… I am 6' (I know, what am I doing reading a petite blog) so finding a long enough maxi dress is impossible.
The dress looks awesome on you! And the lenght is perfect! (:
Love the maxi dress Jean 🙂 Unfortunately the weather in San Diego has not been very warm lately, so looking at it makes me feel cold ! Brrr…
LOVE the boatneck shirt you picked up. 🙂 gorgeous!
The color of the maxi dress is beautiful. However, I think that this dress runs big on you, especially on the waist and chest area. Maybe it's just me but I think you should return it. You definitely can find a better one out there. 🙂
Anyways, you are gorgeous. I love your smile.
I absolutely love the striped boatneck – very classy. Is it available all over, or just at the concept store? I do love the color of the dress. And as for the chest area being too big, I thought so with the dress alone, but when you belted it, it looked like it was meant to fit that way. Way to accessorize your way into a better fit!
Also check Old Navy. They've just been advertising summer maxi dresses for women and girls and their clothes hold up very well.
I think ankle length is the best for casual maxi dresses.
And the color looks super fresh on you.
Dresses longer than your natural nape to hem length only look good on evening gowns.
I love how the two colors look together. Although I'm also a petite, I don't know if I could pull off the maxi dress, but you look great and really tall, especially in the first picture.
When I do maxi dresses, I prefer to have it floor length. I suppose it looks a little odd when its lifted off the floor by about half a foot!
I love the colour on you though!
besos,
ML
Bonjour, come say hello!
Twenty York Street
http://www.twentyyork.com/2011/06/i-am-fashion-are-you.html
Twenty York Street
Confession time…I've NEVER tried on a maxi dress. 😛
I agree with most of the ladies…I think you can find better. The length is just a wee bit awkward, and it might just be me, but I'm not liking how wrinkle prone that fabric is looking.
You and Khatu are both so nautical! I love it!
love your pants! are they dark denim? where are they from?
I can only pull off a maxi dress if it hits my ankle without shoes on. I love the color of the maxi dress that you got though! It looks gorgeous on you!
I can never pull a maxi dress. I think its part of me having a bigger chest, not just being a petite girl. I know you are but you can pull it off much better than me. Somehow, I don't think the length works out so well as a maxi dress but the color is great. I think it looks better with the cute sandals.
Ohhh, where did your friend got her white jeans? I'm still on the look for a good pair of white jeans.
The color of the dress is great but the length is not. There is a fab maxi out there for you but this isn't it.
I really like the color of the cardi you paired with the maxi. I am glad to see the dress on you as well as Cher. I do like the dress for you but I did kind of prefer the length just slightly higher above the ankles…..of course that would be an easy fix depending on your personal preference. Really looking forward to seeing your Ann Taylor purchases!
I love it!! 🙂
http://pastelbluejacket.blogspot.com
Hi Jean- I think the length of the Psize looks good on you but the chest area seems a bit big on you (?), other than that the dress looks nice (loved belted ^^).
I tried it in the XS (regular size) but that one fits way too big in the chest area 🙁 And after reading the reviews on the length of the PXS and did not even bother ordering online.So my maxi dress search continues… -claud
You look gorgeous! I say keep it. I love it with the belt and cardigan!
This is a return for me. I like the color, but not the length or the weird chest area. The chest part of the dress practically swallows you whole, and the length looks awkward with heels. Find a cheapie from F21 or H&M;!
Jean! You look great! I've yet to find a maxi dress that works for me… I love the style though! 🙂
Return. Too baggy in the chest area and not long enough. Misses the point of maxi dresses.
I'm a bit unsure of the length as well. The dress looks really nice with flats, but I think I prefer maxi dresses to be long enough to skim the top of the foot.
Jean, I think the pleated chest area makes the dress look large on you. If you can somehow collaborate a big bell to define the chest area, the dress would be keeper.
Hi Jean,
I was going throuhg your blog and came across one of the make up tutorials. I am not much of a daredevil when it comes to cosmetics but I loved the Immoral blush you mentioned in your post byt rock and republic. Could you please let me know where I could find it. I have looked all over and the only ones seem to be on ebay for unbelieveable prices (too much for a student to afford even if I starved a whole month!) – help! or if you could suggest a blush that is similar in any other brand…
Thanks!
I love the color and draping of that dress, but I probably wouldn't keep it because of the fit around the bust area. The striped top is so cute though!
RETURN! I don't like this on you. I would prefer it to be a bit longer and $70…really?! The chest was the first thing I noticed. Dislike, sorry. 🙁 You can definitely find a cheaper one from H&M; or F21. They have tons!
Did you see the one I got from F21 yet? (http://www.thelittledustprincess.com/2011/05/summer-clothing.html) Their link is unavailable right now, but I think I got a small and the length was 53" ish? It's perfect with heels. : )
the color is lovely! I was about to get this too but wanted to shop around for a cheaper one. I prefer my maxi dresses to hit the floor too. I'm only 5ft so I need to look as tall as possible! But it's really hard to find one that isn't either TOO short or TOO long. all the ones i've tried are either or. none in between. so frustrating!
i've been searching for a petite maxi, but it seems like they're sold out everywhere!
i wear a 5.5 and a 3 in target's kids shoes fit me perfectly! i bought the cutest sandals there last month. 🙂
I love this dress, especially the color! I just stepped into the maxi trend and tried it out myself and am loving it. And OMG, I love that dress with that cardi!
Complex Cardigans
I love the dress! I think it's so nice both ways, especially with the flats, looks so easy going but still so pretty! I LOVE the striped top! That whole outfit is stunning! =)
I almost got that dress and now I wish I had! I love how you styled it with the belt and cardi, very chic.
Not a petite, but I do have that same dress from the Gap and love it! It hits me (Regular S) the same place it hits you and for this maxi I love it. I guess I just love the dress! Now, I usually have the problem of OVERFILLING the top of dresses with this style top – this one not only do I fit in, it actually provides enough pleating and support that I can wear it without a bra – Huge first!
I like my maxi dresses long, but without tripping! I have one in my closet(a big purchase for me because I never thought a maxi would flatter my short stature). I think it's all relative though. Some girls like their maxi dresses super long, almost to the floor like I do. Others like them shorter.
This seems to be the unpopular opinion but I would return that dress in a heartbeat. Not because of the length, but because of the fit of the bust. Too baggy! Dresses that bubble out under the arm bother me.
You and Khatu look like such a nice coordinated nautical match. ^_^ adorbs!
Dress looks nice because of the colour and length but I'm not liking the fit around the chest. I would return it. There are definitely better fitting dresses out there.
The color looks gorgeous on you, Jean. It compliments your skin tone pretty well. I’d like my maxi dresses to be 2 inches above the top of the ankle bone. It’s just easier for me to walk around and not get the dress dirty. I don't think there are really any rules. I have seen varying lengths on people. I know I'm not much help here 🙂 BTW, I love the color combination though. Jade and mustard go really well together.
I'm sitting here trying to figure out why your dress looks so much longer on you than it does on me despite the fact I'm only an inch taller than you are. LOL. But I think maybe it's because you have it pulled down more? I actually don't think the length is bad on you. In fact, if it was that length on me, I'd probably lean towards keeping it even though I normally do like my maxis skimming my feet.
I also found that striped top, but I'm not a fan of the ribbed material, it stretches out too much over time, so I left it in the store. I do really like the stripes though.
I don't mind the length of the maxi dress on you…I think it looks really nice on you Jean:)
The color compliments your skin tone well.
And great score on the AT top! Super adorable and cheap!
I can't believe you're not DEFINITELY KEEPING it! I have the same dress in navy and white stripes and LOVE it. I was considering getting the green one, too. It looks so great on you that I'm totally convinced I need it now! So pretty on you (and the length is perfect!)
I actually kind of like that length! I don't like floor length very much because it's too hard to move around in. I love the color of this dress…
I absolutely love that striped shirt from Ann Taylor! Very cute! I'll have to go back and see what they have. That's awesome that it was on sale too.