This dress combines features from two of my favorite old pieces – it has the striking cerulean blue color of my Banana Republic sheath, and a flirty silhouette like my H&M; cocktail dress…
Surprise! I had the hem pinned up six inches, so please pardon the uneven hem. Just by looking at ASOS’ stock photo, I doubt many of you would consider this dress with its flapping long skirt, huge provocative slit, and flat-looking torso. However, when one is faced with limited options, developing an eye for potential is critical.
I browsed online for quite a bit, and anything “fancier” yet affordable in a potentially petite-friendly size was either too trendy, too junior prom, or bridesmaid-y. I wanted something elegant, yet modern and chic for preferably around $50 (UPDATE: I got this dress a few weeks ago at the marked-down price of $60 plus an additional discount code. When I published this post, it was still $60, but is somehow now back at the full price of $80). Here it is with the hem pinned up again:
Having ordered from ASOS before, I know that they don’t use petite models even for petite-exclusive items. The slit in the stock photo goes almost up to the model’s crotch, but I suspected it’d be more modest on me. I just needed to inspect the dress in person to see how feasible a hem job would be.
This dress is made of a medium-weight knit material and is unlined. A hem job should be fairly easy to do, or should cost around $15 to get done. The shape of this dress is reminiscent of the 2011 tailored pencil dresses that some of you are familiar with, but this one is so much more comfortable and flattering around the hips (no puffed tulip shape). The key here is a stretchy material that holds it’s structure yet still lets you breathe. My 2011 pencil dresses have no stretch, and compress my chest and ribs after meals.
For a fast fashion brand like ASOS, I’m very pleased with the fit and construction of this dress. My US Petite 1 / UK Petite 4 (smallest available) fits me like a glove and measures 11.5″ across the waist, 15″ across the chest, 14.5″ from the top of the shoulder to the waistline, and 40″ total length. As seen below, the peplum skirt is lined and stuffed with a slightly stiffer material to help keep its shape.
As much as I absolutely adore this dress, I sadly don’t need it now that I have my H&M; one (which I spent too much time altering to give up). I don’t have many occasions for rocking something like this, and my closet space is limited. If you’re looking for a dress for a spring cocktail party or wedding, I highly recommend trying this and getting it hemmed to the right length (I think this can look fab as below-the-knee too). For someone like me with no natural curves, the silhouette of this dress can do wonders and will be sure to turn heads.
I also ordered the long sleeve belted wrap dress, another petite exclusive. I’ll show some photos of it later.
Sadly, I don't think there's one of those in D.C. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for something similar, and 'comfortable'. I love heels, but cushy pillows they are not. -_- Side note: the blue is a great color on you, but given that you have other items in this hue, I support your decision to pass. 🙂
Thanks! They're from my favorite thrift store (Savers, also known as Value Village) where stuff is sorted by size.
Oh wow. As of 12:30AM this morning when I wrote this post, the dress was marked down to $62. I bought it a few weeks back with an additional discount code. I didn't realize it was a temporary price cut!
I love your shoes! (The tan peeptoe slingbacks) Where did you get those?
Beautiful dress! The light blue really is striking.
xo Stephanie
honey & silk blog
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I really like the dress! & I've always liked peplums, so I'm very glad they're making a comeback!
How did you get the dress for $50? I see it on the website and it's still $80!! 🙂
I have never tried a peplum hem due to my fear of enlarging my motherly hips! However every fashion magazine said it's universally flattering. I might have to try one to see.
Helen
It looks great, but at the same time, I feel like this particular simple style can be picked up from Asos at any time; it seems like it's always there.
Don't love the slit though. I feel like it takes away from the 'class' the dress might have. Not terrible though.
I would say return, especially since you have your mint dress, as you said. Be good to your wallet! You can use that $80 toward another dress you actually are in LOVE with 🙂
Peplums are so popular right now…I love this look on you, so pretty!
I think this dress and peplums really suit you! On the other hand, I personally don't like any front slits. I've seen them come and go, come and go, over the years. And they just don't seem to have good staying power. If there were no slit, I'd say you have a winner. And I also love your H&M; mint re-design better. 🙂
xx Vivian @ http://diamondsandtulle.blogspot.com
Sexy and classy! When I saw you in this dress I though of this quote that was posted on twitter by PennyPincherFashion "Your clothes should be tight enough to show you're a woman, but loose enough to show you're a lady" ~ Marilyn Monroe
The dress is gorgeous Jean! Keep it!
That's a beautiful dress! Love the blue on you!
LUV IT!!! You have to keep this dress before I have to steal it. The fit is perfect and the colour with the belt looks fab!
I like the peplum trend, it's got a very retro vibe but I don't know that I'd wear one myself since my hips are already larger than my bust. I think girls that have the opposite (smaller hips, larger bust) could do this trend nicely.
I think you need to keep it!!!!!!!!! It's gorgeous on you!
I love the peplum trend! I actually just received my ASOS petite peplum skirt order yesterday! I have yet to try it on, but I will post when I do =) I love that color on you though =)
xoxo,
Suzie Q
Style Cue by Suzie Q
You certainly have an eye! I dont have that talent. Can't wait to see the wrap dress on you. It's awesome that you are able to make those hard decisions and not keep everything "just because".
The color and cut looks lovely on you. Too bad you are not keeping it.
Love the dress on you! The only thing I don't like is the slit because it makes it look busy with all the other dramatic stuff going on (shape, color) but it's still a keeper.
The color looks great on you and I love the way the Peplum hits you right where it needs to….I say keep it!!! When are you ever going to find another dress like this one?
-Trang
http://www.benjaminandtrang.com
You really do look tall in this dress! And I really like this color on you!
Great post!
Keep it!!
That dress is a really gorgeous shade of blue! I feel like it would look slightly better without the slit though…a sexy slit doesn't seem to go with the ladylike feel of the peplum.
-Sharon
Jean, this dress looks AMAZING on you! So sad you're not going to keep it! Of course it's flattering but what I love too is the color!
Definitely think this dress looks waaaay better than the mint one. That is possibly because I am into bright colours and bold designs and you are into more neutral colours and classic designs. I still think this looks better 🙂
You are the one who got me loving peplums, though I have yet to try one on. They are only just coming into fashion in NZ. I suspect that my naturally out there hips will prevent me from needing a peplum hem, but I am determined to try one anyway!
I love it, keep it!
http://www.natashafatah.blogspot.com
This fits you so perfectly, it'd be a shame to let it go. That's so rare to happen as a petite.
Nooooo, don't give it away! It looks amazing on you! As in "really really showstopping"!
wow it looks so good on you so beautiful <3
http://halwasat-faten.blogspot.com/
It looks great on you! I ordered the very same dress coral but the sizing did not work out for me – I'm in between 2 of their sizes plus the material's not thick enough in the pale colour and the body of the dress is not lined so it was a non starter.
Did you see similar with a cap sleeve and straight wrapover skirt – I loved that one too but again the sizing was an issue for me.
The color and shape of the dress are wonderful! If you do end up keeping it, I would be tempted to let out the seam allowance and see if there is enough material to close the slit in addition to a hem job.
I love it! The back is just beautiful. Thanks for sharing and can't wait to see the other dress!
I like the peplum on you. You are so cute in this color.
I think this dress looks great on you and the color is gorgeous. I find it interesting that peplums are suddenly all the rage, so to speak. I bought one peplum top and made one more in 2009. I think I shall pull the one I made out of the closet and wear it next week. I think you'd really like it, Jean! I combined 3 different patterns to make it. 😉
This is my first time commenting and I had to because you must keep this dress!! It looks phenomenal on you!
P.S. I LOVE peplum hems. 🙂
Really love this skirt. I think the Peplum is so flattering, it gives me a waist where I don't have one. The color of this dress is lovely it's so bright, perfect for Spring!
wow what a bright stunner. i think it looks nice on you when you fix it up a bit but i dislike the slit. the flare is perfect and it looks better belted. keep your eyes peeled – i am doing a pastel floral makeshift peplum dress post in a few days 😉 not sure i want the two h&m; pieces either .. maybe some of your petites would be interested in the skirt at least ?
peplum is really fun. everybody should wear it more. your black h&m; one shoulder is very classy and elegant, so you don't really need this one.
Keep the dress! I know you say you don't need it but it's absolutely gorgeous and timeless while being a bright pop of colour for spring! PLEASEEEE. Btw great post 🙂
i still love those pics of the BR dress so much.
aaw, i dk what you should do. hem it and sell it? haha. i think this dress is more fun than the mint dress though. mint dress i see at work, this one i see at a work social event.
If you decide not to keep it would you be willing to sell? I'd love to have it! it's a gorgeous, gorgeous fit & color!
No!! I love that dress on you! the color looks amazing on you! Plus the peplum works well with your figure
Missy
http://www.myrunwayeveryday.com
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wore a peplum suit today! I'm sure we'll see more of this now.
I'm loving the peplum trend and that dress looks amazing on you. I know you aren't keeping it but I vote that you should! I also just ordered some peplum pieces from ASOS and I hope they look as good as that dress does on you.
XOXO,
Britt + Whit
I love this color on you! Absolutely fantastic! Peplum is such a huge hit this season and I think it works so well with petite frames.
Your blog was partially an inspiration to start my own. It's just a baby but I'm hoping to post quality content just like you. You're such an amazing help to petites and I always look forward to each of your posts! 😀
And that ASOS (love ASOS) dress is smokin' on you! Too bad you're not keeping it, you look fantastic!
Sabrina x
http://www.thepetitestyle.com
Great review! The colour is amazing on you, Jean. I've been eying the peplum skirt from ASOS for the longest time, but can't really justify the price for it. I also recently saw it on another blogger and it looked really cheap. I'm hoping there will still be sizes once it goes on sale.
Gorgeous dress and you look stunning! Love the shoes!
I love that color! its gorgeous