While in NYC, I popped into a Banana Republic and spotted a familiar sight on a mannequin. Some of you may remember this black lace dress from BR’s Anna Karenina collection one year ago. It’s hands-down my favorite dress from there, and bridges the gap between conservative and sexy. It seems that they have brought back nearly the exact same design, in a beautiful true red and a more petite-friendly fit.
I tried on this dress with no intentions of purchasing a duplicate, thinking I’d just snap some fitting room photos to share. The black dress from 2012 was roomy in the waist and hips, plus required an inch or two of hemming. To my surprise, this one fit better with ~1-2 inches of extra room that can be temporarily cinched with a waist belt (plan on taking to my tailor nevertheless, as I hope to wear this for years to come). As with last year’s version, the lace overlay is fully lined with a slip that has spaghetti straps. There’s an invisible back zipper and back leg slit. I inadvertently fell in love, and Nick gave it two thumbs up.
While talking little red dresses, I also just received this sweetheart neckline dress courtesy of BR’s latest collaboration with L’Wren Scott. For some reason, petite sizing for this limited edition line is only available online and in select NYC stores.
This dress is my favorite piece from the collab. It’s roomy on me throughout and I can tell it’s designed to be a fitted style. Based on all the 5-star reviews online, I imagine it would be stunning on someone who can completely fill it out. Please note that the dress is stretchy and unlined, and I have a little extra fabric gathered in the back.
Please excuse the lack of diversity in styling – I was living out of a Longchamp tote thus didn’t have much with me!
gorgeous 🙂 check out my blog, I have just started up yet- petitepeeps.blogspot.com x
Hi there i really like your red lace dress. I'm trying to find it at the store, but they need the style number. I was wondering if you could please let me know the style number, it would be much help. thanks.
Le
Love the sweetheart neckline. I might get one of these in black.
http://www.timelesshealthclnic.com
LOVE the lace one!
Out of curiosity, what underpinnings would you recommend to wear with a sweetheart neckline?
That sweetheart neckline dress looks A-MAAZING, so gorgeous, just love it!
beautiful 🙂
http://pollyslookbook.blogspot.nl/
Polly
The first dress is beautiful! I'm not so sold on the second red dress though– maybe because it seems sort of dated to me and I worry about how exposed the neckline might be when you lean over? But I'm kind of uptight like that and this is precisely the situation that double-stick tape is useful for! 😛
Alma
I have a soft spot for lace. I absolutely adore the lace dress on you, it fits you well!
Suzie Q
http://www.StyleCueBySuzieQ.com
beautiful BR dress, one who has curves at the right spot will look so perfect with this dress..
They both look great! But I think the lace one is better. The other, I'm not crazy about the design of the neckline. PS: Your hair looks fantastic.
Both of the dresses are so elegant! Really a great option to the usual LBD!
<3
http://zazzish.blogspot.pt/
Usually I loathe collaborations because I think they are cheap gimmicks and borderline knockoffs, but I LOVE this.
Jean, both dresses are lovely, but the red lace sheath feels more you.
I love the lace dress on you. The fit is truly perfect. The sweetheart dress is pretty too but I don't think it's you. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year =)
Wow, the red lace looks absolutely stunning on you! And I like the pearls with it. It would be great for a holiday party.
The red lace is perfect on you! The sweetheart one is a classic too. It could be a total "bombshell" dress on someone with curves!
Oh, I LOVE that second one! So chic and vintage looking! Red is great on you 🙂
really? I think that every body can find at least one shade red that goes with theis colour type. Don´t give up! 🙂
They both look great on you, but my personal preference is the lace – tend to like the 50s more than the 80s.
Curse my odd skin tone that just never plays well with red….
I have that exact red lace dress by whitehouseblackmarket- and it comes it petites. It fits amazing and is very well made.
Both dresses are stunning. And you look so beautiful Jean. Have very happy and relaxing holidays!
Love from Prague 🙂
The one with the sweetheart neckline is very va-va-voom!
I love them both! Personally I would wear the first out on a day with my friends and the second seems more fitted for night. They're both gorgeous though!
vessipetite.blogspot.com
The lace fits better on you but the long sleeved one is such a different style so it looks really refreshing on you…maybe try and get it fitted better?
I love them both!
http://www.petitestyleonline.com
Love them both, you look stunning!
Yes, this dress is indeed beautiful. Now I´m no more satisfy with my Christmas dress but it is too late to buy your wonderful dress as I live in Germany …
http://www.dressedwithsoul.blogspot.de
They both look absolutely gorgeous! 🙂
xo
Maggie A
LOVEMAVIN.COM
Love these two dresses but I prefer the lace one!!!
Very nice pics and outfits, like usual!!!
xoxo
Le monde des petites
http://www.lemondedespetites.com/
I just bought the red lace one because of this! Thanks for the heads up. I wanted the black one because of you too but it was sold out by the time I noticed it.
It's just beautiful! I love BR's lace dress! It fits you perfectly! No alternation is needed, Jean!
Both look great but love the red lace, fits you well and you look more confortable in it.
Hey Jean! I like these reds…they are like a cranberry hue.
One of these days I want to make a clutch…would be a nice way to use sentimental fabric.
Happy holidays to you and Nick!
The red sweetheart neck dress is SO vintage-y beautiful. I just clicked on your link and bought it! That is how much an impact that photo/dress made. Great job! I can't wait to wear it.
http://theinternetandtheunicorn.blogspot.com