Silk Mabel and Sunstream Eyelet dress reviews

Silk Mabel Dress

If you checked Effortless Anthropologie this morning, you saw a huge swath of markdowns and second/third cuts at Anthropologie. I figured I would post my take on a few of the new sale items since I tried on a bunch of stuff during my birthday month.

The printed bodice of the Silk Mabel Dress drew me to it instantly. I loved the vibrant flowers though I wasn't sure about the framing on the bottom half of the skirt. I would have rather seen an all over print that dissolved in concentrated toward the hem rather than the striped border with solid side panels. The length of this dress matters in part because of the framing around the flowers of the skirt. If you need to hem, it would be tricky. Still the shape was something that I thought might work on me and I liked that it had the potential to be breastfeeding friendly without requiring a button front. I grabbed a large and thought it was cut amply. I didn't try a medium but it might have worked which leads me to believe this dress runs fairly large. My postpartum figure is not a size medium but I had enough extra room everywhere in the large that I think for this dress a medium would have been fine. The length of the large was just below my knees which (unless in heels) is slightly longer than I prefer. I like it to hit right at my knee, covering it ideally. I imagine the medium would have been a bit shorter. It was comfortable and airy and as described by the name, made of silk. I think for the sale price this would make a great occasion dress (even though it could also be styled easily for day... I personally am not as into the bottom half of the dress as I am the top so I would only shell out for the sale price if I had a specific event in mind).

Sunstream Eyelet dress

The Sunstream Eyelet dress is another s/m/l sized piece that comes in a variety of colors. I tried on the green and very much liked the hue. I grabbed a size medium even though I would have picked the large to try if it was available. I hadn't counted on how stretchy this dress would be. I didn't see a size zipper and still got it on without a problem. So this one also runs big. Even with my current bustline (which is larger than normal due to breastfeeding) I thought the dress worked on my figure despite my short waist. I would definitely wear in real life with an actual bra rather than a nursing tank because as supportive as they can be, I still think I am better held up with underwire. This is especially noticeable in the side view. For the sale price, this is a great dress! I would be more likely to grab it if it was $60 instead of $80 because until I wean I won't be able to wear this much. The fabric is comfortable and although the lining is a poly blend, it doesn't seem like it would be too uncomfortable in hot weather.

Although I'm passing on these two even at their sale prices, I feel that they bode well for the direction in which Anthropologie is headed. I hope that their styles begin to grab me again soon because even with the barrier of my pregnancy and postpartum realities, over the last year I haven't found much to add to even a hypothetical wishlist.