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The elusive perfect sweater dress?

shana

Veteran

I was doing my usual perusal of J Crew new arrivals online when I came across the new Merino Maya Dress:

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Brows...../20301.jsp

It seems to meet almost all my requirements for a sweater dress - 3/4 sleeves (check), appropriate neckline for a larger bust (check), not too clingy around the tummy (check). I wish it were offered in more colors - would love an aubergine or a merlot but this might be close enough. Of course I am leery about J Crew sweater quality which is why I didn't buy the Maya cardi at full price (still waiting for a sale) though I LOVE it:

http://i374.photobucket.com/al.....G_0048.jpg

I didn't see this at the J Crew store yesterday but will be looking for it. Has anyone seen other "perfect" sweater dresses?

Shopping

23 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I don't know about perfect, but I like this one from Old Navy:

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/.....=696750002

Tanya

Veteran

Shana, I really, really like the J Crew dress! In fact, so much that i will be stalking it till it goes on sale. Btw, Express has something similar, and not-so-nice quality-wise, but in your preferred color ( they call it currant):

http://www.express.com/catalog.....egoryId=22

Vani

Veteran

shana, that does look it would be great for us busty gals! I have an F21 top with the same front. But you steal the show with the peach Maya cardigan. That color is gorgeous on you!

Alecia

Veteran

Those are all so cute! May have check them out in person.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

I'm also always looking for the perfect sweater dress -- of course this one would come in grey & black, the colors of the season!!

I do love the shape of it and think it could be very flattering. Maybe with the right necklace and scarf to add some interest, a la Angie's post today it would indeed be perfect!

Maya

Veteran

This dress literally has my name written all over it. So does that cardi, which I have been stalking for months now.

If I get the J Crew job, both shall be mine.

I have nothing further to add I'm afraid, except that I think both would work great for you too Shana.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*chuckle*

Shana, you ROCK that cardi.

Maya, Shana, Vani and Laura, you NEED that frock in a petite. (Because it’s so long on the model). It’s gorgeous! Tanya, stalk it in a regular size. I just LOVE FROCKS.

April

Veteran

Shana, I just received the Express dress Tanya linked to -- in the color you like. It is lovely, though I am not keeping it because it's too full in the lower part for me. I wanted something sleeker and a little more professional looking. (Might really answer the "not too clingy around the tummy" requirement, though.) It is quite lowcut in the center and woud need a cami underneath.

The J Crew one looks a little less swingy -- maybe that's the one I need!

Maya

Veteran

Oh, good thought Angie. The dress doesn't come in a petite so I guess it's another rejection. I have never been too impressed with J Crew's petite selection. Great if you're working in a business formal environment or wear special occasion dresses every day. Not so fab otherwise.

The Express one does indeed look too low. On me it would probably be tramp city without a cami! I found one on Boden that I liked. It's actually a tunic, but on me it will be a dress.

Maya

Veteran

^ With my luck, the woman who interviews me will read that and know it's me...

shana

Veteran

Khris, the ON one won't work - I would have a huge tummy bulge right were the cabled section ends!

Tanya, I have been in my local Express at least 3 times looking for the sweater dresses. Maya posted about them awhile back and I have been looking for them ever since. April, do you know how long this dress is? Maybe I should just order it online. I pretty much wear a cami under everything so that would not be much of an issue for me. Full on the bottom half would actually be good for me since I am quite narrow on the bottom compared to the top. I'm going to try harder to hunt this down.

Thanks Vani & Angie! Ordinarily I wouldn't touch something that was peach with a ten foot pole (I usually make a beeline for the black or grey version) but this was the only color in my store and I was pleasantly surprised with the color. Of course, this sweater appears to be all sold out online and when I was at the mall this week, my store only had one left. At this point, I'd rather spend $138 on the dress than $88 on the cardigan so maybe it's just as well.

Angie, it's not available in petities. It does say that it hits mid-hip so I am hoping that might translate to above knee length on me??? I won't know until I see it in person.....

Tanya

Veteran

Shana, I actually have the Express dress, and it hits 2-3" above the knee for me ( I am 5' 6"). When I get home tonight I can measure it's length for you and maybe post a photo too if that would help. I also like the fullness on the bottom!

shana

Veteran

Tanya, thank you so much! If you have a chance to measure it, that would be super. I honestly hate ordering online unless I've tried something on first in the store which is why I have been trying so hard to see this dress IRL. I usually don't shop at Express since they don't offer petites.

Tanya

Veteran

No problem! I will post the measurements here in three hours or so.

cciele

Veteran

Shana, that dress would look awesome on you! And so would the Express dress. Hope one works out for you.

I like the ruching detail on this dress from Nordie's. Pricey, even on sale though:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....eCzuxkXLAg

And of course, my personal favorite, that most of you have seen
http://haydenharnett.com/index.....26ok.y%3D0
I got it at a discount ($87) through some coupons.

Tanya

Veteran

Hi Shana, as I have promised, here's the photo of the dress on me:

http://s300.photobucket.com/al.....CN4407.jpg

It is 34" long for size XS. I hope this helps!

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I don't have any sweater dresses, and I'd really like to add one to my wardrobe this season. I'd really like to try the Maya dress on, it looks very flattering.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Oh Tanya, that dress fits you so well, and how great that you are finding loads of your signature purple in stores this fall.

I ordered the Maya dress (in Maya's honor) in an XS and will take a photo when it arrives. It *might* be too long, since there was no petite ... but since I can easily return it in-store, thought it was worth a try.

Maya

Veteran

I will happily wear it vicariously through you Laura! Hopefully it will work out. Now I'm pulling for the J Crew job just so I can get this dress and a pair of their fabulous driving mocs.

shana

Veteran

Tanya, that dress looks amazing on you! 34" would be just above knee length on me which would be perfect. Maybe I should give up looking for it in the store and just order it online. I haven't made any purchases at Express in years so I have no idea what my size in dresses would be. Usually my problem areas when it comes to fit are in the chest & tummy (would doesn't look like it would be too much a problem in this dress) and in the arms (b/c my arms are quite fat). Maybe I'll try one more trip to Express this week to figure it out...

Laura, please post pics of the Maya dress when it arrives!!! I am hoping it will hit the stores soon so I can try it on IRL.

Maya

Veteran

Shana, the Maya dress is an online/catalog only item, FYI. You won't be able to find it in stores.

Vani

Veteran

Angie, I'm on it! I'm saving my pennies and hopefully it will still be available by the time I get to it.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Good stuff, Vani! Nice dress, Tanya! I tried that dress on, Cathy!