I agree it's a snotty article. After purchasing a couple of Lauren Petite items from the RL website, I began to wonder about what quality differences exist in the different collections, so I did a Google search and found that article. I think it has a condescending tone to it.

There's always somebody who thinks that if they spend more money on something, it must be better than the stuff us unwashed masses buy.

I don't own anything else by them, but I too have one of the great ruched sheath dresses. Mine is a gold metallic and it's great.