Replacement Ponte Knit Dress

Transcona Shannon

My black ponte knit sheath dress is starting to show its wear and tear and needs replacement. This piece is pretty key in my wardrobe and I wear it a lot - it's versatile and works with a wide variety of my toppers and boots/booties.

I've heard good things about the quality of the Land's End ponte knit dresses and they come in petite sizing. Shipping is inexpensive and returns are easy and a low flat rate from here so are a good option to try IMO.

Would it make sense to go sleeveless again or should I go with sleeves so that I can wear with or without a topper in the winter?

What do you think of these three styles (check out the prices - wow good!) - they would be in black.

The 4th option is a sleeveless flocked-dot dress - could be dressed up or down IMO.

http://www.landsend.com/pp/wom.....18_48.html

http://www.landsend.com/pp/wom.....77_48.html

http://www.landsend.com/pp/wom.....96_48.html

http://www.landsend.com/pp/wom.....97_48.html

13 years ago

Shopping

12 replies

Latest reply was from cheryle (Dianthus)

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I'm getting shoes in the first pic.
All lovely. Would just depend on fit imo. The blue one would have to sit really well or it may not be as flattering (but maybe I'm just projecting).

13 years ago

deb

Veteran

I like the last one the best but worry about the flocked polka dots wearing off. My sencond choice would be #2.

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I like the last one best. More versatile. But otherwise, #1.

I hope someone else will weigh in on this, though.

I bought a ponte dress from LE in the summer and I was not thrilled with it. LOVED how it looked in the pictures, and thought I was going to love wearing it...but it wasn't really ponte. It was more like...I don't know what to call it! It was some sort of double knit that reminded me of the 70s. Not substantial enough. Now...that might have been summer weight, which could be different.

The other thing I didn't like was the fit. It just didn't feel right. I think I was between petites and regulars for length (and I had ordered petite).

So I wore it about five times and ended up consigning it.

All that FWIW. If someone has tried one of these actual dresses (or even winter ones) that would probably be more to the point than my ramblings!

13 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Oh Suz - I'm so glad you weighed in on your experience with a LE ponte knit. I'm not interested in pursuing if the fabric is not up to par. Will continue to consider.

Thanks Caro and Deb!

13 years ago

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Shannon, our Winners sometimes gets good quality ponte knit dresses like CK or Tahari: you may want to check it out. I especially like Tahari dresses - really substantial ponte!

13 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

I actually bought the dress you have linked in #2 and returned it. If you have hips of any kind, this dress is AWFUL. The pockets on the dress sit exactly on top of your hips. It adds 1-2 inches per hip.

The fabric seemed okay, but it is so hit or miss with Land's End. I do like the fact that their ponte knit is machine washable, so maybe that is why it is not as nice as some others.

I tried this one at Ann Taylor:
http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/p.....Color=5131

Fabric was nice, but to get it fit across the bust for me it was too big through through the waist. I would try there. Prices are a bit higher, but they have bene running 40% off sales. If there is an Ann Taylor near you, returns are free.

A couple at Talbots I have not yet tried, but I bought one there this summer I like a lot:

http://www.talbots.com/online/.....e=cat90030

Talbots gets some pretty good sales, even on items already on sale, so that brings their prices more in line.

13 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Thanks for weighing in Sveta and Thistle.

Sveta - I have seen good ponte knit dresses at our Winner's but unfortunately they are not petite and the waist hits me in the wrong spot.

Thistle - thanks for the Ann Taylor and Talbot's links. We can't get Ann Taylor here and I'm not sure about Talbots, will have to check.

Not going to proceed with the Land's End options and will see if I can find something local.

Thanks from saving me from a mistake all - this is why I love YLF!

13 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

Shannon, I am very partial to the last one. I think the shape would be very flattering on you, the spots are very you and there is versatility in it being sleeveless, allowing you to wear it probably 3 seasons of the year if not 4 (I don't know how hit it gets where you are)... Ok just noticed this brand is not winning your favor, so I say look for something similar to this last dress as I do think you would look fab on it.

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Shannon, if you saw one at Ann Taylor that you liked, and the Toronto store has it (they DO carry petites) I would be happy to pick it up and mail it to you. OR, they told me that they will mail for $7.95 anywhere in Canada. However, I don't know what the story is for returns.

I do know that I tried an AT ponte dress on when I was in Toronto and it felt COMPLETELY different from the LE dress I had this summer. It was structured, yet soft, comfortable, yet tailored. I really, really liked it, and if I had any particular need for a dress I would have bought it. At the time I was trying it more to determine my size in AT dresses.

Whereas the LE dress was just a stretchy knit. Sort of more like jersey, but a CHEAP jersey, if you know what I mean. (I actually LIKE jersey, so it wasn't that I am against it on principle. It was more that because they had called it ponte I had certain expectations, and the cut of the dress seemed to require a structure that was lacking due to the fabrication.)

I would check with Sona. She had one of last year's LE ponte dresses. So did Brenda, and she had hers in petite. I suspect the winter fabrics may be different and that is worth investigating.

I agree with Sveta about Winners. Our Winners does not get those great dresses in petites, but the Toronto winners sometimes does. I am going to be in Toronto next weekend and will keep my eye open for you if you like. I could message you if I see something and take a pic.

13 years ago

CAL

Active Member

Well, I ordered the one in the second link after seeing this post, I'll let you know how the quality is when it gets here. It was an additional 40% of the sale price, and shipping was free, so I figured it was worth a try!

13 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Suz - how sweet of you to offer to order at Ann Taylor for me! and I may take you up on that. I may check in with Sona about her dress and see what she thought for quality and sizing.

Thanks again ladies - such knowledge and assistance on this forum!

13 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I have the first one linked and got a lot of compliments the first time I wore it. The fabric is not as heavy as some of my other ponte knits but it drapes well and I like the fit. I was considering buying a second one in another color (I have green), It does fit a bit big. I am usually a medium and ordered that size. I think I could have sized down but wanted it to be a looser fit for work.

I have a few ponte knits that I picked up at Winners. I saw one of them the same week at Melanie Lynn for about 3 times the cost but I am short-waisted so totally get the whole issue of the waist sitting lower than your waist and creating that poof of fabric that looks poochy.

The fourth dress looks like the first but without the sleeves. I am tempted to order that one myself. It is very nice.

Please post what you decide.

13 years ago

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