Review: Banana Republic Ponte Sheath Dress for work

Lauren

As a pear I try and stay away from sheath's but took the plunge with this Banana Republic one, and should have stuck with my gut. It wasn't a winner (pics and review here: http://bit.ly/11USt3D). Have any of you tried the sheath? Found any that work for curvier girls?

12 years ago

Dressing

10 replies

Latest reply was from Lauren

moira

Veteran

I like it and I think you look very shapely, slender and proportionate in this dress, but I do agree that it is quite va va voom at the top.
If it was intended to be a work dress, not a good plan.
Still, it is pretty on you.

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It's funny they call that a sheath -- it doesn't look like one to me.

The fit looks off at the top in the sense that the torso is too long for you -- lift those shoulder up (the dress's shoulders, I mean) and the armhole problem would disappear). The colour looks great on you, too.

Shannon has a different one of their sheaths and loves it; she is wearing it today for our dress challenge.

12 years ago

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I do indeed have a different sheath - it is a leather trimmed v-neck sheath with two very small pleats/gathers at the waist (no belt). I bought it in petite but do find the armholes a little wide and deep myself. Right now I'm wearing the dress with a topper or something underneath so this isn't an issue, but come summer, will have my seamstress give a nip-n-tuck so I can wear it on its own.

The colour is absolutely gorgeous on you BTW - I don't really consider this a sheath but more a fit and flare dress.

12 years ago

Jules

Veteran

It seems somewhere between fit and flare and sheath to me...
I think this dress looks great on you and I don't think it makes you look heavier (than other outfits I have looked at of yours) but of course, you have to feel good in it. Too bad about the armholes, especially since otherwise, it looks to fit you well in the bust, I don't even find it work-inappropriate (but again, that's up to you). Usually with this type of dress I'm one size on top, another on the bottom, that doesn't seem to be an issue here.
I didn't try sheaths for years but as I age and get a thicker waist & relatively smaller hips, I am hoping to find more that work. I have one passed on to me that is great. It has some waist definition detailing which maybe makes it a little less sheath but it functions as one for me.
Let us know what else you try!

12 years ago

ClaraT

Veteran

Wow! It looks terrific (but yes, not for work). The color is fabulous on you!

(That said, you know yourself best, so if you feel it's a dud, then it is. I wish my duds looked like that on me!)

12 years ago

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I actually quite liked it! I think Suz is on track pointing out that lifting the shoulders would improve the overall fit. the color is fab on you, and sheath or not, the silhouette is very flattering. But of course, you have to feel it yourself, too!

12 years ago

Lauren

(website)

Active Member

thank you for all of the replies everyone! I considered bringing up the top to fix the armholes but I figured that for a dress that was nearly $100 even after discounts, it should be pretty darn perfect before alterations. With that said, I LOVE the color and am looking for other pieces in this hue (i'm thinking a blazer maybe). I've ordered one more sheath that is more traditional of a sheath to see how that will fit. I ordered it a few sizes up because like Jules mentioned, i'm usually one size on the bottom and another on top.

I'll let everyone know!

12 years ago