Hi Kim, I also think I know what you are getting at re the cobalt dress. I did see your original post with but couldn't put my finger on what wasn't working for me. I think the eggplant color is just so flattering on you. The dress is lovely too. If you really love it then I agree keep and have it altered. I have a similar dress in black (mine is sleeveless) and it is a great go to dress. I can see this being very versatile.

The eggplant color is gorgeous. I saw forum member Charmian wearing it today in person and the dress is absolutely incredible!

Late to the party but dying to know what you decided.

Hi Kelly- I decided to try to nab the eggplant in a 10 and let the bustline out a tad. If I'm not able to acquire the 10, I'm going to keep the 12 and alter everything else to fit (keeping fingers crossed for a 10 to miraculously become available this week

Kim, did you keep both colors? *whisper* I am really rooting for you and the cobalt frock.

Yeah, I couldn't pick a color because they were both so gorgeous on you. IKWYM about the cobalt though--that's a "look at me" color for sure--especially around here. Fingers crossed for you to find the eggplant. It's really a "smart" looking dress on you : )

Heather-- I do have both colors in my closet, but I can't keep them both. I'm going with the eggplant because I feel less "formal" in it.

You know, I think you made the right choice. The blue is gorgeous with your hair and eyes, but looking at the photo I see the DRESS before I see your lovely face; whereas with the eggplant, I see your face (and then the dress that also complements your skintone and eyes and hair so beautifully). Glad you are going with the smaller size.

QM, would it be too much of a trouble to repost when you've finished your alterations? You and I seem to be struggling with the same fit issue (too tight across the bust), and I'd love to see how the alterations worked out for you.

The ponte knit actually has quite a bit of stretch; it's actually the lining that's causing the tightness. I've contemplated just snipping the lining out, but I'm worried that the result will pull too much. A woman who can sew her own maxi is someone I want to be emulating when it comes to alterations!

charmain.... hmm, I didnt' think about the lining being the cause of the problem. I'll PM you later when I get a chance to investigate. (It might be later in the week)
Do you sew at all? Honestly, I think if it fits you everywhere else, it's just that off center curved bust seam that needs to be let out a tad on each side. And, you could do the same thing to the lining.
Unfortunatetly, I'm not seeing the eggplant pop up in the size I want so I think I"m going to have to take in all the other seams.

Sure, take your time! I'll be heading off to a 2-week, hopefully internet-free vacation in a few days, so I won't be able to respond for several weeks anyway. I don't sew much, but letting out a seam is within my skills; I'll take a closer look at the seams when I get home tonight.

One last option to try is dropping in on or calling your local Nordstrom's. The SAs seem to have access to actual store inventory (the website only has inventory levels for their warehouse) and are happy to ship you the item at no cost if it's available at another branch. That's how I got mine, actually; it was out on the site, but the SA had them ship me one from further down the west coast.

Kim, you should send Mariana a PM and ask her to do a search in the Nordstrom system of the eggplant dress in a size 10 for you. She recently ordered a bunch of items for me and says that she welcomes doing it. (I was worried that I would be annoying for asking, but she gets a commission for it, so everyone wins!)

What a great thread! QM, I can see what you are saying about you and the blue dress--I've only recently somewhat tempered my associations between royal blue and bad politician clothes (think Will Ferrell playing Janet Reno in that SNL skit, with that royal blue skirt suit), but I can still get that vibe sometimes. The eggplant is gorgeous--can't wait to see how the finished, tailored product turns out!

woo hoo! the 10 was available this morning so I nabbed it! (I did think of calling Marianna~ that would have been my next move)
that picture is hilarious Jonesy.