For those who think it would be too long for you, you may want to try it — I think shortening the hem would be an easy alteration.
Volume is a tricky thing, especially for those of us who are more hourglassy. I have more tolerance for it in a garment that has drape than a stiffer, crisper fabrication. Granted, I didn’t have the advantage of a freshly steamed or pressed dress to try here, so maybe with proper care the fabric would behave nicer. I don’t really want something that wrinkles badly at, say, the hip, where it could naturally crease with sitting. I didn’t even get to evaluate that! I’ll give it a more fair chance when I see the smaller size.
The point some of you make about the color is a fair one. I don’t mind the color, personally, as I love most things blue, and it’s a good color for me in general. I like that it reads as a bit of a false plain from a distance — I have an awful time finding solid-color dresses that work for me. So many dresses come in black, or tan, and that’s it. And lately it might be yellow or pink which are not me.
We shall see what the smaller size brings! Especially since I am losing weight, albeit slowly (officially down 6 lbs).