Wednesday, April 21

leifsdottir + ann taylor dress reviews

Leifsdottir "Lafayette" strapless dress, $278:


streeeeeetch


I spied this dress at Nordstrom a few weekends ago but can't seem to find it on the Nordies website, so I linked to the dress from the Liefsdottir website instead. Anthropologie was selling the skirt version of this dress, which is seemingly sold out online but I'm pretty sure is still available in stores. I typically have a hard time fitting into fitted dresses like this one, so I sized up and it worked! The dress hugged my hips but surprisingly wasn't too loose at the bust either, despite sizing up. The material is a bit thin, making it a really great summer weight dress. The color, pattern, and pleating all covers up any VPL that may occur. Boyfriend really liked it (though you wouldn't be able to tell with his languid expressions in the mirror) but I'm not willing to drop $300 for this, especially since I only see it working in the spring/summer. And especially because, you know, it costs $300 for a sun dress.

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Ann Taylor lace dress (in stores only?), $198:



no cardigan on hand to test how it'd look with one, so a knotted shirt will have to do


En route to J.Crew, I passed by Ann Taylor and immediately saw this dress on a mannequin in the window. I'm a little confused because the dress is clearly featured on the website but there's no product page for it. I'm not sure if this is because it's not yet available online or if it's an in-store only item, but either way, I've attached a shot of the product tag for those who are interested. I took this in my usual size 4 and it fit really well. It's not clingy, and the lace is ever-so-slightly two-toned, which I adore. The details are lovely! With the Friends & Family 30% off event going on right now, I might just swing by and pick it up! Maybe.

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Ann Taylor lace skirt (in stores only?), $148:



This is the matching skirt for the above lace dress. It has the same lovely detailing as the dress, but I think I prefer the dress to the skirt. I tried this on in my usual size 6 for bottoms and it fit well. Again, not too clingy and with room to tuck a shirt in and move around comfortably.

30 comments:

  1. too bad the Leifsdottir is so pricy, it looks fantastic on you! The AT dress and skirt fit you nicely too.... grr, stupid self imposed shopping ban

    Love BF expressions, crack up.

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  2. I think your bf is doing a touchdown pose. Maybe he really REALLY likes the leifsdottir. LOL.

    Those lace pieces are so beautiful. Wowza.

    Good eye, lady. :)

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  3. That lace dress? I die. SOOOO pretty.

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  4. I saw that lace dress on a model on teh site, but couldn't find it in the product listing! It's so pretty! But $200? I will wait for a sale.

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  5. Oooooooooooh AmyK, you look absolutely STUNNING in every single one of these pieces! I saw and tried on both the Ann Taylor pieces this weekend but they didn't look nearly as beautiful on me- maybe I should have tried a different size in the skirt, but now that I've bought the openwork vines skirt, idk if I can justify another lace skirt. And the Liefsdottir dress looks like it was made for you! I love! I love!
    ps: I also love your bf's expression in the mirror ^^

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  6. Saw your post this morning... and thought that this dress from forever 21 had a similar vibe... http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog_name=FOREVER21&category_name=dress&product_id=2079363906&Page=1

    for $25

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  7. I think the sundress is cute, but you're right...I just can't see $300 for a sundress! Maybe you'll be able to find it on sale at the end of summer! I dig the Ann Taylor dress as well! I would probably wear it with a pair of bright colored (Probably teal!) converse!!
    --Ciara<3

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  8. I have been searching for that skirt in an 8, I just LOVE it! If you see one, let me know :o)

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  9. Haha at your boyfriend's expressions. And the Leifsdottir dress looks fabulous on you! If you're still jonesing for it, I found a similarish version at Target while on my wedges quest this weekend: http://bit.ly/aBArLK

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  10. Girl, do you ever look bad in anything??? I was going to pick out my favorite dress but I can't! I love them all on you!! Love that nail color too ;-)

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  11. I am so loving the pics with BF in the background! What a guy to go shopping with you!! Cute

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  12. E Hayes - The lace items really are SO lovely, but stick to that shopping ban! I believe in you!

    dinagideon - You're right, he may actually be doing the touchdown pose, haha!

    LT - It really is! It's sooo lovely in person...

    Tien - Good call on waiting for a sale. I decided that even with 30% off it's not worth it.

    Tara B - Aww, thanks! Sometimes the sizing at Ann Taylor is weird, so it's possible you just needed a different size! I think you'll look awesome in the Open Vines skirt and I personally prefer that one to the Ann Taylor one anyways because the black background makes it a bit funkier! I can't wait to see how you wear it!

    hello sunshine - Oooo, that definitely has a similar aesthetic! Thanks for the link!

    Ciara - $300 on a sundress is totally insane! And pairing the white with teal is genius, though I probably wouldn't do Converse sneaks just because I'd look soooo short in a skirt + sneakers combination, haha!

    Debye - My store had a whole lot the last time I was there, so I'll definitely swing by again this weekend and let you know!

    jinah - Ahh, polka dots! I love it! I'll have to see if I can find it at my store to try on! Thanks for letting me know!

    Jen - Awww, thanks! You're too sweet!

    Peggy - He's definitely a trooper to go shopping with me, haha! He even refuses to let me go shopping by myself. I guess he's a glutton for punishment!

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  13. All 3 dresses are "love" for me, but those prices.. Girl gotta work non-stop to be able to support the addiction. And the BF faces? Priceless.:)

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  14. Ohhh I love everything on you! I see the blue dots skirt in the background. I have been dying for it but am hoping for a sale at Nordstrom in late May. Do you have a picture with you wearing the blue skirt? :)

    -CJ

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  15. Slastena - You're so right about having to work nonstop to afford all the lovely things out there today, haha!

    CJ - I actually don't have a picture with me in the blue skirt because I didn't even think to take photos until I put on the dress, haha! By then, I didn't feel like putting the skirt back on, haha! I sized up to a size 8 in the skirt (I'm normally a size 6) and it fit in the waist but was too snug in the hips/bum for my liking. I wonder if sizing up again to a 10 would have solved that?

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  16. fyi- bloomies has the leifsdottir dress and is having 20-30% off selected items right now- don't know if the dress is one of them though.

    also I love the shirt over that lace dress- it looks lovely like that!

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  17. I LOVE the lace dress! That is absoltuely gorgeous and it looks stunning on you! I vote you GET IT! :)

    http://southern-bargainista.blogspot.com

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  18. I already got a rehearsal dinner dress for my wedding this summer but this dress kind of makes me want to reconsider!

    ps. I hope your knees feel better soon! This happens to me every few months, it seems like :(

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  19. You look fabulous in all 3 pieces, especially the first dress. Let's hope it goes on sale and you can score it for an amazing price.

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  20. those dresses look so gorgeous on you! and a big awww to your bf in the background :)

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  21. Hahaha, your BF cracks me up. Too funny!

    The Ann Taylor dress + skirt were online briefly, and in petite sizes- but it looks like they've sold out. Booo. You look great in all of it, though- good reviews!

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  22. I love both the dresses and the skirt. They look really cute on you. They are just a tad bit pricey for me though.

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  23. oooh, the bf looks so excited to be shopping, hehe!
    love those pieces, and what about the little blue polka dot skirt i see hanging there on the side? did you try that too? it looks sweet! xxx

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  24. I just tried on the same lace at AT this week. It is online, but sold out already. I have a static of the page. It has been on the website for at least a week, but when the F&F started it completely sold out. The stores will "find it for you" and another store if you ask.

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  25. Sorry, meant to say "lace dress," not just "lace." Also meant to say that I totally loved it. I just a petite size!!

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  26. The Lace Dress and the Lace Skirt are now in the ANN TAYLOR FACTORY Store...they look exactly the same....Spring 2011

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  27. Hi Amy. I'm in Australia and I've been looking at purchasing the Ann Taylor Lace dress you have. I'm worried about sizing. If it's at all possible, could you please give me your bust, waist and hip measurements so I can buy the right size. Thanks so much in advance. :D

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  28. Hi Mei,

    When this review was written, my waist was 27 inches and my bust was 34 inches (A cup bra size, if that makes a difference) -- I'm not sure about my hip measurements, but I typically wore a size 6 for skirts. I hope that helps!

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  29. Thanks so much, Amy! Really appreciate your help. The dress and skirt looks great on you, by the way. :D

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  30. Aww, thanks dearest! Now if only I can get back to that size... haha!

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