The Dark Side Has Puppies.

I admit it. I finally bought - and have worn - a Bodyline dress. Not just a Bodyline dress, however - one of the sinful 'replicas' they have recently come out with. It a price of $33 USD, how can I resist?

If we use sinful to describe chocolate cake, consider this jumperskirt the no-sugar version. The Bodyline dress I bought - Innocent World puppies in black and white - is very much like a sugarless candy. It is candy. It is sweet, even. It's wrapped mostly the same, it holds together well, and won't make you sick to your stomach. It is food. You can eat it. I promise.

And it's almost not noticeable. It's the same sort of way you munch halfway through a slice of pie and then squint and say dubiously, "Is this Bodyline?" I mean, uh, sugar free. There are small differences.

The fabric is the same print, definitely. The fabric quality is another matter altogether. I don't own the original, but I feel safe in saying that the original cannot nearly be as thin. There isn't any lining, either - it's very light-weight, though this might be good come summer. If you have ever felt the good brushed cotton of brand, too, there is a huge difference. But the actual fabric is good.

There is a shirring panel in the back, but it's not 'real' shirring. By this I mean very little elastic is used, so there isn't a lot of stretch. If you were hoping, like my friend was, that it's going to give you a few necessary extra inches - it's not. The shirring stretches maybe an inch tops. It's really more 'for show' shirring.

There could stand to be a tiny bit more lace on it, though what lace is there is definitely good quality. The lace is soft - not just the kind that photographs well, but is actually delicate in between the fingers. It's not the clumpy plastic lace that melts, nor is it the dreaded 5 cent raschel lace. The bows seem a little off - as if they should be stitched down at the ends, or as if they might be upside down if you looked at it too hard.

That's the key to this jumperskirt. It's a good dress. There is absolutely nothing bad about it. Nothing embarrassing or horrific or terrifying. It just isn't up the fantastic standards of brand. There is no gasp when you first touch the lace, or see the pleats. I know that whenever I receive a new brand piece, I have a ball looking it over first. The shapes in the lace, or the applique, or the lining. I've always liked to run my fingers over embroidery, particularly.

Okay, so I've told you every place where the dress falls short. But -

The print is cute (OMG PUPPIES WITH BOWS). The seams are sturdy and well-sewn, without any loose threads. The design is good and classic. It coordinates well with white, black, or pink.

It is only $33.

Its quality is well-ratioed to its price, I suppose is my point. It's good to be able to wear it more casually, or dressed to the nines. It's good enough to make a cute dress when money is tight, and when dropping $270 on the real thing is not recommended.

Final analysis: I like it. I hope you do too!

*Not an outfit, just trying on the dress. You can see the adorable puppies! Yesss!*

Labels: review

posted by Victoria Suzanne @ 10:37 PM