Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Kari Dress Review and Update on Attache Dress in Seersucker

I was looking for a longer, easy fitting, casual, black summer dress, that I could wear on weekends and vacations. Kari dress caught my eye when it first debuted on the website, but I never heard anything positive about it, so I was hesitating to try it on. It also seemed expensive for a simple knit dress, but once it dropped to about $40, I decided to order it out of curiosity as a ride-along.

I had very low expectations for this dress and I was prepared for it to fit in a weird way. I was sure the wide elastic shirrig at the waist will not work for me.

Size Medium
I ordered it in size Medium and it was a good call. It has enough room in the chest and it is not too low, or too loose in the skirt. The straps are covering my bra strap and I can wear a regular bra, which is always a huge plus. It does not have bra strap snaps and I would like to add them if I kept the dress.

Good length and regular bra friendly
I think the shirred wide waistband actually works and does not create lumps and bumps. It makes the dress more interesting and the top portion drapes well above it. The dress has a slightly awkward midi length and I think it would look better with flats. 


It is 96% rayon and 4% spandex, but it does not bother me in the knit, loose fitting dress. The fabric is soft but substantial enough to not be too clingy. I think the trick is to get the right size, if it is too small it will cling and not drape well but if it is too big it will droop in front and in the arpits area. 

I like that I can easily wear this dress very casually , but it can be worn to the office with a cardi or a blazer. You can dress it up with a statement necklace and a skinny belt in contrasting color looks good in the middle of the shirred portion.

Overall, I like the dress and it fills a need in my wardrobe. I am sure you can get something similar even lower, but I I am OK with the price I paid.   

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Update on Attache Dress in Seersucker.

Thanks to your advice (thank you Ema and Dani) I have ordered the dress in size 6. See my review of it in size 8 HERE.

Size 6

Fits better and more defined

It actually fits my chest (just so) and it definitely looks better in the hips and overall. If I was to keep this dress I would keep size 6, but I am not sure if I need it.

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What do you think?
Do you like Kari dress?
Should I keep any of them?

Please share, it would no fun without you!!!

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17 comments:

  1. GretaJune 26, 2012 at 1:25 PM

    Love the black Kari dress on you! Looks fabulous with those yellow shoes.

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  2. miniJune 26, 2012 at 1:29 PM

    I like the fit of the size 6 much better than the 8. Keep the dress it looks really good on you!

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    Replies
    1. UnknownJune 27, 2012 at 9:53 AM

      I think it looks too tight across the chest...but maybe its only the pic...the karli on you looks boring compared to all the other dresses you try on...you are able to wear just about anything so I would skip the so- so karli. I like all the other more exciting colors/prints for you.

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    2. dagmaraJune 27, 2012 at 12:26 PM

      I find this dress is fitted through the bodice/bust. I'm a 34C/36B and a 4 fits me like a glove.

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    3. dagmaraJune 27, 2012 at 5:17 PM

      This dress is very fitted in the bust, true. I am size 34C/36B and size 4 fits me like a glove. A larger bust would need to size up.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousJune 26, 2012 at 3:16 PM

    I love the black dress and think the elastic waist would make it easy to add belts or scarves used as a belt. I also think of the numerous ways to wear a black dress with sweater, jackets or just with other accessories. I would definitely get it.

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  4. spatulaterJune 26, 2012 at 4:24 PM

    Just out of curiosity - do you try these on in a public bathroom? I am intrigued!

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  5. cateJune 26, 2012 at 5:40 PM

    I think I'm the outlier, I prefer the size 8 on you in the seersucker Attache dress. Loose in the bottom half doesn't bother me, though.

    So the Kari dress looks good on you! I tried it when it first came out, in both black and stripe, and the elastic in the waist hit me in the wrong place and did me no favors.

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  6. MarshaJune 26, 2012 at 7:00 PM

    I really like the Kari dress on you . I'm on the fence on the Attache as it looks a little tight in the 6. I have the same problem with the 8's needing alterations (45 dollars) and the 6 tight in the chest.
    Thanks for the reveiws.

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  7. EmaJune 26, 2012 at 10:22 PM

    I never noticed the Kari dress but it looks great on you, I would keep this one instead of tge Attache unless you really need the Attache. If you really want a seersucker dress I think there are other options out there (Theory made a great seersucker this year but it could be short on you).
    .

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  8. dagmaraJune 27, 2012 at 12:25 PM

    Love this dress. Mine arrived and I'm so relieved I went with my usual JC dress size, 4. It skims my hips and thighs perfectly but I do find the front does not lie flat because of the darts (same prob I found w this Factory Diamond Stitch Sundress http://pinterest.com/pin/126100858287011630/)
    I will get a lot of wear out of this Attache dress. I previously tried the linen/jute version in store and couldn't get it over my head and gave up. And the fabric was stiff and scratchy..that's the jute for ya. A CS told me the linen/jute ran small so I was worried this one would be too tight also but I'm pleased with it and will get a lot of use out of it.

    Re Kari, it's nice but boring. We must have the same taste though because I ordered a drawstring dress from Steve Alan http://pinterest.com/pin/126100858286830145/

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  9. About Last WeekendJune 27, 2012 at 1:38 PM

    The black looks really comfy (and you can do the length as you have lovely ankles) I am at that age where I am constantly reaching for the comfy. And the shift looks stylish and flattering.

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  10. ajcJune 27, 2012 at 3:34 PM

    Hi Ladies, thank you for your feedback. I decided to keep the Kari dress for now and return Attache dress in both sizes. I may reconsider it if it goes on even deeper sale (and makes tailoring option more attractive) but for now I want to stick to not compromising on fit.

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  11. dagmaraJune 27, 2012 at 3:47 PM

    Hi, well my size 4 arrived and I'm happy to say it fits. I was worried that it might be too small (I heard the linen/jute version ran small and I tried it on instore and couldn't get it over my head and gave up). The bodice/bust fits me like a glove and the bottom half skims by hips and thighs but I do find the front does not lie flat due to the dart/button design. Not a dealbreaker for me. I will get a lot of use out of this dress this summer.

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  12. dagmaraJune 27, 2012 at 5:19 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  13. dagmaraJune 27, 2012 at 5:24 PM

    I am so glad I went w my usual JC dress size on this one. My only nit is that the front doesn't lie flat due to the darts/button design. I will get a lot of wear out of this. I had the same prob w the front of a factory sundress I bought which is on my pinterest jcrew board under dagmara if anyone is interested in checking out the pics.

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  14. AnonymousJune 29, 2012 at 3:44 PM

    My B&M had the Kari dress in an XXS last night so I tried it on out of curiousity - I never would have had I not seen your review. I am not an XXS, but it actually fit quite well, despite the elastic waist being very tight. I liked that it was a little tight in the waist though, because it served as a bit of a corset, sucking my stomach in...as opposed to the regular elastic waistbands that let my stomach hang free. I'd love to try it one size up.

    ReplyDelete

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