Outfit | Black Crane Forest Quilt Dress + One for Sale

Black Crane Quilt Long dress in Forest | size small
Everlane loafers | gift from Everlane to review
Kristen Elspeth necklace | mine is silver

I ordered the Black Crane long quilt dress in black, size medium quite some time ago because I was afraid it would sell out, as Black Crane is wont to do.  But when I got it, I wasn’t sure the medium was right for me, and anyway, it was much too hot to wear it, so I held on to it trying to decide what to do with it.  Then I saw this Forest color at a boutique at Garmentory in a size small and decided to try it and see if I liked it better.  I do. And here it is.

I have a problem with Black Crane, I’ll admit.  I love it, but usually that love ends up being more of a “I love that on her, but not on me” sort of love, or “I really loved this more in theory” once I get it in my closet, to which I end up with no Black Crane at all.  I still struggle with that, and I can’t say I’m over it completely,  but I am trying very hard to be more thoughtful and reasonable about what I buy/keep – especially Black Crane!

Additionally, I can’t seem to accept my size lately.  My body shape isn’t easy to dress as it is, but I shed about 10 pounds over the summer and it seems to have made such a difference in how my clothes fit, and how I perceive my “size;”  I can’t seem to find the balance between things hanging off of me, and fitting me as I want them to.  In my whole life, I have NEVER been a size small, or even close, and I can’t quite wrap my head around it.  I know. Poor me.  But I also remember this happening as I went from a size 12 to a 16-18 many years ago, over the cusp, as it were.  It seems I am always struggling with my body image and size, although it does feel different now, it doesn’t define me as it used to. *

Back to the dress though – I am enchanted by the deep, forest green color, and am really pleased with how it looks on.  It’s very difficult to tell, even in better lighting, that it’s not black, but that’s perhaps what I love most about it.  The quilted cotton is a very nice weight, medium, so it’s great for fall/spring, and as you can see the fit is generous and slouchy through the top & hips, with a narrow bottom.  The small is more snug around my calves than the medium, which does make it a teeny bit harder to walk in, but as I wear it around, it becomes easier.

All the details, like the frayed hems (not really frayed, as they’re stitched above, so they won’t fray up any more) and the pockets make this a very special piece.  The small definitely fits my arms better, as the sleeves on the medium were just too long;  it’s refreshing to finally have something to wear with long sleeves that actually fits my arms!

Anyway, I have decided to keep this dress and have the black, size medium to sell if anyone’s interested.  It’s in my new “shop” for $145 + $5 shipping.

A quick note on Garmentory – I have ordered twice now from Garmentory and have had an excellent experience both times (both times my items came from Canada).  I love shopping from independent boutiques all over North America with one cart, and it’s particularly useful for harder-to-find designers like Black Crane. If you use my referral link, you’ll get a $20 credit to shop there (as will I…).  There’s also a wonderful selection of Kowtow at Garmentory, which is always made ethically and mostly with organic cotton.

More places to find this dress:

Black at La Garconne
Coffee at bird
Black medium at Totokaelo
Garmentory is an excellent resource for Black Crane
Black & Cream at Voyager
Mohawk General Store had a purple one!! (sold out)

*yes, I think an inordinate amount about clothes and how I look/feel in them.  I also have anxiety around getting dressed and choosing the “right” outfit for my day, for my life.  Maybe I’m different from you, maybe I’m not; I just have to write about it…