James Perse shirred dress | On sale now at JP for $129 + free shipping – size 2
Robert Clergerie nalo loafers
Everlane cashmere cardigan | year or so old, old color
As soon as this James Perse dress from their online sample sale (use code GRCHNNEWYR16 for free shipping – any order) arrived yesterday, I threw it on and started taking pictures. It’s selling out in quite a few sizes (this color is already sold out in size 2) so if you’re interested in it at all, I’d encourage you to get it! This is different from most of my James Perse dresses because it has a defined waist, something I don’t always love in a ruched dress, but I tried this on on in the store when it first came out, and knew it would work for me. And I don’t have many other dresses with defined waists (only my Reformation one) so this will be a good addition to my wardrobe.
I AM wearing spanx with this. I don’t strictly HAVE to, but I wanted to with this, because if not, I’m just not entirely comfortable with how much my saddlebags stick out – especially in contrast with the waist. The ruching on this dress pulls in my hips quite well, but not my saddlebags as much as I’d like. Right now, anyway.
The armholes are slightly open, but still hide my bra quite well, as does the v-neck. The dress is mid-calf length when extended all the way, but you can cinch it up a bit so it falls at your knees. I do that sometimes, but it doesn’t always stay up like that very well. I’ve never had a double-layered dress like this hemmed, and I wouldn’t recommend it. Anyway, I like the slightly longer length.
Of course I tried this on with my Birkenstocks, sneakers, and every single other shoe I own, and I love it with all of them. It’s easy to layer with a cardigan, or even a lightweight pullover.
Enough talking, if you’ve been interested in this dress, buy it now before it sells out … (the Kona color is beautiful also, a very deep brown/burgundy color, more brown)
As a reminder, I generally take a size 2 in James Perse, and definitely needed to stick to my true size in this dress to fit my hips.
Who else ordered this dress? What have you ordered from the sale? (I paid extra for quick shipping so I could review this dress for you, in case you haven’t received your order yet!)
okay, so what Spanx are under there? I would NEVER know! You look great! Do they move? Those Spanx?
under this dress i’m wearing an old wacoal shaper, actually, and they don’t make it anymore. it’s higher waisted, and comes down almost to my knees. it’s similar to this spanx one. This particular shaper DOES NOT MOVE on me at all, which is good, but it also sticks to the dress, which i don’t always love. i try to find shapers that are more slick, and allow the dress to move.
finding good shapers is SUCH HARD work though LOL – because i don’t want them too tight…i’ve always preferred wacoal shapers, but they’re harder to find lately.
Yay! It looks great on you! I just ordered it in kona in size zero. I have a few other black dresses so I’m excited to add in this color. Can’t wait for it to arrivvvveee! (p.s. I couldn’t pull the trigger on the parka I liked. Maybe another time.)
You look stunning in this dress, also you would have never have known you was wearing Spandax. I have never actually tried them but friends rave about them! Gorgeous dress as well. x
*blog link edited out – please see comment policy!!
Cu-ute! I’m glad the vee isn’t too deep. I saw some of the sale items at Nordstrom in Chicago and fell in love, so I’m taking another look!
I like the dress better on you, Grechen, than how it fits on the model.
Meanwhile, my order arrived yesterday. Much to my surprise, the thing I’m most pleased with are… drumroll… the sweatpants! A nice tapered leg, very soft (as the vintage fleece tends to be), a bit slouchy but not sloppy, to the point that I will wear them on the streets and not just at home. I’m very pleased, especially since I was questioning why I ordered expensive sweatpants (they’re still pricey, even on sale.)
I remain confused by JP sizing. I own a fair bit (going back to about 2008 or so, some of which I still wear), and the sweatpants are a size 3 and fit great. (I might even be able to size down.) I was sorting through some stuff I’d put away and another pair of JP pants, also size 3, don’t fit at all and I can’t even get my thigh into them. The Yosemite leggings I ordered are a size 2, and certainly a better fit than the size 3s I ordered last year. And my actual measurements per the JP size chart put me squarely as a size 4, actually, in bottoms. (I have big hips.) Stop making it so hard to buy your stuff, James Perse!
i agree with you 100% – which is why i find their final sale policy on sale items so frustrating…especially since most people don’t have an opportunity to try things on in person. ah well. i guess i always default to a size 2 lately, i used to be a firm size 4 – all of my older stuff, back to about 2006 is size 4, which is quite big on me now, but i wear the dresses during the summer for coverups. but in pants, all bets are off; honestly i can’t even fit my calves into some styles… i’d get a size 1 in the sweatpants now, based on how much i know they stretch out, and i have i’ve tried a couple of “oversized” dresses on in size 1 and they were fine.
that’s why i really try hard to provide lots of style/size information for the sales, i know how hard it can be to get the right size. but once you do…it’s magical 🙂
I really love this style. I’m often torn between figure flattering for me like this style and that more oversized style like some of your other black dresses. Thanks for reminding me I can have both!!
i like both types of styles…depending on how i feel a specific day!
Yes, that’s it really, having both those options depending on mood and desired style of the day. I’m interested in exploring for myself about how I can do that within a reasonable number of clothes but still have that flexibility.