Kristen's Reviews
All reviews by Kristen
TOP CONTRIBUTORTOP CONTRIBUTOR
9 reviews
Comfortable to wear for funeral. Good looking and suitable for this or party.
I chose this to wear to my father's funeral. I was speaking and wanted to look good. I have a very large chest and sometimes had to check to make sure I wasn't showing my bra at the front. I could have worn the 14 and might not have worried about the neckline, but the 16 was a smidgen less tight so I went with that. This was a backup dress and a second size, but CS was excellent and I had the time to make the switch. Hubby suggested buying this dress. Everyone said I looked great though there aren't a lot of photos bc it was a funeral. I'd wear it again.
Member Fit Notes
Pinch Ruffle Sleeve Sheath
Badgley Mischka
Size Worn: 16
Usual Size: 16
Height: 5' 7"
Weight: 200lbs
Bust: 38H
The cotton sleeves felt weird and too casual to be dressy.
I tried this for a funeral but it looked frumpy and the cotton sleeves were weird. Besides, I run hot and didn't want to worry about that in long sleeves in August.
Member Fit Notes
Black Knit Sleeve Dress
Badgley Mischka
Size Worn: 16
Usual Size: 16
Height: 5' 7"
Weight: 200lbs
Bust: 38H
Made me look lumpier than I actually am.
I rented this for my father's funeral. While this dress was comfortable, my husband said I looked dowdy and every drape, ruffle, and fabric fold that is supposed to "hide lumps actually added more than I have, so I looked worse even using undergarments. This brand fabric is thick and ends are not hemmed. I have worn this brand before for formals and it's hangs okay but this one had too many ruffles that didn't hide my stomach it actually accentuated and created fake fat rolls for me.
Member Fit Notes
Kaya Sheath
Chiara Boni La Petite Robe
Size Worn: 50
Usual Size: 16
Height: 5' 7"
Weight: 200lbs
Bust: 38H
This is the second time I have rented this dress. It's comfortable and easy to wear.
This is the second time I have rented this dress. It's comfortable and easy to wear. The first was for a formal and the second for a formal wedding in NYC. It's very "Jessica Rabbit" on me, but I can wear a regular bra and spanx. It runs a little short so I prefer the long (I'm 5'8" 195# 36H) but the R is just fine. I'd buy this dress if I could! Order smaller, not larger, bc larger tends to pucker along the hips. And stand up straight. You'll look fabulous!
Member Fit Notes
Red Whitney Gown
Chiara Boni La Petite Robe
Size Worn: 48L
Usual Size: 16
Height: 5' 7"
Weight: 200lbs
Bust: 38H
Didn't fit the same as the WILD RIVER GOWN by ML. Couldn't wear it.
Last year I rented a 14L WILD RIVER GOWN by ML. It looked fabulous. This year, that size isn't offered so I tried the ENWRAPPED, hoping it might work (I weigh the same or less, and have been lifting so am relatively tight). Unfortunately this one runs much smaller than the WILD RIVER GOWN and I couldn't wear it. I wear a 12 Talbot pant. Order up! And be prepared to steam bc this one came wrinkled in the shipping bag.
Member Fit Notes
Enwrapped Gown
ML Monique Lhuillier
Size Worn: 14R
Usual Size: 16
Height: 5' 7"
Weight: 200lbs
Bust: 38H
Great dress, fun to wear and generated many compliments. Beautiful color. Train wasn't a problem.
I didn't think this would work, being I'm a 12/14 and the skirt was shaped, but it really looked SO much better than the other wide skirted dresses I chose. I was lucky because one of the dresses I chose wasn't available and this was a last minute replacement. I steamed it out and ironed out the train, which looked very wrinkled and well sat on. I also had to sew on a hook. I probably could have worn the 14R, and I only had 2.5 inch heals, but it draped down and swept the floor in a very pretty way. I'm at 36 DD/DDD and wore the interior bra strap at it's tightest setting. It was a tight zip up but stayed up very well. I pulled it up a few times, but in the end it really wasn't a big deal. The train only detached if someone stepped on it (usually while dancing) but it was like a rip cord safety feature so the train wouldn't tear. You can pin it, but I didn't need to. I was initially worried about sitting down, but it stretched out a bit during the evening and was quite comfortable. I received many compliments and while you can't adjust it (as a rental), it was a good fit and I would rent this again. Try it with over the elbow or opera length kid gloves! Looks wonderful! BTW, you definitely need someone to help zipper you in. I can't imagine doing this on my own. Also, it's too low in the back to wear a standard strapless bra, so go tight if you can. Also, some reviewer complained about the train, but I would sweep it to the side when I sat in it and it never detached. The hooks are on the left side, and it you approach the chair from its right side, and sit starting with your left leg, the pull of the sideswept train will keep the hooks from detached. I never lost the bustle until my husband stepped on it during a vigorous dance. Also when dancing in a circle, sweep your right leg out, around and back as you turn and it keeps the bustle out of the way. Think like Ginger Rodgers and you can manage it.
Member Fit Notes
Wild River Gown
ML Monique Lhuillier
Size Worn: 14L
Usual Size: 14
Height: 5' 8"
Weight: 185lbs
Bust: 36D+
Okay dress, but I felt thick in it. Didn't wear it
I ordered the 14R and the 12L. I have 36DD/E breasts. The boning was better on this one (better than the Marchesa Notte Madison) but the interior bra latch/clip was ripped out so I didn't have as much support as I needed or could have (I have another ML gown so I know what the internal bra strap around the back does). It was pretty tight so it stayed up, but I just felt "thick" in the dress. The fabric is rough but heavy so I think it would look fine at night, but I didn't feel glamorous. Maybe if I fit the 12 (i.e. weighed less). Not a bad dress, but not great and RTR needs to fix the missing bra support part. The 14 R swept the floor in my bare feet and would have been fine with low heels. I didn't try on the 12L for length. I thought I usually wore a 12 but I might be fooling myself and really wear a 14.
Member Fit Notes
Burgundy Belle Gown
ML Monique Lhuillier
Size Worn: None
Usual Size: 12
Height: 5' 8"
Weight: 185lbs
Bust: 36D+
Didn't look as good as the sales photo and lacks boning for those with breasts - didn't wear it.
I ordered the 14L and the 16L and the 16L couldn't be sent. The 14 fit (it could be zipped) but there wasn't enough boning to keep it up well so it sagged. Even when standing strait it seemed to droop too much (I have 36E boobs) and created rolls. It was too tight to wear a strapless bra. My husband didn't think I looked good in it and I trust his eye. It didn't do me any favors so I rejected it and if you have big breasts, I don't recommend it. The skirt/tulle also hung pretty strait and looked tired. It didn't have that fun princess gown wide drape that the photo implies. I usually wear 12 - 14 though I'm closer to a 14 right now so I think it was pretty true to size. Luckily my surprise back up (Wild River Gown by ML) worked. Props to the customer support too. This company is awesome!
Member Fit Notes
Madison Gown
Marchesa Notte
Size Worn: None
Usual Size: 14
Height: 5' 8"
Weight: 185lbs
Bust: 36D+
Didn't work for me, needed strapless shape wear, would have had to hike
At first I thought this had potential, but I didn't have shape wear that didn't have straps. My husband said it was a little lumpy at the waist and the draped fabric couldn't hide it all. It worked ok without a bra, but I would have had to hold my breath to keep it truly up. Upon further thought I felt a little cheap in the dress, esp. with the bust action going on. I've have two kids and this would work better for someone with no extra waist fat. Zipped up with the help of my husband and I couldn't have done it without help.
Member Fit Notes
Listen to Your Heart Gown
Badgley Mischka
Size Worn: 12L
Usual Size: 14
Height: 5' 8"
Weight: 185lbs
Bust: 36D+