Annie's Reviews
All reviews by Annie
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24 reviews
Cute dress for a special dinner
I wore this dress for a big anniversary dinner in New York. Both the 2 and the 4 equivalents fit, but I think I went with the larger size to accommodate the multi-course meal. The top was the trickiest part. I'm not flat-chested, but the straps were so long that I needed to pin them back to prevent too much gaping.
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Kyoto Print Sheath
Matthew Williamson
Size Worn: 10
Usual Size: 4
Height: 5' 0"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32C
Black tie with some flair
I assumed I'd need the larger size with my bigger hips, but the 40R was flattering and comfortable, even though it is form-fitting. The top was a little bit awkward, and I tried to fix it with double-sized tape (not sure I would recommend this dress for large chests.) I styled it with gold jewelry and shoes to accent the Spanish flair.
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Spanish Dancer Gown
Moschino
Size Worn: 40R
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 0"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32C
Classy for a professional event
I wore this for a black tie event filled with colleagues and work peers, and this was perfect. It was definitely fitted throughout, yet still comfortable enough to last the night. I felt like myself, but didn't feel like I was showing anything inappropriate for a work function.
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Be Romanced Dress
Temperley London
Size Worn: 4R
Usual Size: 4
Height: 5' 0"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32C
Fun dress for a summer concert!
I went to the Justin Timberlake concert in August and wanted a fun, sexy look. I was worried that the tight fit of the Herve Leger dress would be an issue around my hips, but the bigger issue was the tight fit around the torso. Once I was able to wiggle into it, though, I felt comfortable for the rest of the night.
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Ibiza Lights Dress
Hervé Léger
Size Worn: S
Usual Size: 4
Height: 5' 0"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32C
Great dress! The fabric just maybe wasn't the best summer choice.
I picked this dress to wear to a rooftop July 4th party for its bright blue color. The fabric, a wool-silk blend, probably wasn't the best choice for summer, but that was my fault for not checking it before renting. It was still light enough to be wearable for the summer, but it wasn't a breezy as a typical dress you'd normally wear that time of year. The fit was generally flattering, although I did carefully pin down a few folds of fabric to avoid extra "poof" around my hips. Top-heavy ladies should be advised that the bust area was a little tight.
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Python Matelasse Dress
Lela Rose
Size Worn: 2
Usual Size: 4
Height: 5' 0"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32C
Winning combination of sexy and quirky!
I picked this dress for a cocktail party/benefit for a museum that I attend every year, and for which people dress in what I would describe as creative chic. It was very body conscious, but also had a compression effect that was slimming (I do think I added a shaping slip for extra smoothness). If you're curvy like me, it will emphasize your shape, but it will add dimension on sleeker frames. I was charmed by the pixelated design that reminded me of a retro video game, and my husband got a kick out of it. Wear it to seduce a gamer!
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Arcade Games Dress
Versace Collection
Size Worn: 40
Usual Size: 4
Height: 5' 0"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32C
Lovely ring, but delicate!
I'm a sucker for chunky, multi-stone cocktail rings, so this was a natural addition to the Matthew Williamson Kimono dress I ordered. Some of the smaller stones seemed to be barely holding on, so you'll want to be careful with it. I had lots of fun wearing this whole outfit to a rooftop party, though!
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Amethyst Collage Ring
Erickson Beamon
Usual Size: 4
Height: 5' 0"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32C
Pretty for a late spring wedding, even though I usually prefer more structure.
I wanted something dressy but still somewhat modest for a late spring wedding, and this was perfect. The sleeves were great for an evening that turned out to be chilly. I tend to look like a sack of potatoes when wearing dresses without a waist, so the belt was essential. Many of the other reviewers paired this dress with a leather belt, but I found that a softer fabric belt (J. Crew) worked better for me. The size 4 was roomy, and I probably could have gotten away with a 2. But I did feel comfortable all night!
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Peony Lace Shift
Robert Rodriguez Collection
Size Worn: 4
Usual Size: 4
Height: 5' 0"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32C
This dress is about elegance, not comfort!
I'd been awaiting an opportunity to wear this dress for awhile, so it seemed a natural choice when my home state's 2013 inauguration party rolled around. It was flattering and fitting for the occasion, but I wouldn't exactly call it easy to wear. Even with shapewear, I couldn't pull the skirt up over my hips (trips to the restroom meant taking off the whole dress, but I adapted). Despite those hiccups, I felt extremely elegant and classy. A few hours of slight discomfort was an appropriate trade-off for the glamour and the compliments! My shoes were agonizing at the end of a night of standing, though, so take the time to adjust the hem with tape or pins with whatever shoes work for you.
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Blue Qui Contrast Gown
Chris Benz
Size Worn: 4R
Usual Size: 4
Height: 5' 0"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32C
Gorgeous design, just awkward for my body type!
It's a shame I had to give this dress a three-star rating, but I'm just not sure it would look good on many different body types. I chose it for a hip, artsy New Year's Eve party, and it was indeed a creative and beautiful design. It would likely work best for a very sleek, runway model body type. Throughout the night I would periodically smooth the dress down around my hips, which just wound up pulling the top down and awkwardly flattening my chest -- just not the best look when you want to balance your top and bottom halves. Again, I appreciate the artistry of the dress, but it's designed more for the Karlie Kloss body types than the everywoman!
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Watercolor Wonder Dress
Brian Reyes
Size Worn: 4
Usual Size: 4
Height: 5' 0"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32C
The perfect laid-back, breezy summer dress!
I wore this for my rooftop going-away party in late June, and it transitioned easily from day to night. The British size 6 (equivalent to an American size 4) fit beautifully, and I really couldn't find anything to criticize. I was comfortable all day and night, yet felt like I wasn't sacrificing style for comfort. It hit a little above the knee for me, so leggy women should be aware it may be rather short on them.
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Lady Kimono Chiffon Dress
Matthew Williamson
Size Worn: 4
Usual Size: 4
Height: 5' 0"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32C
A pretty, demure dress for my anniversary dinner!
I wore this to my first anniversary dinner at a posh rural Virginia inn. I read the fabric had no stretch (it doesn't), so I ordered the 4 and the 6. While the 6 did give my hips a little more room, it also left the top too billowy and the hips just a little too poofy around the pockets. I wore the 4, which fit neatly around the waist (take note if you're a little thicker in that area), and pinned down the pockets to avoid drawing extra attention to my hips. It's a grown-up dress, and I'm not sure I could picture it on a teen or college girl (I wore this as a 29-year-old). It would be great for a work event, day-to-night, or any dressy occasion where you also need to look somewhat conservative.
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Shanghai Garden Dress
sophie theallet
Size Worn: 4
Usual Size: 4
Height: 5' 0"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32C
Nice earrings for a retro look!
I got this set of earrings as part of the Stylist Surprise package to go with the Z Spoke Zac Posen Masquerade Sequin Gown. Although I got two sets of earrings, these just seemed more fitting for the vaguely Prohibition era-inspired Repeal Day ball I was attending. I only wish I had a better photo or had pinned back a piece of hair to show them off more!
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Red Carpet Earrings
Kenneth Jay Lane
Usual Size: 4
Height: 5' 0"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32C
Cute addition to my Prohibition-inspired outfit!
This was one of two pieces RTR sent me through their Stylist Surprise deal. The bangle set definitely worked for the vaguely Prohibition era-inspired Repeal Day ball I attended. I only wish I wasn't forced to wear that ugly paper wristband!
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Pearl Paradise Bangle Set
Chamak by Priya Kakkar
Usual Size: 4
Height: 5' 0"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32C
So flattering I almost wanted to keep it!
I'd put on a few pounds by the time December had rolled around, so I wasn't sure how good I'd feel about wearing a slinky dress to a winter Repeal Day ball. This little number made my short, curvy body actually look somewhat long and lean! My friend said I looked like Jessica Rabbit. With high heels, the length didn't turn out to be too much of an issue, though I ended up picking up the hem when walking stairs or long distances to avoid tripping. This dress also really fit the mood of a vaguely Prohibition era-themed formal, but it would work for a range of black tie events and a range of ages.
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Masquerade Sequin Gown
Z Spoke Zac Posen
Size Worn: 2R
Usual Size: 4
Height: 5' 0"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32C
This dress was made for dancing!
With a bust that held everything in place, a flattering-but-not-constricting waistline, and a loose skirt, this turned out to be a great choice for a lively wedding with lots of dancing. This dress wasn't the most elegant or sophisticated piece I've ever rented from RTR, but it was cute and kept me comfortable all night. I wore a simple purple wrap during the Catholic ceremony to cover up my bare shoulders. I was a little worried it would look a little juvenile on me (I was 28 at the time), yet it seemed fine for the crowd and the setting. That said, it would be darling on a teen or early twentysomething! Styling could probably age it up or age it down.
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Confetti Dot Dress
HALSTON
Size Worn: 2
Usual Size: 4
Height: 5' 0"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32C
My wedding-day treat to myself!
I wanted a very elegant purse to carry around on my wedding day, and I'd always admired this simple minaudière. I absolutely loved it and kept wanting to get it in my pictures, to my photographer's dismay. You will have to be judicious about what you carry in it, though, since it's tiny. I may have stashed a hairbrush and some other items with my sister for lack of space. My only real complaint was that some of the crystals were missing upon delivery. Maybe RTR should send a kit with extras and some glue?
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Gimmie A Beat Clutch
Judith Leiber
Usual Size: 4
Height: 5' 0"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32C
A wonderful "something borrowed" that completed my wedding-day look!
I had been trying to find the perfect earrings for my wedding day. My dress was less-than-traditional with its black paneling, but it also signaled to me a slightly retro feel. After I decided on '20s-style waves for my hair and a simple fascinator over a veil, these earrings help set the look.
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Abstract Crystal Chandelier Earrings
Tom Binns
Usual Size: 4
Height: 5' 0"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32C
Beautiful earrings, just didn't end up wearing them myself!
I rented these for my wedding in the event I still needed my "something blue." I went a different route for myself and loaned them to my sister. They were a little on the heavy side, but quite lovely.
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Bosa Nova Earrings
Erickson Beamon
Usual Size: 4
Height: 5' 0"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32C
This dress gave me courage at my 10-year reunion!
I wore this to my 10-year high school reunion, and it struck the right balance between youthful and woman-hitting-her-stride (I was 28 at the time). Reunions make many of us nervous, but this dress made me feel like I had no reason for worry. The 2 and the 4 both fit -- I choose the 4 because it was less clingy around my lower half. The neckline and the shoulders did gape a little bit, but I adjusted with some safety pins.
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Dot Flutter Dress
Anna Sui
Size Worn: 4
Usual Size: 4
Height: 5' 0"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32C
A daring dress for my bachelorette party!
This was a fun and sexy dress for my last big night toasting singlehood, but be warned that it is not forgiving. The fabric has absolutely no stretch, and I ended up wearing multiple layers of shapewear to make it work with my curvy hips and thighs. My small waist probably saved me with this dress. Leggy girls should also take note that it was even short on me. If you want a hot, girly dress, give this a chance -- just wear it on a night you're feeling confident!
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Strawberry Sequins Sheath
Peter Soronen
Size Worn: 4
Usual Size: 4
Height: 5' 0"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32C
Comfortable, Stretchy, Fun!
I wore this for the annual benefit at one of my favorite museums and felt very at-ease. The fabric has a lot of give, so don't worry about sizing up. It was flattering enough that I didn't feel I need to wear Spanx or shapewear.
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Pink Champagne Party Dress
Nicole Miller
Size Worn: 2
Usual Size: 4
Height: 5' 0"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32C
Wonderful complement to the Chris Benz dress!
I got these through the Stylist Surprise deal. They were a fitting accessory for the winter formal/fundraiser I attended. Maybe there wasn't a huge "wow" factor, but they were a nice addition to the outfit. Just wish I had a better photo!
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Black Crystal Cluster Earrings
Badgley Mischka Jewelry
Usual Size: 4
Height: 5' 0"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32C
Consider going a size down
I ordered both a 2 and a 4, but I assumed I'd need the 4 with my fuller hips and thighs. The size 4 was loose all over, especially in the bust. The size 2 fit nicely, but it was not quite as fitted along the bust as I would have liked. I certainly don't consider myself flat-chested, but I prefer when strapless dresses fit like a glove along the bust. It was a lovely dress, though, and the double-stick tape that came with my order ensured the top stayed in place.
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Atomic Azurite Dress
Chris Benz
Size Worn: 2
Usual Size: 4
Height: 5' 0"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32C