Gemma's Reviews
All reviews by Gemma
TOP CONTRIBUTORTOP CONTRIBUTOR
30 reviews
Glam, unique, '30s-inspired piece
I wore this to a black tie event I had no business being at and a semi-famous person complimented me in the bathroom, so yes, I think you should rent it. Short girls: wear heels at least 2.5" if you can't snag a petite.
Member Fit Notes
Fabienne Gown
SALONI
Size Worn: 2R
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32A
Adorable and WARM
Perfect cardigan for those spring days that get unpleasantly cold. Also, this sweater will get you compliments from adults and very small children alike.
Ana Printed Cardigan
Rachel Antonoff
Size Worn: XS
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32A
Cozy and adorable
This was a perfect late winter look, for when you want to be warm but you also wish it were spring. This is a very very warm sweater -- I am telling you it is not for an office that turns out to be 75 degrees. If, however, you are experiencing historic cold and you want to be cute and warm near your space heater, this is for you. True to size! It is not a baggy fit nor do I think it's intended to be.
Embroidered Sweater
Stella Nova
Size Worn: XS
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32A
The greatest American jean
What it says on the tin! Also a good length for short folks.
501 High Rise Straight Jeans
Levi's
Size Worn: 25
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32A
Warm and cozy statement piece
XS for me was true to size and fitted (not a loose fit). This was warm and comfortable. I wore it to a design museum and multiple employees told me it was a perfect choice to match the work of one of the artists. Also wish I could have kept this one.
Jocelyn Sweater Cardigan
west of.
Size Worn: XS
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32A
Classic city winter coat
Longline coats like this are typically too long for me, but this one was perfect. Not only was it extremely warm, it was beautiful and I never had to worry about it dragging in the slush. This is a classic piece that matches everything, and elevates a winter look if you're trying to go out and be cute but not freeze to death. Wish I could have bought it!
2-Way Three Button Cashmere Coat
DUNST
Size Worn: XS
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32A
Warm statement sweater
It's SO WARM. It's also a memorable piece that adds a nice visual flair to a winter look, I will say that if you wear it to an office job, you may notice the extra buttons knocking against your desk.
Rust Sweater in Merino Wool
Rabanne
Size Worn: XS
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32A
Warm, chic dress
Works for work and can be dressed up with a nice pair of boots and some jewelry. It's very warm and still fits under a fitted coat. I think I could have sized down, for what it's worth.
Natalia Merino Dress
L.K. Bennett
Size Worn: S
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32A
Favorite black tie gown I've ever worn
This is a gorgeous, quality piece. I wore it for a black tie event in November and it was perfect for the weather. This means the fabric is warm! It's a bit heavy but it drapes beautifully and feels luxurious. Note for short girls: this gown is LONG and there is a lot of it, You will need heels at least 2" high and you may need to drape part of the skirt over your arm when dealing with stairs or longer walks. It looks very glamorous when you do that, though. Last thing -- some reviewers have said that the waist is small but I found that it easily adjusted to my body and got more comfortable once I was zipped in.
Jaspe Sueño Gown
Agua by Agua Bendita
Size Worn: XSR
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32A
Warm AND beautiful
I love this sweater and I would buy it if I could. It's 100% wool and incredibly soft and warm. It's so good at being a sweater that it works as a single layer for even breezier mid-autumn days. The colors are perfect for fall, as at least three strangers have told me.
Paola Cardigan
Ulla Johnson
Size Worn: S
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32A
Great day dress
This dress is perfect for work or semi-casual events. It has pockets so you can reach your phone easily. If you are short like me and wear flats with this, be warned that you will need to lift the skirt like a 19th century lady when you go up stairs or else you will trip a little on the hem.
Shirt Dress With Belt
Ted Baker London
Size Worn: XS
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32A
Dream late summer/early fall dress
Man I wish I could buy this. A teen broke off a phone call she was on to compliment this dress, which is the highest of all fashion compliments. It's a bit witchy but has a September vibe too and the cotton/silk blend is perfect for climate change fall. Can be dressed up or down, too.
Member Fit Notes
Joey Dress
Soleil Soleil
Size Worn: 0R
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32A
Glamorous, singular formal look
I wore this to the opera and a woman stopped me and said she missed the days when everyone came to the opera dressed like this. It's such a unique print, like iridescent fish scales but make it glam. I loved wearing this. Even at my height the 2R worked with heels. Note: if you are a smaller cup size the top will stay up fine but you will probably want fashion tape to prevent gaps.
Member Fit Notes
Printed Side Skirt Ruffle Gown
Badgley Mischka
Size Worn: 2R
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32A
Chic and cool, floor length for petites
Wore this to a spring-themed gala and it was a hit. The fit was great, though I looked at Saloni's size guide. I'm typically a 2, but needed a 4 waist based their sizing. So check your measurements! Also, on the model this is a tea-length dress but I'm short, so even with heels it was full length on me. Petites, be aware! IMO it's great as a full length dress anyway.
Member Fit Notes
Sky Flourish Fleur Midi Dress
SALONI
Size Worn: 4
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 125lbs
Bust: 32A
Perfect late summer jumpsuit for short girls
Listen -- you can wear this if you're not short, but I am and it worked with sandals. Never had any hems dragging on the ground. I got so many compliments wearing this I honestly regret not buying it. It fit me perfectly and it was breathable and great for warm days and cooler nights.
Member Fit Notes
Marty Jumpsuit
Hutch
Size Worn: 2R
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 125lbs
Bust: 32A
Flowy and fun, no zipper means a roomy fit
I got this as an option for a wedding and I didn't end up wearing it, mostly because it was too big. This is my own fault! I got the S even though the XS seemed more in my size range, but I've been recently burned by sizing on RTR so I was trying to be safe. This dress does not have a zipper and goes on over your head, so it's definitely a more flexible fit. It's really fun to wear, swishy and eye-catching. Tying the straps means you can manage the cutout to be as flattering for your body type as possible. I would rent it again and get my correct size.
Member Fit Notes
Pink Abito Dress
Fuzzi
Size Worn: S
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32A
Wildly flattering, a bit heavy
I wore this to a mid-August indoor wedding, and I loved it. Really felt like I was having my hot Barbie summer. It was form-fitting in an incredibly flattering way. This is no fault of the dress, but it was around 90 degrees with heavy humidity outside, so every time I stepped out for some air I could feel the weight/thickness of the fabric. It's almost like light neoprene. Though it looks like a flamenco dress, it does not move like one -- the fabric isn't light enough. I still loved the look, and I got compliments on it all night.
Member Fit Notes
Pink Tie Shoulder Dress
Christian Siriano
Size Worn: 2R
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32A
Perfect summer dress, has pockets
Wear this out, wear it on road trips, wear it when it's too hot to imagine anything touching your skin. I loved this piece! It's breathable and flexible -- the ties can make it more fitted or looser, so you can wear it on a long walk and then dress it up a little for drinks and dinner after. It has great pockets -- can fit a phone and a wallet. It is 100% cotton, so it wrinkles easily if you pack it tightly, but the flip side of that is that it steams/irons incredibly quickly. It also makes a notable crinkling sound when it moves but I didn't mind that at all.
Member Fit Notes
Red Tie Waist Dress
Chinti & Parker
Size Worn: 6
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32A
Beautiful fabric, hard to secure the chest
This dress is gorgeous. The silk flows like water and it will keep you cool even on a 90-degree day. But! Lots of other people have had issues with the top, and I did too. The dress fit like a glove, but the bust was very hard to keep in place. If I moved my arms at all, the top would slip. I tried taping it but there was too much tug in the straps/heat from the day for it to stay put. I risked a nip slip many times, and ultimately just knotted a linen shirt over the top. I think I'd like to try this garment again, but I would size up so that there's more fabric on the top to work with. That way, every little motion wouldn't risk flashing strangers. Hopefully more fabric would mean more flexibility.
Member Fit Notes
Soren Cutout Dress
Madewell
Size Worn: 2
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32A
Glorious summer dress with deep pockets
This dress was fantastic. It fit like a glove (just needed a little fabric tape up on the chest but this is what happens with my cup size). I wish I could have gotten a picture walking down the stairs in it, because the skirt drifts majestically -- it made me feel like a dirtbag disney princess. It is more vibrantly purple than it looks in the model photo, which I loved. The pockets are deep, too -- you can fit a whole ereader in there.
Member Fit Notes
Phoebe Dress
Ulla Johnson
Size Worn: 2
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32A
High quality linen, ridiculously big top
The dress is a great summer idea, so light and cooling. It fit perfectly in the waist and hips but the top was so big that it would have been probably illegal to wear it out without finding a way to adjust the straps. Maybe, maybe for big-busted folks this would work, but truly there is so much room up there. With the dress comfortably zipped up, the chest gaped open and the shoulder straps naturally wanted to fall down to my elbows. I made it wearable by twist-tying the straps in the back into more of a halter, but even still there was considerable gap in the neckline.
Member Fit Notes
Ombre Linen Dress
TOME x RTR
Size Worn: 2
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32A
Cool relaxed linen, weirdly narrow at the bottom
This is such a high-quality summer piece. The linen is beautiful and cooling and the print is so exciting. I got an XS instead of of a S because that's what RTR had, and the fit is loose so it mostly worked. However! If you are considering the same move, be aware that the romper tapers down at the bottom of the shorts. The tightest part of an otherwise VERY relaxed fit is the hem around each leg. This very weird narrowing made the loose waist and hips puff out unflatteringly, so I didn't really wear this anywhere but around my neighborhood and in my apartment. It was still comfortable, though, and the pockets were so deep! I think I'd do a S if I were to try this piece again.
Member Fit Notes
Graphic Rio Romper
FARM Rio
Size Worn: XS
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32A
A jumpsuit for short girls!
Listen: I love a jumpsuit but I am also 5'2". This can be a problem. However, this cotton treasure was a perfect length. It fell just above my ankles and I did not have to think about it at all. I could just run around all day and never worry about tripping over my hems and falling up a set of stairs (this has happened). The only issue I had with this jumpsuit is that it actually seems to made for someone even shorter than me, or at least someone with a smaller torso. The waist fell about an inch and a half above my natural waist, so it wasn't as flattering a fit from the front. The tie back was great for a breezy summer day. I wore it to a backyard drinks party, and it was just right, but if I rented this again (it comes in yellow too), I might size up for a lounge-ier fit.
Member Fit Notes
Green Tie Back Jumpsuit
Busayo x RTR
Size Worn: 2
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32A
Easy summer dress for all occasions
This dress was so easy to wear. It has a smooth lining and moves beautifully. I wore it for a long walk through London, and it was at home at the park and at a semi-formal afternoon tea. I got a bit nervous about international sizing, so I went up to a 4 even though my usual size is a 2. The dress still worked, but I do think it would have been fine -- as it was, the chest and the waist were a little loose. But that's on me! Should have just gone for the 2!
Member Fit Notes
Tie Shoulder Midi Dress
Jason Wu x RTR
Size Worn: 4
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32A
Essential vacation layer!
I went on a 2.5 week trip and I wore this ... almost every day for at least an hour? To be fair, I was trying to pack light. It goes with everything, and you can wear it with a pair of shorts or over a dress to a slightly more formal event. The XS gave me a more fitted, crisp look -- if you want a more Mediterranean, looser fit, I'd say go one up from your normal size.
Member Fit Notes
Tie Front Button Down Shirt
Osman Yousefzada x RTR
Size Worn: XS
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32A
Size up, have fun with the slit
Reformation waists run small! I'm a 26 in jeans, and a regular 2/4 in most dress brands, but a 6 is always best for me in Reformation. I wore this to a wedding in Ireland, and it was so, so much fun to dance in. The skirt has great movement! Do note that the slit looks great in motion and while standing, but can expose a lot of leg while you're sitting. It's not enough to worry about flashing anyone, but it is definitely a lot to show off to family (I did keep my napkin over my lap during dinner).
Member Fit Notes
Twilight Dress
Reformation
Size Worn: 6
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32A
Summer Rothko vibes
This was a great dress for sightseeing around the British Isles. It's cotton, so it's cool and breathable, and it's long enough to protect you from a chilly breeze. It also brings the color! (And pockets.) Like other reviewers have mentioned, if you have any muscle mass in your arms at all, the buttons over the biceps will not fasten. But it is really not noticeable, and won't affect the silhouette at all.
Member Fit Notes
Pink Dip Dye Midi Dress
Derek Lam 10 Crosby x RTR
Size Worn: 38
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32A
Perfect cotton romper for extremely hot days
This romper is chic and adorable. I wore it to a very casual rehearsal dinner/party and to a July 4 BBQ. The shoulders give you a bit of style but it's also easy to run around with kids in. I wore it with wedges to dress it up for the outdoor dinner (in 90 degree heat, of course), but as you can see it also works with sandals. It traveled well too -- all pictured wrinkles are from chasing toddlers for several hours. This was TTS for me as a typical size 2. There is a zipper in the front as well as an elastic waist and both were comfortable and flexible.
Member Fit Notes
Yellow Flutter Sleeve Romper
Busayo x RTR
Size Worn: 2
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32A
Fun to dance in but heavy and hot
This jumpsuit is very cute on the hanger and has a great '70s/Mamma Mia vibe on the dance floor. It is SO much fun to spin around to -- the legs flare out very satisfyingly. I think it is meant for taller people with bigger busts, because it hung off me in a somewhat unflattering way. My waist lost definition in it, and I never got the chest to look quite right. I tried to shorted the shoulder straps to make the chest fit a little better but the weight of the fabric strained them a bit. Finally, this jumpsuit is 100% polyester and it does NOT breathe. Is this my fault for wearing it to an outdoor wedding on a 90-degree day? Yes, but let my experience warn you.
Member Fit Notes
Flowy Floral Jumpsuit
Thakoon x RTR
Size Worn: 2
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32A
Size up if you are used to American sizes
This is a really lovely dress, and the silhouette is a lot of fun, but unfortunately I couldn't wear it to my event because it ran a bit small on me. Though it fit absolutely right in the waist and chest, my ribcage was too big for the second set of buttons.
Member Fit Notes
Halter Cutout Dress
Esteban Cortazar x RTR
Size Worn: 2
Usual Size: 2
Height: 5' 2"
Weight: 115lbs
Bust: 32A