Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Review: Pretty Dress Company Hepburn Pencil Dress

Over the past year or so, I've gone from somebody who barely tolerates florals to someone with a closet full of bright, bold floral dresses. I guess it's the logical outgrowth of my tendency to use color to keep the winter doldrums at bay. So when I saw that my beloved Hepburn dress from the Pretty Dress Company was also available as a perfect little pencil dress, I knew I'd be adding another gorgeous floral PDC wiggle to my closet.

Pretty Dress Company Hepburn pencil dress

I'm gonna let you in on a little secret: I spend more time than you'd probably think shaking my butt at things. (Poor Jeff. He's seen what passes for spontaneous dance parties more times than he can count.) One of my favorite things about wearing wiggles is how suitable they are for...well, wiggling, and I decided to indulge that impulse more than usual in my photoshoot for this post. This little playground is right near my apartment, and it was the perfect place to give in to the temptation to do some over-the-top poses.

Pretty Dress Company Hepburn pencil dress forest green
A new thing I can do with my arms!
Pretty Dress Company Hepburn pencil dress review

Since I'd debated between the black floral and the forest green when I got my Hepburn swing, I didn't even have to think before choosing the forest green wiggle. I was lucky to snap this one up during another one of Unique Vintage's epic sitewide sales, and it took every ounce of my self-control not to grab the ivory one at the same time.

This dress has quickly become a mainstay of my work wardrobe. It's perfect for those days when I want my outfit to fall closer to the sophisticated end of the spectrum, and it just makes me feel extra confident and ready to conquer even the most hardcore to-do list.

This style is a bit on the formal side for my almost-anything-goes workplace (not that this bothers me one bit!), which means it would be perfect for anyone who has a strict business-casual dress code. I went with a cardigan to ward off the springtime chill, but if you're of the blazer persuasion, this style also works quite well with a more structured jacket.


The fit and sizing of this dress are similar to my other Pretty Dress Company dresses. I went with my usual UK 14 in this style, and as you can see, it fits like an extra-glorious floral glove. Since my bust/waist measurements are typically the ones I need to size to, I wasn't concerned that the skirt would be too tight, and my 41" hips have plenty of room to move comfortably. The length is also perfect for anyone on the more petite side, which is quite nice. I sometimes feel like I'm playing dress-up in my too-long wiggles, but I'm too lazy to get things altered, so it's extra awesome when something fits right out of the package.

Measured flat, this dress is 19.25" from armpit to armpit, 15.5" at the waist, and 21" at the widest part of the hips. There's a little bit of give in the fabric, which I assume is how it fits me even when I'm measuring about 40"-32"-41".

Pretty Dress Company Hepburn pencil dress review

All in all, this dress has my most enthusiastic recommendation. I'd happily fill my closet with Hepburn swings and wiggles, particularly if they ever branched out into cute novelty prints. I've got two more PDC swings on the way, but am looking forward to adding more of their wiggles in the future!

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32 comments:

  1. This dress is gorgeous!! I am all about floral prints and the fit of this one is spectacular on you. It looks like you had so much fun taking these photos. Wiggle dresses are meant for wiggling! :)

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    1. Floral prints are glorious! I've been such a fan of them this year, too. The colors in this print are beyond belief; I love how vibrant they are! This shoot was indeed a ton of fun. I definitely indulged my inner child!!

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  2. There are SO MANY PDC dresses I want...so, so many. Now this too is on the list...thanks a lot lol :p

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    1. SAME HERE! I ordered two over a week ago when they had free shipping, but FedEx lost the parcel and now I'm waiting for word from them :'(.

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  3. You're picture are so funny. Let's get wild and don't care about the world; Which we should all do! lovely dress! I should wear vintage more often! thanks for sharing! xx corinne

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    1. Awww thank you! I like to have fun when I go out to take photos. Thankfully I don't get embarrassed 😂. And vintage styles look great on everyone, since they're so classic -- definitely a fun way to change up your usual style!

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  4. The dress is so pretty and you look absolutely gorgeous! I'm really into florals right now and I love the colors on your dress.

    Aria | notesonthursdays.com

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    1. Thank you so much, Aria! Florals are just the quintessential springtime print, aren't they? They're perfect on dresses, too!

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  5. This is such a lovely dress-I may also have to buy it! Thanks for posting-

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    1. Thank you, Lydia! I highly recommend this dress -- it's comfy and makes me look so much more pulled together than I usually do!

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  6. This dress is gorgeous on you! Love it paired with that yellow sweater, too. I didn't use to be into floral prints, either, but over the last couple of years or so that's changed.
    I haven't tried PDC yet, but I really want to! :)

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    1. Thank you, Bristol! I really love these Sourpuss sweaters -- they're a bit warmer and nicer than the MAK ones, and the pointelle detailing is unique. You need a Pretty Dress Company dress! Maybe one of the Hawaiian ones?

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  7. I love the shape of that dress, it's so lovely! I also ADORE the floral pattern!

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    1. Florals are such a delightful springtime print! And thank you so much!!

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  8. The colour, the print the fit - everything about this is so lovely. Keep shaking, I'd say! It looks great with the cardi too. Kx

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    1. Thank you -- I absolutely love this shade of green, and am eagerly awaiting more prints in this dress style!

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  9. Even though florals aren't my thing, I love the shape of this dress! I'm also obsessing over your shoes, even though they're not the actual topic of this post :P

    x Envy
    Lost in Translation

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    1. Envy, you are just so sweet! Thank you -- I want to fill my closet with this dress in different colors and prints. And these boots are my all time favorites 😁😁!

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  10. Oooolala! I love this on you and that photo of you from behind with you lifting your hair up off your neck is sassy as hell! HELLO, BABE-A-RONEY!! ;)

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  11. You are absolutely slaying with your poses in these pictures, girl!! I wish I had your confidence in front of the camera, because you are oozing beauty and sass in these images! I've always loved bright floral prints, they make a dreary day with the typical British weather so much more bearable! I need to invest in a wiggle dress soon!

    Abbey 😍 www.abbeylouisarose.co.uk

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  12. Such a cute dress! And you look amazing in it 💖

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  13. Okay but I can promise you I am always wiggling my butt. I can't stop! Anything that highlights that is a win in my book. This dress looks lovely on you and seem to have so much fun in it. I approve!

    Breanna Catharina
    toocuteforlife.com

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  14. Pretty in Green! Now Spring is finally here and if it's not this dress brings it anyway :D Iga www.igaberry.com

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  15. This is a gorgeous dress! I'd totally wear this to work!
    PaleGirlRambling xo

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  16. Great dress! Seems like one you could wear in a causal or formal setting! And it fits you great! Love a good complimenting dress!

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  17. This is such a gorgeous dress, and you look stunning in it! I need a few new dresses for work, so I'll have to take a look! Xx

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  18. This dress is gorgeous and the colours are stunning! Lovely pics too, you really suit it x Aoife https://allaboutaoifeblog.wordpress.com

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  19. The print is stunning and the cut is so flattering, you look great lovely. I usually stick to non printed clothes as I'm into the minimalist look but this is giving me serious summer feels.
    Thanks for sharing!
    - Ruminvte xo

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  20. This dress is so lovely for spring! It's perfect, I love how you added more colour with the yellow cardigan, and the fact it's workwear appropriate (even more so with a blazer). Also you look lovely as always! I love how you're always beaming with confidence in your shots :)

    sophieannetaylor.com

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  21. Gorgeous dress, I love the colour. perfect spring time dress. I'm a bit hit and miss with florals, they don't always suit me. HAYLEY ♥ Wear A Halo

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  22. What a beautiful dress! I'm loving the over the top poses tehe. Looking forward to seeing those two swing dresses you mentioned!

    Lizzie Bee // hello lizzie bee

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  23. I'm obsessed with florals at the moment so I'm in love with this dress! I love the green shade of it too, it looks amazing on you!
    Claire xo

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