Monday, June 5, 2017

Review: Unique Vintage Watermelon Dress

Fact: there is no finer fruit on the planet than the reigning queen of the summer BBQ, more commonly known as the watermelon. Not only is watermelon my actual favorite food at the moment, it's been one of my very favorite choices for a novelty print. The only things I've bought for my baby so far are two watermelon dresses and a watermelon tutu. I'm that kind of obsessed.

unique vintage watermelon dress


So when I saw this watermelon dress on Unique Vintage's Instagram, I knew it was only a matter of time before it showed up in my closet. I often prefer to buy Unique Vintage from stockists rather than directly from them, because their shipping is much slower than most places, so I was pleased when Doll Me Up got this dress in stock.

I'm usually a large in UV-brand dresses, but after seeing that this style had absolutely no stretch (and knowing that my belly would be growing!), I opted for the XL. It showed up in a flash, but when I opened it up, it turned out to be a size small with XL hangtags in XL plastic wrapping. I went to fill out Doll Me Up's online customer-service form, but it was down, so I posted an SOS in my Instagram stories asking the universe what I should do. Lo and behold, I got a reply from Doll Me up within minutes, even though it was around 10pm at night. She set aside an XL and sent me a return label, and I popped it back in the mail the next morning. Now that, my friends, is customer service!

unique vintage watermelon dress

When my XL arrived, I couldn't wait to wear it out, but Chicago had other ideas involving terrible weather, so its debut had to wait. Happily, I was able to try it on and twirl around in my apartment to my heart's content, though!

The XL fits my growing bustline perfectly, though it's still quite roomy under the bust and in the waist. It measures 20.5" from armpit to armpit, plus a little extra room due to the gathered underbust seams, and 17" flat at the waist. Pre-pregnancy, I might've been able to squeeze my bust into the large, but I'm glad I didn't chance it now.

I'd been a little wary about the seaming under and around the bust, but fortunately everything that needs to fit in the individual boob pockets does. (Sidebar: 'individual boob pockets' is one of those phrases I never expected to type out.) While this isn't my personal favorite bustline style and it doesn't accommodate a strapless bra especially well, I'm willing to deal with it for the sake of the print.


I must admit, though, that if the print wasn't so perfect and perfectly me (and if there wasn't a matching kid's version of those dress en route to me), I wouldn't have kept this dress. My issues with it are small in themselves, but small quibbles add up and when you've assembled a closet of dresses you completely love, it's hard to justify keeping something imperfect.

Apart from not being a fan of this style of bust, I feel like the two bust cups are an awkward distance apart. That center gore between them doesn't really work with the shape of the body parts it rests on, and for some reason this is worse with a strapless bra. I'd wear a normal bra, but the straps are also much closer together than most spaghetti-strap dresses, and certainly closer-set than any of my bras. The bust-to-waist ratio doesn't really work if you're as busty as I am, either.

My biggest issue, though, is the material. The static cling is strong with this one, my friends, so much so that it was impossible for me to get a photo of how the skirt drapes without it clinging between my legs. I could try a petticoat, of course, but who wants to wear a petticoat in the dead of summer? If I'm perfectly blunt, the material isn't quite what I expect in a dress of this price. Making this style in a nice cotton would have solved this issue and still been breathable for the summertime.

unique vintage doll me up watermelon dress

So that's my review of this year's Unique Vintage watermelon dress. Now, would I recommend this dress? Well, if you live in LA, or anywhere else where the summers don't get obscenely hot and humid, the synthetic fabric probably won't bother you as much. And for anyone who has a smaller bust-to-waist ratio than me, the cut will probably fit you a bit better. Otherwise, there's a skirt version, and if you can pick it up on sale, I'd say it's worth it. Last year's watermelon skirt is still in stock in certain sizes around the internet, though, so I'd probably just grab that one if I didn't already have it. How do you decide whether to keep a dress that isn't quite what you'd hoped for?

Follow this blog on:
Instagram@emily.hallock

31 comments:

  1. I see why you couldn't resist, it's adorable! Have you tried rubbing a dryer sheet on the inside of the skirt of this dress? Ha ha, it's supposed to repel mosquitos, too, although that claim is unsubstantiated, but you never know. Let me know if this helps to uncling! ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Mom!! You're up bright and early today! I'll try a new dryer sheet -- I used one of the ones I'd already used and it didn't do much. Polyester is not my favorite thing. How did you ever survive the 1970s?

      Delete
  2. Ugh nothing is worse than multiple small issues with a garment you wanted to love. BUT I do love hearing how fast Doll Me Up took care of the size issue! They're SO great with returns/exchanges when they involve issues. I had a zipper mishap before even putting on a dress and she didn't hesitate to offer me a store credit and took back the dress. Love that!

    This dress looks adorable on you but yes, I HAD THE SAME THOUGHT about the bust design. Who needs that much space between their cups?? It turned me away from the dress. I don't need assigned placeholders for my boobs. Luckily, it doesn't look wacky on you! You're rockin it! Dare I say you go bra-less and let them fly free? LOL!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm cracking up over here at 'assigned placeholders for my boobs!' YES. EXACTLY. It's a dress, not a black-tie wedding! My boobs should be able to do what they want.

      And I am totally Team Doll Me Up -- they have such amazing customer service and FREE SHIPPING. Yessss!!

      Delete
  3. It's a shame about the material as t looks lovely! I would just hate all the cling! You look fabulous in it as well! <3

    sophieannetaylor.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The cling just drives me batty! I couldn't even stick it back in my closet because I didn't want it to infect all my other dresses with static.

      Delete
  4. Wow, I'm impressed with the level of customer service from this company, they really did go above and beyond to help you out! As always, you look stunning in the dress and the bright colours really suit you! You should check out @dorkfaceblog's watermelon makeup tutorial if you haven't read about it on her blog already, I think you'd really enjoy it! Your lucky baby is going to have such a stylish mumma!

    Abbey 💖 http://www.abbeylouisarose.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OMG A WATERMELON MAKEUP TUTORIAL I AM FREAKING OUT!!!

      ok, I just googled it and I'm freaking out even more, but trying to play it cool. Thank you for the recommendation! I definitely need to try that out when I wear my pink watermelon skirt.

      Delete
  5. Oooh! This dress looks lovely and utterly adorable ♥ I love cute and playful dresses but if it's as clingy as you say ... And that's top service from Doll Me Up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! It might work better with a petticoat, so if I ever want to wear it with maximum fluff, that might help with the cling factor. And I've been so pleased with Doll Me Up -- I'll be buying from them whenever I can!

      Delete
  6. That dress looks FAB on you! it's so unique, never seen one like this before, normally it's been ones with little watermelons all over it but this is awesome. The company sound great, it's not often you get companies these days with superb customer service! Just ashamed about the under bust fit.

    Jordanne || Thelifeofaglasgowgirl.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. <3 Thank you! Just to be clear -- Doll Me Up is just the stockist. They don't make this dress, which is actually from a brand called Unique Vintage.

      But even with the fit issues, I couldn't resist such a unique fruit print. I felt like a giant watermelon myself!

      Delete
  7. Hi, I love this dress what fun. I want to find the skirt version now, Chloe #TeacupClub

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww, thank you, Chloe! Deadly is the Female in the UK sometimes stocks this line.

      Delete
  8. Firstly can I just say how confident you look in your pictures!!! That dress was totally made for you and you are absolutely rocking it!!! I love quirky dresses, tops, jewellery - anything a little bit different! What an excellent post!! Xoxoxox

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Quirky things really are such a joy, aren't they? I really enjoy brightly colored things and retro silhouettes, which means I spend a bit of time hunting down pieces that suit my tastes. But it's worth the time.

      Thank you so much for all your kind words! I've gotten used to people looking at me when I'm taking blog photos, and I suppose it's made me a bit more confident!

      Delete
  9. Individual boob pockets 😂 I don't know what it is about the weather this time of year, but it makes me NEED watermelon. I'm so envious of this little number. I need to get myself a watermelon dress 😍

    Breanna Catharina
    toocuteforlife.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SAME HERE re: watermelon in summertime. In fact, I've spent most of this evening whining about the lack of watermelon in my fridge. I'll have to make do with ice cream.

      And I've got a few watermelon dress recommendations, if you're interested...

      Delete
  10. I think you had a lot riding on this dress so your expectations were so much higher. however if you dont felel comfy that is how I genereally decide! x
    Lola Mia // www.lolitabonita.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's a wise way to decide whether to keep something! This is a pretty comfy dress, even if it doesn't have the perfect fit, and perhaps a slip will keep it from getting too clingy.

      Delete
  11. Oh boy....SUPER happy I read this before ordering (as I just got a Doll Me Up email with a coupon)! I think I'd opt for the skirt version. Now that I look at this on my computer and not on my phone screen, I can't say I am a fan of the booble (hee hee, booble) area. I think I'm gonna spring for the skirt...for the summer (see what I did there?) :p

    Spot on review, fren! Thanks <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. :) I've got your back, my dear! And well done on the seasonal pun -- I totally saw what you did there and honk-laughed!

      Did you ever get the pink UV watermelon skirt from last year? I still absolutely love that one!

      Delete
  12. Such a shame about the fit and material, because that print is beautiful. My pet hate is static in a dress and it clinging to my legs.
    Sounds like Doll Me Up have excellent service too :)
    Cora ❤ http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This was *exactly* how I felt -- I wanted so badly for this to be my go-to effortless sundress, but the cling makes it a bit difficult to really love this dress.

      I'll definitely shop Doll Me Up again, for sure! They stock some of my favorite brands, and do sales pretty frequently. I'm trying to resist any more shopping for now, though!

      Delete
  13. Oh my god you can be watermelons together!!! But maybe in a better fitting watermelon dress, cos this one doesn't sound all that comfy. Sounds like your weather in Chicago is like mine over in England- it doesn't know what it's doing from one day to the next? I swear last week I slept with the fan on all night and today I have the heating on. Madness.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a little embarrassing to admit this, but my first thought when I found out we were having a girl was 'OMG Mommy and me dresses!' My husband is dreading the inevitable shopping this will cause, but it's not as if I'm asking him to pay for it, so he won't say much ;).

      And yes, the weather here is similar to how I've heard it is in England -- it was 90 degrees on Sunday and 67 degrees on Monday. What IS that?!? It's so hard to plan for!

      Delete
  14. This is such a cute dress!! I can see why you ended up keeping it despite your quibbles with it. And OH MY GOSH. I cannot wait to see the tiny matching version of this!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! I couldn't resist a full-on watermelon outfit, especially not once I'd spotted the baby version! I'm impatiently waiting for the little's dresses to show up. Hopefully they'll be breathable and comfy for her!

      Delete
  15. I just need this dress now, even though I'd probably look like a five-year-old in it and despite it being clingy and static. That print is just so amazing. I used to have a friendship bracelet with the same print and it would've gone prefectly with this dress.

    x Envy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really is the perfect dress for when you want to feel like a human watermelon (which for me is always!). I wish it had come in literally any other fabric! But maybe the skirt is a little easier to wear...

      Now I want to make a watermelon bracelet!

      Delete
  16. Austin trim should include all relevant information about the product, such as the brand name, logo, product name, size, materials, care instructions, and any other relevant details.

    ReplyDelete