Recently, I've realized that I have this tendency to approach shopping as if it's a game of Pokemon. When I find something I like, I immediately go into "gotta catch 'em all" mode, and before I know it, I've added a zillion things to my already-overstuffed wardrobe. (In retrospect, this is less a Grand Realization and more of a 'geez, Emily, that's so obvious!' moment.)
In 2016, I might've gone a tiny bit overboard in the shopping department, but I've resolved to rein myself in for 2017. Fortunately, I snuck a few purchases in under the wire from my latest obsession, Vixen by Micheline Pitt.
Since I'm madly in love with my Vixen wiggle dress and my makeup print swing skirt, my expectations for the lipstick print swing dress were sky-high. While I'm a little nervous to wear a dress with this much white in it, since I'm kind of a clod, I'm a huge fan of the classic combination of black, white, and red. This print was just irresistible! I really loved how the sassiness/sultriness of the print contrasted with the sweet and girly details of the dress, like the puffy sleeves and the bow on the neckline.
Speaking of the sleeves: they're so cute! I was a little concerned that they'd look a bit costume-y on me, especially since I'm already rather top-heavy, but they've got exactly the right amount of poof and stay put whether I wear them on or off the shoulders.
I haven't quite worked out how to wear a cardigan with this dress, which makes it a little bit challenging to wear in the dead of winter, but I'm looking forward to wearing this dress everywhere when the mercury finally starts rising again! For this photoshoot, I chose to keep it simple with black boots that I think of as my Buffy the Vampire Slayer shoes and opaque black tights (so I wouldn't freeze to death on my way to the performing arts building where I shot these photos). I wore one of my favorite pairs of Atomic Lucite earrings and swapped the black patent belt it came with for my red Vixen belt, because you can never have enough red!
The fit and construction of this dress are exactly what I've come to expect from Vixen. It's true to the size chart, with my size large measuring 15.25" flat across the waist and 18" from armpit to armpit, plus a little more room due to the darts in the bodice. It's a comfortable fit on my 39.5" bust and post-holiday 31" waist. The skirt measures 26" from waistband to hem, making it a perfect fit for my favorite Malco Modes Samantha petticoat.
The bodice is lined in comfy satin and the material is thick enough to wear my bright red petticoat underneath without seeing a hint of red through the white of the skirt. The pockets (!!!) are as huge as the ones in my swing skirt, and make for a perfect addition to the dress.
In 2016, I might've gone a tiny bit overboard in the shopping department, but I've resolved to rein myself in for 2017. Fortunately, I snuck a few purchases in under the wire from my latest obsession, Vixen by Micheline Pitt.
Since I'm madly in love with my Vixen wiggle dress and my makeup print swing skirt, my expectations for the lipstick print swing dress were sky-high. While I'm a little nervous to wear a dress with this much white in it, since I'm kind of a clod, I'm a huge fan of the classic combination of black, white, and red. This print was just irresistible! I really loved how the sassiness/sultriness of the print contrasted with the sweet and girly details of the dress, like the puffy sleeves and the bow on the neckline.
I haven't quite worked out how to wear a cardigan with this dress, which makes it a little bit challenging to wear in the dead of winter, but I'm looking forward to wearing this dress everywhere when the mercury finally starts rising again! For this photoshoot, I chose to keep it simple with black boots that I think of as my Buffy the Vampire Slayer shoes and opaque black tights (so I wouldn't freeze to death on my way to the performing arts building where I shot these photos). I wore one of my favorite pairs of Atomic Lucite earrings and swapped the black patent belt it came with for my red Vixen belt, because you can never have enough red!
The fit and construction of this dress are exactly what I've come to expect from Vixen. It's true to the size chart, with my size large measuring 15.25" flat across the waist and 18" from armpit to armpit, plus a little more room due to the darts in the bodice. It's a comfortable fit on my 39.5" bust and post-holiday 31" waist. The skirt measures 26" from waistband to hem, making it a perfect fit for my favorite Malco Modes Samantha petticoat.
The bodice is lined in comfy satin and the material is thick enough to wear my bright red petticoat underneath without seeing a hint of red through the white of the skirt. The pockets (!!!) are as huge as the ones in my swing skirt, and make for a perfect addition to the dress.
The Vixen swing dress is real showstopper of a dress, whether it's the novelty-print version I'm reviewing here or the solid black and leopard ones I've seen all over Insta, and I'm so glad I took the plunge! If you fancy this print, don't wait too long: Micheline posted that she's done the final restock on the swing skirt and dress, both of which are still available in all sizes, and the pencil skirt is also still available in limited sizes. And since I know it's going to be impossible to wait three months to wear this dress, I need your help! How would you winterize a dress with puffy sleeves and a low-ish neckline?
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Yes, girl! LOVE this dress on you! What a sassy print for a sassy lady! I love my make up skirt, and maybe will try out one of her dresses one day. :)
ReplyDeleteAw, you are just the sweetest! The dresses are great -- they work well for a larger bust-to-waist ratio, and they're just so fun! I love the makeup print skirt on you and can't wait to see what other prints she comes out with.
DeleteLove this dress on you! I have the same style in black and I've worn it loads since I got it last month. I live in rainy Manchester so it's too cold to wear without something over it. I've found trick for 'winterising'it successfully is to layer with jumpers or cardis with looser sleeves so there's enough room for the puffed sleeves to fit under. Capes may also work if it's not too cold!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Viki! Is that Manchester, England? I suspect the answer is yes, given how you spelled 'winterizing' :). We've had loads of rain here in Chicago, even though it's winter, and it's driving me batty! I love the idea of a cape -- if I could find a nice plaid cape, I'd be a very happy camper! I'll have to try this dress with some of my puffed sleeve cardigans!
DeleteYesssss girl this dress was made for you!! You're KILLING it! And what a perfect wall to snap some pics in front of!! Love it! I, too, am trying to reign myself in this year on my purchases so that Cody and I can start saving in hopes of possibly buying a house/condo in the next couple years. Not ready to yet but we definitely are thinking of planning ahead and getting started - which sadly means less dresses. Sigh. I will have to try to get creative!! =)
ReplyDelete<3 <3 <3! I really liked this wall -- somehow I've been going to that building for over a year and never noticed it before! There's a big wall of windows facing it, so when the sun is rising, it gets lovely natural light without too much glare.
DeleteUgh, good luck with reining in the spending! But if you do buy a house/condo soon, it'll totally be worth all the self-control!
I love this! I wouldn't have the confidence to rock this myself but you look gorgeous! Also I would never have worried about the sleeves it doesn't look too costume-y at all :) I love your style and confidence <3 xx
ReplyDeletesophieannetaylor.blogspot.co.uk
Thank you so much! And confidence is one part 'IDGAF if people judge me' and three parts 'fake it till you make it' <3. The sleeves are so fun in person! I don't know why I ever doubted it. xx thanks for dropping by!
DeleteAll of your dresses are so pretty! I wish I had your wardrobe - www.teaisawishyourheartmakes.wordpress.com 💖
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I've gotten so many of these things secondhand from various Facebook groups, actually. But I actually ordered this one direct from Vixen, since I *had* to have it! <3!
DeleteOh my gosh that dress is beautiful and I agree, those sleeves are adorable!
ReplyDeleteLizzie Bee // hellolizziebee.com
Thank you so much! I'm having such fun with the puffy sleeves :). Off to catch up on your latest <3!
DeleteThis dress is lovely! All of your dresses are absolutely gorgeous! I love your wardrobe aha
ReplyDeleteAwwww thank you so much! Can you believe that my wardrobe was basically a sea of identical black dresses five years ago?
DeleteSO FUN and I love the contrast of the feminine dress with the bad ass boots! Plus I've always wanted to wear a petticoat but never do - and you are inspiring the shit out one me ;) thanks for being so fab! - Mary Lane @NewYorkCliche (Blogger hates my "credentials"!)
ReplyDelete<3! Blogger is a pain in the butt sometimes (as is Disqus, and Google+, and basically anything that requires remembering yet another password!) And I say go for it with the petticoat! They're so much fun and keep you warm on a cold day! The one I'm wearing in this post is my all-time favorite.
DeleteSO MUCH CLASSY VINTAGE PERFECTION! I love this! I'm really feeling full skirts at the moment, totally itching for a lace white one :) xx
ReplyDeletemia // https://okaaythen.com
Thank you so much! I'm all about full skirts, except for the occasional foray into wiggle dresses ;). If I see anything in lacey white, I'll give you a holler! Custom skirtmakers on Etsy might be a good place to check, too <3.
DeleteVery pretty! Red, white, and black suits you! I'm trying to rein in some of my shopping habits too, ugh. It's so hard when everything is so cute and often collectible! I genuinely grinned at your "gotta catch them all" comment, ha! XO
ReplyDeleteDanke schön, Blair! You really can't go wrong with a classic color combo, and I think Micheline really nailed the proportions on this print. I'd been eyeing the Bernie that's similar, but ultimately decided to *gasp* try something new. It really is hard to be good when every company seems to be absolutely killing it recently. I'm dying for some of the pieces in PUG's upcoming plaid line!
DeleteI love this dress!!!!! Let me have it, lol
ReplyDeleteI am the exact same way when it comes to shopping! I resolved to be better for 2017 but I sadly did not do too well at that in January. In any case, on to this pretty dress! I love the print! So much fun!!!! And the cut is so perfect on you! Love! <3
ReplyDelete