dress | boots | bag | sunglasses | bracelet | earrings
Dress: eShakti (16) | Boots: Ros Hommerson (old; similar) | Bag: c/o Handbag Heaven (similar) | Sunglasses: Ray-Ban | Bracelet: Bought in Four Corners (similar) | Earrings: Amazon
I find my style gets more classic and less boho when the temps drop. Below freezing temps and gauzy frocks just don't play nice together. But this dress is one I can wear in the winter.
Underneath I have my Lands' End Thermaskin leggings, knee-high wool socks and knee-high leather boots. Also the dress is lined for extra wind protection. For modesty and more warmth I could also add my Thermaskin camisole.
As I mentioned in this post, I recently made an eShakti order. I saw my sister in this dress and fell in love. She told me it came in a blue floral option which is more my style. But can I buy the same dress as my sister? Isn't that a faux pas? But I'd buy the same dress as a blogger or celebrity. My sister has awesome style and I am regularly inspired by her looks. She didn't have issue with it so I headed to the eShakti site.
Looking at the size chart, I decided I was a 14. I stated my height (5'3″) and didn't do any modifications. While on the eShakti site I saw this black maxi wrap dress. It looked like that perfect basic I could put on and wear for a blogger event, the theater, a party, even to work. That too I ordered in a 14, shared my height, and did no modifications.
The dresses arrived in less than three weeks. The floral dress looked the same as my sister's – clearly a poly blend, but pretty. Fully lined, pockets, a snap at the bust, smocked elastic waist. It was too small. I did get it on but took it off carefully because it was so tight I feared I'd tear it. The armholes were so tight and the sleeves so snug I couldn't move. My chest was compressed so much the snap at the bust couldn't close. The bodice seemed very short as the elastic waist was halfway up my chest. And the length? It ended above my ankle bones. So bad in so many ways. The black wrap dress was the same – too tight in the arms, too snug in the armholes, the waist too high, the bodice too tight, and not enough fabric to cover even half my bust. It was too short, but also the fabric wasn't nice. It was a bit stiff of jersey and the kind that already looks worn, a bit faded and likely to fade even more with the first wash.
Returns are easy. The purchase comes with a mailing label but you go to the website to confirm the return and get a sheet to print out and put in the box. I returned them December 12th, have not yet received confirmation the dresses have been received nor return payment. eShakti doesn't do exchanges so I made a second order of the floral dress you see on me in this post. This dress was delayed and I received email notification of it. I thought it would arrive the week of or after Thanksgiving but it didn't come to my home until the week before Christmas. This time I put in that I'm 5'3″ but I'd like it to work with 3″ heels.
The dress is still tight in the bust and the sleeves in the upper arms aren't roomy. The snap won't stay closed on its own, there's also a safety pin at the neckline. I tried it on right after work with hardly any makeup and a hot mess of hair and decided to return it. The next day after a shower and applying my makeup I tried it again… and I liked it. Karl came in the room and said it was a very me dress and doesn't look snug. And as I wore it the sleeves stretched a bit to a comfortable fit. These boots are only 2″ high; it seems these dresses run short.
So do I recommend eShakti? Yes, especially if you do custom measurement and if you do not have a really large bust. It's nice to be able to customize sleeves and length and it's a great choice for those who are tall or petite. I had issue in the past with the cotton fabric feeling stiff and cheap; I felt the same about the jersey. But this dress is really nice and would go for far more in a department store. So yes, I recommend eShakti and may buy from them again in the future!
You look gorgeous in this dress. The colors are perfect on you. “Winter boho” is a great idea because you can layer lots more wool under a maxi dress. And nothing keeps toes warmer than wool. Happy New Year!
Thanks Christine and hope 2017 is treating you well!
That dress looks gorgeous on you!
Thanks Maggie!
Have you ever tried their pants? Not the palazzo pants (of which they have a lot), but the regular pants appropriate for the office?
Nope… not at least yet!
I’d commented on your last eShakti post, but then realized I was wearing one of their knit dresses today, so figured I’d share a pic. I actually like their knits. They’re a little casual, but fairly thick, and I haven’t noticed them fading much with washing. This dress was custom sized, though I think the sleeves are about 1″ too long (I don’t think I gave an upper https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f3e0cddcac8ea86f62d44f9d10db33b4dafd7e3724cfd49beb054ed68a4c919d.jpg arm measurement).
Looks great!
I wear a 38K bra and I love eShakti–I just steer clear of wrap styles and use their custom fit option (especially the additional torso measurements–I also supply arm length and a few points of circumference). They only charge a $10 customization fee (for both custom fit and customization) and I usually want to change sleeve length or necklines anyway. My entire closet is eShakti at this point! It’s a godsend for those of us with hard to fit bodies (I’m 4’10” and in their range a size 24–in regular stores I’m more like a 20/2x). I highly recommend the “fit and flare” knit styles!
I’m going to try their custom fit in the new year and will share my experience when I do!
Thanks for the honest review. I am gonna be honest back and say that you are missing the whole point of eshakti if you aren’t ordering the custom fit! I have the opposite bust area problem of you–i have narrow shoulders and a short length between my bustline and shoulderline and wear a B cup–and customized eShakti let’s me wear a wide neckline style that would normally fall off my shoulder. I am not impressed by their fabric selections (polyester is like a CC Factory song for me…gonna make me sweat) but their custom fits are great! So when I see you saying you eschewed almost all customization, I say ‘whaaat?” I know from being a regular reader than bustline and upper arm fits are challenging for you, so go ahead and upgrade to custom and you will be happier. Thanks for reading my 2 cents worth…
I tried the custom fit a few years ago and it was a mega fail but I am planning when I get my return money back to do another order trying the custom fit again. And I’ll be sure to share here! 🙂
Hope they do better this time!
Looks great on you! And your hair is just fabulous, by the way!
Thank you!
It is very you, and certainly doesn’t look small anywhere, Allie!!
It’s nice to hear the issues you had, as then it feels more real!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks Jodie!