What I Wore: Top of the Heap
jacket | dress | bag | boots | sunglasses
Jacket: J. Crew Factory (XL; plus size option) | Dress: c/o Universal Standard (S) | Booties: BCBG ‘Cara' | Bag: Rebecca Minkoff | Sunglasses: Ray-Ban | Lipstick: NARS ‘Bette'
If there's a heap of asphalt higher than your head, how can you NOT take a picture in front of it? Karl and I were heading to the wood pile to do this shoot but the pile was dwindled to just a few logs. But right next to it was this craziness! It's like I'm on a different planet, which I think works with my disco booties!
I've been intrigued by Universal Standard for a while. Like many of you, I've desired a brand that provides stylish, high quality wardrobe basics in extended sizes. I was thrilled when they reached out and asked if I'd like to try a piece from their covetable line. Their Geneva Dress pictured here is one of their best sellers, but I've always seen it on women taller than I and feared it wouldn't work on my frame. I decided to get it in Camo; olive green is going to be a big color this spring and is so versatile (great with neutrals but also with brights like yellow, coral, and hot pink). Pleasantly surprised by this dress, I now see why it is so popular! While it's essentially a tee shirt dress, the asymmetrical hem gives it interest but also has it hang in a far more figure-flattering manner. This is the kind of dress you can rock with a pair of Stan Smiths on the weekend, or glam up with a statement necklace and ankle booties. Come spring it would look great with some block heel sandals in a contrast color or metallic. If green isn't your scene, this dress also comes in black, grey, yellow, and a really pretty shade of blue.
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This is on my “to-buy” list, and I appreciate your review! And yes, you look fantastic in that olive color. I expected to buy the black dress, but you’re making me reconsider!
I was originally going to get black because it’s a versatile color, but I felt the colors showed the silhouette a bit better. However the black would likely dress up more easily and could look cool now with a tissue weight turtleneck underneath!
i was *just* looking at Universal Standard and have my eye on a few tops. May I ask what size the dress is (pardon if I missed it in the post).
This is a size Small (14/16). It fits similar to the model on the site for me. If I wanted more figure hugging I could have gone down to an XS, I’ve seen some bloggers do that and it works but gives a completely different effect.
Thanks. You and I have similar dimensions.
Allie, can you suggest or link to anyone wearing it a size smaller? I’d love to see for comparison.
The blogger Ready to Stare shows herself in this post wearing the dress in two different sizes. Hope this helps! http://www.readytostare.com/blogs/starestyle/universal-standards-elevated-essentials-are-a-plus-size-minimalist-dream
Last minute biz trip to NYC came up and so I just booked an appt at their NY showroom!
Awesome! Do email me after and let me know how it was!
I bought some jeans (my holy grail as a pretty booty-ish gal) and although they are comfortable and seem well made, the pocket placement is the pits. Pocket placement on jeans (back pockets) is an art and partly why designer jeans are so $$$. The pockets on the US jeans are teeny and placed way too low, making the booty appear even bigger. Come on, US, you were SO CLOSE! The olive dress looks fab on you, Alison.
You’re right. Jeans can be bought at any pricepoint but the details like pocket size and placement are dealbreakers!
Gotta love ’em. A 10-12 is labeled XS. That’s a nice touch.
I know, right? 🙂
Yay olive green! One of my favourite colours! (Looks great with the jacket.)
Thanks!
It’s a really cool-looking dress!
Thank you!
Love a olive dress! Fun booties!!!
Jaymie
Thanks Jaymie!