2. Casey just graduated from Arizona State, and is ready to start
her new job at a publishing firm in New York City. While her
tight club dresses and laid back style has suited her well thus
far, she knows New York has a very different aesthetic than
Arizona. Grandma recognized Casey would be in need of a
professional wardrobe, and was kind enough to give her some
cash, as a graduation gift, to get started. Casey isn’t sure
whether to splurge on a few basic pieces or buy a new
wardrobe of trendy pieces to fit in working at one of the
fashion capitals. Now she needs help finding a dress that will
set her up for success.
The dress must be:
Versatile
Comfortable
Appropriate for the workplace
Stylish
Fitted silhouette
Not long sleeves, so she can layer
Appropriate year round
Here are some inspirational pictures Casey likes:
3. Store: Target Brand: Who What Wear, Private
Price Point: $32.99, Budget
Size: XS Size Classification: Women’s
Fabric Content: 64% rayon, 32% nylon, 4%
spandex
Fabric Weight: light/med. Care Instructions: Machine wash cold on gentle cycle and tumble
dry low.
Measurements
Length: 6in. below knee Arm Scye: 16 in. Sleeve length: 10 ½ in.
Style Description
Black, short-sleeve, mid-length dress with mock turtleneck.
Attractiveness Reflects Current Trends
Comfortable (at Point-of-Sale)
Elements of Fit
Not too clingy around the waist and hips, but tight around the arms and neck when moving.
Tends to pucker around the bust and underarm area.
All other elements of fit such as grain, line, and balance seemed to be done well.
4. Grain Set Line Balance Ease
Construction
All interior edges were serged. The hem was a single turn
hem with the look of a double line of top stitching, but
was a chain stitch on the interior side. The dress closed
with a zipper and a hook and eye. The dress had no lining,
but had single point darts at the bust.
In-store Presentation
5. Online Presentation
Online Reviews
Positive
I love this dress, it is so beautiful! I bought an XS and normally I'm a S/M. The length
looks tea length on the model but on me (5'0") it hits right above the floor. A great LBD
to add to your closet!
Saw this dress on a blog about what celebrities are buying at Target - I ordered it online
to take on a trip - it fit great and I felt very elegant in the dress - I feel like I could wear it
out to dinner or to a black tie event - it was such a great price too!
Negative
I am 5'5, 135lbs and bought a medium. It was super long and not flattering at all.
I'm 5'4 and this dress hits below the knee. Otherwise the construction is good.
6. Store: The Limited Brand: The Limited, Private
Price Point: $79.95, Better
Size: 0 Size Classification: Women’s
Fabric Content: 72% polyester, 24% rayon, 4%
spandex
Fabric Weight: Medium Care Instructions: Machine wash cold on gentle cycle and tumble
dry low.
Measurements
Length: At Knee Waist: 28” Arm Scye: 16 ¼”
Style Description
Red dress with side panels and sleeveless. Gathering at one shoulder and a seam at the waist.
Boat neck neckline and gold zipper closure in the back.
Attractiveness Reflects Current Trends
Comfortable (at Point-of-Sale)
Elements of Fit
The dress was cut n grain, but did not have a smooth set. It tended to bunch along the sides. The
line was also off which resulted in puckering where the arm scye was sewn to the interfacing
panel. Balance was overall sufficient, but there was too much ease built into the garment. I was
disproportionally large in the hips and waist despite fitting across the shoulders.
7. Grain Set Line Balance Ease
Construction
The garment was not lined, but did have panels for
interfacing in order to keep the neckline and arm scyes from
rolling outward. Design details include two side panels that
create a fit similar to that of princess seams. At the left
shoulder, there is gathering for aesthetics. The only hardware
on the dress is a gold zipper up the back.
In-store Presentation
8. Online Presentation
Online Reviews
Positive
I immediately fell in love with it - the red color is very vibrant, the fit is extremely
flattering, and the ribbed fabric adds a touch of trendiness. The dress is still appropriate
for the office environment - you could also add a blazer or snazzy jacket. But it is also
appropriate for an evening out. I tried to buy this in purple online, but it is sold out! The
purple picture gives a better indication of how the dress fits - the red photo here does not
show how the dress is form-fitting at the knees. Based on the picture, I almost didn't buy
the dress. But I am so glad I did.
I'm not much of a dress person, but this dress changes my mind about that! The fit is
wonderful, the quality is great. I'm 5'9", 165 pounds and my measurements are 39, 29, 40
(36 ddd bust). I purchased it thinking I'd need to get a 12 and take the waist and hips in
because I need a 12 top and 10 bottom, but the 12 fit great -- still figure flattering while
allowing room to move and sit.
9. Negative
I wear a size 2 at the limited and am a 32A. I ordered this dress in a 2 and was pleased
with the fit around the hips, but disappointed at how big it was on top. Not even a
reasonably padded bra fills it out. The quality is great, though the material feels like it
might collect lint. I almost always have this issue with Limited dresses.
I was looking for a red sheath but this was awful. I bought my usual size and it was tight
in the hips and loose on the whole top. The fabric was very cheap looking and there were
already threads sticking out by the zipper when I got it.
10. Store: Dressbarn Brand: Roz and Ali, Private
Price Point: $48.00, Moderate
Size: 0 Size Classification: Women’s
Fabric Content: 97% polyester, 3% spandex
Fabric Weight: medium Care Instructions: Machine wash cold on gentle cycle and tumble
dry low.
Measurements
Length: 2” below knee Waist: 28” Arm Scye: 16 ½”
Style Description
Red dress with side panels and sleeveless. Gathering at one shoulder and a seam at the waist.
Boat neck neckline and gold zipper closure in the back.
Attractiveness Reflects Current Trends
Comfortable (at Point-of-Sale)
Elements of Fit
The sizing of the dress allowed for too much ease compared with other dresses of the same size,
but it was sewn on grain and in line with excellent balance.
11. Grain Set Line Balance Ease
Construction
The garment was fully lined, so it did not have any exposed edges.
Design details included princess seams down the entire front bodice
and a V neckline. At the top of the zipper on the back, there was a
smaller v-shape split as well. An additional seam is found at the waist
and creates a little extra design ease.
In-store Presentation
12. Online Presentation
.
Online Reviews
Positive
This is a really cute dress that has a very nice shape that looked great on my daughter
who has a typical hourglass body. I got the size 6/8 for my daughter who typically wears
a size 6 on top and 4 on bottom. It fitted her well on top (35 inch) but was loose on her in
the waist (natural waist 26, dress waist 30 inches) and hips area but despite that it looked
good and was comfortable to wear as it wasn't skintight. She wore it to work and received
dozens of compliments.
It is surprisingly well made, perfectly constructed, and not undersized. It actually fits me
perfectly, and many fitted dresses don't, because I am pear shape. The dress is lined, so
there is no show through!
Negative
Fabric is great but somehow the seams are uneven once I put it on and it made my short
frame look frumpy. Arm holes were also huge.
This dress was not flattering at all. It is much longer than the photo and the measurements
and the sizes run large.
13. The dress found at Dressbarn was a more neutral color than the dress
from the Limited, which was red, making it more seasonal and work
appropriate. The dress from Dressbarn also was less costly, but could be
considered better quality because it was the only dress that was lined.
The larger fit of the Dressbarn dress means it may require additional
hemming; however, the hem had more than enough seam allowance to
take up or let down. The only concern with the Dressbarn dress would
be the neckline, since it is a v-shape. Depending on Casey’s bust size, it
may show too much for the workplace. Overall, the Dressbarn dress felt
more modern and a better value than the dress from the Limited.
14. The dress from the Limited seemed to be more conservative than the
dress at Target, despite having shorter sleeves. The dress from Target
had considerably less ease and hugged the body in a way that may not be
work appropriate. The style of the Target dress was much more on trend
than the dress from the Limited because of its midi length and mock
turtleneck. This may also mean that the dress from Target would not be
comfortable in the summer than the dress from the Limited. Both dresses
contain rayon, so will eventually pill from washing making them each a
poor investment. The dress from the Limited especially would have poor
cost per wear.
15. The dress from the Dressbarn had a better season-less appeal than the
dress from Target. The dress from Target also did not have any lining,
like the dress from Dressbarn, and was not necessarily as appropriate for
the workplace as the structured dress from Dressbarn. Navy blue also is
more of a transitional color than black and pairs well with most colors,
making it more likely to be worn more often. In addition, the dress from
Dressbarn is mainly made from polyester, which means it will stand the
test of time longer than the dress from Target, which is made from
mostly rayon. The dress from Dressbarn defeinitly represents a mature
woman, with its structure and aesthetic, than the dress from Target.
VS.
