Anyone into DVF?

[Phoenix]

I got so sick of wearing practically black to work and also of having so few work clothes, so yesterday I went shopping with hubby and bought 3 DVF dresses. I've already got 3 (or is it 4? I have to go check my wardrobe,LOL) other DVF dresses for going out, so these are only strictly for work. I could only find this one on her website:

http://www.dvf.com/dvf/browse/productDetailWithPicker.jsp?productId=D6778001V8SWHYGR&categoryId=DRESSES

It's a tad brighter compared to my usual work atttire, but that's exactly what I'm trying to do. The pic shows the dress a lot shorter on the tall model but on me, it goes just very slightly below my knees. Ordinarily, I'd be jealous of the taller frame but in this case I am glad that it's just the right length for me, particularly because it's for work.


I can't seem to find the other two on her website but one of them looks a bit like this, but not as soft, more of a military-ish style. Again, not exactly my usual style, but I think it'll be fine for work.

http://www.dvf.com/dvf/browse/productDetailWithPicker.jsp?productId=D6948279M8&categoryId=DRESSES


One thing that I wish for though is that I could buy her dresses online. The mark-up in Singapore is HUGE, something like 30-40% above the list prices, even taking into account forex. I can't do that though because her dresses don't come up the same (I wonder who actually makes them for her, she must get different manufacturers to make them, maybe even from different countries), because although I usually take a 2-4, one of three dresses I bought was a size 2 and the other 6. In the past, I have bought a size 8 from her (yes an 8

, and this was when I was at my most skinny, btw a size 0 and a 2). I wonder if there's a way to figure out so that I could save $$$$?

Oh, I got so excited (usually it takes me weeks, sometimes even months to get something I like, I am not so good at shopping for clothes - unlike shopping for bling, i find it tiring and usu. when I want something, I can go from shop to shop to shop to shop, you get the idea, and not buy anything at all), I bought this pair of bright green silk shorts for casual wear. They're so CUTE!

, esp. when paired with a simple black sleeveless top.

http://www.dvf.com/dvf/browse/productDetailWithPicker.jsp?productId=S6837077F8

 

[Phoenix]

No response? Does this mean I''m alone in my penchant for DVF dresses?

Oh well...

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

I actually tried one of her dresses on yesterday--a button up cream trench style with a belt. It was really pretty--cotton/linen combo, not jersey and printed like many of her designs. I might go back and get it, as I really like button up style drresses in the summer. Besides the Akris Punto styles I tried on yesterday, hers was the dress I liked second best. Fresh and clean. And for reference sake, I think it was priced at around $350 Canadian.

cheers--Sharon

 

[diamondfan]

I like a lot of her things. It really just depends how each thing looks on you. Some of her stuff is heavily patterned and some is more solid and or neutral looking. It can really run the spectrum.

 

[AmberGretchen]

I usually love the way her stuff looks on other people, but the few times I''ve tried it on, its been a disaster on me - I think she doesn''t cut for women with, um, generous bustlines (and in general I find wrap dresses are problematic on me because of this problem).

The stuff you got is fab though - congrats on all the great finds

 

[diamondfan]

Amber, I wear a tank under her wrap dresses because otherwise more of me than is necessary would hang out all over! I pick a coordinating color and it looks nice that way. An SA told me to do it when I kept trying the wrap dresses on and saying NO NO and NO. It really makes a difference!

 

[katebar]

Like Caroline Amber I wear a a camisole under my DVF dresses. I am *ahem* big in the chest area and honestly have to admit she doesn''t cut them for us

. Trinny and Susanne say wrap dresses are flattering for big busts but I think that DVF just isn''t generous enough. I love the quality of her silk fabric and whilst I get loads of compliments when i wear my red paisley DVF I think it is the striking colour rather than me looking fabo

 

[bebe]

I have tried and tried her wrap dresses, only to end up totally frustrated every time. I''m a size 4,5''7", but they look
awful on me. It seems they emphasize the hips on me, weird. But I love her designs and the ease a wrap dress represents.
Maybe I''ll give it a go again and follow DF''s advice a nd try the dress on with a tank.

On a side note, I am truly lusting her gold large link bracelets. My local Neimans has one and oh my gosh. But I think it retails
for around $8-9,000. Just too much, in my book, for a gold bracelet.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

I know those dresses have always been touted as very easy to wear, but I beg to differ. I would not consider wearing one without a tank--as I have no wish to be always on my guard whether or not some part of me is showing that shouldn''t be.

A young girl was trying on one of these wrap dresses yesterday when I was shopping and she was amply blessed on top and the dress fit her ill. Her mother was encouraging her to get it--and "use a brooch" to keep the top closed. The mother kept uttering, you "have a beautiful body and should show it off". Indeed, had she bought the dress she would have been "showing" much.

cheers--Sharon

 

[AmberGretchen]

That''s a good thought katebar and DF - honestly, that almost sounds like too much work considering how low-maintenance my "style" is most of the time - I''m still in graduate school, and I work long hours in my lab trying to finish my PhD and train dogs in my spare time. So my daily wardrobe consists mostly of jeans (albeit designer jeans), Dansko clogs and t-shirts with zipped sweatshirts for warmth. But the combination of having lots 50 lbs or so over the last year plus a (hopeful) upcoming graduation date sometime in the next year or so (and the accompanying prospect of having to get a "real" job) certainly have me paying more attention to options for dressing more nicely.

I certainly like a lot of DVF things, especially some of the wrap dresses, and maybe with a tank they would be doable. As Sharon said, you definitely don''t want to be, um, showing too much of yourself, and I''m especially self-conscious about that - I hoped that when I lost weight my chest would get smaller along with the rest of me, and it has a little bit but not nearly in proportion or as much as I''d hoped...

 

[monarch64]

I love DVF in concept...I have another problem with her wrap dresses, though. I cannot say that I have a large bust, but I am 5''10" and almost any wrap dress (including hers) I''ve ever tried on doesn''t work for me because I''m long waisted. So instead of the wrap/waist part hitting me at my actual waist, it hits me too high and looks a little awkward because then the waistline is not empire, but not truly at my waist. Gah! Very frustrating, and no sort of alterations can fix it. At least you gals can add a cami and call it a day...hee hee. She does make fab dresses, though, and some of her separates are doable for me...but I WANT a great wrap dress!!!!

 

[katebar]

The quality of her fabrics is superb and they are great for travelling but I wear them less than I have done. Also they are often short like above the knee. I don''t have big legs but I don''t do the short skirts anymore and so they are often too high.

 

[diamondfan]

I think they look awesome with tights and boots. That is a great fall look to me.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 3/30/2008 11:20:14 AM
Author: canuk-gal
HI:

I actually tried one of her dresses on yesterday--a button up cream trench style with a belt. It was really pretty--cotton/linen combo, not jersey and printed like many of her designs. I might go back and get it, as I really like button up style drresses in the summer. Besides the Akris Punto styles I tried on yesterday, hers was the dress I liked second best. Fresh and clean. And for reference sake, I think it was priced at around $350 Canadian.

cheers--Sharon

Wow, ladies, I came back from work yesterday and saw all these responses, YAY!! THANK YOU.

Canuk-gal, I think that is exactly one of the dresses I bought. In fact, I wore it to work yesterday. It looked ok on me but I imagine it''d look much better on most other (Caucasian) women rather than my 5''2" frame (just). But I do love the colour and the fabric.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 3/30/2008 11:32:49 AM
Author: diamondfan
I like a lot of her things. It really just depends how each thing looks on you. Some of her stuff is heavily patterned and some is more solid and or neutral looking. It can really run the spectrum.

I agree, Caroline. The colours and patterns can vary quite significantly. You (ie.one) just have to go see which suits you the best.

 

[Phoenix]

Date: 3/30/2008 12:10:03 PM
Author: AmberGretchen
I usually love the way her stuff looks on other people, but the few times I''ve tried it on, its been a disaster on me - I think she doesn''t cut for women with, um, generous bustlines (and in general I find wrap dresses are problematic on me because of this problem).

The stuff you got is fab though - congrats on all the great finds

Her wrap dresses do have one drawback, which is exactly what you''ve mentioned. Even for me (a 34B), her dresses are quite revealing. The other dresses I bought for going out are strictly for evenings out and for the wrap work dress, i wear a camisole underneath.

Thanks for your congrats!

 

[canuk-gal]

Date: 3/31/2008 8:15:27 AM
Author: Phoenix

Date: 3/30/2008 11:20:14 AM
Author: canuk-gal
HI:

I actually tried one of her dresses on yesterday--a button up cream trench style with a belt. It was really pretty--cotton/linen combo, not jersey and printed like many of her designs. I might go back and get it, as I really like button up style drresses in the summer. Besides the Akris Punto styles I tried on yesterday, hers was the dress I liked second best. Fresh and clean. And for reference sake, I think it was priced at around $350 Canadian.

cheers--Sharon

Wow, ladies, I came back from work yesterday and saw all these responses, YAY!! THANK YOU.

Canuk-gal, I think that is exactly one of the dresses I bought. In fact, I wore it to work yesterday. It looked ok on me but I imagine it''d look much better on most other (Caucasian) women rather than my 5''2'' frame (just). But I do love the colour and the fabric.

HI:

Good taste girl! I thought it looked very smart--and I am sure it suits you very well.

cheers--Sharon

 

[diamondfan]

Phoenix, I really love the re release of some of her vintage patterns, they were great. I love the bamboo one a lot, in the spring green.

Some of her stuff is just too much and wears me instead of vice versa. I like some things in theory but then they look terrible on.

 

[sna77]

my FI loves her stuff and wears it all the time... check www.shopbop.com they have a ton of stuff in stock...

 

[just_looking!]

Don''t get me started on DVF sizings!! I have vintage 70''s dresses that come up big and more recent ones which seem to be really small. Even the same design dress comes up different sizes according to the season or pattern.

Most of my dresses, tops and skirts have been ebay finds, but you really have to watch out for fakes as I got stung badly once. I also have a DVF wool wrap dress that is unwearable - way too itchy and am on the hunt for an underdress.....

 

[LitigatorChick]

I just picked up 2 DVF dresses today. I am very small on top, so I don''t need the cami under the wrap dress - the girls stayed inside just fine! You can check out the pics on the Spring Must Haves thread.

 

[canuk-gal]

Date: 4/4/2008 2:32:41 PM
Author: LitigatorChick
I just picked up 2 DVF dresses today. I am very small on top, so I don''t need the cami under the wrap dress - the girls stayed inside just fine! You can check out the pics on the Spring Must Haves thread.

HI:

LC, I love your choices. Did you try on many of her offerings?

cheers--Sharon

 

[LitigatorChick]

Yah, I tried on quite a bit of her stuff. I liked a lot of the dresses, but some were too casual for my workplace. I found the tops did not fit as well - for example, I tried a wrap top that was virtually the same as the wrap dress, in the same size, and I found the top just fit weird.

I was really impressed with what they had of hers at Holts. And the price was right for a seasonal dress!!!

 

[canuk-gal]

Date: 4/4/2008 3:35:58 PM
Author: LitigatorChick
Yah, I tried on quite a bit of her stuff. I liked a lot of the dresses, but some were too casual for my workplace. I found the tops did not fit as well - for example, I tried a wrap top that was virtually the same as the wrap dress, in the same size, and I found the top just fit weird.

I was really impressed with what they had of hers at Holts. And the price was right for a seasonal dress!!!

HI:

Agreed, looks great, will wear well and doesl not break the bank. Do any of your new shoes match?

cheers--Sharon

 

[diamondfan]

Except for bitterly cold days I think DVF is wearable more than in spring depending on the print. I love them with tights and boots for fall.

I also think DVF has has a resurgence and really can be brought out again each season. It has sort of a timelessness to me, her vintage patterns are coming back in stores based on their popularity, so I think if you stick with stuff that has a more timeless feel you can pull it out next spring too.

 

[LitigatorChick]

Canuk, shoe shopping is always necessary!!!

 

[canuk-gal]

Date: 4/4/2008 3:49:51 PM
Author: LitigatorChick
Canuk, shoe shopping is always necessary!!!

HI:

LOL We''ll have to visit DF together........

cheers--Sharon

 

[LitigatorChick]

Canuk, I''m always in for retail therapy!