Dress: Eliza Parker
Belt: DIY
Shoes: Chie Mihara
You’re seeing a bit of this belt, lately, aren’t you? And these shoes! I must be on a bit of a teal and blue trend.
This dress was very generously sent to me by Jessica Tenaglia from Eliza Parker for review at the same time as she sent the beautiful Portofino dress for my little sister. (Mae LOVES it, Jess – thank you so much!)
It’s the “Madrid” dress, and the colour block styling is very on trend at the moment. It’s also available in Magenta/Purple, Magenta/Black, Purple/Black and Royal/Black and is currently on sale.
The way Jess has constructed the dress – with the contrast colours in two bands down the sides – is designed to lengthen and slim the body. The fabric’s a soft and wearable ponti, and the dress just slips on over the head, making it comfortable and easy to wear.
I’m not too fussed about the “slimming” aspect of the dress, but comfort’s a definite plus – especially when you consider how office-appropriate the dress is. In my new job I’ve been spending a lot more time sitting at a desk, and in my usual attire I often find I’ve got a well-crumpled butt by the end of the day, and the waistbands on a lot of my dresses cut in when I’m sitting down. This dress is perfectly comfortable all day, and still looks good enough after eight hours at my desk that I can go straight to a party or dinner without having to go home and change first.
It’s definitely on the larger side of the size chart, so if you’re thinking about getting one, I’d definitely recommend sizing down.
And if you had your eye on this, or any of the other dresses on the site (like, oh, I don’t know… the WONDERFUL Vineyard dress) then I’d encourage you to hop to it, and place an order in the next day or so as Jessica’s offering a 35% discount with the code FRIDAYSAVE35, but it only runs until the 26th of November!
Finally, thank SO MUCH to everyone who took the time to vote in the Navabi Curvy Blogger competition. Public voting closed earlier today and I’m absolutely delighted to tell you all that I made it into the finals. I’m so blown away by the support that I’ve got from you guys – thank you so much! Now the top ten blogs go to a judging panel, so hopefully they like what they see here at Frocks and Frou Frou! I’ll keep you posted!
I have my fingers crossed for you to win the trip, good luck!
Thank you so much, Linzzy! Me too 🙂
SO excited that you have made it to the finals.
Truly, you deserve to win. You are an inspiration to many, and I (as a size 16) find it so exciting to see real fashion on a gorgeous woman who is over a size 10.
Bravo! (and goodluck!) Tan 🙂
Thank you, Tanya! I’m so glad that you find the blog inspiring & exciting! More visibility of size 16+, I say!
YAY! Fingers crossed for you.
Thank you so much Miss Fairchild <3
I’m so stoked you made it into the finals! Completely deserved. We are starved for choice when it comes to plus size fashion in Oz, it’s so brilliant to come to your blog to see what you’ve found and how you put things together. And the fact you’re nifty with a needle n thread is even more inspiration! I think what I love most is that you’re so real..you share your highs and not so highs with us in such a raw and earnest way that I always feel its a bit of a privilege to share in your insights and stories. And on a final note, I am sooooo in love with your teal chie miharas, my tootsies are too podgy for them but I am in love all the same! 🙂
Thank you so much Kelly – for being such a long supporter & for always finding the time to leave comments! I think being “real” is one of the best compliments you can get as a blogger, too <3
I’m thinking maybe this dress looks better in person than how it photographs? Just something about I’m not sure about?
But as always love the chie mihara’s- I went into Peter shepherds to try on a pair just for the !!fun!! of it!!! Oh so pretty!
Very very excited about you being a finalist! So well deserved and have all fingers and toes crossed!
DEFINTELY better IRL. The colour contrast is a little more distinct and the seams lie a little flatter. It would look a lot more flattering a size down as well. That said, I did get a compliment on the dress from a stranger in the street, so it’s much better in person!
Also, yay for Chie Mihara! I’ve never bought a pair at full price from a shop – I usually buy them second hand off eBay, but I have to admit I’ve dropped into Peter Shepard for a looksee at the new range too! One day if I win the lottery…!
I love this two-toned blue on blue for a unique and classy approach to color-blocking. The dress looks both comfortable and super chic.
I know the judging panel is going to love your blog. I hope you win!
I love the colour block trend, but I’ve never had a lot of success with it in the past – boldly contrasting colors just kind of made me look blocky, and the horizontal placement of most of the colour blocking patterns that I’ve tried in the shops cut me off halfway and make me look really short. Plus I’ve got some many curvy bits that clean straight lines that look awesome on the hanger look wavy and indistinct on my body. This is definitely the best example I’ve tried of the trend – it’s just a shame the size doesn’t fit a bit better.
I will keep my fingers crossed, Lovely! and I really do hope that my spreading the word helped a bit too 🙂
HUGZ!
Thank you so much, M! For being such a loyal and long term reader, for always taking the time to comment, and definitely thank you for your help getting me this far in the competition!
I wish you luck! xo
Thank you so much, Brandi!
Oh I hope you win!! Between your fashion style, great writing and Mae and the squirrels they would be mad not to make you the winner!!
Your blog is my favourite. I wake up with coffee and your blog every morning.
Thank you for your endless inspiration and wonderful outfits.
xx
Thanks so much, Toni! I love hearing that people enjoy reading, and thank you for always taking the time to comment 🙂
comments make my day, I love seeing them in my email inbox in the mornings!
So pleased you are in the finals, I voted for you.
I can’t say I’m a fan of the dress unfortunately, it looks quite puckered at the seams and the two tone effect is a little off somehow… seems an odd cut also.
Hi Cate
Eah, I think a lot of the issues with the dress are down to the fact that its a size too big for me. I’m pretty sure the seams would sit flat with a bit more underneath to fill the dress out! It certainly looks better on the website! Still, giving it my best shot and it does look better in real life – someone actually stopped me in the street to compliment me on the dress, so I think it just hasn’t photographed well!
I’m not a super fan of the dress either. Maybe it is the sizing? But I’m super into you winning this contest! Here’s to you and your sister! Hurrah!
Thanks Jassy! It’s definitely not my favorite Eliza Parker dress, but I think that’s got a lot to do with the sizing issue, like you suggested.
The style’s not really something I wear terribly often, but its always good to try new things, right?
Thanks for your support for Mae and I, too! Fingers crossed we can go the whole way!
I think the dress is quite sweet, especially for a day at the office, and it looks so comfortable. The Vineyard one is cooler but once again with EP I haven’t been fast enough and it has sold out in my size, rats. Good luck with the blog comp Lilli, I’m not much of a shopper (busy with kids etc.) but I love your blog, you’ve given me great ideas, pointing me in the right direction and saving me so much time by helping me shop in stores with clothes that fit. Thank you, I hope you win the trip! Your fan Lucy
Thanks Lucy! Fingers and toes crossed – it would be an amazing opportunity!
I’m glad you’ve been able to find some new shopping places – I’m always on the lookout (especially for new bricks-and-mortar shops!)
P.S. I also love that you don’t advertise on here (and always seem to mention when clothes/accessories you write about have been gifted) I’m sure it’s been tempting because you are very influential!! Keep up your great work and good luck again, Lucy
Thanks again, Lucy 🙂
I’m working really hard to keep F&FF advertisement free! It’s always nice to hear it’s appreciated 🙂
I really hope you win the trip to London! Best of luck!
Thanks Emma – me too!
Delighted to hear you’re in the finals, and will keep on keeping my fingers crossed for you and Mae to win! Agree with previous comments – the colour of the dress looks good on you, but the fit isn’t quite right. Might be something to do with the shape of the neckline? Anyway, if it’s comfy and goes from office to dinner it sounds like a good find, regardless of fitting quirks!
Hi Catherine,
The neckline’s quite good, but I think because I don’t fill our the bodice right it looks a bit floppy.
Jess warned me when she sent it that it might need alterations. I thought the belt would help enough, but it’s sounding like it might need more drastic measures
U seem to have a thing for shades of blue which I totally agree with! Good luck!
Thanks Sabina! I do like a bit of blue at the moment 🙂
Good luck! I am keeping all of my fingers and toes crossed that you win!
Thanks Jessica! From me, and from Mae, too 🙂
Love the dress and the gorgeous shoes! You look amazing! xx