Best travel dress ever!

Sometimes the reviews turn out to be true. I really think this might be the best travel dress ever, and I got it for a ridiculously low price. Cheaper than in the US -- now that is something! When I bought, it was on sale for $59 CAN. 

I can wear it as a shift, without blousing it, and it's just about knee length. I can blouse it up, and while it's short, I don't think it is indecent. Or (on a different trip, not as hot) I could potentially wear it bloused even more, like a little tunic over slim shorts/ leggings.

It works with a denim jacket (not that I will need that, where I am going). It has pockets. It even has a zippered credit card pocket. It can be washed in the sink and it will not wrinkle. It has modest armholes so I won't feel exposed. 

I think this was a super practical and useful purchase and I love the colour! 

If anyone is going someplace hot or living someplace hot, I highly recommend. 

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51 Comments

  • abc replied 9 years ago

    LOOKS GREAT!  All renditions.

    What a great find.  When you find the perfect travel item it's worth shouting from the rooftops about.  

    When do you leave?

  • abc replied 9 years ago

    BTW your slight repetition in the post made me think of some kids book, but I can't recall exactly which.  A little dejavu moment there, sorry..

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Ha, abc, I am actually writing a personal essay now that uses a lot of repetition for effect -- it must have spilled over, LOL. It's a great technique and most kids' authors exploit it. 

    I believe that anyone with a straight, IT, or not super curvy hourglass shape will love this dress. It wouldn't work all that well for the super tall (unless minis are not a problem) and it probably would be hard for a pear to fit, but for most others, it's an amazing little piece and I will be shopping this company again! 

    Also, the service (free delivery, free returns) was FABULOUS. So I will use this gear store again without question. 

  • abc replied 9 years ago

    So happy to hear it worked out for you, esp with a local retailer!  Woo hoo, score one for the Canadians!! :D

    That is funny about the repetition.  You're right, tons of kids books use that technique.  Maybe it's bc I read a lot of kids books to my little ones that I caught onto it in your post.  

    Hopefully others can benefit from your find.

    Safe travels and if you have time please post a packing/capsule thread.

  • Sal replied 9 years ago

    It looks great on you Suz, perfect for your needs.  Really nice colour too!

  • Joy replied 9 years ago

    What a find and perfect for travel. If it were longer, I would be all over this as a summer dress, it looks great on you.

  • replied 9 years ago

    Super dress, super colour!
    I have one similar from Lole and wear it to weddings and the beach
    It's wearing thin from use.

  • Summer replied 9 years ago

    Don't you just love it when you find the perfect item? and at a bargain price, too.
    I love the different ways you've styled it here - so versatile.  I can see this being a real travel workhorse for you.

  • shedev replied 9 years ago

    Nice versatile dress.

  • catgirl replied 9 years ago

    Green Eggs and Ham?

    Love the dress - Arcteryx makes my climbing gear but Ive never looked at this kind of item!

  • replied 9 years ago

    Excellent dress!  Looks fantastic on you !!  I'm wearing pretty much the identical dress from Lole right now as I type this :)    Did you order it from Arc'teryx, or from the Zappos link you posted?  I'm so tempted, and have to admit purple would never have crossed my mind as a colour option until I saw you in it - really a versatile colour.  

  • replied 9 years ago

    Never mind. I see the link to the site you ordered from now.  Did you order an XS or a S?

  • Rubygirl replied 9 years ago

    Very versatile :)

  • Marilyn replied 9 years ago

    Love it, Suz!  It looks so nice on you.  Hey, we're shoe twins!  I have those SE wedges and they're on heavy rotation.

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Lisa, I ordered an XS which is what the TrueFit sizing on the Arc'teryx site recommended for me. I doubted that it would work, to be honest, because I had tried on another of their dresses in the bricks and mortar store (different style) and needed a 4 in that -- which barely fit. But I read the fine print and that one was a "trim fit" while this was a "relaxed fit." So I took their word for it and went ahead and it is (just barely) right. It's a teeny tiny bit snug on the hip at my current weight but as you know, I am up in pounds so I am sure the larger size would be too big once I get back to a more typical weight/ shape. 

    I think anyone with a larger bust would need a larger size. It will be no problem at all on the hips for you. 

    BTW, I LOVED the dress below, too -- (bricks and mortar store) though it was spendy. It looked WAY better on me than on the model, if I do say so myself, and the colour was an amazing charcoal pewter that was super flattering.  It is a very architectural style, on, and the collar opens wide for a really nifty portrait effect. I'm tempted to go back for it, but will wait for the sale, I think. 

  • replied 9 years ago

    Lost my whole post.  There needs to be the option to have a partially written post saved while browsing .  Anyways - I just ordered the purple -despite everything telling me not to (purple, dress, on-line ordering - blah blah blah) but now i can't wait to get it!  I wear my black Lole all the time when it's hot and I need to look more put together than I would in shorts - and although this is purple......yes, I keep repeating purple.....I like the way it looks on you and how you've styled it.    Can't wait to get it!  

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Yay!! It's a really unusual purple, almost greyed, very soft -- not brash or "creative lady" if you know what I am saying. It's a true "summer" purple, like flowers viewed in the mist. It works really well with silver, white, some denim blues, greys, navy, red, fuchsia, orange (not that I have any of that) and on and on. I think it will look great on you, Lisa, and it's a change from black while still serving as a neutral. Can't wait to see it on you. And the great thing is -- free returns if you don't like it! 

  • rachylou replied 9 years ago

    Excellent rec! I have to admit, looking at the ad photo, I would not have guessed how good it would look IRL.

  • jackiec replied 9 years ago

    Oh my I want this dress too! I'm travelling to Spain in September on a biking trip, and this would be so great for travel and afternoons/evenings. However, now that I think about it I think it would be WAY too short on me. The colour is a huge draw for me. Having done my colours last month, and determining that I'm a soft summer, this colour is totally in my wheelhouse. Must check out that site. Thanks for the recommendation. Looks amazing on you :)

  • replied 9 years ago

    Jackie - you have great legs ....this will be fine!  These dresses usually have lots of room to pull up or down as needed.  I mean, I'm not at all as slim and lean as you, and I can manage this look in a casual dress easily.  At least, no-one is telling me otherwise :)  You'd look dynamite in it!  How tall are you?  

  • replied 9 years ago

    Suz - ah come on, I want to go all creative lady and match it with red reading glasses on a chain, spiked up hair and Birkenstocks. Oh wait, I already have the Birks:)  But I know EXACTLY what you mean, and take your word for it.  

  • Beth Ann replied 9 years ago

    Buahaha!  "Creative Lady."  I know that look, but I call it "Voice Teacher." 
    Love the dress for your time in Asia.  The options for styling are as fab as the look itself. 

      I remember how dirty my feet got in sandals in Guangzhou.  Do you have cool shoes that will protect your feet on city streets?

  • Thistle replied 9 years ago

    Fab dress!  So glad it worked as planned. I think that is going to be a workhorse for you!

  • jackiec replied 9 years ago

    Lisa - I'm 5'7.5". I have the small in my shopping cart. Ready to pull the trigger.....thoughts?

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Jackie, go for it! You can absolutely handle the length -- it is not shorter than your shorts. Also, the S will be big on you (you are more slender than me, I think) with a bit more length. I think bigger will be fine, BTW - or you can get xs in the black still. 

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Beth Ann, that's a thought for sure. I do have sneakers -- mesh ones -- the ones in the shorts photo. I do think my feet will get pretty grubby, though. Alas. 

    Laughing at all the creative lady jokes. 

  • jackiec replied 9 years ago

    Thx for the reco. I'm going to give it a try :) (the purple in small. Strict orders - cut back on black ;))

  • replied 9 years ago

    We are always one false move away from the Voice Teacher/Creative Lady look .  It's a tightrope we are walking, my friends.  :)  

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Tremble....tremble....  ;)

  • Karie replied 9 years ago

    You look fantastic in that dress, all versions. It's very versatile and will be perfect for your trip. 

    I know that "Creative Lady" look! I call it "Reading Teacher!"

  • Jaime replied 9 years ago

    I was totally distracted by the thought of your writing style seeping into your posting style! But the dress looks fantastic and will be excellent for your travels - which start soon I guess! 

  • Maneera replied 9 years ago

    Now that's a real versatile dress! I love it both as a shift with a scarf and tied in at the waist for the blouson effect. I particularly love how you've paired it with walking shorts and worn as a tunic top. How cool is that! Definitely a great dress for traveling....since it's a dark color, it'll be easier to maintain too. Fab find! And looks absolutely fabulous on you!

  • Cococat replied 9 years ago

    It looks great for travel and I must say, you wear it better than the model!

  • Deborah replied 9 years ago

    Suz what a fabulous dress!  Love the colour too.  And I adore that second one you included in your comment.  You MUST let us see that one on you.  

  • lyn67 replied 9 years ago

    Love it, seems an easy but chic and versatile piece! You have great legs, Suz! 

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    FAB dress. You have styled it well, and thanks for sharing its versatility, Suz. 

  • Elizabeth P replied 9 years ago

    So glad it worked out for you Suz.  You'll love this for years to come.

    I have to admit I'm a bit of a gear junkie, so the thought of a dress like this sends me running to the website.  LOLing at the creative lady comments, because of course I took one look at the colours and thought "too muted for me".  Even the black looks greyed.  And greyed sucks the life out of me.  :(

  • replied 9 years ago

    .actually Elizabeth, I was thinking you'd like this dress too:)  what is it about we Canadians and our love for athletic clothing ?  

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Good question, Lisa. Someone should do a study of this. 

    Elizabeth -- it's true -- that grey looks like charcoal. But... I have a feeling they have come out with different colours of this dress in different years. I saw an orange version on the web and they also have that BRIGHT PINK which would look awesome on you....

  • Carole replied 9 years ago

    What a great dress and you look fantastic in it! I love practical, versatile and great looking pieces...all in one. You actually look better in it than the model! Thanks for sharing.

  • Janet replied 9 years ago

    So cute on you, and I like the versatility!

    I am envious. I wish these kinds of dresses worked for me, because they would be great for my summer lifestyle. But I can tell it would be too long-waisted, and too short and tight in the skirt on me. I have some decent summer dresses now, but they're not as casual as this, and I would love to have one really casual, sporty dress option for summer. Sadly, they all seem to be too short and/or boxy.

  • CocoLion replied 9 years ago

    The dress looks amazing on you.  You should send a link to the company!

  • Elizabeth P replied 9 years ago

    Bright pink?  Bright pink?

  • replied 9 years ago

    bright pink , E

  • Elizabeth P replied 9 years ago

    I found it :)  Only had black and purple on the site I originally saw.  I think it might be a bit much though...

  • Kirstjen replied 9 years ago

    I like it.  A lot.  But I LOVE those silver sandals...  Not sure what it is with me & metallics lately. 

  • Astrid replied 9 years ago

    The dress looks great on you! I've seen this one before in a local outdoor store, but in the bright pink. Great style...

  • jackiec replied 9 years ago

    Ah - so sad! I ordered the same dress - and sadly it's going back. Suz is right - it's fantastic all around - colour, fabric, drape, etc. But it's FAR to short for me. As a shift the length is ok, but it seems to accentuate the widest part of my hips. I like it a little cinched in, and even cinched in a wee bit makes it uncomfortably short for me. But I can see, Suz, why you've recommended it. It's a fab dress :) I'm impressed with how quickly the (free) shipping was; hopefully the return process will be equally painless. Enjoy your dress :) :) :)

  • Keturah replied 9 years ago

    OH ZOWEE!! Chic magnifique, Suz!

    JackieC, thanks for weighing in on it. I'm a tall girl with curvy hips. So I don't think I'll be trying it. But dang, I want to... :D

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Oh, too bad, Jackie -- I am sorry about that. I guess it is useful sometimes to be on the short side...

  • replied 9 years ago

    I ordered one that day too, and mine is due to arrive tomorrow. Quick shipping to Vcr - wow!  I'm eager to see it but am a little worried about the fit too, now that I read Jackie's comments.  We shall see.......

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