Returns: CM Quynh dress and others

I thought you might like my review of the beautiful CM Quynh dress Angie mentioned in this morning's blog. Roxanna wears the black and white version brilliantly.

Here's the floral version on me. Lovely pattern. Nice fabric. And I got it at an excellent price. But the fit is off. It's slightly snug in the hip area in my usual size, and a bit shorter than I'd like on the short side. I could size up, but I'm not enamoured of the colour/ pattern on me and it feels quite similar to another CM dress I own (and adore -- the Norra -- in Finds and also in last photo). If they happen to have a size up in store when I return, I may give it a try but my inclination is no, much as I like the idea.

I also tried a knit top with interesting origami sleeves. I am returning this, too. I like it but don't really need it. I ordered it to get free shipping.

Then (excuse the bra straps) an extremely inexpensive  ON top I got simply to round out my cognac capsule. I don't think I'll keep because it's not really a need and of course the quality is not great. Even for $11.

Finally, a tie-belt midi skirt from Gap. It's cotton-linen, lined with cotton. In the image it seemed more A-line but IRL it is more dirndl. I thought you might like to see it anyway. It's nicely made, but unless you are a wasp waisted pear or hourglass you would probably want to size up. I sized up 2 sizes but also went down to petite. In other words, this could be a great item for a tall pear who likes this shape of skirt!

Apologies as ever for photo quality. I need to set up the DSLR again. 

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30 Comments

  • JAileen replied 5 years ago

    The dress in 10 is a home run. It looks sooo fab on you. It’s hard for anything else to compete with it.

    The skirt looks kind of like an apron to me. Not your usual sleek and sophisticated style.

  • Mirjana replied 5 years ago

    The skirt is lovely with stripes top but the dress in 10 is absolutely gorgeous on you, I can't stop watching, fantastic outfit Suz.

  • kellygirl replied 5 years ago

    Agreeing with jaileen! I want to thank you for taking time to posts the misses too. It’s so helpful! I hardly ever make it to brick and mortar stores anymore and online ordering can be so tedious. This helps to narrow the field. Great to see these styles on real people!

  • Elizabeth P replied 5 years ago

    Hmm... I think you need to rethink that ON top.  I really like it on you.

    Agree with the skirt, and I can't see the problem with the dress, but you know how it fits.  I trust you :)

     

  • Suz replied 5 years ago

    The dress is the same size as my Norra dress and fits up top. It's just slightly pulling at the hip in the lining -- not the dress itself. It said relaxed fit and I thought it would be just like Norra, but it's cut just a little differently and the lining is a different fabric as well. I adore wearing the Norra -- it is such a lovely, feminine dress, stunningly constructed. 

  • Roxanna replied 5 years ago

    Thanks for this Suz! Completely agree with others - the dress in #10 is a stunner and its hard for the Qunyh dress to compete. That was also not my favourite pattern - I like the navy floral you posted on my thread, but I didn't like that it was just cotton and not silk like the others.

    I adore that origami top on you too!

    And thank you for the sweet compliment :)

  • Staysfit replied 5 years ago

    My favorite in the group is definitely the Norra Dress. That is the benchmark here, and I agree the others are not up to its level. The first dress is very nice, but if it doesn’t feel great, it shows on your face. I like the Origami sleeves top, but agree with your judgement to return it. To my eye, this looks like a statement piece: Despite this it seems too casual for your style to work as a statement piece. It also doesn’t look like your typical essential pieces.

    I laughed out loud at the apron comment! I thought the skirt created a sophisticated housekeeper look and that you needed a feather duster as a prop.

  • Cardiff girl replied 5 years ago

    You really wear clothes well so even ones that you are sending back look good on you,and why have you included a picture of a supermodel in #10?

  • Elle replied 5 years ago

    Thanks for your reviews.  It really helps to see the things that don't work as well as the things that do. 

    I actually love the Old Navy top on you.  I agree with the others that your current CM dress is amazing on you.

  • Katerina replied 5 years ago

    You look amazing in your dress in the last picture - it is difficult for any dress to beat. The other dress is nice on you in the picture, but not as fabulous as your current one, which is a knockout.
    I like the white top with origami sleeves on you, it looks nice and modern with the black pants and white sandals.
    The ON top looks gorgeous in the picture and the outfit looks great. Can’t see anything in the picture indicating any quality issues. Sure you want to return it? You look fab in it.
    The white skirt seems to be a bit of a style departure for you, in comparison with the other outfits not as sharp. It is quite nice, but I understand that you want to return it.

  • jussie replied 5 years ago

    Suz I love that last dress on you... and that purse! Perfect. I also really like the first dress. But you have to be happy with it. It’s good that you are “ppp”. The inexpensive top I rather like too- just not sure if it fits with your overall style....
    It’s a pity about the white skirt, it would be a beautiful piece if it worked. I vote keep looking for something similar!
    Thanks for sharing the pics :)

  • Diana replied 5 years ago

    Thanks for the review of the dress.  I was somewhat tempted for myself but if it's snug in the hips for you I can guarantee I won't even be able to get it over mine.  LOL.  

    I LOVE your existing dress, by the way.

    The skirt looks rather overwhelming on you.  Too bad, because it seems  like it could be a pretty versatile piece if it fits right.  I retired my full white cotton skirt last year, so I'm also in the market for something to fill that niche.

  • Suz replied 5 years ago

    Diana, Gap has another similar skirt, too, that I might try...but it's denim, so would be heavier. Maybe it's a true A-line. Re the dress -- I wouldn't completely rule it out. It's the lining, not the dress itself -- making me wonder if they are all a bit different. If I get a chance, I'll check. Also, proportions could be different in a different size. 

    I would like a skirt that is similar to this for sure. I like the Boden gored linen skirt and probably should have ordered that. My mother used to have one just like it. Very elegant. 

    Thanks for all the input, everyone, and yes, I love when people review items they aren't keeping just as much as the true winners! 

  • Angie replied 5 years ago

    Thanks, Suz. 

    YES. Try the CM dress in a size up if you run into it. Great potential.

    I LOVE #4. KILLER. Please consider keeping it. It's GORGEOUS with the new white sandals. WILD CARD. 

    I also really like the skirt with the striped top. Super cute. 

  • Suz replied 5 years ago

    Thanks, Angie! I have some time to shop tomorrow. I'll do returns but also try ons and I'll take some pictures. We'll see. That Parelle top came in a kind of fuchsia, too, which I loved, but it seems to be sold out. 

    ETA, I should add I'm in the big city for a conference, and for once I get a day to look around with no other jobs to do -- came a day early. :)

  • replied 5 years ago

    I agree that the first dress is a little short on the one side - just enough to take away from the elegance of it.  I actually really like both the ON and the origami top , and think you look great in both . However, we all know ON stuff can be pretty dodgy in person.....
    The white skirt seems like  just too much skirt for you - but I do like your styling with the striped top.  

  • LaPed replied 5 years ago

    Thanks for the reviews! I was curious about the Quynh, but this suggests it's probably not for me. As someone with a very similar body type, I say return the tops if you don't love them. Tops are easy enough to fit that you might as well hold out for ones you love and not settle for ones you merely like. I love the idea of the striped top with the white midi skirt -- I definitely think it's worth seeking out a white midi skirt in a more substantial fabrication.

  • Vix replied 5 years ago

    Hi Suz --

    Let's face it, you have a closet full of picks that = stunning on you (#10!) so it's hard for the new items to compete!

    I too like the origami top and the ON print on you and didn't realize they were going back. But if you say so, back it is. 

  • Jaime replied 5 years ago

    I love the origami sleeve top on you -  but only if you'd wear it! The last dress should be your benchmark and anything that doesn't measure up say goodbye.

  • RobinF replied 5 years ago

    Thanks for posting the misses as well as hits. I see what you mean about most of these, although I really like the ON top on you. And of course the dress you own is so gorgeous it is hard for anything to compare.

  • Joy replied 5 years ago

    The Norra dress is perfection on you. The Quynh dress looks good but not as outstanding. I also enjoyed the out-takes, the ones you plan to return. It's an excellent reminder to be picky and patient for the right one to come along.

  • Christina F. replied 5 years ago

    I like this stuff on you, even if you want to return it (though I agree about the first dress size, and meh on the skirt). It's nice to have reached the point where you have enough good stuff that you won't settle for "almost but not quite," isn't it?

  • replied 5 years ago

    Love the last dress on you for sure! And the striped shirt —a keeper for another skirt or pant. The white skirt feels like something you might wear at home in a different color so you won’t get it dirty so easily, but probably overall you could find a better style for long term. The first dress might need a different size; still it pales cf to last dress on you. Thank you for sharing these possibilities—I have sent back way more than I have kept this season. A dress season for sure, one that takes a lot of discernment. I have tried on so many dresses that are so not me but look great online!

  • replied 5 years ago

    I really like the print on the old navy top!
    I like the swing vibe but the narrow straps are a little less flattering than a wider strap. Still really nice though.

  • Kari replied 5 years ago

    This is great. The items look good on you, but compared to your slam-dunk items that fit REALLY well like #10 (live that dress!) returning makes sense. A good example of where being very discerning pays off.

  • rachylou replied 5 years ago

    Gee, I like the skirt on you!

  • cjh replied 5 years ago

    As everyone says, thanks for sharing your reviews. Just a word of support for trying the Boden white skirt. I have one very similar  that I totally love (and now that I remembered, will wear it tomorrow) so I say go for it. Your description is perfect - elegant is the word!

  • Elly replied 5 years ago

    Good work self-evaluating your. Purchases Suz. Not always an easy task. I love your original club Monaco dress on you and. Nothing else you posted measured up. Onward!

  • Bijou replied 5 years ago

    Really you should do modelling, because even the misses look fab and most people would love to look like you in those items. However, with #10 as the benchmark, you have made the right decisions, although I did love #4 too...

  • Gail replied 5 years ago

    I like both the dresses but agree the one you already own is the best.
    The origami top is interesting but if you don't feel fab in what's the point. The ON top I like but again if you're not feeling it back it must go. So many cute sleeveless tops, unfortunately sleeveless is not really appropriate for where I work . It's  shame as I seem to have so many and struggle finding things I like with sleeves. 
    I am with Lisap, I feel like the skirt is too voluminous and wears you instead of the other way around .

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