STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

it looks fabulous on you, but i understand your concerns about longevity. i think if you keep washings to a minimum, and only wash it in woolite, it will look nice!

how is anthro's return policy otherwise? maybe you could try one washing to see how it goes and if it turns out like crap, return it?

If you're having doubts about the quality I would return, though it does look fabulous on you.

I was all set to say "return" until I saw it on you. It really flatters you, so now I'm tempted to say keep...can you dry-clean it? I don't know if that will work with cotton, but maybe that will help keep it from pilling.

Here's a quote from a dry cleaning site:

Drycleaners also have commercial laundry departments where they process shirts, cotton pants, and other items. With the convenience and superior level of pressing that comes with commercial laundry, it won't just be your dryclean-only clothes that look like a million bucks. Your business casual and casual attire will look their best, too. (I bolded the cotton pants part).

from: dry cleaning site

You may want to ask your local dry cleaner if it's an option for this dress - would also save you having to iron it if it's prone to wrinkling.

HTH

I think it looks amazing on you but I have concerns about longevity too. I had a top by Velvet which I assume is the same sort of super-soft cotton and it started looking worn out pretty quickly and I always hand washed it. It was also light blue so that may have added to the problem. I don't know. If you don't mind paying that much and are ok with just wearing it occasionally then you should keep it but if it was something you were hoping to get a lot of wear out of you might want to reconsider.

Also is Anthro good with returns like Nordstrom and other stores are? Like if it pills severely after just one or two wearings will they take it back?

That dress look so great on you!

I have a Velvet dress from Anthro too and I love it.  It's held up really well and it's the same material you're talking about.  I think the dress looks amazing on you too, so I think you should keep it. 

That dress is fabulous on you.  I think you should keep it. 

I have a black cotton Velvet dress as well. My only complaint is that it has faded a bit, but I machine wash and dry thing thing so it gets roughed around in the wash. I think that if you took care of it, it would last a pretty long time. It does look good on you too.

But if you're not in crazy love with it, I wouldn't keep it.