There's a mockup Paul and Joe for Target store in LA. Most of the collection was on display in true boutique fashion. It was pretty cool to see everything displayed so much more nicely than it would've been at a plain ol' Target. I didn't get to do much browsing since I literally slipped in the door at 7 PM (closing) and could only browse for 15 minutes. I was able to nab the kimono dress in an L. I did see a lot of other things but couldn't try anything on at all.
Here's the store pics. I think the store was definitely a great idea and should've been done in every major city.
As for the dress, I think I've been spoiled rotten because I own three Rachel Pally dresses (it's a burgeoning addiction of sorts) and when I heard this was a modal blend, I was excited (RP is modal/spandex). This is, as far as silhouette is concerned, a not particularly faithful knock off of the RP caftan dress. I was hoping for something that flows since modal drapes really well.
Um, this totally doesn't flow. It's like wearing an American Apparel t-shirt dress. AA has its moments, but I really am unsure as to whether the silhouette works with the less drapey fabric. I do love the drapey sleeves though and it's a really comfy dress for day wear. The material doesn't really lend itself to being dressed up much.
I think the dress looks great on you, I think it just needs some heels. Is the dress you bought the blue or black version? (it is hard to tell in the pic) Also, what size do you normally wear? I have an order in for the blue version in an xs. I am normally a size 2, but I am thinking a small might fit better than an xs??
Im actually liking the silhoette on you very much, the draping on the arms, and also think when you get some heels on it will really look nice. Does the dress fabric look/ or feel cheap IRL? This is what I am most disappointed in when I try clothing at Target- mostly the feel of cheap fabrics. Especially when it is a dress. A dress in a cheaply made fabric, with poor drape, looks especially bad. But, in the pic this isnt apparent. I wouldnt mind paying a little bit more for them to put something extra into the quality of the fabrics. I guess thats why its Target though,them not wantting to go up into a higher price point. But, wouldnt you be willing, as a consumer, to pay more for a designer line at Target with a little better quality fabric-bearing in mind that you could never afford the luxury line?
Did you try on a smaller size? Do you think a M would work? Maybe I'm stuck on the size you bought but it looks a little big to me. But I think with a longer necklace in gold/bronze/silver and some heels, you could dress it up a bit - nothing terribly fancy but enough for a night out.
How about a belt? Would it look funny? (I'm trying to imagine all the ways I'd wear it.)
I really like the overall fit on you, but agree with others that the hem could be shortened a few inches. That way, you could wear it with heels and some of your cute flats when you want to be more casual. It looks comfy -- I want one now.
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Frankly, I think I need an S! I'm a 6-8 on top (grrrr I hate raising the number on this!) and a 4 on bottom. I got the black one...craptacular flourescent lighting makes it look blue. I pretty much grabbed the last dress in the store, so I was hoping it would work.
Heavy? I wouldn't say so unless you're hoping the fabric on this is like a thin Rachel Pally/Ella Moss/C&C dress. I'd say the cotton quality is on the same level as American Apparel but a wee bit thicker. The thing with American Apparel cotton is that it doesn't drape gracefully. It's not uncomfortable or anything...it's just different and lower quality. I am dissapointed with the fabric because I was really hoping for drapey modal. Even F21 can make modal at that price point (even if it is really thin).
The dress has a tie back, so a belt of any sort is out of the question IMO.
I am going to the Rachel Pally sample sale this weekend and I will see if I can find the original caftan dress she made. If I can find the RP one, I will return this (or if anyone would be interested in taking it off my hands, let me know!).