So sometimes I miss the days when you guys would leave blog comments, and I know some of you miss the days when I would talk about being a Plus Sized Lady. (Or, to borrow from my one of my favorite plus- size-store-names, a Forgotten Woman. Who wouldn’t want to shop at a place that sounded like a 70s Jill Clayburgh divorce film?)
Anyway, earlier this month I went to Weetacon and took part in what can only be called a FASHION EXTRAVAGANZA sponsored by Igigi, because what else can you call it when you and a dozen of your friends agree to pick a dress to review, only to find out that you actually got three dresses? I already own a few things by Igigi (whose name sounds like a sultry art house film), so I was happy that I got to try these.
My first choice was the Isobel Dress in Garnet. My experience with wrap dresses is that true wrap styles look the best but are complicated to put on, like fashion origami. Isobel is a mock wrap style—a pullover dress with a front panel that ties at the side. So while I like that it’s 
simple, the fit felt a little slouchier than the other two dresses And like a lot of wrap and especially Igigi dresses, it’s low cut enough to be conspicuously va-voomish unless you wear a camisole under it (see more demure look at left). Otherwise it’s definitely not an office look, at least not unless you work for a Bond villain or Sir Mix-a-Lot. For a dressed-up look it’s extremely comfortable, and I’ll probably wear this to one of the book events. If I’d found this dress while shopping I think I would have been sold on the color more than the fit.
The other two dresses I picked out were the Tres Chic dresses: one in Plum, and one in the original black-and-white pattern. For the purpose of the review I’d decided to take a gamble with these: I wasn’t sure about the front-gathered look or the kind of Abstract Expressionist-meets 80s-crazy pattern. But they turned out to be my favorites—especially the black-and-white one, which has a little bit of a retro thing going. It makes me look exactly like the grown-up I wanted to be in 1981, which I believe was some fabulous art gallery owner kind of person.
What I dig most about these two dresses is that they flatter like a wrap dress without the camisole issue. You’d think that it wouldn’t be a big deal to just add a camisole, but in my current organizationally-challenged non-fabulous-art-gallery-owner life, it’s one more thing I have to find in my closet. Too many times I’ve forgone wearing a dress or top because I couldn’t find something to wear under it. So I appreciate that the Tres Chic dresses work all by themselves, and I have a feeling that between important work stuff and the book events I’m going to wear the hell out of these.
Remember what I said about the comments? I mention it because Igigi is letting me do a $50 gift card giveaway in this comments. Just go to the Igigi site, find something you love, and then come back here and post the name of the item and a lovely pithy description of how and where you would wear it (KEEP IT CLEAN, FOLKS). Do it by April 7, 2011 and winners will be picked at random. FURTHERMORE you can visit the Igigi reviews of all my fellow Weetacon ladies and post in their comments as well for more chances to win.
(And if this random-giveaway-in-the-comments business works out, I might use it in the near future for a certain book. Just saying.)
Photos at right by Jorie Tappa. Photos at left taken in the mirror with my phone.
Love the black & white. Looks sizzlin. 🙂
You look great in all of the pictures, and I think the black and white is especially fantastic.
I love the Lily Lace & Turquoise Necklace Set, it’s very luxe and gorgeous. I only own one pair of earrings and no necklaces so I should probably get around to doing something about that.
I adored the garnet dress, and thank you for working it on Pasta Queen’s website! My only worry was the plunging neckline, since there’s no way I’d be able to wear that at work and be taken seriously. I was glad to read about your camisole endeavors.
All right, I must confess — I did go check out their website and fell in love with some other dresses, especially the Origami in Eggplant number.
You look fabulous! I think I would enjoy an evening out with the hubby in the Francesca Dress in Black. Maybe a concert or a play. Thanks for the opportunity to WIN!
You look so amazing in that Isobel!
I love seeing everyone wearing the same dresses and then seeing how they work so differently but so well on everyone!
I may have to consider that Tres Chic just based on that fact alone 😉
Wow, you look great in all three! I especially love the Tres Chic dress in black and white.
I’m not a dress up girl, I’m all about the jeans and tshirts, but I love the Bardot Jacket. If I won it I’d have something to wear to the occasional work function/meeting that requires my boss’s boss to take me aside and quietly tell me I need to wear my grown-up clothes the next day.
I love the Tres Chic in black & white, too. You’ve totally sold me on it. I have a fabulous wedding to attend this spring, and it would be perfect. Fun and not too fussy.
The Boulangerie Wrap Dress in Merlot Grape:
‘A dress I could rock!
Wrap me in merlot grape cloth,
Fashionable Me!’
The Isobel dress in garnet looks AMAZING on you! I want that one! Because I am convinced I would look as amazing as you! My second choice would be the Boulangerie Wrap Dress in Richelieu Blue. I include the full name because RICHILIEU BLUE. OMG. I have a Three Musketeers problem that comes nowhere close to my Laura Ingalls problem but has significantly better movies to go with it.
I love all the dresses I have seen on everyone. I’d take that Tres Chic dress in a second except I already have several black and white patterned dresses, and I want to add more color to my wardrobe.
I want the Misaki dress to wear on a fabulous date night with my husband. And in my dreams, I’d get all the pencil skirts, but they don’t really do anything for my figure, so I’ll just enjoy them on other people!
First of all, you look fab in those dresses! I especially love the last one and just brainstormed like 32 ways in which it would look great with everything else I own.
However. Because I’m a girl with an hourglass shape, I would love to rock the Femme Fatale pencil skirt at a reading or a library. Just sayin’. 😀
The Sachi printed wrap dress is amazing, and I think it will be perfect for the day I’m walking, click clack click clak, down the sidewalk, and bump into the perfect stranger who will whisk me away to a land where my mother doesn’t moan about the family being cursed because I’m not married yet…
I think I need the CEO Dress to go with my fancy new MBA. I shall wear it to take over the WHOLE WORLD. Or at least the block.
I agree that the black and white looks TERRIFIC on you. As for me, if I ever wore dresses, I think I’d be tempted by the Vileena. I always did love a shirtwaist. And you know, the IGIGI usual cut is great for you ladies who have something to va-voom about, but not all of us share that trait.
I love the Boulangerie Wrap Dress. I love dresses and I’m always looking for comfortable dresses that are flattering and professional looking.
That Isobel dress in garnet is SMOKIN HOT on you lady! And I think we should alll get the Tres Chic dress and have some sort of Flash Mob at the next mini-con. I absolutely love you in that Isobel dress. Fits you to a T. I would like the Ishiko Top in Chocolate as an everyday go to pc witht he reversible belt and the pop of blue around the cuffs, neck and hem. Miss you guys! xoxoxox
How gorgeous you are! I love the print Tres Chic dress on you the most. I personally am lusting (deadly sin!) after the Gloria dress in Bordeaux and the Sachi dress in Merlot – hmm, I’ve got a wine theme going here – and I would wear them on dates with Joe. Or anywhere, really.
Wendy:
1. You look gorgeous in all three. I think the Tres Chic is my favorite of the three.
2. I had a BLAST viewing/reading all of the Weetacon ladies’ reviews. So much fun, you all look gorgeous!
3. I would knock my graphic facilitation clients’ socks off in that CEO pinstripe dress. Holy crow! If I sensed I was going to work with a difficult client, I’d wear it to bolster my confidence. There would be no messing with me.
*Love* that black-and-white!! On you, on me, whatever!! Totally Christmas dinner with the in-laws!
I would get the Boulangerie Wrap Dress in Richelieu Blue. Then I would travel to Paris and wear it at a real life boulangerie, because where else would you wear a Boulangerie Dress? I’ll be really appreciative that the dress is adjustable after I eat some pain au chocolat and macaroons.
PS – I probably should have asked you before posting your pic on my blog, but you are rocking that Isobel dress way harder than I did!
That Isobel dress was made, made, made for you. I insist that you wear it to your Rehearsal Dinner. 🙂
I’m coveting the Bardot jacket and pencil skirt right now to wear on a job interview. Most days I don’t dress like a grown-up because I’m hanging with teenagers all day and I need to stay comfy because I’m constantly on my feet, but with that outfit I can say not only am I a kick ass teacher, but I’m also fashion-forward! Yay!
I want the book. Now, dammit. I’ll be downloading it on my Nook next week. 🙂
Still wanting the Sachi blue, Would it help if i say please?
I agree with everyting else, you are hot in that red dress!
I haven’t seen that site but their stuff is so cute! I love the Tres Chic dress that you had on, but I also loved all the jewelry, particularly the Nina Gold Antique Necklace set. I think that would dress up anything for a work meeting, or for dinner with the ladies.
The Misaki dress has all my best colours in it and would be smokin’ hot. Love it so much. I agree, the B&W Tres Chic makes you look like a stunna.
You look fantastic in the black and white tres chic dress. I’d love The Boulangerie Wrap Dress to wear to date night with my husband.
Will pass on the gift card.
Just wanted to say how ABSOLUTELY AWESOME the black and white dress looks on you. The other two are very very nice, especially the garnet color. But something a bout the black and white print screams FASHIONISTA!!!
Can’t wait for the book!!!! Preordered . . .
Rainy Day Trench Coat in Navy! I would wear it on all my grown-up Bond girl escapades.
I am jealous of how good the black & white Tres Chic looks on you – and of how photogenic you are!
I’ve been looking at the Vilenna Dress and I think it would be a super awesome twirly dress. Except I like it better with the leather red belt on the front page of the site, rather than the fabric belt on the listing. And I would wear this…..to twirl. I would go somewhere especially to twirl in this dress.
I’m pretty anti-pattern in general, but I do love the Sachi Printed Wrap Dress in Merlot. I see a date night downtown with the hubby, Indian food, and me rocking that dress with a pair of strappy sandals. 🙂
Loving the fashion show you all put together on the spot! I’d go with the Boulangerie because it’s classic, simple, versatile and oh-so sexy. Thanks for the chance!
I think I would totally wear the Gianna Dress to my girlfriend’s wedding this summer..you look fab!!
I love the Babette Curvy
Well, I sure won’t fit in any of those things on their site. I’m more the Petite Sophisticate kind of girl (dodges virtual tomatoes), but I wanted to say you looked great in your new clothes. I rarely wear dresses these days, and often for the same reason you have avoided them.
I’ve always wanted to try Igigi but just never did. I love the Gloria Dress in Bordeaux. I think it would be perfect for a upcoming wedding I have to attend in June!
I love seeing the Tres chic in both colors! I’ve been pretty sold on the boulangerie for a while now, as mainly a work dress with a bit of oomph, but I’m getting more and more intrigued by the Tres Chic, for work plus drinks. It may be the drinks in my imagined scenario that are tempting me, but I like ’em both, dammit!
I love everything on the site, but for me the Nina Origami Dress in Eggplant would be great to wear to work and a great dress to go out on the town in. I also have a couple of shower events this spring, and a fancy out-of-town champagne brunch to attend — the Nina is perfect!
i love the Gianna Dress so cute.
I had been going for the Boulangerie dress, but that photo of you in the black and white Tres Chis has solidly changed my mind for the latter. You look amazing! I will wear it to the office and conquer the frump.
You look cute in all of those dresses! H’mmm…my credit card is lonely…
I really like the Boulangerie Wrap Dress for work wear.
I’ve got my eye on the L’Amourette to rock the house at a retro themed wedding this summer : )
I love the black and white dress on you; also the Isobel in garnet (with or without camisole.) I want to recommend these dresses to a couple of friends but neither is tall (one is 5′ 3″ and the other is barely five feet) — do you think the proportions still work? The just-below-the-knee length on you seems flattering but of course I don’t know how tall you are for comparison. In any case, thanks for the link; the dresses are so pretty!
From their site, I love the Gloria Dress in Royal.
I would wear it for an Easter Sunrise service with a gemstone necklace.
I love the first dress the best! You look great.
I’d love to wear a wrap dress, but I’m that rare type of fat girl who doesn’t have breasts, so I can never pull it off myself.
I wish I had somewhere to wear the Luna gown to but I don’t. For my 30th birthday party in October I’d love to wear either the Bridgitte Sculpted Dress or Keira Lace Dress. I present a lot at workshops for fellow librarians and I think the Boulangerie Wrap Dress in Merlot Grape would be the perfect dress for my next presentation.
Wow! I had not heard of their site before–so many many thanks! I really liked the dresses you chose–you look fabulous in them!
I went through their entire website and saw several that I liked. I also saw some for my sister-who just Friday night had been invited to and attended ‘the space prom’ (for people who wok in space). She goes to lots more of that sort of thing that I do, so I’ll be passing it on to her, too.
For me, in particular, the CEO-dress-in-evening-blue would work so very well for me. I have to give lots of presentations at my work and will be a part of a panel at my professional conference this summer. This dress would be perfect for that – especially as I am a little nervous about it! In any case, thanks for them for the giveaway and thanks for you for sharing about it!
I’m lusting after this Tropical Beauty Maxi Dress – I would buy it and wear it with some strappy sandals, long dangle earrings and minimal makeup. The dress is the statement 🙂 It would be perfect for a BBQ, day at the beach, party, or night out with that special someone.
http://www.igigi.com/plus-size-dresses/tropical-beauty-maxi-dress.html
That Tres Chic dress is simply amazing. I need one!
I love the Tres Chic dress in Black and White. So pretty! Fingers crossed that I can have one of my own.
I love Isobel on you! I’ve got my eye on the Elianne Top in purple or perhaps raspberry flambe to wear to work.