"We are what we believe we are."
C.S. Lewis

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Simple Shapes: The Lexa Dress

I have a little dinner dress to share with you that I love.
I bought it on massive sale from jcrew.com, but now it is on even further massive sale until midnight tonight.
It is the Lexa Dress  , it is done in a gorgeous silk taffeta and is fully lined in acetate.  It has a hidden back zipper, tiny sleeves and a v-neck that doesn't reach too low.
I bought mine for dinner events and I think the simple shape and gorgeous colors really lend themselves to this sort of occasion.  Add in some accessories ranging from simple, like a strand of pearls, to more eccentric, like a large bangle with an animal motif, and really you've got a dinner outfit you don't have to think about.
Lexa Dress in Vintage Peacock
 I have the Lexa in two different shades of blue.
Blue Suede Shoes
 I own the Mona Pump in Deep Atlantic which I wear with both dresses.
These shoes are quite comfortable considering the heel: I sized up a half-size.
Lexa Dress in Dark Pacific

 This color, "dark pacific" is one of the prettiest shades of blue I have ever seen in a silk tafffeta.
 You can see the dress has a higher set-in waistband.  I took the larger of my JCrew dress sizes (I can only take my smaller size when the skirt is very full) and the fit is perfect.  For a dinner dress I like that it isn't extremely fitted right at the natural waist, a pinching waist would interfere with eating.   We wouldn't like that would we!
Well I hope you have a lovely day.  Have you shopped the J Crew Massive Sale?
xoDani

41 comments:

  1. They look lovely on you, Dani! Thanks so much for the reviews. I am off to order the bright dahlia... and perhaps a blue! It is such a classic shape that I will be able to wear forever, I think!

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    1. Hi JCrewJD, I hope you like them. If they don't fit you could always return them, no final sale!
      I love the bright dahlia color, I'd wear that with the suede Mona pump in the berry shade.

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  2. Absolutely stunning on you, you really suit those colours. The Monas are wonderful with it, oh the bright dahlia with the berry Mona would be fab!

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    1. Hi Tabs, wouldn't that be a gorgeous combination?
      Thanks I love these blues, they're like a summer neutral. You'd be gorgeous in the dark pacific with your hair color.

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  3. Dani, wondering about size - how is the fit through the shoulders and chest? And the sheen on the fabric? This would be a great one for current season of summer weddiings and anniversaries, but hoping to avoid major alterations. Like your blue suede shoes finish!

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  4. Hi GetFresh, I would say this dress is quite fitted, go with your larger size. I have some room through the chest and shoulders but I am quite narrow and a 32 A/B bust.
    The silk taffeta is terrific, very similar to the silk on some older JCrew frocks that I have. I am very happy to see this dress amidst their current poly offerings. It's like something from the old days.
    It's a perfect dress for a wedding. You can really show off a necklace too, simple or something more "statement", a 1950's style maybe.

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    1. Thanks for speedy input! Had been nervy about JC occasion dress fabric quality after a Collection order miss this year. Glad to hear it's a throwback (ye olde j crewe of yore). I have actually been eyeing the bauble cascade necklace in the sale, but going with a "practical party" wear vs. pure frippery.

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    2. GetFresh, we do love frippery. Re the dress: if it had a poly lining which I despise I would have sent it straight back. The acetate is perfectly sewn in and the hidden zipper is very well done, nice to see in The Land Of Exposed Zippers.

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  5. Hi....I ordered the driftwood and the black...am now thinking I should have ordered the caspian blue ! thanks for the speedy review and I will let you know What I find the dress like as I am a SIZE 12. Thanks again . Carolyn From Vancouver

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    1. Hi Carolyn, I do hope you like the dresses as well as I do. I think the driftwood and the black would serve you well, and this is a dress that will never go out of style. Please do report back!

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  6. DBP, hurray no disco tracks back bling or dreaded side zip. You know I struggle to spend on frocks vs. jackets and shoes, so chuffed at the final light cheddah total. Very happy first day of summer and thanks for sharing.

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    1. Hi GetFresh, Between the poly linings which I hate and the side zips which are not tolerable!! Happy too for your light cheddah total.

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  7. Dani, I'm very tempted to try this one out.

    I already have the Sloane Dress in 3 colors on the way (some colors are also down to $70) to possibly serve as an easy wedding dress choice. I love the fitted top and waist and poofy skirt of it.

    But I also like the idea of having one option with covered arms. That will likely be the route I'll take as I get a bit older. ;)

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    1. Hi M, It's all about covering the arms for me. I used to not have to think about it, but I find unless I'm very strict with my exercising I just don't feel great with exposed upper arms. I've always had modesty issues!
      Let me know how the Sloane works out, it's so pretty!

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    2. Just received my Sloanes today and am in total love! Just gorgeous. I think you would love it as well, perhaps with a little cardigan if you don't like to show off your arms? The shape is just beautiful, has pockets, acetate lining, machine wash! I think it can be dressed down or up. Will be reviewing shortly! :)

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  8. Lovely style and those colours look so appealing...
    I love the crispness of the fabric too.

    You do know how to shop Dani!

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    1. Thanks Hostess, I'm not sure if knowing how to shop is a blessing or a curse! ;)

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  9. I love this dress on you Dani, the colors and shape work great with your figure and complexion. I am afraid the fabric would be too dressy for my lifestyle and sadly, I don't have any weddings or special occasions coming up.

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    1. Hi Ajc, I like a dress like this for going out even to a simple dinner, just me and my husband. It's dressy but also kind of plain so I don't feel overdone.
      I think this dress would be terrific on you, with your Valentina pumps and a great necklace!!

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  10. What a beautiful dress, and clever choice of colours - they really suit your skintone. The idea of a higher waist facilitating actually eating something is not one I'd considered, and is, of course, genius!

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    1. Hi Mrs. Exeter, I wore a very fitted heavy silk dress out to dinner a couple of weeks ago and I hated the pinching feeling I had by dessert. Never again!

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  11. These are gorgeous, Dani, you do have a gift for finding great pieces. I especially like the Dark Pacific, and I love the strand of pearls at the neckline.

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    1. Hi Sue, I also love that dark pacific color, so saturated!

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  12. Thanks so much for the review and pointing out this dress! I've been looking for a dress for an upcoming event and the peacock color will be perfect.
    L.

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    1. Hi L, Yes it is a perfect blue-green! You are most welcome.

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  13. These look beautiful on you Dani, very elegant yet versatile. Definitely good investment pieces. You certainly have a good eye - you should be a consultant for JCrew (they should be so lucky!)

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    1. Hi Sulky Kitten, that's a dream job right there. Thanks very much you are kind.

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  14. Beautiful dresses Dani, they are perfect for your dinner events and the colors are gorgeous. We definitely don't want a tight waist that interferes with eating, always important to remember that when selecting the dinner outfit.

    I have finished my business trip but yes, I am tired and wanting to nap on your sofa in yesterday's post. We're off on a short trip tomorrow to attend a wedding and then I really must stay home for a while.

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    1. Hi xoxo, well I hope it's a fun wedding because you must be exhausted. I hope you do get to stay home for a good long while you must have missed your husband very much.
      I always prefer more of an empire waist for sitting and eating!

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  15. Such a great looking dress, Dani. I love the colors you've chosen and the great looking mona pumps, which are too high for me at the moment. I do love the new color block option-did you see those?
    I bought the red havana clutch for $35 as part of the sale. I'm holding off other purchases since I want a few of the collection from the fall look book.

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    1. Hi Julie, No I didn't, I bet they are nice. What a great price for that clutch.
      It will be fun to see the Fall Collection items. I'll have room for one piece, I hope I like the fabrics! I find all the poly cropping up really unfortunate.

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    2. Dani-Here is the link for the monas. http://www.jcrew.com/womens_special_sizes/sizes512shoes/size5/PRDOVR~81090/99102689318/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20~~~0~15~all~mode+matchallany~~~~~mona/81090.jsp
      I saw them in the black and camel-gorgeous!

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  16. Both looks fab on you - loving that Peacock Blue, a very old world colour. You're going to get so much wear out of those. These days I like everything be comfy so I don't have to hold back on the profiteroles should they appear.

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    1. AboutLastWeekend, I love profiteroles and so does MrBP. We can't get them around here but they are on plenty of menus in Paris, we always order them.
      Thanks Darling!

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  17. The dress looks absolutely lovely on you, Dani! I love both of the colors, too.

    I did take advantage of the sale to pick up the Brompton mini-hobo in safari cat and the raj paisley maxidress (both at the in-store price). There are a couple other things I'd like to get, but I'm going to hold off for lower prices yet to come on them. :)

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  18. I love both colours, specifically the Dark Pacific -- stunning! You look very Joan Kennedy ala 1961 in those dresses, you always pick the best clothes!

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  19. Oh Dani these are perfect. I think you need to have a garden party .I received the metallic strapless dress and it was horrible. I ordered size 8 for the top part and it was huge in the hips. Did you receive yours ? I'm on the hunt for a part dress . Any ideas ?

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  20. What a perfect dinner dress! Simple and classy, beautiful fabric and colors, fitted enough to be ladylike while leaving the very important belly room. I can see it going dressy or more casual depending on accessories.

    It's a very smart choice.

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  21. It is a lovely dress Dani and both colors are lovely. My preference would go to the navy one... I love those cut where the waist is not to tight and not too much marked... I haven't shop at J Crew, but I have shop at the Brora Clearance and have been treated for my BDay ;-)
    Have a fabulous weekend.

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  22. The dress is perfect on you, and the colours really play up your complexion - gorgeous!! I am a little envious - it is a rare event that I get to wear a silk dress these days. The last time I wore a silk skirt to dinner with the inlaws, my son splashed it with juice within 15 minutes of stepping in the door!

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  23. Very nice. And I particularly like the way you mix the aqua dress with the more royal shade of shoes.

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