Lace Overlay Long Sleeve Maxi Cocktail Dress

I expected this dress to be kind of cheap looking, but for the price, I thought why not give it a try! I agree with another reviewer that the quality actually really surprised me — the overlay is *beautiful* and the slip isn't bad at all! It's very romantic and fit me well, true to size. I'm planning on wearing it to my rehearsal dinner this winter. I can't wait!

I never seem to escape the Nordstrom annual sale without purchasing an indulgent slip dress. I’m a sucker for ethereal lace and delicate colors, and I’m on the market for a performance dress in the white/ivory range anyway, so I took a chance. I disagree with another reviewer who says the dress looks cheap. I was actually very impressed with the quality, especially on the overlay. The slip part of the dress IS a big sheer and seems like the sizing might be a little off with the harmony of the overlay; I ordered a medium, which is often loose on me, and this was exactly half true. The overlay has a slight stretch and fits like a large in my opinion; the bias-cut slip is completely form-fitting, and while it hung more gracefully after shortening the adjustable straps, it felt a bit awkward to have something so loose and free over something more constricting. This is subjective, and it does create an interesting layered effect, but it’s not my favorite fit and makes me wonder if I will be able to use this dress for its intended purpose (violin performance.) I worry it will be absolutely transparent on stage without (ironically) another slip, since it’s unlined. The overlay’s loose and roomy sleeves are distracting with fast arm movement, and will probably just get in the way. These pieces can be separated, though they arrive attached with a discreet loop of ribbon to line them up on the hanger. I think that at the sale price it’s worth it for the overlay alone, which IS textured but I wouldn’t call it “scratchy.” It’s totally tolerable. I look forward to layering it over other slip dresses and think it’s quite a versatile piece with an unusual neckline! The white slip under it is OK; the quality is soft and feels silky (not like cheap stiff satin), and the bias cut is graceful. The straps adjust easily. It’s just sheer and clings to every little bulge or lingerie line, which makes it a bit tricky to style. Ultimately I feel like an elf queen in this dress. It’s very ethereal, very beautiful in person, and a great find at the sale price. While I knocked a star off my review for the fit and translucency, I think it’s a lovely cocktail dress and look forward to wearing it on fancy dinner dates.