Dress: Southern Raised via Etsy and Big Cartel | Shoes: Vince Camuto | Cuff: Had forever (similar) | Cast Cover: c/o CastCoverz!
As a curvy woman, it’s pretty hard to shop online from a retailer that isn’t well established and doesn’t have a generous exchange and return policy. Will it fit the girls? Will it suffocate my arms? Will my belly button/butt crack/etc etc etc be on display? This is why I usually shy from dresses and tops on Etsy. However, I have been CRAVING a wrap maxi in a statement print, and when looking for one at regular retailers I have been underwhelmed by poor construction, poor fit, and poor selection.
So I decided to take a tour around Etsy for inspiration. Maybe I could find a seller who would create a custom dress from my measurements. I first checked with the seller Nuichan, who made my gray and red maxi skirt. Nothing was quite right. So I searched Wrap Maxi Dress and found this one! The seller said it was available in S, M, and L. I messaged the seller asking what this meant, she got back to me right away and said a L would fit a 12/14. As a curvy woman, I know that when items claim to be 12/14, they are often more like a 10 with an A chest… but I took a chance since it was stretchy.
Yes, there’s a safety pin to keep my breasts from spilling out, and yes I add another one when I want less cleavage, but otherwise this dress is a fab fit! I wore it a couple weeks ago to a party and felt festive yet as comfy as if I was wearing loungewear. Even the length is stellar, I’m just wearing my Vince Camuto booties with it, no need for a crazy high heel like most maxis, and no need for flats like petite maxis.
Ladies, don’t think because you have curves or a double-digit dress size that you’re stuck to shopping at the standard retailers. Go to your local dry cleaner or ask a friend to take your measurements and consider branching out to smaller businesses and ask questions and take a chance. The more we ask for quality, fun, and unique fashion the more likely people will realize the value in catering to our figures. Power is not in your dress size, but in your wallet. Change is happening in apparel every day and it’s exciting and needs to continue, so speak up and get what you want and what you deserve!
