Hello Ladies,
Lately my shopping expeditions have consisted of the following: A gorgeous dress or top catches my eye, and I race to the fitting room where I test how malleable my breasts are by smooshing, squishing, and mashing them into the garment. If I size up, the waist is too large, and ultimately, I leave disheartened with nothing to show for my troubles. However, last week, I decided to skip this process altogether and order BiuBiu instead. In the past, their designs have fit like they were tailor-made for me, and a quick perusal of the website resulted in a decrease in my Paypal account balance. I purchased the Paris Noir dress, the Haarlem long-sleeve top, the Siena button-front, the Portofino short-sleeve top, and the new Oviedo for just over $200 with shipping. You just can’t beat the value! Since my order was larger, I will be breaking the reviews into three blogs, and today I am wearing and reviewing the Paris Noir:
Total lack of dairy contributed to a five pound weight loss mostly in the midsection, making my measurements 42″-28.5″-41.5″. My bust measurement has always placed me right on the edge of the 38BBB, but I always take the chance to ensure the waist fits properly. Overall, I am extremely satisfied with the size. While the bust and shoulders are a touch snug, the waist nips in sharply and highlights my torso before the dress flares for the hips. A 40BBB would have been better for my bust/shoulders, but since I can move freely without anything pulling, I am happy with the fit in this size. Follow their size chart but be open to sizing up too.
My only quibble with the fit is that the back of the dress rides up a little because of my long torso and booty, but as I mentioned in past reviews, I never escape the phenomenon regardless of who makes the dress. So, for me, this is not a deal breaker.
Today is the first day I have worn the Paris Noir, and I find it to be comfortable, particularly because the looser fit around the hips combines with the back vent to allow for easy walking. While the vent is a little high, the lining in the dress tends to cover the legs even if the vent flares. Furthermore, the dress stays put when I move too—an important feature for me. Within the last few months, I have grown intolerant of clothing which needs constant readjustment, and I am now only purchasing items which will withstand a day of working retail.
Aside from the superb fit, the Paris Noir scores points for easily being the highest quality item I have purchased from BiuBiu, and I hope they revisit the design. The shell uses stiffer, almost suiting fabric while the lining feels soft and silky against the skin. A back zip enables the fantastic tailoring, but I would prefer a side zipper for ease. The zipper also feels quite sturdy, even surpassing higher end dresses in quality; in fact, I would compare the quality and aesthetic of the dress to the likes of J. Crew and Ann Taylor.
It doesn’t hurt that the dress is gorgeous either. Before I ordered the Paris Noir, I asked myself if I really needed another black dress. Of course, I love black; I love dresses; and I loved the style. So, I silenced the skeptical voice and cannot be happier that I did. The neckline is open but not low, meaning the dress is work appropriate even in conservative environments. If I wore a plunge bra, I may create some cleavage, but I love the look as it is. My biggest caveat with BiuBiu’s necklines is that they can be too low to wear without a cami underneath, but this dress perfectly balances the coverage for a sophisticated look.
Origami folds on the cap sleeves prevent the dress from feeling too plain, and vertical darts on the front tailor the dress to my shape before ending in a fabulous sewn in gross grain ribbon belt. While I do love my belts, they sometimes rotate during the day, and as a result, the dress creates the look of a belt without the hassle. Of course, if I did want to wear a wider belt, I think I could cover the ribbon one easily.
The hips of the dress have flattering folds which drape gracefully and conceal deep pockets. In theory, I love the concept of dresses and pockets, but in practice, they can tread into unflattering territory easily. The superior construction on the Paris Noir never allows this to happen. Not to mention, the pleating camouflages the tummy without adding extra bulk so that the overall silhouette and profile imitates a slimming sheath dress. BiuBiu, please make more dresses like this! Your knit ones are fantastic too, of course, but this is the perfect addition to a professional wardrobe. Plus, it looks fantastic under a leather jacket:
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