Hello Ladies,
After such positive experiences with BiuBiu in the past, I was eager to try fellow full-bust clothing company Urkye. Both manufacturers create clothing for women based on their bust size to eliminate pulling and poor fit caused by too small a difference in the waist-to-bust ratio! When I saw promotional shots for the Mala dress, I knew what my first purchase would be. Patiently, I waited . . . and waited . . . and waited. Okay, so it probably wasn’t that long, but my other LBD sadly retired, making the wait feel unnecessarily long. Finally, the dress became available, and I purchased it immediately. The waiting began anew, but fortunately, I received my package (from Poland!) in about a week and half. My ardent love for the dress overrode my patience, and as a result, I am detouring from the fall previews to offer a review!
According to the size chart, my recent measurements (41.5″-29″-41.5″) put me somewhere between the 38oo/ooo and the 40oo/ooo (for those that remember my BiuBiu reviews, these sizes would correlate to 38BB/BBB and 40BB/BBB respectively). I opted for the 38oo/ooo, and I couldn’t be happier. The dress does not pull or stretch although I do get a very minor bunch near the small of my back. I experience this to a greater degree with almost all fitted dresses because of the dip between my back and booty; as a result, this is a feature I’m willing to accept. If you’re between sizes, I recommend sizing down for a closer fit.
The measurements of the dress seem in line with what the size chart indicates, but they were taken without stretching the dress:
Bust (taken from armpit to armpit) – 39″
Waist – 28″
Hips (taken 8″ down from waist) – 38″
The fabric has quite a bit of give in part because it is made from a comfortable cotton jersey (92% cotton, 8% elastane). During the warmer months, the breathable cotton will keep me cool—a feature I will appreciate more when temps hit the 90s. Furthermore, the texture of the fabric feels soft against the skin, and the jersey contours well to my shape. Sporting an average weight, the fabric works year-round, especially if you add layers. Given the body-hugging design, VPL proof panties are advised, but I was rather shocked at how well it hides the seams of my bras. Even on the less discreet styles, I can’t even see the sliver of embroidery, seaming, or lace. Go figure!
Furthermore, at 37″, the length is perfect for me. Hitting right above the knee on my 5’6″ frame, the dress can easily be worn with heels or flats and not shorten the line of the leg. Shorter women may end up wanting to alter the length though, and in fact, the Mala may pose a few problems, in general, for petite women or women with shorter torsos. Even though I am average height, I also have a long torso, and the neckline of this dress hits just this side of perfect. However, a shorter woman may find the neckline dips too low for her and exposes the top of the bra. On the positive side, the straps could be shortened to lift the neckline and adjust the fit in the torso if necessary. Considering the whole dress only cost me $50 including shipping, it may be financially worth the added alteration expense.
Speaking of the gorgeous neckline, I love how it covers enough of the chest for my conservative leanings but still bares some skin for a fun and flattering look. The almost sweetheart line across the front is unique and shapely but also allows you to layer under or over the dress for added versatility. Thicker straps perfectly conceal my bra and do not expose anything when I move. Finally, the armpit holes on the Mala are cut smaller than I usually see with sleeveless dresses. More often than not, I am always exposing a portion of my bra, but with this design, everything stays covered and concealed.
Because of the chic but basic aesthetic, the Mala is perfect for the office, the weekend, and even the cocktail party. The dress truly has that “it” factor which allows you to not only dress it up or down but also lets you put your personal spin on how you wear it (see the outfit ideas peppered throughout the post). Thus far, I wore it yesterday and did not have a single issue. The dress stayed put as I moved and bent over and never felt like it was being pulled in an awkward way. The lack of a back vent means I don’t have to worry about exposing too much leg while I walk either. Additionally, the Mala did not lose its shape as the day progressed—an impressive feat since many similar dresses do. My previous LBD bit the dust because of this unflattering situation (although in its defense, I had the dress for 3.5 years).
Overall, this dress deserves an A+, and I love it so much I am seriously considering ordering one in red!
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