This dress is by a new petite only clothing company called Sweet Velvet. The designer is based out of Los Angeles, so I was lucky enough to get an opportunity to chat with her over a cup of coffee. Shushan, the designer, was wearing heels, and we were about the same height! Gotta love fellow petite ladies designing for us!
This dress is called the Audrey Cocktail Dress, and it’s my favorite piece of the whole collection. Of course, the debut collection is small, so it’s not too hard to pick a favorite just yet.
I was apprehensive about this dress mostly because of the bust design, and mesh detail at the shoulders. I thought this dress could get really busy, and maybe even tacky, really quick. When I got it home and had an opportunity to try it on, I was pleasantly surprised. The bust detail is really interesting, and it’s a breath a fresh air to get a petite sized garment in such a fashion forward design.
I added a belt, some long pearls, my little black Chanel East/West, a pair of black Jimmy Choo’s, and the words out of my mouth were, “I feel like a fashion editor, on her way to a very chic office.” Wishful thinking!
I’ll also mention here that I’m wearing my Sascha strapless bra from The Little Bra Company. You could probably get away with wearing a nude, strapped bra, but with the mesh detail at the shoulder, a strapless looks much better.
Fit: I’m wearing a size XS, and the dress fits really well. Being so petite, it’s amazing to pull something on that actually fits, and not have to poke and pinch at fabric wondering about alterations. I slipped into this dress and was really pleased with the way it fit. The armholes are perfect, and the seams along the waist are really slimming, and gave me an hourglass shape. The top can accommodate a larger bust than myself, but if you’re very small busted, you might find yourself with some extra fabric up top.
Quality: The dress feels well made, and the fabric is stretchy and thick. All items are currently being made in the USA. It is not lined, which I would like to see in future designs from Sweet Velvet. My one gripe about the dress is the fabric. I really wish the fabric content would be upped, as this one is polyester/rayon/spandex.
Price: This dress retails for $119, which is a bit steep for the fabric content, but you’re also paying for USA manufacturing, and a really nice, specially engineered petite fit.
Sweet Velvet ships within the US, and also offers free return shipping.
Disclaimer: Sweet Velvet lent me this dress to review. This dress will be returned.
Check out the Sweet Velvet online store, and be sure to check back later this week for something special from Sweet Velvet for AN readers!
