If you’re not familiar with Henrietta Pertuz, this is a new designer line designed by a petite, for petites! Her new fall collection is out, and I was dying to try out a piece from the line.
Henrietta was kind enough to let me try out the Morning to Moonlight dress, in size 00P. This little black dress comes in a stretchy viscose blend fabric, with a scoop neckline, back zip, and my favorite thing in the world…pockets!
This dress screams out for a waist belt and fun accessories. I didn’t want the photos too distracting so I didn’t wear jewelry here, but I would style it with some bright gems, and of course, fun shoes! The pockets give a nice, modern detail to the dress, making it a little more interesting than just a regular ol’ LBD.
What I like: The fabric has some stretch to it, so it will accommodate a variety of body types, and has a nice thickness and weight to it. Seaming runs up the torso from the pocket line to the bust seam, curving in to create a nice little optical illusion of a slimmer waist. The proportions are petite friendly, the length is perfect on me, stopping just at the top of the knee, and of course, pockets!
What I don’t like: After seeing reviews by Jean over at Extra Petite, I was hopeful about the sizing of Henrietta Pertuz pieces. When I zipped up the dress, I found it to fit well in the hip (see the slight pulling across the hip? One size down would be too small), but loose in the torso. Even with a waist belt, you can see extra folds of fabric around my waist and bust. There is also a bit of extra fabric at the bottom, causing it to flare out a bit in an “A” shape, when on the model it has a bell shape. The product page also says the dress is a ponte wool fabric, but the dress I have is a viscose blend.
The waist doesn’t look too roomy from the front, but the back was really loose and didn’t hug my curves at all.
Since the bust is roomy, this also makes the arm holes a bit too big, so my bra peaks through from the side. The arm holes are high, which is nice, but too wide from the side.
Remedy: Getting the sides at the bust and torso taken in by a tailor should solve this problem nicely. Even the arm holes will be smaller. I also want to slim the bottom so it’s not such an “A” shape. Since the zipper is at the back, and this dress is unlined, it should be a fairly easy alteration, but perhaps a bit pricey.
Since the fall chill is slowly creeping into the air, I couldn’t resist pulling out my trusty Burberry trench to see how it looks over the dress.
Here, I used an adorable puppy named Clinton to finish off the look. Trѐs chic, hmm?
Despite the need for alterations on my freakishly tiny self, I really do like the dress, and think it’ll look great after some tailoring. Oddly enough, I don’t have a simple LBD in my wardrobe, and I think this one will be really chic, especially with the seaming and pocket details.
If you’re my size or smaller, expect to need alterations on Henrietta Pertuz pieces, but if you’re even a smidgen bigger than me, the line should fit you really well! My favorite of the collection is the Kelly dress, and I’m really sad I couldn’t review that one instead…just look at that color, that neckline, and it’s named “Kelly” just like me! Awesome!
Syndey at Navigating Throu the Quarterlife with a Smile and Open Arms just reviewed a Henrietta Pertuz item too, so check it out.
Disclaimer – Henrietta Pertuz gifted me this dress for review.
More posts with the Burberry Trenchcoats:
Petite-Friendly H&M Lace Skirt
Petite Outfit: Who Needs Sunshine When You’ve Got Burberry?
Review: The Elusive Burberry Petite
Petite-Friendly Coats: Burberry
This dress looks really great on you and I'm glad to see more designer labels catering to petites out there! It doesn't seem like the alterations you mentioned would be too hard so hopefully this dress will really end up working out for you!
I really like the trench too, especially with the sleeves rolled up like you have them. I'll have to try that out sometime too!
i love the jacket outside the dress! aww and the pompom is adorable!!
Too bad this one didn't fit that well! I agree you definitely need alterations on the top. Um…can I have your puppy? He is just way too cute.
The dress looks beautiful under the trench coat. The Eva dress in 0p that I tried on also flared out in a bit of an "A" shape. The 00p would probably fit me better, however, the length would probably be too short for the purpose that I want the dress to serve. You mentioned that the top portion is loose on you. You might want to slim the bottom, too, as there's quite a bit of room between your legs and the dress.
Too bad about the fit as it does seem like a really well made dress. Interesting that it fits you snug on the hips though – I'm thinking that for me I'd have to size up to get it on but then I would probably have the same problem as you in the waist and bust (assuming everything will be sized up proportionally).
Awww Clinton – love seeing his little furry face in the photos!
So pretty, it's such a perfect little black dress. I think after alterations it will look perfect and the material seems nice. I am itching to try Henrietta but their pieces are a little steep for me to fork over so I am still holding back. All these reviews are not helping though. :)
Kileen – I hope the alterations won't be too much either, but it should look great afterward. I really like the look of rolled sleeves on the trench. I like rolling my jacket sleeves anyways, but on the trench, it looks really chic. Must do more often!
simplyvonne – Thanks! Clinton is a total cutie. I'll miss his little puppy face as he gets older.
TinyInTexas – LOL…luckily all the pics of Clinton are of him behaving. You might not want him after a few hours in house-training bootcamp. Phew!
PetiteGorgeous – Yup, I think I'm gonna get the bottom slimmed too. I think it'll look way better. I saw the "A" shape on you too, but it looks way better on you. My legs are so scrawny that it's really exaggerated on me!
curls-and-pearls – Taking the measurements was really helpful. The bust and hip were the same measurement, which is unusual considering most women have a slightly bigger hip measurement (pear shaped vs. completely hourglass). Hourglass ladies should fit this fine. But if you're proportionally busty or hippy, you'll run into some extra fabric somewhere.
Elle – I'm itching to get the Kelly dress, so if they go on sale, I'll be sure to report. =)
I have a feeling Clinton could make a burlap sack look "tres chic" Lol! Too bad about the fit of this dress, but I'm glad you're getting the bottom of the skirt altered as well as the top. Not a big fan of the "A" shape on smaller petites for sure! Really like the pop of color on your shoes with this!!
Great review! That looks like a quality dress, but I must say my first thought at the first photo was "Wow, that dress is still kinda big!"
Btw, love that knot belt. And classic trenches and cute pomeranians go with everything!
The dog totally makes the outfit! ;)
Thanks for the review! Can't wait to see the dress altered and styled with accessories!
I love seeing Clinton in your pics! It will be exciting to watch him grow up in the pics! :)
omg, can I have your dog or maybe borrow him? :)
it doesn't look too bad with the belt. i like that it had pockets.
I will be doing a review soon for HP too! This was one of my choices and I am glad you were able to review it! It looks great on you- especially belted and with those beautiful red pumps!
So stylish- LOVE all your outfits!!!
Callandra – Yeah, I think slimming the bottom is the way to go. Who knew the best accessory isn't a Chanel handbag, but a fluffy puppy? Wish I would have known that earlier! LOL.
Em – I had high hopes for the sizing after Jean's reviews. Oh well. At least the proportions are spot on. Taking it in should be pretty easy.
HM63 – He's my new favorite accessory. =)
Michelle – It'll probably be a while before I get it altered. I haven't found a tailor I trust in San Diego yet, so I'll probably wait until I go to LA to get it altered.
I am Khatu – LOL…only if you house train him. =P
Really Petite – Looking forward to your review!
Awesome to see someone reworking things to function for them. The dress (and the trench) look great on you!
Kristina J.
The dress definitely looks classy on you! Like how you styled it with the beautiful red heels.
I looked at the dress on the site though and…. wow, $375! I don't think I would ever pay that much for it. I do really like the simplistic style and the pockets, of course. I just could never justify spending that much!
I still cannot get enough of Clinton… I want to reach through the screen and pet him. :3
I'd love to see a retake of this dress if you get it altered, and accessorized like you said!
very♔aimée
sigh. i think these would still be too big for my less than 4'9 stature =[
stuck in the children's section forever i guess! lol
http://www.musingofsorts.com
Pass the dress! For the high price point, you can find better option. The waist and pockets placement are too low. A classic little black sheath dress should be simple and free of any pockets. Think of a classic black dress as a blank canvas. Pair it with pearls or a brooch.
agreed on the above posting. i'm okay with a classic lbd with pockets, but not with the fitting of this particular piece (especially the flaring out at the ends). clinton is adorable!! is he yours? he should be a permanent blog fixture. :) -J/mjvp/punksjunk
Wow – pricey for a very basic dress. Add in alterations and you're paying a lot for a style that you could pretty easily have custom made by a seamstress.
BTW, did you see that JCRew is now offering some of their sweaters in XXS? I have the cashmere pocket cardigan in an XS and it fits really well so an XXS must be tiny.
How do you do the double knot belt? It's gorgeous like that! PS, love your blog!
mich LA – If it fit perfectly, I'd probably be more inclined to purchase it. Since it's going to cost me money to alter, I'd pass at full price. I really like the pockets. =)
Amy – Of course! It'll probably be a while though. I want my LA tailor to take it in, and I'm stuck all the way down in San Diego. =(
Ely – Yeah, I think Henrietta Pertuz sizing would be too big for you. =(
Anonymous – Luckily Henrietta Pertuz let me have this dress free of charge, so investing in the alterations is worth it. I think it'll look really great after some tailoring. Pearls are definitely on the outfit pairing lineup.
Anonymous 5:18PM – 9 to 5 Chic did a great post about how to tie a belt. This is the exact way I do it.
How To Tie a Belt: 9to5 Chic
I love the way that belt looks tied, almost like a figure 8! As for the dress, I think it has potential but it's too bad it still needs alterations, plus the cost is quite a bit out of my price point right now! Btw, maybe it's because you're standing to a tall railing/fence, but for some reason I feel like you're looking more petite than usual… have you lost weight?! Love the trench and Clinton is adorable as always :)
Loving the trench coat on you, and your puppy is adorable!!!!!
PetiteXXS – LOL…nope, certainly no weight loss. That would be awful. I'm just as scrawny as I've ever been. I guess the railing is usurping my camera optical illusion skills to help me look normal sized.
Just wanted to tell you – love your puppy! So-so cute, and he sure knows it! :)
Just wanted to tell you – love your puppy! So-so cute, and he sure knows it! :)
How do you do the double knot belt? It's gorgeous like that! PS, love your blog!
I still cannot get enough of Clinton… I want to reach through the screen and pet him. :3
I'd love to see a retake of this dress if you get it altered, and accessorized like you said!
very♔aimée
Pass the dress! For the high price point, you can find better option. The waist and pockets placement are too low. A classic little black sheath dress should be simple and free of any pockets. Think of a classic black dress as a blank canvas. Pair it with pearls or a brooch.
The dress definitely looks classy on you! Like how you styled it with the beautiful red heels.
I looked at the dress on the site though and…. wow, $375! I don't think I would ever pay that much for it. I do really like the simplistic style and the pockets, of course. I just could never justify spending that much!