Happy Friday!! For this week’s Fit Review Friday, I have a tunic that I’m considering repurposing as a shirtdress. As per usual, you can find my measurements for comparison here. On to the review…
In Blue Stripemix:
In White:
Madewell Button-Down Tunic Shirt with Pockets in white & Blue Stripemix // Size xx-small
The perfect petite shirt dress has eluded me season after season. I want it to be made of cotton poplin shirting fabric, have a straight “men’s shirt” shape to it without being too overwhelming, a pointed collar, full button placket (so it can also be worn completely unbuttoned as a top layer) and side pockets. This seems to be a rather tall order! So when I saw this tunic from Madewell with side pockets, I figured it was worth a try as a shirt dress. I ordered both the white and blue stripe (on sale!).
Blue Stripe: this is the one I like the most, both as a lover of menswear inspired blue stripes, but also because the color mades the fabric less sheer. I makes a pretty nice short dress on my height, and the side pockets are at the right spot. I wish the blue stripe pattern didn’t switch up towards the bottom, since it creates an extra horizontal line that makes it tougher to belt and style as a dress. As for sheerness, I couldn’t see my underwear lines underneath, but the outline of my legs can be seen when standing in the light. If I keep, I will wear with boyshorts underneath for extra coverage.
White: this one would be perfect if the fabric weight was thicker. Unfortunately, it is a bit too sheer to wear as a stand alone dress, and even with nude colored undies, I could see all the lines of my unmentionables. I’d say this one should either be worn with a slip, or relegated to tunic use only.
Two other options with side pockets have popped up online since I ordered which might have potential. I like the idea of the flannel version (grey), but that darn oversized fit is such a wild card:
Madewell is running a promotion right now, with 30% off an order of $200+, and 20% off an order of $100+ with code WINWIN.
The approximate measurements of size xx-small are as follows (laid flat):
Shoulder: 13.5″
Bust: 17.5″
Waist: 18″
Sleeve: 22″
Length: 31.5″ (front) 32.25″ (back)
Is the transition in stripes meant to occur at the natural waistline? Or is it just a random location? Love the shape of it as a shirt dress though!
Hi Cassie! I made another search for the blue stripe one this morning, and lo and behold, it showed up (http://altsneed.co/1NIjfJ0)! It’s on sale, so maybe the site was being updated when I was putting the post together last night. What’s interesting is, the stripe pattern on the model switches up above the pocket…but the one I have switches up about an inch below the start of the pocket. Even on the model, the one I’m wearing wouldn’t have the stripe pattern line hit at her waist. Hmm…interesting.
LOVE this. It’s so true about how a regular sized tunic can become a petite dress!
I always enjoy your email and blog. Thanks for all the research you do !
It’s a pity that the white shirt tunic is too sheer to be worn as a dress. It looks great from the pictures though!
Prudence
http://www.prudencepetitestyle.com
Where is that belt from? I love it.
Hi Alice! The belt came on a dress. Sorry I can’t be more helpful! =\