Take 1 LBD - can it suit 6 different women?

When Mint Velvet and Avenue 57 decided to work on an article together I was sceptical and excited at the same time.  We wanted to see if one of their items of clothing would suit all women.  Mint Velvet clothes come in a range from 8 to 18 so it would cover a large section of the UK women today.

 

I asked for their suggestion of which item would suit us all and they chose their Black Bandage Dress.  This is not a style of dress I've ever really considered, have only seen on celebrities and never really thought that this style would suit everyone - so I was dubious inviting 5 ladies from Avenue 57 to road test this out.  However, the 5 ladies chosen were delighted to receive and style the dress according to their body shape/type/size.

 

I was very impressed with how goods from Mint Velvet are packaged - who doesn't love a hand wrapped tissue paper parcel?

 

 

When I took the dress out it felt heavy but not so heavy it would be uncomfortable to wear .. it was QUALITY heavy and I squealed with glee at the prospect!  It has a zip at the back so it was very easy to slip on and do up - and OH MY GOODNESS .. it's magical!  When the zip was done up the dress held me in, sucked in my waist and boosted my chest - it was divine on.  It actually felt so good that I didn't want to ever take it off.  The length was perfect, the tight feeling all over meant I knew it wouldn't gape if I bent over on the top half and it was just stunning all over.

 

I styled mine 2 ways - once with colour heels and gold and then a more simple nude look - either way would be good for so many occasions - winter wedding, Christmas office party, day at the races, special lunch out, birthday party etc - the list is actually endless when you think about it - a staple little black dress is needed in every wardrobe.

 

The only downside is the price.  It's £110 so it's not cheap but neither is the dress - this is one that you would buy once and it would sit in the wardrobe for years and could be worn many many times over.

 

So here I am in the size 8 and here's how I styled the dress in 2 ways:

 

 

 

 

 

And now on to the other gorgeous women in their range of dresses and how they styled it ....

 

Name: Avril (www.schoolgatestyle.com)

Age: 39

Dress Size: 10

Comments: "I love the neckline and it allows you to wear a decent bra underneath (of any colour – always a bonus to not have to hunt all over the show for a black bra when in a rush out!). I love the pleated detail as it was so flattering to wear and hid a multitude of wobbles."
Avril has also blogged about her experience here

 

 

Tracey

Age: 43

Dress Size: 12

Comments: "I saw the dress and thought UGH – Bodycon (not my thing), but the layering effect and the satin leaves in the sides make a huge difference to its look. I love the length and the weight of the dress as it makes it feel SO good on. I am a 14 more than a 12 – the 12 fitted like a glove. This dress is just the ticket for Christmas parties and evening receptions at weddings.

 



 

Name: Nicola

Age: 45

Dress Size: 14

Comments: This dress is a lovely thick material, and the stretch in it means it fits to the body really well. I love the neckline and the length.

 

 

Name: Gemma

Age: 36

Dress Size: 16

Comments: The dress was scary at first, very heavy and looked clingy, but once on it fit like a glove, and clung and skimmed in all the right places. The material held me in and smoothed my figure out. The neckline is fantastic and I love the width of the sleeves as I can still wear a bra underneath without revealing any straps. I love the layered material and the satin detail at sides. It was very easy to accessorise differently and change the whole outfit. The dress made me feel a million dollars and I felt like I was off to a red carpet do. I just didn’t want to take it off!

 

 

Name: Fiona

Age: 40

Dress Size: 18

Comments: I was initially very nervous about trying this dress on – but I fell in love as soon as it was on. I’m planning to wear it to a for my 40th birthday party!

 

 

 

 

So as you can see, there really is a little black dress out there for each and everyone of us and I am thrilled we all look so good in it - hats off to the Mint Velvet team for designing clothes for real women with real bodies.

 

Have you got a little black dress that you love?  Who above can you identify with most and is it a dress you wouldn't normally look at but now perhaps you'd give it a go?

 

Fiona

xox0