As a petite girl, I don't usually have to worry about the proportions of my lingerie. Usually, they seem to run on the petite side, and some lingerie is even wearable outside the house for me, because of my 5'2" frame. I've purchased many lingerie items from Coquette, and I usually order a large. This particular item runs in different sizes than normal: S/M, M/L, and a 1X/2X. I looked at the size chart, and the M/L is meant to fit the following measurements: Cup size C, 36-40" bust, 28-32" waist, and a 38-42" hip. My own measurements are: 34-36 D bust, 33 waist, and a 40 hip. Since I don't mind my breasts spilling out of the cups a little bit, I decided to go with this size, and figured the one inch in my waist would just squeeze in there.


The outfit arrived in one of those plastic sacks that most Halloween type costumes come in. There was even a snap to open and shut the sack. I decided to toss this right into the trash because my plan was to hang this up in the closet. The sack itself came with a piece of cardboard on the front of it showing the dress, and there was a little tag safety pinned to the front of the dress with the dress size and with the company name on it. It was easy to remove and dispose of. I have a french maid outfit already, but it's very form fitting, and I wanted something a bit more babydoll-esque. I was so thrilled when this showed up that I decided to try it on right away. I ran to the bathroom, and put the dress on. I was very disappointed off the bat. If there's anything I can stress to you about this dress, it is that it runs very big for its size, and that the proportions aren't built for petite girls. If I was a couple of inches taller, parts of the dress might have fit me better, but on the whole this is just a strange fit.


I'll start with what I do like: the headpiece is very cute. It is a stiff black headband with a few pieces of lace on it and a bow. It is flexible and should fit most heads with ease. The entire dress is also beautifully sewn, and the apron is even sewn to the dress! I did not used to like when the apron of a dress came sewn on, but it is really growing on me. For starters, it's true that you cannot remove the apron to put this with another dress, or even just to wear on its own. However, when you're playing you can stay in character the whole time without worrying about whether or not your props are staying on. I always hated how my other dress has an apron which is separate, because it slides around a lot and can even come undone. The apron even has a satin ribbon and satin bow to match the rest of the dress. It is lined in 1" of lace, which also lines the rest of the dress.


The cups on the dress are great. The best fit for me with this dress is in the bust. My breasts manage to stay in the cups despite being a cup size bigger than the sizing suggests. I think anyone with a C-D cup will work out fine in these cups. However, smaller breasts beware because the cups are shaped and your breasts may be swallowed up in the outfit. The cups have no boning, but the shaped cups do support me and I didn't feel like my breasts were saggy in this at all. There is a bow in the middle of the cups which matches the one on the apron. Actual measurement across the fullest part of the bust is 16" lying flat. It does stretch quite a bit thanks to elastic in the back of the dress though. The under-bust portion of the dress measures 14 3/4" lying flat. Again, there is plenty of room due to stretch.


The skirt is full, and flirty, and fun! It is lined in 1" of white lace, and is circular in design. The measurements of the skirt lying flat are: 16" at the waist, and free size hips. The front of the dress has black and white polka-dot piping, and white lace to accent the front of your tummy. I love the look, it is very pretty! The dress has no closures or zippers to get on. This is one of those "over the head" pieces.

(cont)


The biggest reason why the fit on this dress is so strange for me is that the back is intended (from the pictures) to be below the shoulder blades. On me, not only does this cover my shoulder blades, but there is just too much fabric back there. The material bunches behind my armpits a little bit, and I think that even if you're 5'3", it'll cover your shoulder blades. I think that this dress is made with girls 5'5" and taller in mind, as most clothing in the real world are - but which I never really see when purchasing lingerie. Since I've purchased many pieces of lingerie from Coquette before and not experienced this, I was surprised.


Washing the garment is easy. I use a lingerie bag and hang the dress to dry. You could hand wash too, if you're more comfortable that way.


My revised size chart for this is as follows:


Bust: 34-38 C or D


Waist: 33"-38"


Hip: Free


I also recommend you are 5'5" or taller, or else you might have the same issue I did with the fabric in the back being too long. The headband should fit most people.

This thing fits so strangely, and I honestly haven't really tried to alter it yet either. It just seems like a lot of work when I already have another french maid dress that fits great. I love the look of this one, but only on the hanger. Not on me.