FASHION | Sometimes, You Just Gotta Get It Tailored

Corrine Dress: Junie Blake c/o (use code “ILoveJB10” for 10% off!) | Denim Jacket: LOFT | Tights: Nononsense c/o | Booties: TOMS | Necklace: Everyday Icing c/o | Bag: Longchamp (old)

At the risk of sounding somewhat like a broken record, I’m going to emphasize the challenge I’ve been having finding clothes that fit me WELL after having a baby. I know some women are able to hop right back into their pre-pregnancy clothes, and that’s great. I’m not one of those women.

I did another HUGE closet clean-out and took like four boxes of stuff to Goodwill over the weekend. And then I got back and stared at my closet and realized how few items I really have anymore that FIT me and fit me well. In many ways, I’m kinda starting my wardrobe over from scratch. And I’m actually very much okay with it. I’m going to be patient and I’m going to invest in pieces that I know I will wear for years to come. I’m going to invest in pieces that fit me well, are flattering on my body, and will be timeless.

I just don’t have the money to be going around and shopping for this trendy top or that trendy dress that won’t be cool next year. You know? I’m not knocking anyone who does that, I’m just saying it’s not a realistic venture for me anymore.

I’m vowing to only add items to my closet that I truly, truly, LOVE. Items that I’m head over heels in love with.

And, I’m also going to follow the advice of my dear, favorite fashion icons – Stacy London and Clinton Kelly – and I’m going to get stuff TAILORED.

What is my point?

Let’s talk about this Junie Blake “Corrine” dress. When Junie Blake contacted me and wanted me to review one of the items from their shop, I was really excited. I LOVE that their store is all focused on modesty and promoting pieces that are modest in nature. I am just not super comfortable with showing a lot of skin and finding dresses or clothes that are stylish, in my size, and modest is TOUGH.

I laid eyes on this Corrine dress and KNEW it was the one. I LOVED the print, I loved the colors, I LOVED the fact that it had pockets, I LOVED that it was short-sleeved.

Then I got it in the mail. The colors and print were even MORE gorgeous in person. The fabric was nice and lightweight.

And then I tried it on.

It looked AWFUL on me. Really, really, bad. I got a size XL thinking that it would be the right size… and while the dress fit me GREAT in the shoulders, it was just a little too bulky around my waist and hips and it was SO long. I don’t want a dress to be short and “showy,” but this one cut me off in just the WORST place of my calves making me look short and stumpy.

I was SO sad. I LOVED the dress, but it just didn’t look right on me.

But, I wasn’t going to give up.

So, then I emailed the fabulous ladies at Junie Blake, told them my situation, and asked if they would be okay if I took the dress to get tailored. I told them I really loved the dress and wanted to share it with the world, but that it just didn’t fit me right. I knew a size L would be too small, but the XL was just too big. I knew it just needed to be hemmed a little and taken in a little on the sides. And lo and behold, they said, “Sure!” And I LOVE them for it.

I took the dress to the BEST tailor in the Triangle (seriously, Lee’s Tailors in Southpoint Mall – SO GOOD, SO FAST, SO AFFORDABLE!) and the sweet owner pinned it in a couple places and knew exactly what I was looking for to make the dress REALLY me.

A week later, I picked up the dress, tried it on, and now it fits like a DREAM.

So, by investing just a little bit of extra $$ (I got the dress hemmed and taken in for $20!), I now have a dress that I feel confident in, I look good in, and I know I’m going to wear A LOT. While it may not be an “everyday” dress while I’m still nursing so much right now, it’s the perfect date night dress, out to dinner dress, casual backyard BBQ dress, wedding guest dress… etc.

It can be dressed up with a pair of heels and a pretty necklace or dressed down with a denim jacket and boots. AND IT HAS POCKETS. Golly, I love dresses with pockets.

So yeah, I just wanted to share my experience because I’m learning (quickly, and the hard way), that sometimes, if you really want to make your closet and your wardrobe work WITH YOU and FOR YOU, you’ve gotta invest some time into it.

If you really LOVE a piece, but it just DOESN’T quite fit you, get it tailored. It really can make all the difference.

Now, I’m not talking about tailoring like a shirt from Old Navy or something like that…

I really do love this dress. It’s one of my absolute favorites I own. And the fact that it fits me like a glove now? Makes me love it even more!

Be sure to check out Junie Blake for other GORGEOUS dresses, tops, and skirts. And, be sure to use the code “ILoveJB10” for 10% off your purchase!

What about you? Have you ever found a piece you absolutely loved but it just looked AWFUL on you… and then you got it tailored and it fit like a dream? Are you “investing” in your wardrobe more or do you find yourself looking for the trendy pieces more often?