THE CITIZEN INDEX

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

The Friendly Karina Dress

Feeling Friendly in my comfortable easy-to-wear Karina Dress
This is me in my Karina Dress. Recently I was approached by Karina Dresses and asked to write a product review. Upon visiting their website, karinadresses.com, I was struck by how they shared the same passion as I do, for dresses designed to flatter and fit the female form. Karina Dresses are made for women of all shapes and sizes, and fit well into real wardrobes for real life. 

The Brand: Karina Dresses is a woman-owned apparel company located in Brooklyn, New York, where the dresses are made. Founded in 2007 by Karina Cousineau, who is the owner, the designer and the visionary behind this modestly ambitious brand. Karina's goal? To create "a fashion line that makes every “body” feel and look great, no matter what shape or size."

The Dress: The dresses are American made. In fact, they are designed, cut, assembled and sewn right in the Karina Dresses workshop/offices located in Brooklyn, New York. They are made by seamstresses being paid a living wage. The fabric used to make Karina Dresses is a heavy gauge micro-fiber that is breathable and fluid in movement. 
Karina Dresses are easy to wear & eco-friendly. Also, pretty easy on the eyes.
The micro-fiber fabric makes the dress wrinkle-proof, easy to wash & wear, and perfect to pack for travel. Karina Dresses are designed for an active lifestyle, and the micro-fiber material allows for flexibility and movement The fabric is sourced in small batches, so the prints are limited editions. You are one in a million, and your Karina Dress is too.

The Review: I was sent this dress: the Carolyn short sleeve. It has a pretty grey/white print that reminds me of a hybrid of plaid and honeycomb. PERFECT for me. Now I'm not normally a "microfiber" girl, as sometimes the material is too thin and shows my every lump. And often times it feels synthetic and uncomfortably clammy. I was pleased to note immediately how BREATHABLE the material was, how beautifully it hung on me, and how the thickness of the fabric HUGGED my curves and flattered them.

Enter code: BellaQ for $30 off your Karina Dresses purchase!
The cut of the dress is simple, which belies its brilliance. The waist was nearly at "empire"length, meaning that the waist of the dress sat below my bust and above my waistline, giving me the appearance of a smaller waist. LOVE THAT. I'm thick in the middle, so the fact that it fit COMFORTABLY and still made me look thinner made major points with this blogger.  More points scored with the wrinkle-free aspect and the fabric's breathability.  The first time I wore it, it was raining (I was visiting New York) and I didn't feel cold or clammy. The photos above were taken on a warm day in Sacramento, and even layered over a long sleeve shirt, I was cool and comfortable. 
Photo Credits: Bella Q
I would highly recommend Karina Dresses. In fact, I've been busy shopping the Karina online website for my second dress. With the comfort and versatility of the design, I think I could use a few more body-friendly dresses like this in my wardrobe. 

If YOU'D like to SHOP for your friendly Karina Dress, use this coupon code for $30 bucks off your dress purchase: BellaQ.
Karina Dresses: karinadresses.com
Fan them on Facebook HERE
The fabric is sourced in small batches making each dress part of a limited edition.
 Now Wearing:
  • Vintage "pussy bow" striped blouse, Freestyle
  • U.S. made grey print microfiber dress, c/o Karina Dresses
  • Alice + Olivia for Payless Shoes striped wedges, online

23 comments:

theequinebovine said...

girl, I love the mix! The shoes look great with the dress..You just keep getting better n' better n' better! Where did you get your shoes?

lasophia said...

Me likey heavy gauge micro fiber. Me also like your shoes. If I get them will you promise not to hunt me down at Shady Lady for biting your mad style?

mispapelicos said...

I love the dress and how you are pairing it with stripes.
Love u.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Collette Osuna said...

You look adorable in the dress...I need one....now:)

Mwah!!


Statements in Fashion

Susan B said...

Aren't these dresses wonderful?? I love how you've styled yours!

Unknown said...

That dress is so lovely on you!!! I really love that you added the stripes too!!

Anonymous said...

That dress is cute, and you make it look even better ;) I love supporting local talent and yay for things made in the good ole USA. I'm going to go over and check it out.

Thanks Ms. Bella!

Jenmarie said...

This dress looks like it was made for you! I love everything about it!

Susan Tiner said...

Hi Bella, you look happy, comfortable and gorgeous in that dress!

Did you happen to see Pseu's post on Karina dresses? Here's a link:

http://bit.ly/p3yHMl

The Closet Shopper said...

The dress is gorgeous, true. But the way you styled it is what I find so beautiful. Your signature style is really wonderful. That blouse is killing me. I need it. And then the shoes? Are you kidding me? You blow my mind daily.

LOVE IT!!

xo,
Tracy

Please may I? said...

The dress looks fab. Loving the length. (also those awesome shoes!)

X x

Porkchop Rules said...

it looks great on you! I love how you mixed it up with the blouse!

Stacey said...

I love the blouse & dress combo! That dress is really pretty, I'll have to check out their website.

Brooke said...

Great, detailed review!! I really enjoyed hearing the story behind the brand. I love how you gave this dress your own Bella spin by layering it over the striped blouse and adding a pair of fabulous shoes! You look amazing. Muah!

The Style Crone said...

The Karina Dress is beautiful on you, especially with those killer shoes.

WendyB said...

Those shoes make the outfit!

Unknown said...

That vintage shirt makes this dress sing. I absolutely adore this outfit - definitely added to my favorites list!!

gabrielle said...

omg i love that dress and i love how you paired it with stripes. you make me want to take more fashion adventures!

Heather Fonseca said...

That is a beautiful dress! Love it! I also really like how you've layered it over the blouse. It just looks fab. I think I'll have to go check out their site now.

Heather

Franca said...

very lovely! I wonder what that microfibre is like? I wonder if they want to expand into the UK and need a British reviewer?

Unknown said...

What a pretty dress and I think it's fun how your styled it! You are so good with the print-mix. I bet this dress is even prettier in person too! xoxo

Unknown said...

What a pretty dress! I love how you put the prints together, and the shoes too! Great way to incorporate dresses when the weather's getting cooler. :o)

Goody said...

love the patterns!