THE CITIZEN INDEX

Monday, May 6, 2013

e-Shakti Dress Review: Nautical Ought-ical


eShakti is a dress brand that I'm aware of because other bloggers are writing about them. This is proof that fashion blogger buzz works, and I've long admired their vintage-inspired day dresses, available online.  Last year, I found a cache of eShaki dresses donated to my neighborhood Value Village thrift store, so I got to see them up close, I was impressed; they looked stylish and well made. After emailing them several times with no reply, they finally found me- it was perhaps the first Dear Ms. Blogger email I didn't immediately mark as spam and delete but hit reply. They wanted me to review a dress. And I badly wanted to, too.




In the words of their PR peeps:

"eShakti is a unique women’s apparel store online that allows custom changes in the style of the garment – sleeve, neckline, length can all be changed by the customer to her preference.  We are the only company offering all styles in all sizes: 0-36W & Custom!

eShakti’s custom capabilities allow shoppers to easily tailor any item to their specific requirements ensuring a flattering fit and unique look. Built-in online customization tools allow women to modify original fashions to fit their size, shape and personal style. Unlike traditionally-tailored clothing, eShakti’s incredibly quick turnaround time allows customers to receive their custom-made look within two weeks of ordering!   

In addition to the size and style personalization, we are now presenting, for the first time by any apparel brand - the choice to have embellishments or not... so one can dress up or down or the way they like it... personalizing a unique dress or top or skirt that is to one's style, color, size, embellishment preference.   Only at eShakti!"


Enthusiasm for exclamation points aside,  eShakti tells it like it is- they offer a variety of dresses and separates, many of which can be easily customized to suit YOU, and within a reasonable price range. I chose a quintessential retro dress- the nautical sundress, a little navy cotton pin-up styled number,  with white piping sailing smoothly along the waistline and hem. 

Since my hourglass figure is a bit thick in the middle, I loved the option to send in MY EXACT body measurements, so I ordered a dress customized to fit me comfortably and to a T. No tight waistline! There is plenty of room for movement in this dress, and it is OH SO FIGURE FLATTERING. I couldn't be more pleased with the end product, or the ordering experience. 

Don't Look Back: Customized eShakti Dresses Means They Fit You to a T

My dress (you can order your black/cream version here) has such a lovely cotton fabric with a great feel to it; the cotton blended fabrics are the way to go. I'd personally avoid the polyester fabrics, as they don't look as good as their cotton counterparts, they tend to "look cheap", and this is from a trusted source. My suggestion is to stick with the cotton and cotton blend fabric when you make your dress choice. I loved the thick shoulder straps on my sundress, perfect for the bra straps to be hidden discretely, and the modest decolletage. This is a dress I plan to wear all summer, and am sure it'll be a summer staple for years. 

Let it be known: eShakti makes plus-size dresses! What a boon for vintage loving "big girls." Vintage dresses, especially vintage from the 1950s are hard to find in larger womens sizes, so this is a great option for ladies sized 12 and up- you can order a custom retro dress that fits you like a glove. I think this is the best news for many of my friends who are tired of shopping in shops that offer clothes sized "Large" but are consistently cut too tight and too small.

My review on the eShaki dress? An enthusiastic thumbs up! For dress lovers who can appreciate extra attention to details, retro-flavored contemporary styles, eShakti is an option, you ought to consider.    

Now Wearing: 
  • designer inspired sunglasses, similar here
  • customized Nautical Sundress c/o eShakti
  • vintage nautical style blazer, available here
  • navy socks
  • Free Press Cork Wedges c/o Nordstrom's (via gift card)
Disclosure: I received this dress courtesy of eShakti for the purpose of this review. The opinions and statements given however are 100% my own. 

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cute Cute Cute!!!! Love the dress--the style is just so summery and fresh!

Pam @ over50feeling40 said...

It is a perfect fit, Bella! So cute and flattering...great for summer!

Sara Kristiina said...

AHHH PERFECTION. Lovely nautical vibe, great dress and great review! :) you look FAB

Jenmarie said...

So glad you did hear from them because the dress is lovely and the cut is perfect on you!

Becky said...

Very very flattering fit!! "No tight waistline!" omg that is always my issue with everything... That and having to hem pants for my short ass legs! lolzzz
Becky :)

no more frump said...

I love this nautical dress. Adorable.

gracefully50 said...

Very cute dress! It looks fantastic on you! Thanks for the review!

Anonymous said...

Well, you are definitely the perfect model for them. Great and helpful review. I'm really loving the bold buttons and perfect length, good with funky heels or flats. Think I best be heading over there for a visit.

Anupriya DG said...

Your dress is love at first sight, lady!!! The colors, the lines, the contrast piping, the buttons down the front - oh, it couldn't have been more perfect! <3

ZalinaW said...

What a cute dress. I like a-line dresses like this. They are so comfy and chic

Patti said...

So adorable! I love this nautical look. Thanks for sharing the goods with Vis Monday xoxoxo

Lucys Lounge said...

i love the dress and jacket together. lucyx

Unknown said...

I've gone to their site often, but just haven't found 'the' dress that I must have. OH, well .. will keep checking back.

Monica
www.pear-shaped-gal.com

Luna Tiger said...

This dress is made for you ! It looks so beautiful on you ! You're like a rock'n'roll pin up !
http://selenite.weebly.com

Unknown said...

OH MY GOODNESS YOU LOOK AMAZING X

Suzanne said...

This looks like the perfect summer frock. Pockets and all : )

bisous
Suzanne

Unknown said...

Hearing about this company a lot via other bloggers. This is the first time it's made me think, "Hey...I should check that out." I really like this vintage number. And the fit is fabulous. Debbie @ ilovemylemonadelife.com

Unknown said...

Wow! This is a great dress! I like how you paired the dress with the nautical style jacket! You look great!

Alexa

Meghan Edge said...

You look awesome!! I love this whole outfit!

Anonymous said...

That dress is so cute! I love the piping, and I love the jacket you have to go with it! And I haven't even got to the socks and shoes yet - great touch!!

Hollie Black-Ramsey said...

I wore a dress very similar to that for my wedding reception! It looks hella good on you!

Lynn Hasty said...

Wooooo. I love that! And what a great review. I went to their site, and they have some CUTE dresses! A dress lover can never have too many resources!

xoxo
Lynn

The Style Crone said...

Such great detail with the back action and you wear this dress with confidence and the perfect shoes/socks. This company sounds like a winner, per your thorough review.

Lady of Style said...

Looks great on you, really your style!

Please let them know that they are missing out on a lot of customers as they don't ship overseas.

Annette
Lady of Style
now on Facebook

Krista said...

Cute dress Bella! The fit is great! Can I be honest with you? Of course I can:) I'm kinda torn at the moment. Although I do like their dresses I really don'y want to send any more of my money to factories overseas, especially given what just happened in Bangladesh. I'm kinda done exporting my cash I want to send it here in the USA. We need it and local businesses and local clothing makers need it. Just my 2 cents.
XXOO

citizen rosebud said...

I am absolutely with you Krista! I def have always supported making sustainable and ethical choices when it comes to shopping- and am down for supporting American made!

Unknown said...

Oh, Bella ... I needed a dose of your sweet style sense today (been a strange, difficult week.) You look great and have made me smile.
Pretty, as always.

Amber of Butane Anvil said...

Bella, you look lovely, and I'm so glad your experience was a positive one.

Unfortunately, I had a terrible time with this company, a months-long ordeal complete with abysmal customer service, and my situation was never resolved - they just stopped responding, and I never ended up with a wearable dress for my money.

Unknown said...

OMG that is one beauuuuutiful dress! I'm drooling over it! Would look super-cute for 4th of July with red shoes! ^_^

Melanie said...

I love this cut and style on you. The socks with the sandals are an unexpected and inspired pairing that make this all your own. Gorgeous!

Ofelia said...

The style, the cut, the color and the fabric look very nice on you and I think is a style that no matter what size we are it can be adjust.

Anne M Bray said...

So cute!
Except for the back -- I wouldn't get this because the waist detail stops strangely at the back princess seams. Call me picky! In design school, we called that sort of design a "coffin dress" -- only the front was thought out.

Love how the blazer matched so well. Your entire ensemble is ship shape!

Unknown said...

Ya look amaaaazin'!!!
Great fit, perfect choice!
I've yet to do my review ;)
I have lost even more weight, so it may prove to be a nice review....
Though, honest :)
happy to see you!
back soon,
Reeves

Flora Cruft said...

I've been too busy with work this week and missed this post! Ahhh it's a good one, as usual you're a mix of incredibly cool and so gorgeous in that adorable dress.