Pages

August 9, 2012

Review of A Less-Than-Perfect Dress

Have you heard of the online retailer sheinside.com? I usually like their stuff, although it is a bit expensive for the run-of-the-mill, mas-produced, use-and-throw clothing. (see some of my picks from them herehere and here) I received this dress which is poorly designed with the front that looks like scarp of cloth panels haphazardly sewn together  (it looks much better in the pictures on their website). The material is very cheap looking and feels synthetic. The bow at the neck is supposed to go at the back, but the cut of the dress is so awkward that just to make dress hang on my frame, I had to loop it around my neck and tie as a neck tie. I had received it as a courtesy from sheinside.com to style it on the blog, but if someone has to pay $45 for this, they will be really really disappointed. 
 My purpose here is not to say that all their stuff is bad, but to show you that when buying stuff online (specially from China) make sure you get a good and clear idea of how the piece of clothing might look in real life! I have nothing against them, but I don't want to say great things about a brand just because they sent me free stuff. I value my readers more:-) I have withdrawn my blog from their sponsorship program given the fact that I won't be able to dilute my reviews under the sponsorship obligations.
Can you see the ugly bisecting stitching right in the middle of the dress??

Bangles - c/o OASAP.com; Similar Here
Bracelet - Forever 21; similar Here
Press-on manicure nails by imPRESS Nails
The dress may not be perfect, but these shoes (c/oMyHotShoes) sure are! Get them or any other shoes you fancy from MyHotShoes.com and get 20% off with the coupon code DELIGHT2
*EDIT - BTW, My blogger friend BravoeRunway pointed out that this dress is a knock off from the Marni for H&M Collection. I guess they used the scarps and cuttings form Marni factory to whip up the look-a-like!
For daily dose of style delights  connect with me on -

70 comments:

  1. Thanks for being honest with your readers!

    www.daisyraeboutique.com
    www.kacieskloset.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I still think the dress is cute. Maybe use a big belt to cover up the stitching. Cinching the waist to fit the belt will make the dress short though, but still cute.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have to agree with tweetgul7, a nice belt will cover the imperfections. It looks gorgeous on you and you look amazing like always. :) xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  4. I like the dress too! I think it's definitely all in the styling and you've done a great job!

    I'm hosting a giveaway for a fab leopard print Guess watch. Entries are low so your chances of winning are high! http://www.goodbadandfab.com/2012/07/my-video-for-guess-watches-on-clevver.html

    www.goodbadandfab.com
    the personal style and fashion musings of a fearless LA fashion lawyer by day, fierce fashion blogger by night living life in the fab lane.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I hardly ever see bloggers write posts as honest as you have here, and it is something to be appreciated. I agree that honesty and valuing the readers is always the most important! :)

    xo,
    Katherine | http://thestyletab.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. thank you so much for being so honest in your review. i think the dress has good intentions but youre right, the execution is a little lacking. you rock, girl!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jyoti, this dress was the Marni H&M collaboration piece, now I didn't see the actual dress because it flew off the shelves. And I don't recall the seam in the midsection... I appreciate your honesty, and I agree with you. In photos it looks really nice. But sometimes what you see isn't necessarily what you get.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yeah..just realized that!! I missed out on buying Marni H&M collab stuff, now at least I have a knock off;)

      Delete
  8. Jyoti, thanks for being so honest girl! I always admire the stuff on their site, but have yet to order anything from them. You are right though about ordering online, and you do have to be careful with anything made in China. NO offense to anyone out there, but most of anything I have received from China is poorly made. I also will say that I feel that when it comes to companies sending c/o stuff to bloggers... I am sure that a few companies send stuff that is defective or not perfect and is out of sample sections in storage. Why? Because they know most bloggers will cover up the flaw in order to make it look amazing to continue to work with that brand. They know that most will do that, and that they can get away with sending items with imperfections that they would never ship to someone who paid money for it. Does that sound bad of me to say? I received an item c/o and it wasn't perfect. It just had threads that I had to cut off, but other than that it was fine. I assumed that it was because they send so many freebies to bloggers that they use the stuff that is flawed. Have a great night girl, and love ya!! xx, Pip

    http://easyoutfitsbypip.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You may be right Pip. But this also comes across as very unprofessional . And My policy is to review the product, and not assume that they might have better stuff than the one they sent me. I so appreciate your support and kind words!

      Delete
  9. Thanks so much for being honest with us. You definitely rock that dress, but elements like the feel of the fabric and the way it lays are just as important as it looking good. You are awesome, girl!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for the honest review! I don't like online shopping a lot because I feel less in control about my purchases, especially with the quality!

    ♥ laura
    the blog of worldly delights
    the shop of worldly delights

    ReplyDelete
  11. after all you've styled the dress beautifully and make it look pretty nice! I'm glad you're sharing the truth though. it's the most important thing!

    Maiken,
    Maikeni blogi - part of me

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is a fantastic review from the "watch out" perspective. Clearly, we, your readers will value your other reviews even more in the future given your honest appraisal of this product. I agree, the low stitching across the front does not suit. Simply, you do not look like your happy self in this!! The only way to resurrect this dress would be through distraction - like sky-high bubblegum heels and Christmas twinkle lights around your waist... Okay, maybe not!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Cute color nail polish matching your dress! :)

    http://bronsonbloopers.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. yup not a great dress....certainly not worth the price

    lookingoodfeelingfab.blogspot.in

    ReplyDelete
  15. Yes, I can see the stitching. Good thing that you value your readers more than your sponsors and share your true opinion in this post! Happy Friday!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love you even more noww!! Honesty is the best policy! :)

    xoxoxo
    Ritcha
    htp://ritchastyle.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. (I clicked publish too early)
    but it's too bad that its quality is't the best:(

    ReplyDelete
  18. I think a few more bloggers like u to nip these sponsors in the face for sending out cheap products to do their marketing, would surely teach them a lesson.Every person blogging out there is doing that firstly for ones own self than to receive free and defective stuff from china. I too am a victim of similar instance, but didn't put the c/o item on my blog and wrote a strong condemning mail to them abt the stuff with an answer that they will send me another free product. For me first impression counts anyone fails in that is a total cut off from my list (even though i like othr stuff on their site )
    thanksfor sharing, i was thinking of giving this website a try !
    ✿thefashionflite
    ✿twitter
    ✿Bloglovin

    ReplyDelete
  19. hello, it´s cool that you say your opinion! I love to shop online, but the problem is often that the items didn´t match the images. I love your ring and the nails:D
    kisses chris

    ReplyDelete
  20. I haven't heard of this site before. I really appreciate your honest review!

    Maggie

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thanks for the honesty, not a lot of bloggers do that. Regarding Sheinside, a lot of the things they produce are knock offs (from Zara, H&M, Asos and more) which i think is fine if their prices are lower but sometimes their knock offs are even more expensive although it's clear the quality is not as good (for example, i saw a shirt on ASOS which was 15$ and on sale 9$ but on Sheinside it costs 23$).

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thanks Jyoti for being so honest with the reviews.
    Have a great day ,

    ReplyDelete
  23. Wow, I have no words! You're looking stunning! Accessories suit perfect to dress!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi dear! Thanks for your comment!
    I followed you on GFC and FB.
    I wait for you to make the same.
    Kisses

    ReplyDelete
  25. Im sure you styled it as best you could! the accessories are perfect!

    I received a sheinside blouse that I love the style of BUT the collar is uneven! took 3 week to arrive to Australia, so I wasn't bothered to send it back. I think they have a quality control issue which is unfortunate considering it probably cost them <$5 to make.

    BTW thank you for the lovely comment on my blog! I actually really like your blog and your style is immaculate :) I am following you now! If you like, I would love it if you followed me too!

    Jess XO

    www.mindbodyshop.blogspot.com.au

    ReplyDelete
  26. Nice to know you´re writing honest reviews!! And in the fact the dress looks A LOT like the Marni for H&M one...
    xx
    www.clothesandcamera.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. so stylish, it isn't so easy suiting with geometrical printing dress but you are so pretty!

    Pretty To Be Happy

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hi Jyoti! totally love your dress! the colors look great on u!! u got beautiful hands, very female, love the nail polish and all the accessories!! Kisses dear!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Well, I appreciate the honesty and companies should too. Well done to you for being honest and withdrawing from them. It's better to stand for what you believe in than just keep getting items and not really liking them. You did manage however, to make a not so nice dress, look good on you. But, the middle part that you pointed out, would really drive me crazy!! Well done. I hope you have a great weekend xx

    ReplyDelete
  30. grazie per questa recensione e per l'onestà con cui l'hai fatta .. sei da ammirare!!! ti seguo

    ReplyDelete
  31. Your honestly is refreshing Jyoti. I've seen many sites which are scams so its impt to take care of what you buyy online.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Lovely dress!!! you look so pretty!!
    Have a wonderful weekend!

    Besos, desde España, Marcela♥

    ReplyDelete
  33. you know what........you look great.....therefore the dress looks good....its really nice to see an honest review.....i love that you get sponsers sending you stuff....how does that happen?...or maybe it doesn't apply to food blogs!
    your shoes are really nice and i love that ring!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Love This dress, Great pics hun!
    XOXO
    Ylenia

    ReplyDelete
  35. *stands up and claps* ! i love the honest and refreshing way you reviewed this..i remember once i wrote an honest review of a product i received and the pr person point blank told me to remove certain lines i had put in..i am very careful about the companies i accept offers from now on..even though they are few and in between..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks debi. I always try to stick to my editorial principles. PR companies also respect that actually - the ones that ask you to manipulate your reviews are not worth working with! Thanks again for your kind words!

      Delete
  36. I so appreciate your honest review! From the pictures, it looks really nice on you. But I do notice the stitching across the bottom, which is kind of in an awkward position.

    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

    ReplyDelete
  37. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  38. I love that you post truly honest reviews here. You still look fabulous in that dress though!

    underahhundred.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  39. cute dress- but i see what you mean. however, i think you give a very objective review, so thanks!

    http://coffeebeansandbobbypins.blogspot.com//

    ReplyDelete
  40. this dress is very stylish and you look gorgeous.
    http://coeursdefoxes.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  41. amazing look!!!
    Hello,
    thank you so much for your sweet comment in my blog.
    I love your outfit,the big ring and the dress ;)
    Nice day Xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  42. Thank you for being honest. I really appreciate your honesty. There was a few items I was thinking about getting from that site but now I'm having second thought.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. I have to say though, that this review is for the dress itself, they may have other merchandise that is not as poorly designed. They seem to have a good selection, but now I am little concerned as to how much I can trust their pics.

      Delete
    2. well on the pictures you look gorgous in that dress, but i hate it too when i spend my money for something and then i get disappointed because it is very poorly made, it´s not that i wouldn´t pay a higher prize for something, i´m seamstress by myself and know what things are worth.
      honestly i wouldn´t trust their pictures any more...
      kiss,mary
      http://www.maryloucinnamon.com/

      Delete
  43. I was just about to say that this is a Marni for H&M knock off, so you have to be careful with that. I think the dress actually looks really good on you, even though it doesn't seem to be your cup of tea. You must style it well.

    You have to be very careful with these companies (Sheinside, Romwe, Oasap) as they all sell the same items and very discounted prices, so sometimes you get really great pieces and sometimes you don't.

    ReplyDelete
  44. I love how honest you are! And either way, you look beautiful in everything. Especially love these accessories!

    xo,
    Courtney
    girlavantgarde.com

    ReplyDelete
  45. So great that you're honest with your reviews, Jyoti. I do agree with Cheryl (Oh To Be A Muse) that the dress does look good on you, but I can see what you mean about the stitching.

    ReplyDelete
  46. you look just perfect!!

    wish you a fantastic & fashionable weekend

    kisses dear

    ReplyDelete
  47. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  48. I loooooove the imPress nails- they are absolutely fantastic! And your ring is so beautiful! :)

    ReplyDelete
  49. I really appreciate this critical review. So often you see bloggers say such wonderful things about the stuff they get sent for free, when really it might not be that good at all. Reading what you had to say was extremely interesting, and I'm glad you've withdrawn. You should never feel pressured to praise something that isn't worthy of it! There's a new giveaway open on my blog in honor of Seven Inch Stilettos reaching 600 followers, so feel free stop by and enter if you'd like to win a care pack filled with my favourite beauty goodies!

    ♡ veena | seveninchstilettos.com
    twitter/instagram: @veenamccoole

    ReplyDelete
  50. Wow, you look amazing in that Dress!

    http://aimeesowa.blogspot.de/

    ReplyDelete
  51. thanks so much for being honest! honesty is something I definitely regard very highly amongst bloggers who often partake in these sponsorship programs. you did the best you could though, I like the way you did the neck bow!

    metallicpaws.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I totally adored this post. The look u have uploaded is just breath - taking!!
    Thank u so so much for following. I love your blog. I am totally following back via GFC.
    Best Regards
    Miss Margaret Cruzemark
    http://margaretcruzemark.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  53. thumbs up ! Hats of girl for this honest review <3

    ReplyDelete
  54. What a lovely dress!
    You look cute!
    Have a great week!
    http://robertascoolestplaces.blogspot.com.es/

    ReplyDelete
  55. I love how honest you have been about this dress, this is a really useful review. I haven`t tried sheinside.com yet, and if I do I will be wary. xox

    http://myobsessiondujour.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  56. I love your dress! Thank you so much for visiting my blog, I follow you I wait you on my blog :)!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Love the print on your dress!

    xo
    Alison

    heartofgoldandluxury.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  58. The print is beautiful but you're right... how can one overlook that stitch right across the hips? That's a huge no no.
    Your review was great. This is very informative not only for us but for the buyers at sheinside!
    Shubana
    CoeurDecors

    ReplyDelete
  59. Your honesty is great, especially since I really found the dress cute in the pics, so I would have never been able to guess. Keep up the good work! :)

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by! Like what you see? Please share with your friends! That's why God created Facebook and Twitter!