Gorgeous spring and summer dresses are in at Saks! Since I jump at pretty much any excuse to try on fabulous dresses… and I know many of you are already special event shopping… I ordered a bunch to try on in hopes of narrowing down the best options. From wedding guest dresses to graduation and even spring break, there’s something in here for every event.
**Really good time to be dress shopping: All of my dresses are included in Saks Spend More Get More Event!**
9 Dresses I Tried At Saks: From Wedding Guest To Spring Break
I’m still deciding on my top favs (would LOVE feedback in the comments), but there are definitely some major hits, some unfortunate misses, and several dresses (ugh!) that I ordered in the wrong size. Make sure to check out my fit notes.
For sizing reference: I’m 5’2, 140-ish lbs, 32B chest, and size 29 jeans. For a-line style dresses, I usually wear size S (b/c of my smaller chest and shoulders). With my changing/aging body and the style of some of the dresses below, however, my dress size varies.
1. For Vacation: Rails One-Shoulder Cotton Dress
dress (xs) | heels | bag | earrings
MY TAKEAWAY: The Rails Selani dress once again does not disappoint! I’m not at all hesitant about keeping it because I already own and wear-on-repeat this dress in two other colorways. 100% cotton, super versatile (I wear for dressy or with Birks and a giant schlepping bag for day-to-day). I get compliments every time I wear these dresses, and this gorgeous floral has such a nice tropical sophisticated vibe.
FIT NOTES: I’m much smaller in my chest/shoulders than my hips/butt, so for this dress, the size XS fits me best. The S and M gap too much up top.
2. For A Graduation: Tanya Taylor Crewneck Dress
dress (s) | heels | bag | earrings
MY TAKEAWAY: This one is “sneaky stunning”. Sophisticated, elegant, but not at all boring because of the impeccable design of Tanya Taylor…no surprises there. A total effortless understated luxe vibe. The navy feels especially perfect for all the occasions you don’t want to wear your go-to black dress.
FIT NOTES: I’m very happy with the size small. The top is stretchy and comfortable and the bottom is dramatically full, but somehow not overwhelming on my 5’2 self.
3. For Year-Round Fabulousness: Cinq A Sept Draped Dress
dress (6) | heels | bag | earrings
MY TAKEAWAY: Wow! Just WOW! I’m totally in love with this dress. It feels great on…not squeezy anywhere, adjustable straps so you can make it a little lower or higher depending on your body and personal style, and looks amazing when you move. The typical Cinq A Sept drape is everything. I personally would wear this fabulous dress year-round to special events with a light-colored bag in the spring/summer and with a faux fur or cashmere wrap in the fall/winter. If it’s in your budget, it’s one of those dresses that you’ll be happy to have in your closet when you need it.
FIT NOTES: Wearing a size 6 and very happy with the fit. Not tight or squeezy anywhere.
4. For Anything: Faithful The Brand Cotton Dress
dress (s) | heels | bag | earrings
MY TAKEAWAY: This is SUCH a cute dress! I love the chic square neck, 100% cotton poplin fabric, the feminine tiny spaghetti straps, and the vintage-y vibe. Unfortunately, I need a bigger size. If it fit properly, however, I think I would wear this dress ALL the time…for beach vaca, summer out-and-about, or dressed up with heels.
FIT NOTES: Wearing my “typical a-line dress small”, but because this dress is more fitted in the belly and hips than some of the other dresses I tried, I definitely need a bigger size. It’s snug up top too, so I think going to a medium would be fine in the chest as well (especially with the adjustable straps).
5. For A Garden Wedding: A.L.C. Strapless Cotton Dress
MY TAKEAWAY: I’m so mad I didn’t order the 6! This dress is so charming, and I would absolutely wear it as a guest to any spring or summer wedding…or it would be perfect if I could somehow get myself invited to a fancy garden party. If you wear strapless dresses and like sweet/charming style, this is a great one! Beautiful 100% cotton fabric with pretty rouching on the top, and pockets (yay!).
FIT NOTES: Wearing a size 4 here and it’s way too squeezy on the top. I need a size 6.
6. For Twirling: Tanya Taylor Off-The Shoulder Dress
MY TAKEAWAY: This is a fantastically fun party dress if it’s 1.) in your budget, 2.) you like the sophisticated-princess vibe (I certainly do!), and 3.) you don’t mind if your amazing dance moves are limited by the snug off-the-shoulder straps. I would be very in to all the beautiful twirling I’d do in this dress, but the snug off-the-shoulder detail (that would prevent me from REALLY dancing) is not for me. Too limiting.
FIT NOTES: Size 6 fit well, but I don’t like the feel and limits of the off-the-shoulder design.
7. For A Rehearsal Dinner: Reformation Floral Dress
dress (6) | heels | bag | earrings
MY TAKEAWAY: Reformation does it again with the lovely and romantic style. This dress also comes in another pretty darker colorway. The size 6 didn’t fit me, but in the proper size, I would love this dress for a rehearsal dinner, graduation, or just a fun springtime anywhere dress.
FIT NOTES: Size 6 is too small on me — too tight in the belly and although it looks okay-ish from the front, the side view is a different situation. Similar to the black Faithful-The-Brand dress, because it’s more fitted in the belly and hips, I would need to size up.
8. For A Color Pop: Ro’s Garden Cotton Dress
MY TAKEAWAY: Feeling meh on this one. This Ro’s Garden dress is cute, and I like the idea of adding a dress to my rotation with some color, but this isn’t it. The red feels a little much for me, and the dress didn’t feel very special or particularly high quality. I will admit, it’s hard when I’m trying on luxe (and more expensive) A.L.C., Cinq A Sept, and Tanya Taylor dresses for comparison. But…I think I could find something I like better than this for my wardrobe that I would wear for longer.
FIT NOTES: Size small was a little snug on top with this one, wish I would have ordered the medium to try.
9. For A Day Dress: Ramy Brook Twist Shirtdress
dress (s) | heels | bag | earrings
MY TAKEAWAY: The biggest disappointment of ALL the dresses. This twist-front dress has SUCH a cute design and SUCH amazing potential for a versatile go-to day dress, but the fit was off.
FIT NOTES: The size small was snug in the chest and unfortunately had a puffing effect in the belly that was pretty bad and looked very weird. The design is so cute, though, and the fabric is so soft that I’m tempted to try the medium to see if that fixes the puffing problem.
Alright…what do we think of these wedding guest & special event dresses? Any favorites from the bunch???
-Linzi