Recent Fashion Hits and Misses – ASOS Edition

With my last hits and misses post, my friend (and fabulous personal stylist) Rosana said she’d like to see me try out ASOS this season. She’s been having a lot of success with her clients, I trust her style and shopping skills, so I took a look. I’m looking for some weekend summer looks – dresses that can be worn with sandals and Birkenstocks, cotton tops that don’t cling in the humidity, and maybe one or two work looks that won’t cause hyperthermia in August. ASOS has been hit or miss with me. I have some pieces there I love (my faux leather moto jacket, a silver metal belt, the black knit swing dress that was my jam when I had a broken arm in the middle of the summer), but often a lot of fails and entire orders I have to send back. This bag… not everything went back. Not quite…

ASOS Off Shoulder Mini Dress – Black / US 14

I was envisioning this dress to be an off the shoulder version of the swing dress I loved and wore to death. Two issues. One, it’s a mini dress, even on a 5’3” body. If I were 21, I wouldn’t think twice. At 41, it’s a bit too short for comfort or strong gusts of wind. Second issue is that it’s off the shoulder and just as full as my swing dress. Essentially, I was wearing a lampshade. A comfortable well-priced lampshade, but a lampshade. I almost considered keeping this as a beach coverup, but I already have one. If you are short and don’t have a huge bust, this is a real winner (in fact, I think it’s better than the LOFT off the shoulder dress – more comfortable of fabric, better price, and equally flattering). But for me, Fail.

ASOS Sleeveless Linen Mini Shirt Dress With Belt – Navy / US 14

This is another piece that would be a hit if I were a different age. It fit in the bust without having to pin, the waist was in a natural and flattering place, the fabric wasn’t itchy, the skirt had the right amount of volume. However, this looked like a Juniors piece – the self-belt was skimpy and looked cheap, the skirt was too short (can't imagine the length of the petite version), it was not polished enough for the office. I don’t feel I can’t wear certain things because of my age, but I do feel the older I get, the more quality matters to have style. Quality can be bought at any pricepoint, the issues with this dress could easily be found on a dress twice as much, but likely that dress too would be targeted to women under 25. So while it’s not terrible, it’s not right for me. Fail.

ASOS Sleeveless Tux Dress – Black / US 14

Oh Em Gee, this is AMAZING! Seriously, you need to try this dress. It’s well made, looks far more expensive than its pricetag, and is super duper flattering. The only problem is at size 14, it’s made for a woman at least 5’6”. To make it work would be extremely expensive tailoring that would end up ruining the lines of the dress. If you are slimmer and/or taller though, please try this dress. It could easily be $275 at a department store and you can wear it to work, out on a date, to a wedding, and maybe even wear it open over skinny pants and a tank like a vest or sleeveless trench. So fail for me, but possibly a win for you (and a heads up it also comes in blush and tall)!

ASOS Off Shoulder Stripe Sundress in Natural Fibre – Blue / red / US 14

This dress fit really well. So well, I almost did what I think a lot of bloggers do – wear it for an outfit post and then decide whether it’s worth it to keep. It likely would have photographed well. The fabric is soft, but has some heft to it so the bodice is tailored, the off the shoulder part hangs nicely (not as low as on the model), the skirt balloons out and makes me feel like Audrey Hepburn. And it has pockets! But… the stripes don’t line up. These days it’s hard to find even a $200 dress with stripes lined up but the skirt was so off from the bodice (much more obvious and jarring than the photos above) it just made it look cheap and it bothered the heck out of me.  I tried a belt but it ruined the look and feel of the dress.  This dress is available in solid colors which likely would look better, but neither color is right for me.  So fail.

ASOS V Neck Oversized Slouchy Rib – Black / US 14

I love slouchy v-neck oversized tees in summer. Tuck loosely into cutoff shorts or ankle jeans, add some necklaces and aviators, and you’re ready for most anything. This shirt is almost what I’m looking for. In fact, I was going to keep it until the day I went to wear it. Something didn’t look quite right, for some reason it looked a bit like a man’s undershirt. Even Karl was checking it out and felt it was off but not sure why… then we realized it’s the sleeves. The sleeves are so long they hit right at the fullest part of my bust, AND they taper so they’re loose at the shoulder but fitted on the bicep. No curvy woman wants her boobs and arms to look even larger, no matter how breezy and cool the rest of the top. Fail.

ASOS Off The Shoulder Top In Cotton – White / US 14

If you saw yesterday’s post you know this is a win!  As a heads up, if you search the site for ASOS Off The Shoulder Top In Cotton you'll find the top comes in other colors and has petite options too!

ASOS Stripe Embellished Kimono – Multi / US 14

Do I need this in my life? YES. Really Allie, is this necessary? HECK YES. Okay no, nobody needs a rainbow sequined kimono but daaang this thing is so gorgeous! It also runs big, but when I went online to see if they had a smaller size it was sold out so I am holding onto my Studio 54 technicolor dreamcoat because it sparks joy just seeing it hang in my closet. However, if I did it again I would get a 12… or maybe a 10.  Stay tuned, I will wear it on the blog and dance around on my street and smile at trees because I am wearing the most fabulous ridiculous item in my closet and it’s awesome! Usefulness – fail but happiness – win!

Note: It also comes in shades of blue and at the time more sizes were available AND it's cheaper.  Wanna be a mermaid?

ASOS Asymmetric Strap Detail Cami Top – Black / US 14

I love tanks like this. Slip on with jeans and metallic flat sandals and sip cocktails at a beachside bar listening to a reggae band and feel tres chic but it only cost $30. And this would be so… if the top was 3” longer. I know, shorty me is complaining that something is too short? It barely hits my waistband on one side. If I were firmer or younger I’d rock it with my Rum Runner, but nope no can do right now. Fail.

New Look Denim Frayed Hem Tee – Blue / US 14

Another piece I can’t rave enough about except… When I went to LA, the head stylist on the set had a dress that looked like this and it was so cute. I saw this top and loved it and imagined it with a printed cotton pencil skirt, white jeans, linen pants… and it’s all I wished for and more… except like two sizes too small. I could get it on, but it was cutting circulation off to my lower arms, painfully smooshed my breasts and hit right at the top of my jean’s waistband. But if you’re a smaller size, consider it… but consider sizing up one or two sizes. Fail.

In summary, I agree with Rosana’s assessment. I think if I was looking for more event and work dresses I would have had even more success (Rosana says the wiggle dress from Curve is a home run for many women). And while I only ended up with one item, I have a more positive view of ASOS and will consider them again in the future!

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