Cheryl Shops

Confession: I sometimes forget what a great store Anthropologie is. They have a little something for everyone: boho printed dresses, unique but affordable jewelry, indie beauty brands, and housewares that look like you found them in a French antiques market. The prices indicate a certain level of quality but aren't too out of reach; the fashion feels current but not trendy; the size ranges are generally very inclusive; and overall, it has that lifestyle vibe that so many other retailers aspire to but often struggle to get right. Often when I'm looking for something specific and can't seem to find it anywhere—the right shoe, a printed curtain panel, a statement earring—I end up finding it at Anthropologie. So when they reached out to me about a partnership, I of course jumped at the chance to work with them. Anthropologie sent me the dress and accessories I'm wearing gratis, however they didn't ask me to write a review and the following opinions are 100% my own. Read on for my honest review of the Anthropologie Somerset velvet dress. 

The Somerset dress

The original Somerset dress has been around for several years, and with thousands of five-star reviews (and counting), it has spawned an entire collection of dresses from mini to maxi, skirts, pants, shorts, and more, in fabrics ranging from the original cotton to faux leather, corduroy, and everything in between. Obviously Anthropologie is onto something here. All the pieces have a flowy fit that cinches in at the waist thanks to some forgiving bands of shirring. If there is such a thing as a universally flattering cut, this is about as close as you can get to it. 

The fabric

I am really not a velvet person, however I decided to push myself out of my comfort zone and try it, especially since this dress has such rave reviews. (And, hey, boho is back!) I thought the velvet would be a nice option for the upcoming holiday season too. I ordered the red version; I'd say the color is more of a burgundy or wine color, versus a true red, which I was totally fine with. The fabric on this version is a mix of viscose and nylon with modal lining; if you can believe it, the temperature was in the 80s when we shot these photos, and I was surprised at how breathable the fabric was. It's soft to the touch and doesn't get too matted when you sit down. It also has a really pretty depth that's characteristic of velvet; while not a cotton or silk velvet, I think the fabric looks more high-end than you'd expect from the fiber content.

The fit

I will start by saying that small-medium-large sizing is the bane of my existence, especially when it comes to pieces that are supposed to fit a certain way, like dresses or pants. I am a solid size 6 and whether to take a small or medium is often a leap of faith, in spite of what the size chart says. I read as many reviews as possible and the consensus was that this dress runs true to size or maybe a bit large, so I ordered a small. That was the wrong move. (Note: under normal circumstances, I would have gone to the store and exchanged it for a medium, but I was under a deadline and considering the closest Anthropologie is now 12 miles away in Marin County, I didn't have time on my side.) I have a narrow frame, a big bust, and a short, thick waist, and as you can see, this dress is way too snug across the chest (I had to pin the front so it wouldn't gape). Because my boobs took up so much room, that made the waist sit a little higher than it should, although as someone with a short torso, I appreciate that it's not too low. In spite of all that, the dress is incredibly comfortable. The bands of elastic at the waist don't dig, and the skirt skims my lower half in a flattering way. But long story short, if you're between sizes—and especially if you're larger-busted—size up. 

My honest opinion 

I understand why this dress is so popular. It fits where you need it to and flows where you want it to. The shirring is super stretchy and placed in just the right spot to give your silhouette some shape, but it will also accommodate your body's natural weight fluctuation (or a big meal) without a problem. Also—and I can't emphasize this enough—it has pockets, which all dresses should have. The price is reasonably under $200, which is another plus. For me personally, this is not the most flattering dress I own, although that might have been mitigated by going up a size. That said, I think it's really pretty and I will definitely be wearing it this holiday season—just with a better bra. 

OUTFIT DETAILS: Anthropologie Somerset velvet dress (c/o) | Sunset Stone wire drop earrings (c/o) | Heart pendant necklace (c/o) | Vicenza bow Mary Jane flats