I Found the Most Wearable Dress at Princess Polly

If “out” is, say, a friend’s birthday party, I’d say this is the perfect dress for the occasion. It’s available in no fewer than six polka-dot combinations (Gen Z’s pattern du jour) and has a functional tie back, so you can style the dress for the occasion. (Perhaps looser for park picnics and tighter for happy hour.) I’d tried asimilar dressin a size two and found it was slightly too small at the waist, so I asked for this one in a four. I almost declared it my winner, but I found myself wishing I could adjust the straps to stop myself from worrying about a V-neck-related flashing incident. Perhaps a trip to the tailor is just what I need.

After trying Princess Polly’sHedlea dress, which was too long for my torso even in a size two, I was nervous about this one, which has a similar tie that functions as an adjustable halter. However, this halter had more range, so I was able to adjust the top of the dress enough that it was taut. I paired it with shapewear and was impressed that I couldn’t see any seams despite the dress’s stretchy blend of polyester and elastane (a material I typically think of as unforgiving with VPLs). As a 32C, I can typically go braless, but if that’s not something you’re comfortable with, I recommend skipping this dress as the back is plunging.

If I had another shot at my junior prom, I’d most certainly wear this dress. The gold shimmer in the butter yellow elevates this one above other options I’ve seen in the tiny tube variety, and it even has removable spaghetti straps for anyone who so desires. When it comes to sizing, it all depends on how you’d like the dress to fit: I tried this one in a two and found it hugged my hips and chest enough that I didn’t worry about the dress falling down. However, if you’d like a looser fit and don’t mind adding the spaghetti straps for extra support, I recommend going with your usual size.

Here’s a dress I could imagine myself wearing out in Bushwick. In a size four, it was tight enough that I could lift my arms without worrying about a wardrobe malfunction. And unlike the sparkly costumes I wore during the ballet recitals of my youth, the material of this dress didn’t irritate my arms. I just wish the neckline were more defined and structured — perhaps with a subtle sweetheart shape — as the material has the tendency to bunch unevenly.

While I think this dress is overpriced for what it is — a pure-polyester dress that wrinkles easily — I do think it’s an elegant option for anyone who doesn’t want to splurge on an actual silk dress. (Or, say, for a teen on a budget.) In a size four, the dress offered enough coverage for my chest while gently hugging my hips. I appreciate that the halter tie is adjustable, too.

Nuptials season is upon us, and I’d say this flowy number is worthy of awedding guest. Unlike the Fireproof dress above, this one is made of cotton and has a polyester lining, making it aslightlybetter option for the price. I like that the dress is structured throughout, trailing the curves of my body from top to bottom, while the long, flowy straps give the dress some visual interest. It’s loose yet structured enough in a size four that I didn’t feel the need to wearshapewear, which I often like to throw on to smooth out a dress.

There’s something about the stripes in this dress that makes it both casual enough to wear to a Yankees game but dressy enough to wear to a bar on the Lower East Side. In the LBD version, I would even say it’s fancy enough for a homecoming dance or, for older girls, a club. This versatility made the dress my winner. After all, isn’t a dress better if you can wear it for more than one occasion? Unlike others I tried, though, this dress runs small. A four still fit me but was tighter on my waist and hips than others in the same size. If you have a bigger bust, I recommend sizing up.