Etoile Isabel Marant Daryl dress (or US, here)
I've been waiting for the Daryl dress with bated breath. It's similar to the one I'd purchased from Karen Walker years ago which I've worn to bits. The crew neckline, longer sleeves and loose fit is flattering to those of us who don't have the perfect model thin figure and balk at having to show off our bat wings aka flabby arms. I tried the dress in my usual size 38 and it fits well around the arms and chest. Do not attempt to wear the Daryl with a pair of sneakers - like me. It would look far more fabulous with a pair of K Jacques sandals.
The raw silk material is actually rather luxurious without being too sheer. I would still stick to nude underwear though. The deep blue embroidery reminds me of the beach. It's a simple yet striking shift dress which is ridiculously easy to put on. Most importantly, the dress has pockets! That's always a big plus in my book.
It's such a shame that the store ran out of size 34 but like all Isabel Marant's over-sized coats, they run big. You would need to go at least 1 to 2 sizes down. I was wearing a size 38 but as you can see, I felt AND looked like a caterpillar in a cocoon. Wear the wrong size and you'll look like you're at least 6 months pregnant, particularly if you've got boobs.
Personally, I like the coat. It's eye-catching, thanks to its retro design. Keep your top and pants neutral as you would a blank canvas and let the Aude blanket coat be the ensemble's centerpiece. Like the Alika coat, it comes in 3 colorways - burgundy, navy and grey.
Etoile Isabel Marant Gilly (or US here)
I have pretty high expectations for the Gilly parka. After all, I spent the entire spring and summer last year being rather attached to mine which came from the previous Etoile Isabel Marant collection. The Gilly is just so wrong from every angle. You've got to be tall and skinny like a giraffe to pull this off. The bat wing sleeves and the overly loose fit do not flatter the normal sized woman. I tried pulling the drawstrings to get a more tapered waist to no avail. I felt like a midget linebacker with large shoulders.
Etoile Isabel Marant Moonlight sweater (also available in different colors and prints here, here and here)
Some people are addicted to chocolates, others would pass out at the sight of a Chanel black boucle jacket, I have a weakness for sweatshirts. Most of my friends are thoroughly sick of my Isabel Marant leopard print sweater which I wear at least 3-4 times a week. Etoile Isabel Marant Moonlight sweater is a little narrower and cropped compared to the sweatshirts from her previous collection. I love the fleece lining which is essential for those of us who live in the northern hemisphere. What's the point of wearing a sweater if it's not to keep you warm?
Etoile Isabel Marant Moonlight sweater is true to size (I'm wearing size 38 here) but go up a size if you prefer a more slouchy fit. The material isn't as thick which is some ways a good thing as you could easily wear it under a more fitted coat.
I'm a fan of 3/4 sleeves. After all, it's slimming and offers plenty of opportunity for arm swag. I'm particular about my blazers. I like the shoulders to sit just right as this will influence how the blazer will fit on my body. I'm wearing a size 38 here and it's a perfect fit. It's a lightweight jacket - simple, classic and timeless.
I thought I'd give the linen jersey t-shirt a go. The scratchy and super sheer fabric was miles apart from my linen baseball tee (S/S 2012?). I had to double check the fabric tag as I was so sure the darn thing was made of woven hay. I couldn't get it off fast enough. Secondly, the fit. I was wearing the large size which has a concave waist designed for those who have a 22-24 inch waist. Let me repeat this again. I was wearing a LARGE and it was tight around my waist. Pffffffft.
Great reviews Marlene! How weird, I got a silk dress by Gerard Darel end of last year that looks very like the Daryl and can't wait to wear it in Spring. Shame about the coat, I also love this vintage shape and was looking for a real vintage piece without any luck so caved in and bought one from COS over xmas which has a small collar. That cotton jacket is perfection and I need to replace my only navy blazer sooooo....tempted. Love the sweatshirt too. I've learnt the hard way to avoid loose batwing sleeves in general but it's such a shame here because if it had normal sleeves, would be gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI'd been trying on blazers the entire day and this one fits the bill more than the rest. COS has some pretty amazing things. Hmm....I just don't get batwing sleeves. I had a top with massive batwing sleeves when I was a teenager. It wasn't flattering then and it certainly isn't now.
DeleteAdore the dress - lucky you getting to try it all on! Did you buy the dress?
ReplyDeleteNot yet. I'm making a list of the items I want to get. That dress is on top of the list along with the Alika.
DeleteI love reviews like this - they are so helpful not that I'm buying any Marant soon or anything. I see the clothes online and then wonder how they work in real life on someone almost the same size as me (you have an inch or so extra height pffft).Do love the sweatshirt - the print is so fun. The navy blazer is very flattering - great shape and cut. We all need clothes like that that do the work for you.
ReplyDeleteIt's really hard to gauge the fit until it's tried on a "real" person. Not stick thin model figure. Oh go on...... you need an IM something :P
DeleteI think the IM dress is nicer than the KW ones - I like that the dress is cut longer as well as hers are always so mini! Great reviews - always good to hear firsthand how and what something fits like :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your insight Marlene! Out of the bunch, I really like the Daryl and think it's totally pretty. :)
ReplyDeletexxTheresa
I like the dress, a lot, and I like the length of the Aude on you, but not the size, compared to the length on the model on the linked website. The t-shirt sounds hideous, the way I react to some wool, and for a large to be too small - I would report them to Trading Standards! Heh, heh....
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this review! So useful! Look forward to see what you will be getting!
ReplyDeleteI love your reviews - so helpful. I really wanted to like this dress as I love this cut and SLEEVES (!) but it's not doing anything for me. I can see though that it would be very comfortable to wear.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the reveiws! I was keen on the Gilly coat but I'll take your word for it. It saves me the international return! Did you get the dress?
ReplyDeleteHi my dear! personally I love the Gilly parka and the cotton drill jacket! A great honest review and some very inspiring pieces, the first dress is a gorgeous colour and pattern!
ReplyDeleteThanks SOO much for trying these pieces! I keep going back and forth about the Noah/Moonlight sweater. I adore it but not sure if I want to spend that much for fleece! The Drill is dreamy, too!
ReplyDeleteLaura, I tried on the sweatshirts at Maje and was disappointed. The fit of the IM sweatshirt is tons better but that's just my opinion though. The fleece lining makes a difference because sometimes if it's unlined, it can be rather coarse on the skin.
Deletelove the drill jacket, did you end up getting anything?
ReplyDeletesteph / absolutely-fuzzy.com
No, not yet. Still compiling my list.
DeleteSuch helpful and honest reviews! I can put Gilly outta my mind for now..lol
ReplyDeleteThe dress looks great on you! I am still waiting for the plaid shirtdress.. A.P.C. did one too, in linen and I am not sure which I would prefer.
Love the dress in the first photo! xx
ReplyDeleteLove the drill jacket!! It looks great with your over the knee boots.
ReplyDeleteEtoile sizing is so weird!! (and disheartening). It's not normal for me to vary in sizes in trousers for ONE LABEL (I have been a 1, 2 and 3 in their different pants, I can't explain it. very confusing). I have been trying a lot of this on at the moment too as I am in paris and I've been lucky enough to go into IM stores, and I also fell in love with the blue ikat coat, although I tried it on in a shorter, oversized blazer style. It's amazing and it's on my wishlist!!
ReplyDeletegreat reviews.
x
ps. thank you for your lovely comment :)
I am absolutely obsessed with the Daryl dress, in fact it was on my birthday wishlist blogpost I put together recently. Such a pretty print and shape. Are you thinking of getting it? I will be forever jealous.
ReplyDeletexx Jenee C.
{camo meets couture}
Very tempted to get that for the upcoming spring. I have something similar which I've worn a lot of so I know I won't waste my money. You should get it!! BTW, happy birthday, Jenee!!
DeleteQuite many styles. Love these Isabel Marant dresses.
ReplyDeleteI really like the Aude coat, is it the same sizing as the Diego coat? I want to order it online but I hesitate because of the sizing.
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried the Diego but I used to own a Bator which is very similar in sizing. I would definitely take 2 sizes down if you're thinking of purchasing the Aude. I'm normally a size 38 and you could see the 38 is rather big on me.
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