Eyelet strapless dress

The dress is a pretty color. I bought a size 4; I am 5'3 and muscular 127lbs. The dress didn't fit well; the hips bulged out more and the length was slightly above knee. The chest area (I am 34' bust) was slightly loose and could forsee it being readjusted every once and awhile. I'm usually pleased with quality and sizing of JCREW clothing, however this one is not did not meet my expectations or standards.

I got this dress in my regular size - a 12. Unfortunately, the dress fit perfectly everywhere except around my rib cage. I could not close the zipper at all. So I returned the dress and ordered a size 14. The dress arrived and I tried it on. It was huge everywhere except around the rib cage where the zipper closed and it fit perfectly there and only there. So I have to return this dress also. I have found that many of the fitted J Crew dresses do not close at the rib cage but fit everywhere else perfectly in a size 12. So those patterns are faulty. I will never buy another fitted dress on clearance that cannot be returned. I have gotten stuck now with 2 such dresses (fortunately, not this one). I should have learned my lesson with the first one. J Crew dresses that are not form fitted around the rib cage fit perfectly in my normal size 12.

I was excited about this dress as a rehearsal dinner option. It’s very cute, but runs very small. I almost always wear a size 10, but I’m not even sure a 12 would fit. I am curvier on the bottom so this might suit an athletic build a bit more. The fabric is lightweight for summer but I can’t imagine this dress withstanding the test of time.