All hail the return of the knit dress to Trashy Diva! I am a superfan of the knit dress line from several years ago, to the point where I own almost every piece they made as part of it – and several in multiple colors. I was extra excited when I saw that the latest Trashy Diva collection was made from a similar stretch knit, although I didn’t fall for the print immediately when I saw it online. Luckily, I live near the boutique now and seeing the print in person really changed my mind about it.
This line introduces several new cuts for Trashy Diva, including several wrap dresses and a long version of their popular Jenny knit dress. The Louise is one of these new cuts. It’s a sort of fusion between basic sundress and winter knit, which makes it perfect for southern winters that can range from 70 degrees to 30 degrees! I had a hard time choosing between this and the Sadie Ruffle in this print, as they felt like nearly identical dresses. I finally picked this since I felt like it was slightly more flattering than the Sadie. There’s lots to love for curvy ladies in this collection, thankfully!
This dress features a simple cut with a smart ruched bodice that is extra curve friendly. If you have tried the old Trashy Diva knits, be aware that this fabric is much lighter and not identical at all. I get cold easily so I really love the heavier knits in the older collection – this wouldn’t keep me warm in cooler temperatures unless I really layered it with tights, a cardigan and a coat. To me, it doesn’t feel that much lighter than some of the heavier rayons.
In terms of sizing, this collection ran much larger due to the fabric stretch. I tried nearly every piece at the boutique and was able to easily fit into a 12 in every piece. I’m usually a 14 in Trashy Diva and occasionally have to go up to a 16 for pieces that are cut shallower in the bust. When in doubt, size down two sizes from your regular size.
What is great about this print is all of the amazing colors in it. I love the pops of maroon, lilac, green and yellow that are all included. It is however, as Tim Gunn would put it, “a lot of print”. While I really liked this cut and felt like it looked great, the ankle length Jenny kind of made me feel like a human sofa cushion due to all of the print. Depending on your print tolerance, you may want to pick one of the simpler silhouettes to make it easier to integrate into your wardrobe.
What do you think of this floral print? What colors would you pair it with?