After dark - mini dress discontinued by DreamGirl - review by edeneve

After Dark is from the Dreamgirl Collection. I ordered the size large. The Mini Dress can be worn at different lengths - from just below your booty to about half way down your thighs. Of course this would vary depending on each individual's body.

I was so excited to be able to get the dress. I couldn't wait to receive it in the mail. The dress arrived in a clear plastic bag on a black plastic hanger. I was expecting it to be all mesh material. But to my happy surprise, it is lined w/ a neutral colored fabric. I'd say it's an off white color with a hint of very pale beige.

The mini dress was longer than the product picture shows which was a wonderful surprise. This means I can wear the dress as I choose, as short up to my butt or long a little down my thighs to above my knees. The dress stretches both lengthwise and from side to side. It is a halter style with defined breast cups. Both the mesh and inner lining fabrics feel nice to the touch.

I couldn't wait to get into the dress and see what it looked like. So I stripped down and pulled the mini dress on. I adjusted it as I ran to the mirror where I was better able to adjust it. I loved it. It fit perfectly and looked even much better than what I was expecting. But I'm getting ahead of myself here.

The inner off white/beige lining is opaque and of a thicker fabric than the mesh material. The dress is quite weighty due to the inner lining's weight. Just enough weight to give the dress substance. The inner lining is also gathered at the sides and is quite stretchy. This piece could stand alone as a dress itself.

I got out my handy measuring tape and took the measurements of After Dark size large. Here are the measurements of the dress:

Length - top of cups to hemline: 29"
Cups - top to bottom 6"
Width at Bust: 16"
Width stretched below Bust: 15"
Width at Hem: 19"

Dreamgirl's sizing chart for size large (copied)
Cup Bust Waist Hips Weight
Large 10 - 14 C - D 36 - 38 28 - 32 38 - 40 140 - 150

The width of the dress is 15" just under the bustline. It gradually widens going down the length of the dress to a maximum width of 19" at the hemline. Keep in mind that the bust, length, and width will adjust to your body at whatever length you pull the dress to.

The halter straps of the mini dress are made with both fabrics that the dress is constructed of. The opaque off white/beige fabric is encased by the black mesh. This gives strength to the straps for some bust support. The straps have quite a bit of length to tie at the back of the neck into a nice sized bow with tails. The straps are a nice width of 3".

The construction of After Dark is well done. The side seams of both the mesh overlay and inner lining are sewn together into one seam. The seams are well reinforced. All the seams and stitching are straight and even. And they are designed to allow for stretching as the dress is stretched.

The fabric of the dress lining is 92% polyester and 8% spandex and it is completely opaque. The see through mesh overlay is 95% polyester and 5% spandex. Hand wash in cold water being careful not to snag the mesh. Then, hang to dry. I store my dress with the plastic bag to prevent snagging the mesh. And the dress is made in China.

So wearing After Dark has been both fun and a challenge. The fun is wearing it and how I look in it. The challenge is keeping the spread of the mesh around my tummy from moving.

I have already worn After Dark mini dress to go dancing and received some very nice compliments about it. The mini-dress wore very well. I had it pulled midway down my thighs and the bottom edge stayed there. I went to the restroom several time to check how the dress looked. I made some minor adjustments but nothing obvious. That was until I sat down.

The only issue I had was the black mesh overlay moving about when I sat down. I had to keep adjusting the mesh overlay to keep my tummy pooch less noticeable. Sitting down makes the mesh overlay bunch up around my pooching tummy. This required several trips to the restroom mirror to adjust the mesh overlay. My guess is that this will not happen to someone with a flat tummy. Otherwise, the placement from left to right of the mesh overlay stayed where I placed it - until I sit down.

I really had hopes this would be that amped up little black dress I want for a special date. I just can't say I'd wear it, though, because of the shifting mesh overlay around my tummy. And I do take responsibility for having the pooching tummy. Remember, the mesh overlay bunching up may not be your experience.

I have no worries about bending over in After Dark mini-dress since the "mini" isn't too mini. I really like the varying lengths of After Dark. I hope Edenfantasys starts carrying more dresses longer than 2" long below my booty.

I'm more pleased with After Dark – mini dress now that I've lost a few pounds. I don't wear it to go out in yet. I'm still waiting for a few more pounds to come off & my tummy to flatten out more. I've learned how to adjust the mesh overlay without having to run to a mirror for help. I will say though, I'd sure like it to fit me perfectly. I'd like the mesh to lay on my body as it does on the model in the product page picture. When I was first looking at the picture, I expected the mesh to not move about. I've since become more patient with myself and the dress' mesh since I've been wearing it several times a week. I can't wait till I get to wear it out nightclubbing. Yahoo whoo!