Black peek a boo dress - mini dress discontinued by Espiral - review by ~LaUr3n~

After loving my first Espiral dress and getting better than expected results, I figured I'd try some other designs that I was also skeptical would look good on me. This is the most unflattering of the four dresses I have tried, it's by far my least favorite. That's why you won't see any pictures of this one from me. Surprisingly, the chest isn't the area where I had the most trouble. If you don't look like the model or are very small, even if you are fit, this probably won't be flattering on you either. However, if you are small on top and larger on the bottom, pear shaped, this might work out.

*Contents/overview:One piece Mini-dress

The Black Peek a Boo dress by Espiral is a ruched choker mini-dress made for wearing out. It has an open chest, deep neck line, and open back. It has no built in bra or support. The shoulders have zippers that can be undone to show more shoulder or an off the shoulder look. It comes in two colors: yellow and black. It is available in sizes S, M, L, and XL. It runs a little small, but nothing horrid.

*Material: Good



The mini-dress is made of 93% polyester and 7% spandex (elastano). Like three of the four dresses I own, this is made of the same slinky soft and silky material. It's actually kind of heavy. In can sometimes look a little shiny in certain lighting. The material also has the potential to be semi-see through if it is stretched too far. The material stretches well and returns to its original shape. It's also very comfortable to wear and not at all irritating.

*Design/craftsmanship: Great

The Black Peak a Boo is a mini-dress, but it is longer than the other three I also have. It can be pulled down to just above the knee or worn on the high thigh. The bottom is like a mini-skirt and the top is like a halter in a way. The neck line is a deep key hole that will end at the end of the sternum for most women. At the tops of the "halter" there is a cord threaded through. It move completely and can come out. There is plenty of cord to tie around the neck. Unbunched the tops are 6" across. In the front, the panels cross. The top one creates the key hole. They are not sewn to each other, so there is a potential for wardrobe malfunctions.

The back also crosses, similar to the front creating a V in the lower center of the back. There is a lot of bunchy material where the top portion is sewn to the bottom skirt like part. The bottom has ruching on each side that is about 10" long without being stretched to fit the curves of the body.

*Cleaning/care/storage: Hand wash

This dress comes in a resealable plastic bag and has a cardboard insert with model pictures of the dress and other dresses. The company website is listed. It says to hand wash in cool water, then let it hang dry. It has done fine being washed in a lingerie bag on a short cold cycle, but I still allow it to hang dry. I would also remove the cord before washing.

Made in Columbia.

*Sizing/fit:Runs small in spots

The first dress I got by Espiral was in a large and that fit well, so I got a large for this one too. I am not impressed this time around. The middle area is smaller than the waist on the other dresses I have. This design is also the least flattering for my body type.

The large says is should fit 38" bust, 29" waist, and 38" hip. I weigh ~142 pounds (size ~8); curvy but fit, with size 34/36 D breasts. My waist is about 30" and hips 38.5". My band measurement is about 34" and I wear either a 34 or 36 band for a bra. My bust is around a 41" mark. It's unclear if the 38" is for band or bust, so my re-done chart gives new measurement scales for both.

The top fits with plenty of room, but isn't loose either. There is no support, though. I don't mind no support usually, but I don't feel that comfortable in this because my breasts can more freely in any direction and have the potential to pop out. Where this fits around my low waist, it is not tight but all the extra ruching from the fabric on the top is very unflattering. It changes the natural shape of my body in a very unflattering way. The hips fits but are tighter than the other dresses I own from this company. This makes it lose the ruching and lay more flat hiding less and becoming very revealing.

My Re-done chart: For the largeRuns small - for the large
Dress: 6-8
Cup: B-DD (but there is no support!)
Bust: 34-43 (around the fullest part of your breasts)
Band: 34-38" (underneath your breasts)
Waist: 28-31"
Hips: 35-37"

*Possible accessories:

As previously stated in my other review, with a dress that shows this much leg, you want to play that up and wear a high heel. Try not to get a heel that truncates your leg if you have short legs. Stay away from heels with straps that go across the ankle if that is the case. To elongate the legs, nude heels add miles, but a black heel is sharpest. You can even play up for a pop of color. I'd pair with a shiny clutch like the one below.



*Conclusion: 2 1/2 stars - ★★ 1/2

I have to give this 2 1/2 stars. If an item doesn't fit but is made well, it usually gets 2 stars. I reserve 1 stars for lingerie that won't work for practically anyone. This one is sewn well enough, but the design and style are poor and need improvement. That added to it being smaller than normal get it 2 stars since I can't do halves.

This dress is in the process of being returned and I won't be trying other styles like it. It caused me to remove a few items from my wishlist but I'll still try more from the company.