Monday, April 25, 2016

Dress Review: Orange You Glad the Orange Branch Border Print is Back!

A little bit ago Pinup Girl Clothing decided to bring back some fan favorite prints that were previously out of stock


I was so happy to see that the Orange Branch Border print was one of the prints selected to return. A few weeks after this print was restocked I decided I'd better jump on it before it sold out again.

This print comes in both a skirt version and a dress version. Because the dress version has a solid white top (with the exception of orange straps), and I tend to shy away from wearing too much white, I decided the skirt would be the better option for me.

The Jenny skirt in Orange Branch Border is a full gathered skirt. Like Pinup Girl Clothing's other Jenny skirts this one is super abundant in fabric! And not only is there a lot of volume to the skirt, the fabric is also very thick and sturdy, helping to give it a great shape. In fact, this skirt has so much volume I find it really isn't even necessary to wear a petticoat with it to get a great shape. Also, like other Jenny skirts, this one has pockets and a back zip. Length wise, I found it perfect for my 5'3" frame though if you have a few more inches on you I'm sure you will still find the length sufficient for that classic 50's look. Because it is a border print and would be very hard to hem, I was really glad it wasn't super long like I found the original Jenny skirts in Harlequin print to run.

Now for sizing, I did run into a bit of an issue here. I read through every single review published on the PUG website for this particular skirt and could not really come to a clear consensus as to if I should get this skirt in my usual size or size up. Some ladies said it ran small and so to size up while some other ladies said it ran snug but was still okay in their usual size. Almost everyone though said to pay careful attention to the size chart. One the size chart it said the large would fit a 28-29" waist while an extra large would fit a 30-31" waist. From these measurements it looks like this skirt was definitely running a whole size smaller and so I opted for the xl for my 30-31" waist. I was so surprised and sad when the skirt arrived and was too big! Measuring it flat I measured it to be 16" and therefore 32" around, not accounting any give the fabric would have when stretched a bit. I emailed customer service to see if I might want to exchange this skirt for my usual size but they confirmed that the mediums were measuring 14" flat, 14.5" stretched as far as it would go and thus, would only accommodate a 29" waist. They did however, go on to say that the xl skirts were measuring 15" flat and so it seems to me I possibly got an oddly made skirt or that some of these skirts were just not very consistent in their sizing. Since I was lucky enough to grab the very last xl skirt it was not possible to exchange my xl skirt for another xl in hopes I would get one that was actually measuring at 15".  Anyhow, I decided to keep the skirt that I got and make do. What I ended up having to do with this skirt (for an easy and temporary fix) is just safety pin it tighter at the waist by about an inch or two. Because of the gathers at the waist I didn't personally feel like it was too noticeable worn like that. I think to make a more permanent solution I will sew in a hook and eye at the waist to make that cinching more permanent and sturdy when worn.  

And now, let's talk about that print! What I really love about this skirt is the gorgeous print! It reminds me of an old classic 1950's Florida theme and since Florida is my original home state I figured it would be a real shame to miss out on this print! Aside from feeling a special attachment to this skirt because of the Florida oranges theme as well as the Florida state colors prevalent on the skirt, I also love that it's a fruit theme that features oranges which is pretty unusual in my book. Themes and motifs aside, I also just really love the design of the print. I love that it's a border print which is oh so vintage looking, and that the oranges hang on vertical vines and get bigger as they go down the skirt ensuring a good balance on the skirt as the skirt flairs out on the bottom. Overall, it's a great skirt! Just be careful with the sizing!

Pinup Girl Clothing Jenny skirt in Orange Branch Border Print- Front View

Pinup Girl Clothing Jenny skirt in Orange Branch Border Print- Front View

Pinup Girl Clothing Jenny skirt in Orange Branch Border Print- Side View

Pinup Girl Clothing Jenny skirt in Orange Branch Border Print- Front View

Pinup Girl Clothing Jenny skirt in Orange Branch Border Print- Front View

Pinup Girl Clothing Jenny skirt in Orange Branch Border Print- Side View

Pinup Girl Clothing Jenny skirt in Orange Branch Border Print- Back View

Pinup Girl Clothing Jenny skirt in Orange Branch Border Print safety pinned tighter- Close Up

Pinup Girl Clothing Jenny skirt in Orange Branch Border Print safety pinned tighter- Close Up (Back View)

Pinup Girl Clothing Jenny skirt in Orange Branch Border Print- Close Up





18 comments:

  1. Always better too big than too small :-)
    The skirt is awesome and the oranges print is superb and sweet!

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    1. LOL so true! Not much a person can do when a skirt is too small ;)

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  2. Yessss, so glad you finally got your oranges!! Your outfit is too cute!! That's annoying about the sizing, but at least you have it!

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    1. Thank you Bristol! I agree... at least I have it! So glad they restocked this and that I finally picked it up! It is so cute! <3 Print twins! Yay! :D

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  3. Firstly, I love how you styled this with a TD grey top!! So unexpected and so perfect! Second, I appreciate the safety pin hack photos! Third, I'm sure you've read too but I think there's some quality control sizing issues--admittedly from PUG themselves-in the most recent rounds of production for some reason that they're trying to fix. I wonder if this purchase fell prey to that?

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    1. Thank you Lauren! I wasn't sure if the safety pin would hold but I went out all day with it like that and didn't have a problem at all :) The next time I wear this if I get my more permanent hook and eye sewn in I will post pics again :) And yes! It was very informative to read on your blog about the quality control issues. It's good to know that I'm not alone. Thank you!

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  4. Oh what a beautiful skirt on you, I love the orange print! Shame about the sizing though, could you have it altered at all?

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    1. Thank you Camilla! It really is such a gorgeous print. I could take it in to have it professionally altered but I hate to spend my money on things like that when I feel like an at home solution like adding a hook and eye myself can fix to problem :)

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  5. Fabulous skirt! I only own two PUG items of clothing, one of which is a Jenny skirt (sadly the weak Canadian dollar, high shipping costs, and steep import/customs fees really curtails what I'm able to buy from the US a lot of the time). I'd heard mixed things about the sizing and ordered up. Big (literally! :)) mistake. I have to safety pin my "Jenny", too, and could easily have gone one, maybe even two sizes. Oh well, With a pin and a good belt, it's still wearable and I love it to bits (it was my b-day gift to myself either last year or the year before, can't quite remember off the top of my head). Worst case, if it ever drives me bonkers, I'll sell it and perhaps buy the smaller one, if that print is still in production.

    Thanks for the lovely, honest review, dear gal.

    Big hugs,
    ♥ Jessica

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    1. Thanks Jessica! So sorry to hear about your fit issues with your skirt too! I can't even imagine your frustration with buying from US sellers! I hate going through the hassle of sending something back if it doesn't fit 100% and having to do that internationally... forget it! :( Have you heard of Retro Glam? They are a Canadian stockist and carry lots of great things from tons of retro brands. I often order from them when they have sales and I'm fairly confident about the sizing :) You should totally check them out! It might help the next time you spy something from PUG of Trashy Diva you want to try out :D <3

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  6. Super cute. I love when a beloved print comes back. I just nabbed the Bernie Dexter winter wonderland dress after missing out in it last year

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    1. Thank you Katherine! Congrats on nabbing the dress you wanted! And I completely know what you mean! There's been a couple things over the years that I've been able to nab after missing out the first time around! It's so great when things get reissued!

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  7. Oh and I'm sorry about the sizing. I always have issues with the busts of my dresses being too big if the waist fits

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    1. Sorry to hear that Katherine! Fit issues are so annoying! :(

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  8. I'm so happy about so many of the styles they're bringing back - although with customs the way they are I can't afford any of them!! Glad to see them on others though, and this one is one of my faves too. How could you be sad in this happy, summery skirt?! It looks beautiful on you - and darn about the fit!! I'd always something was too big than too small though...

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    1. Oh no! Are there any people that might stock these items in your area that you might be able to buy from and avoid the customs fees? That is too sad that you won't be able to buy any of the newly restocked things coming! And yes, I totally agree! It's hard to be sad in this dress! It's such a fun and summery dress! And yes! Totally rather too big than too small! <3

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  9. I love the orange print! Shame about the sizing inconsistencies, but good to be aware of, thank you.

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