Let’s talk about ASOS. Up until a week ago, I had never bought anything from the retailer, however, found myself pinning their items to my Want It, Need It board all the livelong day. Namely, many of their Midi Dresses.
Now, I guess you could say that I am a fairly modest dresser. I prefer to keep a decent majority of my skin covered, thank you very much, and that is why I have been so drawn to midi dresses. Undeniably feminine, I love that they hit at the knee or lower, and most do a great job of accentuating the waist. I quickly fell into the pattern of pinning an adorable dress, clicking through to ASOS, noticing the reasonable price ending in some random number ($79.28, $33.64, $28.56, so on and so forth), assuming that it was a weirdo operation, and moving on.
Little did I know that ASOS is quite a large international company (weird prices = exchange rate, duh), and when I noticed they honored free shipping AND free returns, I figured what the hell. Let’s do this thing. (Do you see how this could get dangerous? I’m just ordering these items to help out fellow shoppers of the world, you see!)
I ordered three dresses to try out.
1. ASOS Skater Dress With Waist Tab Detail in Navy
This dress was a really pretty shade of navy blue, and super easy to wear. It’s 100% viscose, which makes it machine washable. THANK YOU.
The side tabs are a nice touch, as well as the pleats on the bodice.
The one thing that I liked the most, however, was how easily the wrinkles hung out overnight. When I pulled this dress out of the package, it was wrinkly to the 100th degree, but all of the wrinkles were gone by the next morning after hanging overnight. Ladies, I’m down with that.
I’m still deciding on this dress, though. What do you think?
2. ASOS Midi Dress With Full Skirt And Belt in Navy
This dress is a perfect work-to-dinner type. It’s made of a thick stretch jersey, which feels very similar to ponte knit. (Have you seen/felt the ponte pants at J. Crew and J. Crew Factory? They have the same thickness to them.) The bust darts and pleats at the waist are a nice touch.
I also liked the elbow-length sleeves with cuff. Very retro.
The belt that came with the dress isn’t half bad, actually. (Although, it’s not attached so you can switch out easily.)
If I didn’t work from home, I would keep this in a flash, but I don’t think it will get much wear during my day-to-day grind. Back it goes.
3. ASOS Midi Dress With Short Sleeves in Black
This dress is a keeper. It’s made from stretch jersey, has great lines, and can be worn super casual or dressed up.
It’s just so carefree and easy to wear, and I’m totally tempted to purchase the other colors. I also love the neckline – like a crewneck/boatneck hybrid.
Okay, let’s talk sizing. Pay close attention to the ASOS sizing chart on the website, ladies.
It’s spot on, and not the same as many American retailers. (For reference, I wear a 0 in J. Crew/Madewell dresses, but a 4 in ASOS dresses.)
All in all, I think the quality of these dresses is good, given the reasonable prices. What do you think of the dresses? Should the navy dress stay or go?
I will say that I’m a huge sucker for free shipping and returns, so I think I’ll be buying from ASOS again. Do you shop at ASOS, and if so, what has been your experience?
Heather B.
March 14, 2013 at 10:25 amThey also have plus sizes and it’s cute stuff in plus sizes not a bunch of empire waist/bag type crap. Love ASOS.
courtney
March 14, 2013 at 11:01 amLove the one with the red belt. Gorgeous! Love seeing the Bianca Tassel Necklace on you, too! You rock it!!
marguerite
March 14, 2013 at 11:09 amThank you for posting this, especially the sizing details! I’ve been itching to place an order for awhile and now I’m convinced to go for it. Free shipping and returns? Yes, please.
Wide Lawns
March 14, 2013 at 11:25 amThe short sleeved one is definitely the cutest, especially with the red belt and leopard shoes. The other two are totally Amish, right down to the darts and pleats. I think that you manage to pull off the blue one admirably though with the necklace and shoes. This is because you are a size zero and pretty. Pretty, skinny women can wear anything and manage to look good, but I fear if we plainer, bigger girls were to try those dresses we’d look like we were on our way to a barn raising with Zebediah Yoder and our ten kids.
Violet
March 14, 2013 at 1:11 pmI’m breaking in here to say Wide Lawns, you just CRACKED MY **** UP!
And ditto – its the same when you are SHORT(er) (I’m up to 5’6 now, maybe) and are either chunky, muscular or have de’ wonderful child-birthin’ hips (oddly have hips, cannot make the rest of the operation work) that are wide enough to rest a kid on both sides. In which case mid-calf lengths = Mrs. Yoder. Or Sister Yoder.
I love love love love looove the dark gray one with the cuffs on you, (#2) for the record. LOVE !!
Will definitely check that out, but would probably be forced to cut the size tags out for vanity!
whoorl
March 16, 2013 at 7:10 amHahaaa, yes, Wide Lawns cracked me up as well! Let me know what you think if you try out some dresses!
Joy
March 14, 2013 at 1:26 pmI’ve shopped at ASOS in the past and have loved some things and have sent back other things right away because they just weren’t as they appeared on line.
Since you asked for opinions, I have to say that #1 just doesn’t seem to fit you right. It looks too big. #2 looks like it was made for you!! It hits you perfectly at all the right places. I like #3 on you as well, but not as much as #2.
Uncle Roger
March 14, 2013 at 10:04 pmI’m not crazy about #1 — those tabs seem weird to me. #2 is okay, but not awesome. #3 is smokin’ hot, though. Totally awesome.
Jeanne
March 15, 2013 at 4:57 amI love the third dress! You look beautiful! I have to agree that the first dress makes me think Amish.
Brandy J
March 15, 2013 at 5:54 amAbsolutely love ASOS! Wonderful options that not everyone has and the free shipping/returns could not be more convenient. Their swimwear line is excellent, I have 2 plunge one-pieces I am obsessed with. Also a great place for expectant mothers to shop for stylish yet affordable maternity clothes. I would say my favorite purchase from there is a LBD I got on clearance – fits like a dream and was under $20.
I love the last 2 dresses! I agree the navy looks a bit big on you, a better fit and I would say keep it!
Love your blog, btw! First time visiting, found you through cupcakes and cashmere. :)
whoorl
March 16, 2013 at 7:11 amThanks, Brandy! I’m going to check out the swimwear for sure!
chloe
March 15, 2013 at 6:46 amI love Asos! Its pretty big over here and I shop there a lot.
I love that they have their own brand of things which are more economically priced versions of designer stuff!
I love the navy dress, but I’m not a fan of the sleeves!!
chloex
berlin hair baby
March 16, 2013 at 8:54 pmyay, glad you like ASOS! I’m in love with their semi slutty (but not totally) bodycon dresses at the moment :-)
their jewelry is very fun too! xox BHB
Sarah Redmond
March 17, 2013 at 5:35 pmAsos have the most fabulous stockings and shoes also – their home brand are stylish and last FOREVER. I find their dresses work well for the smaller sizes, but go weirdly out of shape at the large mark (which is where I sit).They’ve just opened here in Australia, so at least now returns don’t take as long.
Sarge in Charge
March 19, 2013 at 6:59 amI must say they are all darling, but I personally may have to go for the navy. I don’t find it sister wifey at all– with the tassels it gives me more of a disco/70s hostess vibe (in the best possible way). I also am 5’7′ and long-torso’ed, so I appreciate that the “waist” isn’t right under the chest like it so often is!
Sara
March 19, 2013 at 9:40 amI LOVE them all! I’ve never heard of this brand! I am so excited that you shared it! You are completely lovely in all three! :)
Norlin
March 21, 2013 at 1:39 amI’m not usually a fan of midi dresses just because I’m not that tall. Sorry, I’m not tall at all and on me a midi would look more like long dress. But, I took the plunge and got on from ASOS a few months ago – simple black one with a very 1950s vibe to the style. Love it, but I think I might need to alter the length a little bit to actually make it look more like a midi. Love the choices you’ve made with your purchases! :)