Positive Reviews:| Rating: |  | | Love this dress. I could comfortably and happily wear this every day, and I hate dressing up - but this is just that easy and natural to wear. I have an XS in the blue, and it's a gorgeous striking color with an extremely flattering fit, especially around the bust (I am a B cup and I believe I can even get away with not wearing a bra in this.) Fabric is definitely a "sport" fabric, but it hangs so beautifully that you can easily dress it up (plus, any wrinkles from packing will shake out if you just hang it for a little while.) Besides being a go-to dress in terms of overall look, it's also a worry-free dress in terms of fit. NO bra straps showing, no tugging at the bust because it stays put and is not too revealing; no fussing and adjusting as can happen with other dresses. This is true for the length as well. I had intended to hem it just a couple inches shorter at first (wanted it to hit at knee, and it's just below) but I'm considering leaving it - it also stays where it's supposed to go, doesn't cling, doesn't blow in the wind, and lets you be pretty active without having to worry about it flipping up or anything like that. At any rate, big thumbs up. I might buy another color. Don't hesitate to get it! | | Rosalyn C. at Zappos.com on 06/28/2009 | Versatile and flattering, too! | | Rating: | | | I got this dress to take on a 7 week trip to Europe. I spent some of the time studying, but I spent the weekends running around everywhere. I threw this dress in my bag everywhere I went, from Paris, to London, to Rome, and back again! It covered my knees (and I'm 5'8"), so with a fitted tee thrown over it, it worked for the Vatican. I also wore it with heels to a semi-formal occasion at my uni. I scrunched it into a ball at the bottom of my backpack, and it sprang back to life, too! I loved that I could wash it in the sink, and it would be dry by morning, but that it can also tackle a dorm washer and dryer with ease.
Now that I'm back stateside, I've worn it so much, and it hasn't faded at all (I bought the black). I've even been wearing it in the colder months, with knee high boots and a cute cardigan. Also, I am a curvy girl with wide hips and a predominant chest, and this dress makes my hourglass figure shine! It doesn't even cling to my flaws. This is the perfect LBD for anyone. | | SoonerGirl at Patagonia on 12/13/2008 | | Rating: | | | A Review for Lankier Bodies… So, I had a very hard time finding a review from someone a similar size to myself 5’10”, 135lb., small bust. I took a chance, got a size small, and it fits me beautifully. I was most concerned with the rouched top as similar styles tend to swallow me up, but the top fits my small bust nicely. Length is great too, the size small falls right below my knees. I got the dark blue and the color displayed on-line is accurate. I would NOT describe the fabric as others have—shiny. It is of course not a matte finish (because it is not cotton) but the appearance of the fabric does allow for great flexibility in dressing it up or down. Lastly, I am compelled to mention comfort, which can be likened to being naked in bed. Only Issue: bra strap shows in back, which is why "Look" got 4 of 5 stars. Although, it shows no worse than your average snug fitting t-shirt. Hope this helped someone! | | Anonymous at Zappos.com on 06/02/2009 | | Rating: |  | | First I want to say that I had ordered a different dress that didn't suit me. I had a "seamless" experience exchanging it for this one. I love the fabric and style of this dress. It is very flattering. After reading reviews I ordered the size L, normally I would wear a M. I am fine with the large, but am curious how a M would fit. I am debating whether to order a M to try both sizes. I have not worn the dress yet, other than to try it on. I was planning on wearing it to our Christmas party, but feel like it's a little long. I'm 5'6" and don't like hiding my legs. I am keeping it because I'm going to the desert next month and want to have a good traveling dress, fabric wise. Overall, I'm happy with it, and figure the length will grow on me! | | Anonymous at Zappos.com on 12/18/2009 | | Rating: | | | Fixing a problem. I got this dress in small and when I put it on it looked great. I washed and dried it according to directions, then put it on again and was terribly dismayed to see it had shrunk! It wasnt much shrinkage, but that percent made a huge difference as I was right at the fit of totally sexy. if you know what I mean. the shrink made it totally vulgar. anyway, I talked to a customer rep, I wish I could remember her name; she was genuine and a professional, and explained the situation to her. Zapppos is awesome! They refunded me the cost of the dress! Talk about a company that works with the customer! If there is one company left on this earth to believe in as far as customer service goes, it's ZAPPOS.COM! Thank you so much, you have a lifetime customer right here. | | Megamom08 at Zappos.com on 10/09/2009 | | Rating: | | | I bought this in three colors. I like the length. It is to my midcalf (I'm 5'6") and I can pull my legs up under it when reading. The material is thick like an outdoor fabric with a little shine so it falls on the line between casual outdoor dress and semi-dress up events. The weight is more fall and spring, but the sleeveless bodice is more summer. It can be worn all seasons with thin hose (fabric clings to thicker tights) and a sweater jacket. I am a size 12-14 with a 38c bust and I returned the larges for x-larges and gained a little more drape since the fabric is somewhat unforgiving of fat rolls. The large also made the bust more if a focal point than I wanted. Overall, I like the dress, but more for everyday comfort wear than as a party or church dress. | | Anonymous at Zappos.com on 11/11/2009 | SEXY DRESS! | | Rating: | | | My husband loves this dress!
It's very flattering. I love spandex type material , so the material is perfect for me. This dress in cotton would not flow as nicely.The length is great because I also wear this to work with a cover up and I can wear it out night after wards!
I bought the Earthenware color and I love it. I was worried any lighter color might show panty lines. I do not think I would go with a lighter color unless you are really slender with few curves. I am 144 lbs and 5.7''. I am average bust size. I bought a medium. It's perfect because I did not want it t o cling. It does support your bust, but it is much more flattering with a bra.
You will love it. | | NEWF at Patagonia on 05/15/2009 | The only dress you'll ever need | | Rating: | | | This is the best dress I've ever owned. It is so comfortable and versatile. I first purchased the black and wore it to a causal affair then dressed it up to wear to a formal wedding. Later I wore it comfortably when I was pregnant.
I love this dress so much I just purchased a second lighter color for spring and summer.
This dress is so comfortable and flattering. I like that I can wear a bra with it and not worry about straps showing and that it is long enough to cover my not-so-attractive knees. The twist in front is flattering for the bust and yet I can still breast feed when wearing it. All-in-all, it is now the only dress I will ever wear. | | treegazer at Patagonia on 08/22/2009 | Flattering yet comfy | | Rating: | | | This dress is "slim fit" and contours pretty closely. For youthful figures you can definitely go with your regular size and show off that lean body, but for those of us who have a little fat after a couple of kids, I recommend going up a size. At least for me, the Large looked much better than my regular patagonia size (Medium) -- the Medium fit like a glove and therefore showed off my rolls of fat, bra line, muffin top etc. I also needed to hem this (I'm 5'5") otherwise it looked a bit... like a tent. But hemmed, it's perfect. P.S. The material is a bit thicker and feels heavier than it looks in the picture. | | hcj1440 at Patagonia on 08/22/2009 | Two months in a carry-on | | Rating: | | | I went to Europe for 2 1/2 months with a difficult packing challenge--August in Sicily (sweltering), then flew to St. Petersburg (brrr) and boarded a ship down to Lisbon. This dress was the best thing I brought. It kept cool in Italy, looked stylish, and worked with tights and a sweater in the cooler climes. With a different necklace or scarf it always looked different and great. I also brought along other Patagonia pieces--the black Morning Glory Skirt, the Seashore Jacket, the Miracle Pants, and the Long-Sleeved Versataliti Vee shirt, all of which performed well from hiking and riding in a Zodiac to dinner out with heels. But the Bandha Dress was far and away the star. | | phraze at Patagonia on 10/14/2009 |
| Negative Reviews:Sized Small - Continued | | Rating: |  | | I'll say one thing, the order came very quickly!! I tried the Medium on this morning. My waist is 26" & hips are 36.5". The lower portion of the dress HUNG on me!! It had no shape whatsoever. I sew and would have to take in 2" in the waist & 3-4" in the hips to make this wearable. Also, regarding the top of the Medium, I tried it on with no bra. Great fit...BUT, my husband said he thought I should try it on w/ a bra, since sometimes a bra IS necessary. Once I put the bra on, even the top was snug and the bra-lines were unavaoidable. My reccomendation is to use my measurements as a guideline & go with your "gut instincts" regarding it's fit on you. The style & fabric are great, but I think Patagonia needs to do some re-designing of this pattern. I will be returning this dress as well. | | Anonymous at Altrec on 02/17/2008 | I'm returning it | | Rating: | | | I was so excited about this dress because the majority of the comments were so positive. The moment I saw the dress I was disappointed. Thick shiny polyester. Hoping putting it on would make it better, I put it on. Yuck. I am 5'10" and it was too long for me. I could deal with the length and the cut, but I can't get past the awful fabric. Oh well, I was really hoping for something nice here. Instead I saw two similar dresses at REI. One by REI and another by the Horny Toad. I got the REI dress, b/c the Horny Toad one wasn't in my size. Both are much better than this one. | | Ieva at Altrec on 06/26/2009 | To Much Material | | Rating: |  | | I loved the style of this dress but it came and it just had way to much material. It looks sleek but it is not.
I am a full figured woman and it fit like skin even in the large size. It is definately made for petite women with small a bust.
I wish Patagonia would offer better sizing for full figured women.
I am very athletic and like the quality of Patagonia's clothes but I have a hard time finding things to fit and I can usually fit into a medium bottom but need a large or extra large top.
Not all athletic women and skinny and small busted. | | MFMINNIS at Patagonia on 09/13/2008 | shoulders too big | | Rating: | | | I loved the color and the fabric, but I thought the shoulders could have been more flattering. If they had been cut in more towards the shoulders it would have been a better fit.
I tried it on my boyfriend, and he did not think it was flattering. I was bummed. I loved the lenght, the color, the fabric and how the bustline looked. Correct the shoulders and it has it going! | | jillian1 at Patagonia on 05/15/2009 | Whats all the hoopla about This Dress? | | Rating: | | | I really do not understand what the excitement is about this dress, as I have bought a number of dresses from Patagonia and loved them all. That is until I purchased this one. The material is super bounce back spandex-y...not flattering at all. I love the idea and it looks great in the picture, but perhaps if they used a different material I would be more excited. | | Calypso at Patagonia on 04/03/2009 | Strange fit | | Rating: | | | I was excited about getting this dress--it sounded perfect. But I sent it back. The top in the small size fit very tight, which is very unusual for me (I'm ordinarily somewhere between small and x-small), and the skirt was large and too full--which is also unusual for me. Nice fabric, and nice design. But very odd fit. | | StylishHiker at Patagonia on 02/21/2009 | | Rating: | | | i really wanted to like this dress but the style didn't fit me. i'm 5'9" and the dress hit me right at the knee and looked too short. i wish it was a longer mid-calf lenght. i love the bandha top but sadly not the dress. the fabric is great. i would recommend it to my shorter friends. | | jhub at Patagonia on 10/29/2008 | Not Flattering | | Rating: | | | Great service and prices at Altrec. However, the Bandha dress was not flattering at all. I'm an hourglass shape; it smooshed my chest and flared out too far at the hips. Also, the fabric was rather coarse. I sent it back. | | EmilyK at Altrec on 07/16/2009 |
Neutral Reviews:Awesome, but... | | Rating: |  | | I have the bandha top, and I love it to death. I'm rather large busted, so it's hard for me to find shirts that are classy and conservatively complement the ladies. I bought this dress hoping it would fit like the shirt, and while the twisted top was great, the rest of the dress was another story. It's like this dress is designed for someone of the pear shape variety who has an extremely long torso. I'm 5'5", and the hips fell well below my hips and bulged out on the seam. I took the dress to the lady who altered my wedding dress, and she was bewildered by the curvy seam on the edges. She was able to take it in and fix it for me, but I kind of expected a little more from Patagonia. I actually bought this dress for my friend to wear as a bridesmaid dress, and she had many of the same problems, including a panel being sewn inside out - the material has different looks on each side, and she said all the panels were uniform except for one. It'll be a great dress, but just be cautious and expect to have to get it altered, if you're up for it. | | Heidi Reindl at Altrec on 07/23/2009 | Great dress but not for short ladies! | | Rating: | | | I love everything Patagonia produces, and it hurts me to ever say anything negative about their stuff. So when it comes to this dress: It's not you, Bandha Dress, it's me. I'm just too short for you. This dress is made out of the stretchy climbing material and is tight in the dress and loose after the boobie bunching -- but warning: if you are short it may look silly on you, as it does me. I'm 5'1' and the dress makes me look kinda silly. If you are taller, please continue to the next rave reviews. It's a great dress, just not for shorties. | | Danielle at Moosejaw (Spring 2010) on 11/10/2009 | Beautiful Dress, but hangs awkwardly | | Rating: | | | I have tried to love this dress, and for the most part it's lovely. The fabric is nice, doesn't wrinkle to much, I like the bust detail, and the color doesn't fade. However, I'm 5'9" and the hem hits me mid-calf so I look like I have stump legs (Why do you do this, Patagonia?), and I also have ~35" hips and a size xs still has extra room in the hip area. | | Heather at Moosejaw (Spring 2010) on 11/11/2009 | Seams | | Rating: | | | I really liked the way this dress looked in pictures, but when I received it, I noticed the big seam down the front and the back of the dress. I don't know if I could be made without those seams, but I just find them unattractive. On the plus side, it is a really comfortable dress and I love the twist in the front... but unfortunately could not get over the seams. | | soboco at Patagonia on 08/21/2009 | | Rating: | | | I returned the dress because I didn\'t end up liking the way the material felt, just a personal thing. It definitely runs long, if I kept it I would have had it shortened at least to the knee. Nice dark red color. Zappos service was exceptional, ordered 7pm and it was on my doorstep the next day! | | Charlotte at Zappos.com on 08/05/2009 | funky arms | | Rating: | | great design and lines, easy care sophisticated piece - but cut didn't work for me. If you have a strong upper body presence, (lats, delts) the arm holes will be tight- oddly tight and the dress will not hang properly. Bummer because it's a nice design and fabric; though a bit heavy for hot summer climates | | PatsyB at Backcountry.com Outlet on 07/16/2009 | Sized wrong for Small frames | | Rating: | | | Love the cut of the top portion, but it's waaaay too long. I'm 5'4" and the length is past mid-calf (listed at "below knee"). Style would be cuter at or just above knee. | | Leadville_Mama at Altrec on 02/11/2008 | Funny length | | Rating: | | | Top is a great fit, but the dress needs to be shorter or longer. The in-between length made me look short and stocky. | | Anonymous at Altrec on 04/06/2008 | A little long | | Rating: | | It was a little long but great material, soft feel and great for dress up or casual | | kelley1390710 at Backcountry.com Outlet on 03/05/2009 |
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