One dress worn a dozen ways
September 15th, 2008The Butter by Nadia Signature Wrap Dress is the ultimate in convertible dressing. It’s one dress that transforms into many different silhouettes. Simply follow various folding, ruching, wrapping and knotting instructions for the “Signature Jersey” wrap dress and voila, you’ve got a dozen dress shapes at your fingertips with one frock.
The creation of this dress is ingenious. It’s a one-size-fits-all and available in a “soft as butter” jersey or satin knit for around $250. It claims to suit every size and body type and is extra forgiving with weight fluctuations. Sounds like the perfect solution to any frock dilemma.
But I’m not completely sold on the idea. The looks reflect the same Grecian- inspired mood and each of the style options remains the same colour and fabric. So it seems more like one Grecian dress that I can adapt to my mood than a dozen different dresses.
Bravo to the pattern maker and fashion designer. The Butter dress is an extremely inventive piece. It’s not for me, but could you see yourself making use of this frock in your wardrobe?
September 15th, 2008 at 10:38 am
It does have that Grecian look to it — I don’t think that would be my style — but for someone who loves that look, this seems like the perfect dress.
PS Angie — you should have my email address now (I don’t know why it didn’t show up before because I have made a comment).
September 15th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Not for me. It looks like it needs to be worn by a tall statusque type no matter what it claims about body types. It might be a good dress for someone who travels light and needs something for formal events with different groups of people. I’d also be tempted to get it in a light color and dye it multiple times, always a darker or related shade. Cream>soft gold>soft green>turquoise>med blue>purple>burgandy>chocolate
September 15th, 2008 at 10:49 am
I have something like this from American Apparel, just a lot more casual. Normally I dislike that store, but my cousin pointed out that dress. It was $25 at the time. I agree that it’s a nice idea, but basically the same thing with small changes. But the AA one can be worn as a skirt and top as well and was handy for a weekend away, though none of the applications seem to fit perfectly. I don’t wear it a lot. For $250? Not worth it, in my opinion.
September 15th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Angie, Anne Fontaine has come out with something similar, called “The Electra.” It is put together with zippers though, and can zip into things other than a dress, like jackets and skirts and a vest even. Have you seen this yet?
September 15th, 2008 at 11:10 am
I’ll pass. I doubt the “all shapes and sizes” aspect is realistic and I am left to wonder how many engineering degrees one would need to create all of the twists, turns and knots.
September 15th, 2008 at 11:14 am
I think it’s a neat idea, though not worth the $250. A quick search on craftster.com for the “infinity dress” will turn up variations people have made themselves for around $10.
September 15th, 2008 at 11:14 am
I have a dress like this, and it’s a lot of fun. It’s actually very easy to make (as its simplest, it’s only three pieces to cut and one seam to sew)I’ve heard sewers call it the “infinity dress”.
September 15th, 2008 at 11:25 am
I barely made wrap-around-pants work [remember them?]…I doubt even w/ instructions I could make this work…also looks like it’s for the very thin.
Nice of them to think of size fluctuations tho’. Personally, I’m looking for The Incredible Hulk’s pants. Big and green or normal guy size, his pants always fit!
I want those pants.
September 15th, 2008 at 11:29 am
That dress looks like it would frustrate me…it looks like too much work to put together. I have a busy life-style and I need something I can slip into quickly. I also prefer wearing a bra and most of those backless styles looks like you can’t have one on…No thanks…I’ll pass on this one..
September 15th, 2008 at 11:29 am
LOL, Kristers!
September 15th, 2008 at 11:49 am
I like it and it’s really a brilliant idea. It looks great on the hourglass type model. Probably better on her than on me! It would be kind of fun to try on though and see what it’s like…but think of how long you’d be in the dressing room!
September 15th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Nope. not for me. No arm coverage.
September 15th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Great concept. As a long-time traveller, I can see that it would be a great travel piece. You’d get to fill your suitcase filled with jackets/cardis, jewelry and shoes… and have room to bring home souvenirs! Beyond price, my hesitation is on the hem. The hemline appears very uneven in most presentations on the website, and unless purposeful (assymetic, handkerchief) this detail is one that bothers me. It looks like poor tailoring which ruins it for me.
September 15th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
This dress, no matter how you drape it, would only look good on a woman with a small waist, so it’s not for me! And while long Grecian dresses are very elegant, I don’t think I like them so much when they are knee length.
September 15th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
I’ve been planning on making myself one of those for a while now. I love jersey dresses, and the different ways to wear it would keep me from getting bored.
September 15th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Hmmm this does not appeal to me at all. It looks like a lot of work. I could see something like this in a less fussy dress, working for maternity wear though.
September 15th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
I’m with Patricia. You can’t wear a bra, even one of those convertible bras with most of the styles.
September 15th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Even if I had the body to pull this dress off, I would be hard pressed to figure out more than two or three of the designs.
When I put a dress on, it’s largely because I don’t want to spend a lot of time thinking about how to put it together: belt, shoes, and a scarf or jewelry and that’s it.
No brainer. I let the dress do its job.
September 15th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Interesting concept, but I’m afraid we would have another episode of I Love Lucy if I tried to figure it out!
September 15th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
The point about not being able to wear a bra successfully with this style, is a good one. I meant to mention that in my post but forgot. Not so fab.
Ana, I have not seen the AF version in the flesh. Have you? What’s it like?
I wonder if the styles stay put? Knots and twists tend to loosen. And you’d have to get them just so in order to create a great aesthetic. Quite tricky.
September 15th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
I like this idea in concept (not necessarily this particular grecian style dress though).
Every year it seems someone comes up with an idea like this. I remember something that was sort of a kit tube - maybe 10-15.. gosh possibly 20…. years ago? My sister had one.
I love the idea of a sari or a kimono too. Similar concept. In those cases, it is all about the fabric.
However, I don’t buy the “one size fits all! I am not an expert on saris and kimonos but I seem to believe that even they don’t come in just one size… ??
September 15th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
kNit tube… not kit tube…
September 15th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Hrmph. It’s a great marketing ploy, but I’d be willing to bet it looks like a giant mess on anyone with curves. Jersey is tough if you’re not toned. I’m not sold.
September 15th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
I remember the convertible knit tube dress, Shiny. That was at least 15 years ago I think?
I’m a little skeptical of the one-size-fits-all concept too. And I wonder if anyone who knows more about saris and kimono’s can help us out with their sizing? I remember that saris are pieces of fabric sans the undergarment bodice bit. I wore a sari once and it was loads of fun.
Good point, Sal. It’s quite a slinky dress.
September 15th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Hmm, I actually like the look, probably because I tend to like jersey dresses, Grecian dresses and waist-emphasizing dresses. And being small chested, I could get away with one of those Nu bra stick on bras.
September 15th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
I have a maternity version of a versatile dress which I don’t think I can wear any more. Two pregnancies and age have made my ribcage larger, so it’s too tight across the chest.
http://fertilemind.com.au/page.....age=374356
I now have a “curvy” figure, so this might suit me. And in the time between post-maternity and normality it would be good to have something that will tolerate me changing my size (and shape) somewhat.
I’m pleased to see they sell this locally, too! No shipping from the States for me!
I’d like to try it on, though, and see if I could wear a bra with it or whether bra-less would be ok.
Thanks for pointing out this piece, Angie!
September 15th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Works for me…
September 16th, 2008 at 5:44 am
I kind of like, but doubt that small chest would fill it out appropriately. A lot of the “styles” look the same to me with only slight changes to the back. Also, I would be worried that it wouldn’t stay in place all day - like when they flip the shoulders over - I’d be running to the bathroom every half hour to make sure the shoulders were right and to re-tie the thing!
September 16th, 2008 at 6:21 am
First I dont think that it is a $250 dress regardless of what it can do. I swear I have seen this same idea by Newport News and someone else. Maybe theirs didn’t “twist” into so many dresses but it was the same basic idea and it certainly didn’t cost half that much.
Secondly, as far as fitting “everyone”, when I look at some of those styles I have to say that if you have any type of extra large bust, tummy roll or baby fluff on you some of those get ups are going to look terrible. So there went so of the “benefits” of the dress right there.
So, for me this is not a deal or a cure all for my wardrobe at all. I PASS, THANK YOU!
September 16th, 2008 at 6:46 am
To answer shiny’s earlier question, as far as I know kimono have standard sizes, but since they’re supposed to be hand-sewn and many people make them themselves these days, I can’t imagine it’s difficult to get one tailored to one’s own height if you’re an unusual size. That said, the ways in which one can wear a particular kimono are heavily prescribed by custom, so if anything, I’d consider this the anti-kimono!
September 25th, 2008 at 11:46 am
I find the evening gown the most practical, because most of the styles this dress transforms into are more appropriate for evening anyway (i.e. backless, all-but-backless, strapless, split down to the navel, etc.). Still not worth $250 in my book though. If I wanted it, I would find a pattern or instructions online and make it myself for one tenth of the price. But then, as others have mentioned, it looks tricky to construct all of the various knots and twists for the looks. Also I don’t have the perfect hour-glass figure that the dress seems to look best with, so I think I’ll take a pass.