Melinda reviews the Chelsea Dress (in Fuego) and the Neve Wrap Dress (in Creme de Violette)

UPFRONT DISCLOSURE: The dresses in this entry were provided to me for review purposes by IGIGI. The content of this entry was not dictated by IGIGI but I did get to keep the dresses for my personal use.

Everyone who knows me knows that I have HUGE affections for IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel. Anytime any of my friends who need a great plus size dress for an occasion, I point them to IGIGI. (Factoid: I just went into my closet and counted how many IGIGI dresses I currently own and found SEVENTEEN…three of them are formal dresses but the other 14 make up the backbone of my work wardrobe.) So imagine how thrilled I was when I found out that once again, Weetacon teamed up with IGIGI for a Review-apolooza!

This year I got to review two dresses from IGIGI: the Neve Wrap Dress in Crème de Violette and the Chelsea Dress in Fuego.

I have to admit, I picked the Neve Dress in Creme de Violette because I love, love, LOVE wrap dresses. I could kiss DVF right on her face for making them A Thing. Universally flattering, timeless, dressy or casual and all in just one silhouette. Needless to say, I was super happy that this was one of the ones that got chosen for me.

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As always, it’s a well-made dress, and the floral pattern is unique enough that it can transition from fall to winter to spring and fit all three seasons. Not bad for a $118 dress that is made to last for at least 3-4 years (as my other IGIGI wrap dresses have!) The first time I wore it was to dinner at Weetacon, and it was BEYOND cold so I paired it with a pair of black tights, black ankle high booties and a purple pashmina scarf…perfect for a slightly upscale dinner without being stuffy. (Unfortunately I didn’t get any pictures of that lovely ensemble, because it was very adorable.)

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I did, however, manage to get some pictures of me wearing it in the office the other day. I live in San Diego, so it wasn’t cold in the least. This time I decided to pair it with some brown wedge sandals and simple silver jewelry. One of the things I like better about this wrap versus my others is that it’s cut to cross over a little higher than usual so it’s easier to keep the modesty going for work. I do miss the pockets that my other wrap dresses from IGIGI have, and the lack of lining means I have to be careful about my underwear choices if I don’t want lines showing up. Overall: Two thumbs WAY up!

The second dress I got to review was the Chelsea Dress in Fuego . I picked this one because it is a little outside of my usual comfort zone, both in cut and color. I mean come on, a dress that basically looks like it’s on fire but is mainly white on my big old butt? A cut that doesn’t involve an A-line skirt? BLASPHEMY.

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So hey, it’s pretty cute, huh? I am really surprised at how cute this picture is considering that I immediately went to Urgent Care after this picture was taken since I had sprained my knee. That is also why I am wearing my adorable Tieks flats instead of the planned strappy black wedges. I felt like the tropical flavor of the dress needed some flair, so I tossed a flower in my hair and stuck with a simple large pendant necklace. I think the next time I wear it I am going to switch to some more dramatic dangly chandelier earrings and skip the necklace. And I kind of feel like it would look better with my black patent pumps or some strappy stilettos. But at $112 it’s a great deal since it’s lined and again, well made and should last me a few years.

It’s a great dress for work, simply because it makes a statement while still covering me up so I don’t have to worry about bra straps or cleavage. It does sit a little weird in the bust area; it seemed like the darts were lower than they should be (or it was built for someone with even bigger boobs than me.) And I absolutely loved the silhouette from the front but from the side the placement of the waistline made me look extra thick for some reason. But that wasn’t enough to make this my least favorite IGIGI dress, and I think it will be great for a fancy dinner on our planned Costa Rica vacation this fall.

Are you jealous yet? Then you are in luck! IGIGI is going to give one lucky commenter on this review a $50 gift certificate! Here’s how it works: Go to the IGIGI website and pick out your ideal dress for a special occasion, important business meeting, date night or what have you. Then leave a comment on this review, telling us which garment YOU want and where you plan on wearing it. You can increase your chances of winning an IGIGI gift certificate by leaving comments on each of the other Weetacon IGIGI reviews. Comments must be received by April 20 at midnight PST. Winners will be notified and announced on this page and the IGIGI at Weetacon 2014page by April 25th.

The winner is  Tiffany!  Congratulations! IGIGI will send you your gift certificate in the next few weeks.Melinda IGIGI 2014 random winner

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34 Comments

  1. I love both dresses on you. I have looked at both of them as well, and now I am glad to see them on someone. I think for my choice I want either the Hayleigh dress or the wren wrap dress for a fundraiser.

  2. I think you’ve convinced me to give a Neve wrap dress a shot (most wraps are too low cut for me without a cami). I’m really looking at the Deora as my next purchase, though – I love love the print and will definitely wear it to work come spring.

  3. Both look fabulous on you! You really rock an outfit. Sarah and I are going to wrestle over the Deora dress. I can’t stop staring at it and thinking about how to accessorize it. I think I’ve become obsessed with that dress.

  4. You are so hawt. Totally! I think right now I’m most obsessed with the Tiffany dress in either jade or fucshia. It looks like something I can dress up or down and work with the multitude of stuff I have going on this spring/summer!

  5. I have been lusting after the Chelsea Dress in Fuego for MONTHS. That, and the Jadyn Maxi Dress. Either dress would be work-appropriate, and maybe…if the weather cooperates…a festive ensemble for my 40th in May.

  6. LOVE the Neve dress on you. That is gorgeous.

    I am pining for the Deora dress. But really, I think I should have the Elsa in mystic blue. That purple sash keeps calling to me. I’d wear them for work (I switched up my whole wardrobe last fall and now wear dresses 3/5 days for work, rather than jeans) and then put on sassy heels for date night!

  7. I thought the Chelsea dress looked amazeballs the first time I saw it on Igigi’s website, but seeing both you and Sarah in it scared me a little… could I pull it off as well as the two of you did? 🙂 Also, the difference in the colors really scares me away from this dress. I’d really prefer your dress to Sarah’s because there is a lot less white on top. I’d hate to order the dress and have one that had a lot less of the fiery print on it with a ton of white.

    Personally, I’m looking to expand my workwear collection, I would love to own the Monroe Skirt in Navy, and the Belmont Skirt in Ebony Damask. A Mena Jacket in Navy would also be a great addition for my closet!

  8. They both look good on you but that floral dress is giving me the vapors. I was all “no more dresses!” until I saw you in it.

    I want the Domani top coat for spring/fall. Plus the Greenwich top in all the colors I don’t have as it’s the perfect “throw on, look great without any effort” piece.

  9. Love Chelsea on you!

    I’ve got my eye on the Luella Tunic in Emerald, which I think would be great for work. (Pretty as the Igigi dresses are, they’re a bit fancy for my office.)

  10. Both dresses look amazing on you, but I think I like the Neve best just because of the flowers! And, speaking of flowers, I’ve got my eye on the Thalia gown in Rose Garden that’s in the new Look Book, or the Jadyn Maxi Dress. Either one would be perfect for my high school reunion this summer!

  11. The fuego color choice is great with your coloring

  12. I love both of these on you! I’ve been eyeing both – so it’s nice to see them on someone other than the model, haha. I just bought the Chelsea Dress in Fuego today. I’m hoping to wear it for my wedding reception.

  13. Wow! Both dresses look amazing on you. I think they’d both be perfect for the office or even date night with my fella. 🙂

  14. The Neve dress is beautiful on you! The colors complement you. I am looking for the Janus Dress in Pink Pindot or one of the maxis for the summer!

  15. I like the Fayette dress or the Nencia Cocktail Dress.

  16. I love you in flowers!

    And I would love me in the black Monroe pants, because I NEED PANTS.

  17. I love the Hayleigh dress in Midnight Blue – I’ve been coveting it for a while!

  18. I really love the Cadence Dress in Black/Ivory (http://www.igigi.com/plus-size-dresses/cadence-dress-in-black-ivory.html). I would wear it to my college graduation in May (ahhhhhh, I don’t want to grow up). A lot of my friends are talking about graduation dresses, and I think it’s a bit much to make a big deal about it, but I thought this dress was really classic looking and looks like it would be flattering for my apple shape, and I would love to wear it 🙂

  19. I’ve been coveting the Chelsea dress in Fuego – it’s my fiance’s top pick when I was considering ordering Igigi dresses, but what you said echos my thoughts about the fit. I ALSO am super de duper blonde and wondered how all blonde on top would look with a lighter-on-top dress. I love the way you did the flowers.

    BUT MY MIND IS BLOWN AWAY by Igigi’s wrap dresses. I have been convinced all my adult plus-sized life that wrap dresses would make me look big and dowdy but BOY have you changed my mind!! You look AMAZING in the Neve Dress in Creme de Violette! Seriously I LOVE IT!!! I NOW NEED THAT DRESS!!!! That or the Neve Wrap Dress in Jade. Either would be perfect for my upcoming bridal showers!!!

    Thank you thank you thank you, for making this curvy girl believe that she can be as sexy as you in that dress!!! *jumps up in down in glee*

  20. The Neve dress looks amazing on you! I personally love the Fayette dress in Merlot. So pretty for a nice dinner out.

  21. I think both dresses look great on you, but I especially like the Neve dress. It is beautiful on you – a great color for your skin tone, and a beautiful cut. Like you, I have many Igigi dresses which go into heavy rotation for work. I love each and every dress and you’re right – they really make up the backbone of my work wardrobe and my nicer day wear.

    I would really love to get the Olympia Maxi dress in mint-green for my summer wardrobe. It is so pretty and light!

    By the way, I made a mistake and clicked on your name/Weetacon blog first instead of this review. Your comments are a absolutely hysterical! Glad you had so much fun. 🙂

  22. Spectacular, my dear! You are sizzling in both of those dresses. I’m lusting after the Janus dress in pink pindot. Mostly because I like saying and typing “pink pindot”, but also because it would look great at work.

  23. I love those both on you – such great colors! I am eyeing the Vintage Polka Dot dress for when (if) it gets warmer!

  24. The Neve dress looks great on you and has convinced me I need one too!

  25. Gorgeous! I must have the Letta Dress in Mandarin Rose.

  26. So colorful and cheerful – I love the Neve on you!

    It is hard to narrow down my favorite to one. I love the nico skirt in midnight sahara (with matching top) and the jadyn maxi dress (I LOVE blue and purple!) My niece is turning 1 in a couple weeks, so a brand-new pretty dress would be terrific to wear to her birthday party.

  27. Damn, Melinda! You always look amazing in the wrap dresses! I wish I had your confidence to be able to try one. I’m always paranoid that somehow the wrap part of the dress will unwrap and everything will be flapping in the breeze. (Wrap tops also make me nervous but not as much… maybe because I generally wear a jacket or cardigan over them?)

    If I win your giveaway, I’m going to try one. But otherwise I want to try the Tavi top in Floral (a wrap, go figure) or the Nico skirt in Midnight Sahara.

  28. I love to win the Meinani maxi dress for a summer vacation I am taking. The bursts of color liven up the maxi and it is beautiful.

  29. The first one is so flattering on you! I love the marisol dress in pomegranate. I have a very fancy wedding that I’m attending this summer and it would be perfect.

  30. Hard to choose because you were rocking both dresses. I myself love the Tiffany but if I had to choose between dresses, I’d also go with the Chelsea dress too. I love how all of you went outside of your comfort zone in getting these dresses — that’s one of the best things I’ve enjoyed about these links.

  31. Wow, the Neve dress is really beautiful!

    I think I would choose the Isis dress for work; my work wardrobe could use a bit of a pick-me-up.

  32. Love the Neve dress but the flowers might be a bit overwhelming on me. I think the Neve dress in the dot print is more my style.

  33. That fuego dress is gorgeous on you! So, is the first one, but I love the color of the second.

    I really want the Linea Plus Size Maxi Dress in Vermillion. That color is gorgeous.

  34. You look beautiful! Love that dress!

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