I know you say you prefer the poly-cotton blend to the 100% cotton, but the 100% cotton will hold up way better and will age much nicer. It will get softer with time. The poly-cotton will just pill and warp over time. Honestly for a $400 dress I am a bit disappointed there is no hook and eye and there aren't hanging straps. those are so easy to add, and you could totally do it yourself, but for $400, they absolutely should've added them. That's what separates it as a luxury item.
That is true! Poly material does deteriorate and pill over time. And yeah on the one hand, won’t be hard for me to install them (I have hooks and eyes in my sewing kit) but on the other hand since it would be easy for me it should have been easy for them therefore the standard for the price tag. I’m hoping with all the feedback they’re getting about it, they’ll make the change.
I’ll have to send a message to the shop and see if it’s a possibility. I know some people have issues with returning on there but it depends on the seller. If not I guess it will go to someone who can use it 😁
Both dresses are so pretty 😭 but the selkie was definitely the better fit, I love how it drapes on the floor too. Also, can’t wait for another ren faire video!!! I live for them 🥰
This was a fun video! I'll be honest, I'm more likely to try and copy a Selkie dress using thrifted sheets as fabric than buying a knock-off since the 100% cotton thing is important to me for breathability of the fabric on hot days. (I also tend to just add my own little satin ribbon loops for the hangers to the side seam just under the arm very slightly smaller than the arm hole if the dress didn't come with them.) And happy sixth anniversary!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉 Hope you have a great trip and all your photos come out perfect!!
I love that! That’s definitely the best way to go! I’m probably going to be making a selkie inspired dress or two as well once I learn to sew (I’m going to enlist a friend’s help). I’ve been saving some cute cotton sheets for the project. Also love the idea of adding loops! I’ll definitely have to do that for selkie 🥰
Lol you and me both!! I just finished making a Ritz-inspired dress a couple weeks ago for a regency ball that I made with vintage floral bedsheets from Goodwill!! I got my pattern from @paperstxrs and she has lots of other Selkie-inspired patterns and tutorials if you're interested :)
I have to agree with the other commenters regarding the 100% cotton. It’s going to breathe better and even though it might not be as soft at the beginning, cotton blends - especially the cheap ones - age poorly. I’ve even had cheap cotton blend sheets pill up after use. No need to spoil the pretty dress joy with a homicidal rampage induced by cheap fabric. 😊
If I had $500 for a dress I would pick a Fanciful Doll dress for sure... Right now I'm parting out a piece I got from the Goodwill Bins store. I do hope your anniversary / renfiare / photoshoot is fun.. you two deserve more fun in your lives.
Oh yes same, aside from a couple of Selkie’s collections (like the Monet - I am an art nerd) I’d definitely choose Fanciful Doll as well. They’re a smaller business too. Thank you!! 🥰🥰
If you are going to add loops for hanging, put them on the waist. Hang the dress from the skirt, with the bodice folded outward. The seam at the waist is typically stronger, and by hanging the bdice inside out, you save it from staining from dust or fading from light. If you dont want to go to the trouble of adding the loops, use a skirt hanger with padded clips and hang it the same as I've explained before. Congratulations on your anniversary and your first real Selkie!!!
Very good tips! I think I might have heard that tip from the creator who also reviewed selkie and later made her own selkie inspired dress as well but I’m not sure, but the waist being stronger sounds familiar and very smart so thank you for the tip! When/if I do add loops I’ll remember to do that! 😁
In regards to fraying on the dupe's bodice, would visible mending perhaps work? Maybe some ribbon embroidered flowers? I'm just throwing ideas out here in case it's helpful. I hope your anniversary rocks!
Glad to help! I’ve heard a lot of people had good luck with the AliExpress shop ZJoan Show which I didn’t buy from and probably should have for this review. Of course reading product reviews is great but I find Ali tends to delete reviews :/ The differences are still there, like how all the maxi’s aren’t as long and are more tea length. And of course the sizing is small. But other than that I think it’s possible to get a good quality dupe for a decent price if you’re careful enough! 🩷
I feel like the Fanciful Doll dresses are the dresses we would have wanted growing up wishing we were Disney princesses. Except the grown up modern version. 😍 all the puff sleeves!!
The Selkie dress will hold up better & longer for sure. I cant justify buying it straight off the bat, but if the second hand is priced right & no issues, i would shell out! So happy your husband pulled the trigger & you look incredible in it! Also i agree, for a $400 dress they could’ve easily added a hook & eye from the start since it is an easy thing to add even for novices. Congratulations on your anniversary & I hope your channel continues to grow!
Happy anniversary 🎉🎉🎉❤ Loved the video. Hope your trip goes well. Can't wait for the footage. This channel is one of my favorites, so thank you for all that you do. ❤
Tysm!! 🥰🥰 our actual anniversary date is this weekend but unfortunately won’t be able to celebrate til later this summer (his job is making him work this weekend 🥲) hopefully circumstances will allow the trip to happen!! We’ve been dreaming of a knight and fairy themed couple photoshoot for so long.
I love listening to your videos while I'm busy in the kitchen your voice is reminiscent of a having a friend over and hearing them tell you things 😅 lol. Then when I'm not busy I go back and sit down and watch the video❤
I very recently blundered onto the brand Jessakae. I don't know all the manufacturing, sustainability, fabric content information on them, but I think (?) *all* their items go up to a 6X, and they have some fairy tale Selkie style items, amid an overall greater variety. They also have a lot of dimensional floral lace, brighter colors, and even some prairie/country/plaid type dresses in amongst their Fall items that are less current and have mostly sold out now. My personal favorite item is the yellow bee dress! Anyway, I thought they might be worth a mention. Dresses are still in the hundreds of dollars, but a price that's lower by $100 to $150 or so is... nontrivial? Incidentally, I don't have the money right now, but if I ever go for a Selkie dress, I might try to get one of the green tapestry unicorn ones secondhand. I do love green...
I have heard of them too! I get ads for them and I love their advertising showing the dresses on their full range of sizes worn by models of those sizes. Very nice to not only have the sizes available, but show how they look for representation. I LOVE the green unicorn tapestry dress! Funny that was almost the comparison for this video but they also sold out of that one in my size at the time. I had posted my ISOs on the selkie group and that was one of them but none of those came up as available from a seller. There is a dupe available of that one on AliExpress too so this video was almost about that one if I had been able to get that one instead! I love how romantic and fantasy it is in a slightly darker way.
💐Happy anniversary! 💐 I would def hang the original dress as you showed so not to stretch the elastic.. or maybe find trouser/skirt hangers (you know those with clips) and clip at the bust. My bust is too big so I can never fit into something with cups in clothing and my bra search is always on 😅
So an interesting point re: tailoring. I always believed that it was better to size up, but my tailor told me it’s easier to size down and then use the seam allowance. When it’s big, they basically have to re-create the shape of the dress.
You could take a piece of fabric from the back side of the hem (if it has a bit of depth) or maybe a piece from the facing to patch up the spot on the waist seam to save it from fraying further. Ask your sewing friend for help with it.
I feel the same way about buying stuff and gifts. I'd rather have a great deal than lots of money being shelled out. It physically upsets me. Haha For gifts I try to have people just give me money bc I know they don't have time or the energy to hunt for deals nor the patience. But most don't like to give money. I can make a dollar stretch haha and I'm always having lists of what I want for a good price. That I sweet your husband got you the dress though.
Happy anniversary to you both❤❤ The cotton dress would be better quality and also better for the environment, as polyester can produce more waste during manufacture. Beautiful dresses though but the price. Wowser 😮!! I think once you learn how to use your sewing machine there'll be no stopping you😊xx
Very true! The cotton dress will definitely last me a long time. And yesss once I learn how to sew from scratch, I’ll be able to make whatever I want 😂🙌😍 & Thank you!! 🩷✨🩷✨
If my sleeves have the elastic poofs but don't have the loops for the hanger, I usually use a skirt hanger, or a pinching hanger, on the top collar part of the dress to try and keep the elastic in good condition. Idk if that has the potential to be bad on the dress or not...? But that is what I do to try and solve for x in this situation, lol
Oooof! It’s been nearly a year since we had it and I still vividly remember the body aches and lack of appetite (nothing tasting good) hell is right 😖 I hope you start feeling better soon! 🩷🩷
The fact that you understand it's from a sweatshop but still bought it is baffling. I'm confused. They steal everyone's art. Shein, Romwe, Temu are all scams...
If you want skip my preamble and go straight into the review and comparison, that starts at 5:52.
I know you say you prefer the poly-cotton blend to the 100% cotton, but the 100% cotton will hold up way better and will age much nicer. It will get softer with time. The poly-cotton will just pill and warp over time. Honestly for a $400 dress I am a bit disappointed there is no hook and eye and there aren't hanging straps. those are so easy to add, and you could totally do it yourself, but for $400, they absolutely should've added them. That's what separates it as a luxury item.
That is true! Poly material does deteriorate and pill over time.
And yeah on the one hand, won’t be hard for me to install them (I have hooks and eyes in my sewing kit) but on the other hand since it would be easy for me it should have been easy for them therefore the standard for the price tag. I’m hoping with all the feedback they’re getting about it, they’ll make the change.
I def recommend Fanciful Doll! Emily the owner and designer is so sweet and helpful! I own one of their dresses and it has 4 layers.
I think a photographer could easily hide that flaw, but I am positive the fake can be returned with that quality issue.
I’ll have to send a message to the shop and see if it’s a possibility. I know some people have issues with returning on there but it depends on the seller. If not I guess it will go to someone who can use it 😁
Both dresses are so pretty 😭 but the selkie was definitely the better fit, I love how it drapes on the floor too. Also, can’t wait for another ren faire video!!! I live for them 🥰
I agree, the fit is so much better with the selkie 🥰
This was a fun video! I'll be honest, I'm more likely to try and copy a Selkie dress using thrifted sheets as fabric than buying a knock-off since the 100% cotton thing is important to me for breathability of the fabric on hot days. (I also tend to just add my own little satin ribbon loops for the hangers to the side seam just under the arm very slightly smaller than the arm hole if the dress didn't come with them.) And happy sixth anniversary!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉 Hope you have a great trip and all your photos come out perfect!!
I love that! That’s definitely the best way to go! I’m probably going to be making a selkie inspired dress or two as well once I learn to sew (I’m going to enlist a friend’s help). I’ve been saving some cute cotton sheets for the project. Also love the idea of adding loops! I’ll definitely have to do that for selkie 🥰
I'm with you! If I see some thing I want but can't afford, I recreate it since I can sew! :)
Lol you and me both!! I just finished making a Ritz-inspired dress a couple weeks ago for a regency ball that I made with vintage floral bedsheets from Goodwill!! I got my pattern from @paperstxrs and she has lots of other Selkie-inspired patterns and tutorials if you're interested :)
I have to agree with the other commenters regarding the 100% cotton. It’s going to breathe better and even though it might not be as soft at the beginning, cotton blends - especially the cheap ones - age poorly. I’ve even had cheap cotton blend sheets pill up after use. No need to spoil the pretty dress joy with a homicidal rampage induced by cheap fabric. 😊
If I had $500 for a dress I would pick a Fanciful Doll dress for sure... Right now I'm parting out a piece I got from the Goodwill Bins store. I do hope your anniversary / renfiare / photoshoot is fun.. you two deserve more fun in your lives.
Oh yes same, aside from a couple of Selkie’s collections (like the Monet - I am an art nerd) I’d definitely choose Fanciful Doll as well. They’re a smaller business too.
Thank you!! 🥰🥰
If you are going to add loops for hanging, put them on the waist. Hang the dress from the skirt, with the bodice folded outward.
The seam at the waist is typically stronger, and by hanging the bdice inside out, you save it from staining from dust or fading from light.
If you dont want to go to the trouble of adding the loops, use a skirt hanger with padded clips and hang it the same as I've explained before.
Congratulations on your anniversary and your first real Selkie!!!
Very good tips! I think I might have heard that tip from the creator who also reviewed selkie and later made her own selkie inspired dress as well but I’m not sure, but the waist being stronger sounds familiar and very smart so thank you for the tip! When/if I do add loops I’ll remember to do that! 😁
In regards to fraying on the dupe's bodice, would visible mending perhaps work? Maybe some ribbon embroidered flowers? I'm just throwing ideas out here in case it's helpful. I hope your anniversary rocks!
This couldn't have been more timely. Been considering Selkie dupes because of the price tag. Very helpful video!
Glad to help! I’ve heard a lot of people had good luck with the AliExpress shop ZJoan Show which I didn’t buy from and probably should have for this review. Of course reading product reviews is great but I find Ali tends to delete reviews :/
The differences are still there, like how all the maxi’s aren’t as long and are more tea length. And of course the sizing is small. But other than that I think it’s possible to get a good quality dupe for a decent price if you’re careful enough! 🩷
I love a good puff sleeve so I’m leaning fanciful doll!! Thank you for this! Selkie dresses will be a dream for me for now lol
I feel like the Fanciful Doll dresses are the dresses we would have wanted growing up wishing we were Disney princesses. Except the grown up modern version. 😍 all the puff sleeves!!
The Selkie dress will hold up better & longer for sure. I cant justify buying it straight off the bat, but if the second hand is priced right & no issues, i would shell out! So happy your husband pulled the trigger & you look incredible in it! Also i agree, for a $400 dress they could’ve easily added a hook & eye from the start since it is an easy thing to add even for novices.
Congratulations on your anniversary & I hope your channel continues to grow!
I love this type of comparison video! So interesting and helpful. Also, I adore your hairstyle here - it looks so nice!
I 100% agree with the I don't need surprises. Especially when it's something I really want that my help might be needed to buy the right one
Yup!
Happy anniversary 🎉🎉🎉❤
Loved the video. Hope your trip goes well. Can't wait for the footage. This channel is one of my favorites, so thank you for all that you do. ❤
Tysm!! 🥰🥰 our actual anniversary date is this weekend but unfortunately won’t be able to celebrate til later this summer (his job is making him work this weekend 🥲) hopefully circumstances will allow the trip to happen!! We’ve been dreaming of a knight and fairy themed couple photoshoot for so long.
@@DressMeUpScotty That is so romantic. ❤❤❤
I love listening to your videos while I'm busy in the kitchen your voice is reminiscent of a having a friend over and hearing them tell you things 😅 lol. Then when I'm not busy I go back and sit down and watch the video❤
I’m really excited to go the Colorado Ren faire this year! Looking forward to seeing your content about it ✨
I very recently blundered onto the brand Jessakae. I don't know all the manufacturing, sustainability, fabric content information on them, but I think (?) *all* their items go up to a 6X, and they have some fairy tale Selkie style items, amid an overall greater variety. They also have a lot of dimensional floral lace, brighter colors, and even some prairie/country/plaid type dresses in amongst their Fall items that are less current and have mostly sold out now. My personal favorite item is the yellow bee dress! Anyway, I thought they might be worth a mention. Dresses are still in the hundreds of dollars, but a price that's lower by $100 to $150 or so is... nontrivial?
Incidentally, I don't have the money right now, but if I ever go for a Selkie dress, I might try to get one of the green tapestry unicorn ones secondhand. I do love green...
I have heard of them too! I get ads for them and I love their advertising showing the dresses on their full range of sizes worn by models of those sizes. Very nice to not only have the sizes available, but show how they look for representation.
I LOVE the green unicorn tapestry dress! Funny that was almost the comparison for this video but they also sold out of that one in my size at the time. I had posted my ISOs on the selkie group and that was one of them but none of those came up as available from a seller. There is a dupe available of that one on AliExpress too so this video was almost about that one if I had been able to get that one instead! I love how romantic and fantasy it is in a slightly darker way.
💐Happy anniversary! 💐
I would def hang the original dress as you showed so not to stretch the elastic.. or maybe find trouser/skirt hangers (you know those with clips) and clip at the bust.
My bust is too big so I can never fit into something with cups in clothing and my bra search is always on 😅
So an interesting point re: tailoring. I always believed that it was better to size up, but my tailor told me it’s easier to size down and then use the seam allowance. When it’s big, they basically have to re-create the shape of the dress.
You could take a piece of fabric from the back side of the hem (if it has a bit of depth) or maybe a piece from the facing to patch up the spot on the waist seam to save it from fraying further. Ask your sewing friend for help with it.
Betsey Johnson used to have dresses for 400 bucks and they were higher quality
I feel the same way about buying stuff and gifts. I'd rather have a great deal than lots of money being shelled out. It physically upsets me. Haha For gifts I try to have people just give me money bc I know they don't have time or the energy to hunt for deals nor the patience. But most don't like to give money. I can make a dollar stretch haha and I'm always having lists of what I want for a good price. That I sweet your husband got you the dress though.
Happy anniversary to you both❤❤
The cotton dress would be better quality and also better for the environment, as polyester can produce more waste during manufacture. Beautiful dresses though but the price. Wowser 😮!! I think once you learn how to use your sewing machine there'll be no stopping you😊xx
Very true! The cotton dress will definitely last me a long time.
And yesss once I learn how to sew from scratch, I’ll be able to make whatever I want 😂🙌😍
& Thank you!! 🩷✨🩷✨
I tend to make my dresses didn’t realize selkie dresses were $400 😮 It feels like a lot to me, honestly. But I’ve never had my hands on one.
If my sleeves have the elastic poofs but don't have the loops for the hanger, I usually use a skirt hanger, or a pinching hanger, on the top collar part of the dress to try and keep the elastic in good condition. Idk if that has the potential to be bad on the dress or not...? But that is what I do to try and solve for x in this situation, lol
I hope you get your adventure photo shot!
🌿🌸Happy Anniversary 🌸🌿
Thank you! 🥰🩷
Is the Ren Faire still in the Black Forest? Oh, man, I grew up in Boulder and the mountains. I miss the mountains, but not the smog!!!
You could applique over the hole!
If a dress doesn't have loops, just use a pants hanger and clip the top of the sleeve away from the elastic.
Just keep the dupe and use it for costumes, add moss/ dye it/ add random shit to it !
Where from the dupe
I currently have Covid, so good luck may you avoid this hell
Oooof! It’s been nearly a year since we had it and I still vividly remember the body aches and lack of appetite (nothing tasting good) hell is right 😖 I hope you start feeling better soon! 🩷🩷
Best Hubby!
Complain with photos and they should refund you, I would use some iron on fusing to stop further fraying
The fact that you understand it's from a sweatshop but still bought it is baffling. I'm confused. They steal everyone's art. Shein, Romwe, Temu are all scams...
Eeewww polyester is gross