The Cotton Medallion Dress

The Cotton Medallion Dress from J.Crew is the same print as the Medallion Lattice Top which I showed RL pics of yesterday. It retails for $68 and can be seen here at JCrew.com, item #12780: Click Here . I purchased this at the time of one of the Free Shipping promotions and the next day the Extra 20% off promotion showed up, and they honered it as well (as a *one time courtesy*). Well, the dress ended up waitlisted and finally shipped at the beginning of this week. I had initially planned on ordering it in XSmall, but by the time I finally placed my order that size was sold out, so I went on waitlist for the Small. This morning an XSmall popped back up on the website, so I called in to place an exchange order...hopefully it will ship so I can compare the 2 sizes and then decide which one to keep. The pics posted today are me in the size Small. It is slightly roomy in the bust area, but I was planning on taking it in a bit under each arm to fix that issue. I'm sure the XSmall will fit better in the bust, and if it also fits well on my hips then I will keep it.

I have styled 2 Polyvore sets for the dress so far. I didn't show a tee or tank under the dress in either set, but do think either could be a really cute addition, giving another option for a different *take* on the dress. A scarf around the neck is another idea that would change it up a bit.

I have to say I had planned on returning this dress because I had really just ordered it with Free Shipping in order to try it out and wait for further markdowns, not expecting to like it as much as I do. I am just absolutely in love with this Medallion print, so much so that I have contemplated ordering the tunic and swimsuit in it, as well. Now I do plan on keeping the dress because I not only like the print, but also the weight, overall feel, look, and versatility of the dress.It is 100% Cotton, machine washable, and very soft to the touch. I don't normally wear dresses (or skirts for that matter) this short, but I think this one *works*...probably since it is Summer and the overall look just feels like Summer. :)

Cotton Medallion Dress *Look One* by FFM featuring J Crew

The dress can be worn alone, with the cardis, or as a tunic over top of the white High Heel Flare jeans. The cardigans are Honey Glaze and Bright Azul...I also think it would work with a cardigan in Golden Cypress, White, Bright Berry (from last year), Olive, and of course, denim.

I have the tie belt a little higher in this pic, more of an empire fit...you can see a bit of *pucker* at the side in the size Small. I will decide between the XSmall and Small when/if the XS arrives next week.

Here I have the belt tied a little bit lower:
As a tunic worn over the white High Heel Flare Jeans, which could be substituted with white matchsticks, as well.

With the Jackie Cardigan in Honey Glaze...not an exact match, but it does *go*.

This is the Jackie Cardigan in Bright Azul...Here's a closer view to show how well the Bright Azul *goes* with the dress...this is my favorite combination with it.

Here is another set I styled...this time with the Military Boyfriend Jacket (as shown yesterday with the Medallion Lattice Top) and J.Crew Matchsticks.

Cotton Medallion Dress *Look Two* by FFM featuring J Crew

The dress is worn by itself with either sandal. It can also be worn with the military jacket, as a tunic over the skinny jeans, or over the jeans WITH the jacket. The tie belt can be removed and replaced with the gold metallic belt, or a different colored belt.

With my J.Crew gold metallic belt also placed a bit higher than my natural waist...
And finally...the dress with just the metallic gold belt and military jacket:

What do you think of the Cotton Medallion Dress? Do you already own and love it? If not, would you consider purchasing it?