dresses

HILL HOUSE LILY DRESS REVIEW

I haven’t taken proper photos in a while. I feel very rusty and I’m trying to get comfortable again in front of the camera! Part of the problem is that I haven’t had too many clothing items that have really made me feel good. It’s hard to muster up the energy during nap times when I put on clothes and don’t feel 100%. But this dress? I feel great in it.

It’s Hill House’s Lily dress. I was thrilled when they announced this new silhouette. You guys know how much I love my nap dresses, but I wore them so frequently last summer while pregnant that I’m not sure I’m super excited about wearing them again for a while. (Does that happen to anyone else?! I was wearing one almost every day towards the end…. and right after giving birth too.)

The Lily dress looked like my “dream dress” on paper and I was crossing my fingers that I felt the same way when I tried it on. Happy to report that yes. It is a beautiful, beautiful dress!!!!

The Lily dress is nearly perfect. I’ve been struggling so much with dresses lately. I feel like so much of what’s out there right now just isn’t very me. (Like where have all the classic, simple dresses gone?!)

Here’s what I love about the dress:

The length is perfect. The silhouette is perfect. There’s a hidden snap at the waist for a perfect fit. I love that the belt is removable and adjustable so you can style it in a few different ways. The sleeves hit the perfect spot and I love the little cuff. It can be dressed up or down– seriously this would work with sneakers for a farmer’s market run, over a bathing suit, and even in some offices for work. Most importantly, I really do feel amazing in it!

I have one mini-issue and two things I’d change:

The dress is linen. While linen is incredibly beautiful, it is high maintenance and this linen is particularly hard to iron. I usually steam my clothing, but the wrinkles didn’t budge with steam and even after I ironed it, some of the wrinkles are still there. But it is linen and that is to be expected….

One easy thing I wish the dress had was a hidden snap at the chest. There is a mini snap at the waist and it would have been great to have it near the bust as well. And I wish the navy read a little more navy– in certain light it looks more of a royal blue than navy. But these are two small things.

The silhouette is so perfect and I feel like Hill House could really run with it and release it in a bunch of different fabrics. I would love to see it in a black cotton, for sure. And I think it’d be darling in a gingham check and stripe.

Here it is with the the sash in the front and the bow tied in the back.

For sizing, I think this runs big. I’m wearing the XS, but I’d say I’m a size small right now from J. Crew if that’s helpful. I purchased both the small and the XS because I wasn’t sure, but the small too big even with the belt.

Dress // Shoes

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10 Comments

Jane

Oh what a gorgeous color! That is too bad that it doesn’t work well for us bustier girls. Why designers don’t put hidden snaps or something to address bustline gaps, I don’t know. Are these dresses designed by men?! A beautiful silhouette, though!

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mary

Very cute dress. I am with you. Why are dresses so fussy now? Everything has ruffles and flounces and patterns and I need less. Great find!

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Ann

That dress looks great on you. I totally get the ironing/wrinkles situation and that is exactly why I did not buy when it came out. Hopefully the brand will come out with a better fabric in that dress that is easier to care for…

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Deborah Flanagan

Love the dress, but couldn’t put up with the wrinkles. What steamer do you recommend?

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carly

This is the one I’m currently using. I actually find myself getting a new one every couple of years because they don’t last forever? Still hunting for a PERFECT one, I guess!

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Skinly

This is indeed a beautiful dress! Love the silhouette and great photos, as usual!

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Caitlyn

Hi Carly! I saw HH released this dress in a few patterns. Did you get more? Would love to see pictures or hear your thoughts! The dress intrigues me in the midnight pattern!

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Katherine Miller

I ended up getting this dress and it’s one of my hill house faves! I work as an attorney and it’s one of few I can actually wear to work!

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