Look for Leah’s Off the Rack column again next week.

Guess what I did today? Had a personal shopping session at Anthropologie!!! When I arrived at the Rockefeller Center store this morning, this is the rack of clothes that Allison (pictured) and Nanette had waiting for me.

full bust anthropologie personal shopper adventure with allison

I’ll share the wins and fails soon, but for now here’s a sneak peek of a surprising discovery. Below from left to right are the Channeled Dots Column Dress and the Serena Sweater Dress. If it were up to me, I wouldn’t have taken either one back to the dressing room with me because of the solid band of fabric across the top.

channeled dots and serenaIt turns out I would only have been half right, and not for the reason I thought. Check out how flattering the dress on the left is! However, is the dress on the right even the same one that the model is wearing??

full bust anthropologie color blocking win and fail
To be honest, I couldn’t even zip the size 12 column dress up, and my hands are by my shoulders to hide my armpit fat (one of the reviewers wrote that “it cuts too early in the armpits. It will give the thinnest girl armpit fat that hangs out the side”), but I was so  amazed by the flattering shape created by the panels that I had to photograph it.

The sad Serena dress is another story entirely. All those horizontal lines aren’t doing me any favors, but Nanette brought up one very interesting observation: it needs a wider waste band. It’s also far too short. Do you have any thoughts?

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Here’s a new discovery: the DVF Cala stretch slip dress. It could be another great alternative to camisoles under dresses. The website says that it “works perfectly under our signature wrap”. (Is this a new phenomenon that the creator of the iconic wrap dress now offers a concession to cleavage concerns, or has this been around for a while?)  I like that you wouldn’t have to worry about the hem of your camisole riding up, and it’d help give you a nice smooth line. I also like that the spaghetti straps are detachable.

cala stretch slip dressHere’s the Q & A with Diane von Furstenberg that brought it to my attention (in the November issue of InStyle Magazine).

Q: I really want to buy a wrap dress, but I feel self-conscious because I have a large chest and am afraid of wardrobe malfunctions. Any ideas?

A: Confidence is the most important thing; you have to feel comfortable in what you are wearing. I suggest putting a camisole or a slip underneath your dress. Consider a cami from Wolford, which has a bit of stretch and will give you some extra support. Buy a white one and a black one, and they’ll come in handy with many other pieces in your wardrobe as well. Or wear our simple Cala stretch slip dress. It really holds you in and ensures a more discrete neckline.