Recently I read this comment in a discussion on a private FB page
I am more surprised that busty blogs are dying out too.
When I found Urkye – Biubiu many years ago , there was I found a review of almost all of their items , often multiple ones form the same item .
On the other hand , now there are so few items out there , but still barely any review of them .For example , Urkye Dama style came out last year , they had short sleeve top , fit and flare dress , bodycon dress ( how long sleeve top) , but I yet to see a single review . It is a shame because I think this is one of their best cut for the hourglass figure . ( it may not be flattering for busty ladies that have tummy though )
Personally, I’m not sure WHY the reviews have died down. It could simply be the nature of blogging . . . we develop other interests, go through phases, or are so busy looking for the next big thing that we don’t keep up with the steady businesses that continue to serve us. In my case, unless someone offers me a review item, I tend to focus only on clothing that I really need and can justify purchasing. So when I read this comment and looked up the Dama pik dress, I thought, “Wow, that does look like an amazing style. Too bad I don’t need it.”
Then my husband’s uncle’s funeral happened in Toronto. I dug out my favorite Bitter Lollipop dress and felt amazing. But the fabric is pilling, and it made me think I should look into a new little black dress. Then I kept getting notices about the Urkye sale. Not only did I NEED a new LBD, but it wouldn’t wipe out my entire clothing budget. (The shipping budget is another story, unfortunately.)
It had been a long time since I’d ordered anything, and my measurements have changed again. I measure 41.5″ around the bust and 33″ around the waist. According to the size chart, I should wear a 44o/oo, but I wore a 44 when I reviewed the Mala, and I didn’t want to risk it being too big. The reviews I COULD find all seemed to agree that Urkye’s chart is true to size, but I decided to try the 40o/oo and 42o/oo sizes, keeping in mind what the commenter had said about busty ladies that have a tummy while also knowing that I may lose inches again. I also ordered the Mala dress in red in size 40o/oo because I had loved it in black so much. In the end, I kept the 42o/oo size and returned both dresses in the 40o/oo size. As you study the photos below, you will see that I am NOT bulge-free, but I’m okay with that.
As you might imagine, what I love most about this dress is the NECKLINE. And that it HAS SLEEVES.
On the left I’ve pushed the sleeves up. On the right is the length out of the package.
I had planned to hem the dress, but I let Leah and my tailor persuade me to keep the longer length. However, I can’t help feeling frumpy with the hem below my knees, and I notice it’s much shorter on the model on the website. I’m going to go ahead and have it shortened. Speaking of the taller model, I did have one alteration made for my shorter frame that I’ll describe in a separate post.
As far as styling goes, this dress isn’t as versatile as the Miriam Baker I reviewed last week–I can’t imagine layering it over a shirt, for instance–but it immediately stands on its own as elegant. I liked pairing it with a red blazer, and a denim jacket would make it more casual.
The fabric is nice. It doesn’t feel luxurious (in my dream world, this dress would come in a lined silk crepe!), but neither does it feel cheap. Below, you can see how it looked when I added Spanx (but kept the regular pantyhose–I should have worn stockings or bandless pantyhose!). I haven’t laundered the dress yet, but if it’s anything like the Mala, I don’t expect any issues. I’ll avoid the dryer to be safe.
Finally, the cost of shipping the three items to the United States came to around $30. The last time I placed a Urkye order, I never got around to returning the red blazer I knew I’d never wear, so I’m bringing it to our clothing swap on the 24th. This time, however, I was determined to return the two 40o/oo dresses. First class alone would have cost $23, but I decided to play it safe with a registered return receipt for a whopping total of $38.50. I can see why reviews are so important! For me, it was worth it to have the Dama pik dress in my closet.
I want to love Urkye, I really do, but sadly, I have to resign myself to the fact that they don’t make dresses for me. I am busty, plus-sized, and tall, and there is absolutely nothing in ready-to-wear to fit me properly, not even from the full-bust companies. My bust/waist/hips measure 47/36/44, I wear a 36 GG or 38 G bra, and I am 5’9″ tall, with long arms. Extrapolating from Urkye’s size chart, I should be a 48 oo/ooo, if they made such a size, but they don’t. They offer 46 oo/ooo in only a few styles, and when they do, that size often sells out within a day or two. I have tried buying 44 oo/ooo, with mixed results. I have a number of their Kopertowka tops in 44 oo/ooo which I wear often, although they tend to ride up in the back, perhaps because they are actually too small. I like that the neckline can be adjusted for the amount of coverage I want, and the ruching helps camouflage tummy bulges. I just bought two Koperta dresses in 46 oo/ooo (red and black), and they are wearable although not ideal. The ruching on the bodice is not quite as generous as on the tops, and the waistline hits in an odd place on me–well above the natural waist, but not high enough to be a true empire. The overall length is shorter than I prefer as well. They hit just at the top of the knee; unlike you I prefer my dresses to be below the knee, but that is almost impossible to find in ready to wear for someone my height. The Dama Karo tops and Dama Pik dress, however, are a disappointment. They don’t actually look or feel too tight in the bust, despite being 2 sizes smaller than the size chart would suggest, but the neckline is definitely too low and does not stay flat against my chest. If I lean forward even a little bit, the entire neckline tips away from my body and exposes my entire bra to view. The skirt of the Dama Pik dress is far too tight and clingy, showing every bump and bulge. I really didn’t expect this, as my hips are relatively small compared to my bust. I would need heavy duty shapewear to even consider wearing that dress. I have never worn the Dama tops that I bought either. With the cost of international shipping, it wasn’t worth sending them back, as I would have been out a good chunk of money with nothing to show for it. I think if the diagonal seam at the neckline could be taken in (to make a sort of reverse dart), it would be possible to raise the neckline a bit as well as hold it snugger against my body so I wouldn’t be flashing everyone. The Dama Pik dress, however, is a lost cause for me. I know, I know–I really shouldn’t order things that aren’t the right size, but is is frustrating when nobody carries the right size for you. The way the bodice fits, though, I don’t think a larger size would fix the gaping neckline problem anyway.
It’s amazing to get your take on Urkye. Thank you for sharing, although I’m sorry it’s such a disappointment. Any chance you’re in or near NYC and could bring those pieces you didn’t return in time to the swap?? 🙂 I know you’re not the only tall, busty, cusp-sized woman out there. It’s too bad that More Front Room has shuttered.
I live near Houston, and I have never been to NYC (except in the airport once). Urkye has not been entirely a disappointment–I do get a lot of wear from my Kopertowka tops, and they do seem to be offering a few more 46s, so I am holding out hope for a 48 some day. My best luck by far for dresses has been from eShakti. Th dresses I have from them fit amazingly well, and they have pockets! I would love to five more support to companies such as Urkye and BiuBiu, as they are focused specifically on the full-bust customer, and I want there to continue to be full-bust brands available.
THANK YOU for wanting to support full-bust-focused brands!!! I have a lot of thoughts on the challenge of creating and sustaining these companies.