When I spotted this cherry-red summer dress on the Nordstrom website, I had to pick it up.
Reformation’s Tagliatelle Linen Sundress is a nearly perfect combination of design elements I love. However, I had to purchase and try on three different sizes to find my perfect fit. Below, I’m sharing how I found my fit at Reformation and whether I think this pretty midi dress is worth the price.
Where To Buy The Tagliatelle Dress: Reformation (size 10) | Nordstrom | Shopbop | Saks
Reformation’s Tagliatelle Linen Midi Dress Impressed Me, But Is It Worth It?
First, as a pear-shaped midsize woman (typically a size 14), I absolutely love fit-and-flare dresses. Sheath dresses are so popular for summer and look gorgeous on other body types, but they tend to fit me poorly because my top half is smaller than my bottom half. Fit-and-flare dresses, on the other hand, are perfect because they’re fitted on top and loose on the bottom. Plus, I like to define my waist, which is smaller than my hips and bust, to create an hourglass figure.
Second, red is my favorite color, and the corset-style bodice is just chic and feminine to my eye. The overall style of the dress is simple but well thought out, and the quality of the dress impressed me. The Tagliatelle Linen Sundress was my first purchase from Reformation, and it certainly won’t be my last.
And because I love this style so much, I’ve already compared the Tagliatelle dress with a similar dress from Amazon. You can read it here.
Figuring Out My Size In Reformation Dresses
Figuring out my sizing at Reformation was tricky since this was the first order I’d placed with the brand. I ordered my typical size 14, size 12 and size 10. At Reformation, the size 14 is part of its extended sizing; plus-size designs are often based on a model that is size 18 and then sized up and down accordingly.
Unfortunately for size-14 babes, we’re at the end of the plus-/extended-size range, and sometimes the design doesn’t scale down well. That was certainly the case for the size-14 Tagliatelle dress I tried on — it was too large in every area for me.
The size 12, however, almost fit. The issue for me was the waist, which was just a little bit roomy, and I thought it would probably look better if the fit were tighter. So, I sized down to a 10, which I’m wearing in the photos. I feel that this is my true size at Reformation for dresses with a flared skirt.
The most significant issue with the fit of the dress after I purchased the correct size was the length of the straps. Ref’s Tagliatelle dress straps are adjustable, but are only two lengths because they’re adjustable via two buttons that allow you to lengthen or shorten the straps. The shortest length is still a bit too long for me. I’ll have to tailor the straps by putting an extra buttonhole on the straps, but that’s a very easy fix.
One aspect of this Reformation dress that helps each size fit multiple body types is the ruched panel that runs down just the section of the back. That way, people with different-size ribcages and busts can find a better fit.
Reformation Tagliatelle Linen Sundress: Does The Quality Justify The Cost?
Reformation’s Tagliatelle dress is $248. For my budget, I’d consider this midi dress an investment piece. That means that I’d have to love the design enough to wear the dress frequently, and I’d have to believe that the construction and fabric of the garment would hold up over time so that the cost-per-wear of the item is reasonable.
Upon opening my package from Reformation and lifting the dress out of the box, the quality of the fabric was clear. The heavy weight of the pure-linen fabric speaks to a dress that’ll be in my closet for a very long time.
I think it’s important to note here that not only is the fabric of this midi dress pure linen, Reformation also prides itself on its eco-conscious production methods (you can check Reformation’s Environmental Impact Report here). The site notes that creating linen fabric from flax requires one-fourth of the amount of water that processing cotton requires.
It’s also worth highlighting that the high price of this red Reformation dress reflects a commitment to a set of labor and environmental standards that are important to me, and likely many of you, as a consumer. One particularly exciting commitment to sustainability that Reformation highlights on its website is that it’s climate-neutral-certified and have been 100% carbon neutral since 2015. Frankly, Reformation’s list of commitments and certifications around sustainability and fair labor practices is impressive.
Reformation’s Tagliatelle dress is definitely “worth it” for me, and if it’s within your budget, I’d recommend trying on this linen midi. What piece have you invested in this summer that’s worth it to you?
Xoxo,
Anne
