Review of Love Bonito Ashleigh Cheongsam

Love Bonito Ashleigh Cheongsam (Midnight Blue, size M)

Bought this in a darker colour - Midnight Blue - as I already had enough light-coloured cheongsam dresses. This piece also caught my eye as it did not look strictly oriental despite the beautiful embossed details on the fabric.

I opted for size M again as in the studio photos, the dress looked slightly over-stretched at the hips area. It turns out that the fabric isn't stretchable at all, which limits my strides. Size M was also a little loose on me as size S is my usual LB size. It fits me alright at the PTP, but is slightly loose at the waist and hips. However I'm not sure if size S would have been too tight around the hips for me and cause the dress to ride up when walking. Nevertheless, I won't mind trading this for the same piece in size S.

As for the material, I really like the gorgeous embossed details. For the price, I would have expected it to come with an inner lining, but it's not much of an issue as VPL is not visible at all.

Overall, I think it's a good buy as the dress can definitely be worn for normal occasions too, and not just CNY!

Review of Love Bonito Lorenze Cheongsam and Klarra Chendelle Lace Midi

Love Bonito Lorenze Cheongsam (Cream, size M)

Following my review of the Ruby version, I received the Cream one a few days later. Although it's the same size, it feels slightly, just slightly longer  and looser than the Ruby dress, but I have no complaints. Similar to the Ruby one, the lace pattern is also lined with gold thread.

Now I'm trying to kick the bad habit of keeping the exact same piece of clothe in different colours, so I would like to let go of one. The problem is, I can't make up my mind. Ruby is a gorgeous and striking colour, but I'm not sure if I would wear it out on normal days - would you? Cream on the other hand is more muted, which might make it hmm.. a bit less outstanding?

Would love to hear your opinions!


Klarra Chendelle Lace Midi (Blue, size S)

I was captivated when I saw Beatrice wearing this on her blog, and I told myself that I had to get my hands on this one. I did not manage to snag it during the launch, but I'm glad that they opened a backorder and it arrived earlier than expected. I was confident that size S was suitable for me as it fitted well on Beatrice.

The blue is brilliant, the lace soft, smooth and intricately designed. For taller ladies, the dress reaches to the knee, which lets it double as an elegant work, shift dress too. Though stretchy, it fits snugly when worn, so seamless undies are recommended. There is no side or back zip, so do note that one will have to do some wriggling into the dress. Hence, if you're wearing this to a nice dinner date or event, I suggest that the dress be worn before you apply your makeup as you would definitely want to avoid smearing your makeup.


For your reference, I'm 1.67m, UK8.

Review of Megagamie Feline Cheongsam Dress, Love Bonito Lorenze Cheongsam and Waverly Dress

Megagamie Feline Cheongsam Dress (White, size M)

  

Seeing how the dress seemed to be tight around the hips of the models (from the pictures it looked a bit too stretched at their hips), I decided to opt for a size M, and it was a good choice. By the way, do you notice that many of the online shops' cheongsams seem to have a smaller cut? I can usually fit into size S for most dresses, but I would need a size M for the cheongsams to fit me comfortably.

It was love at first touch for this dress. The Gabardine rayon blend and the lace were soft and smooth! The lace is not scratchy at all, which is an important point as it covers much of the back. Fabric wasn't too thick either, which made for a comfortable wear in this ridiculously hot weather that typifies these several weeks. The highlight of this piece is the low-back lace design with non-functional buttons. It brings out a sultry vibe, while not being too revealing for CNY visits to perhaps, some conservative relatives. A stick on bra was worn with the dress as the lace part ends below the bra line. Do note that despite having an inner lining, nude and seamless underwear is still required as the fabrics aren't very thick.

This dress doesn't come across as being too festive-looking to me. My only gripe is that despite sizing up to and M, it still rides up a little when I walk. So if you intend to buy this, do note the hip measurements as they might be exceptionally small. For me, because it only rides up a little, I'm willing to put up with the slight hassle of having to pull the dress down when I walk, and will keep this piece.

Does anyone know how else to prevent dresses/skirts from riding up?


Love Bonito Lorenze Cheongsam (Ruby, size M)

This is the immensely popular cheongsam that was sold out within the same minute of the launch and is actually my first cheongsam dress purchase. I managed get hold of a piece from a re-seller.

When I saw the previews, I was sold by the inverse-V-shaped design of the back. Again I decided on size M as the dress appeared taut at the models' hips. Indeed, size M was just nice for me and S would have been too tight. I'm awed by the gold trimmings throughout this lace dress. A stick on bra was worn with the dress as the drop-back feature ends below the bra line. I'll decide whether to keep this after I've tried the Cream version (just bought it from another seller).


Love Bonito Waverly Dress (size M) 

Yet another hot seller from Love Bonito. Size M is comfortable around my hips and slightly loose around my waist, but this can be easily corrected with a belt. I'm not sure if size S would have been a better fit, but the person who sold this to me said that her sister was a UK6/8 and found size S too snug for her.

I was expecting more from this dress - thought it would be of bodycon material, similar to the Oregon Dress, but it turned out thinner than what I had in mind. I suppose that this material had to be used in order for the prints to be made on it. It comes with an inner lining so no VPL worries here. The prints are vivid and certainly true to pictures.

While this is overall still a good buy, I won't mind letting it go if there is an interested buyer.

*** UPDATE: Waverly Dress has been sold. ***

For your reference, I'm 1.67m, UK8.

Review of OhVola Roset Bloom Peplum Skirt, Fairebelle Cutout Peplum Skirt, Love Bonito Cate Cheongsam Top

OhVola Roset Bloom Peplum Skirt (Coral, size M) - faveee!

 Left: Original length of the skirt. Right: Folded the skirt to see if it looked better, shorter.

Close up of the pretty floral prints!

This is the second peplum skirt that I own. I usually avoid peplum skirts or dresses as I feel that peplums that "flare" too much emphasise my hips - I think that they are usually more suited for really skinny girls with unbelievably small waists. However, I decided to take a gamble when I saw the preview pictures on the OhVola blog. Besides the attractive floral prints, the "flare" of the peplum appeared to be fairly moderate. I'm glad I took a chance on this one! Really adore the sweet florals and the peplum feature doesn't over-emphasise my hips. Material is thick enough but soft as well, and comes with an inner lining, so no worries about VPL here. I opted for size M as I believe OhVola's apparels have a smaller cut sometimes. While it does fit me nicely and does not ride up, I think the skirt will look better if it's shorter (on the right picture, folded part of the skirt to see what it would look like shorter). Will keep it if I can have it altered.

Fairebelle Cutout Peplum Skirt (size M)

Close up of the eyelet cutout details.

On the other hand, my first peplum skirt didn't fit me so well, despite it being in size M. I love the eyelet design and the rich cobalt blue colour, the material is decent too. Sadly it rides up when I walk, hence I'll be selling off this skirt.

Cate Cheongsam Top (Fuschia, size S)

Close up of the lace details

This is my first purchase from Love Bonito's string of CNY collections. I've been careful to avoid cheongsams as I would probably only wear them during CNY, and it would be such a waste to do so, no matter how pretty a cheongsam may be. I finally gave in to this one (and the Lorenze Cheongsams which I will review in another post) as it did not come across as being to oriental and festive. While I really like the fuschia colour and lace, it still seems just a bit too festive for wearing on normal occasions. Tried to leave the collar unbuttoned to tone it down. It's a great top with an awesome cut that fits the torso well, the fabric is also of good quality. However, for the above reason I'm still undecided on whether to keep or let this go.. what do you think?

Reviews of Amber Avenue Briella Bustier Peplum Blouse (Sunshine Yellow, size S) & Love Bonito Nathalia Dress (Beryl, size S)

 

Amber Avenue Briella Bustier Peplum Blouse (Sunshine Yellow, size S) - faveee!

I've been really selective of my online purchases so as to avoid over-buying in the midst of so many online shops spamming us with their Chinese New Year collections. This top isn't CNY-themed, but I have so much love for it! Its outstanding features are the sweetheart neckline, bust area padded with an extra layer of fabric (something slightly thinner than the padding found in sports bras), and the peplum cut that is not too pong. I usually avoid peplums as they 'flare' too much around my waist. I think peplums look great on petite girls. For taller people like me, they tend to make my torso look really short (and hence, my legs look really long), thereby making my upper to lower body ratio look somewhat disproportionate. The material is somewhat similar to the Love Bonito Payton Peplum Top, albeit slightly thinner, but still of great quality. Colour is true to pictures too.

If you're still in a dilemma on whether to join the backorder for this, I would strongly encourage you to. :)

Love Bonito Nathalia Dress (Beryl, size S)

Got this using the 20% discount code that Love Bonito offered last month. Another quality buy! The dress comes with a anti-slip sweetheart neckline and boned at the bodice. The inner lining ends around mid-thigh level. I like the light-weightiness of the chiffon too! The end of the fish tail is quite long though (you can see it almost touches the floor even for my height), so it is recommended that this dress be worn with heels.


For your reference, I'm 1.67m, UK8.