Florals and a Perfect Fit

My boobs are too big for a medium, but my shoulders are too small for a large. These jeans are too tight around the hips, but the next size up is way too long. This size 6 fits around my waist, but it shouldn’t be this short in the back. 

Sometimes, shopping can suck.

I have a carefully curated list of stores that fit me well. There’s a place for denim, a shop for dresses, a store for undershirts… Over the years, I’ve found the perfect places to shop for those with a SBSB (short, busty, small bum) body type. But for friends with a TAAAT-build (tall, athletic arms and thighs), MSAB-look (mid-height, slender, awesome butt), LFD-shape (legs for days), or any of the countless other combos of body styles, I don’t have as many ideas. Sometimes I contemplate visiting a tailor, but I’ve only ever done so for formal dresses and suits — it’s never as inexpensive as I assume, which bumps the price of the original item way up.

You can probably guess why I was so impressed when I found out about a company that charges less than $20 to customize its products to fit each shopper’s physique.

Web-store eShakti sells customizable women’s clothing. This means you not only can submit measurements to have a garment made specifically for you (+$7.50), but you can add or remove details (+$7.50) so it matches whatever you find most flattering or comfortable on you. Case in point: I love sleeves, but not when I’m working, and when eShakti offered to send me a dress, I couldn’t help but think of how beautiful this floral number would be as a hostess outfit for my annual Thanksgiving party. I made the dress my own by shortening the hemline from knee-length to above-the-knee and removing the cap sleeves, making it cooking- and baking- ready. I rounded all of my measurements up to the nearest inch to guarantee a comfortable, slightly looser fit — after all, part of playing hostess is being able to sit down with your guests, even after eating your weight in bread stuffing. (#myweekendplans)

Two weeks after ordering, the dress arrived, and it came perfectly fitted to my submitted measurements. I adore the lace appliques; they’re as cute as sheer-shoulder dresses, but the fabric underneath means I can wear a full-strap bra —  a must-do for the SBSB body type. This flowery frock even features bra strap keeps (insert this reaction) and front pockets, aka the two things that take a garment from OK to OMG. Take a peek below.

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Currently wearing… Custom dress, c/o eShakti [HERE; use code “ohjuliaann” for 10% off!] | Boots, Steve Madden [SIMILAR] | Earrings, Nordstrom Rack [SIMILAR] | Purse, belt, and bangle, vintage

Extra perk: The vintage style looks ultra-cute with a vintage apron, making it the ideal party dress for someone like me who lives to be Holly Hostess.


Don’t forget to use coupon code “ohjuliaann” for 10% off through Dec. 7, 2014. And be sure to check them out on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest

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