Winter Wear Magnolia Dress and Top {A Review}

I’m so excited to get to share my review of Winter Wear Designs Magnolia Fit and Flare Dress and Top.  I was drawn to this pattern for two main reasons.  First, it is LOADED with options. This pattern doesn’t just include top and dress options, but it has so many hemline options, an optional back insert, color blocking directions, two different pockets, and more.  I thought I might geek out and calculate all the possible combinations of creations you could make, but there were so many I was afraid I would make a mistake and didn’t want to leave anything out.  The second reason I was drawn to this pattern was that it is on point with popular fashion right now.  If you creep my Pinterest fashion board, you would find many looks that could be recreated using the Magnolia pattern.  Magnolia even includes a link to a Pinterest search for even more inspiration.  

For my look I settled on the ¾ length sleeve, scoop neckline (v-neck is also an option) tunic with the shirt tail option in both the front and the back.  I had originally planned a different length, but that didn’t print when I had selected my size layer.  I later played around and discovered it was in the size 00 layer rather than the appropriate size group. This was somewhat annoying to me.  There were a few other small issues with lines missing within pattern pieces and typos, but nothing that prevented me from completing my look.  

I didn’t have to make any adjustments to my pattern pieces, but the instructions include quite a few details about how to make adjustments for your body type.  If you are someone that finds you get a better fit by making a few adjustments, this pattern would give you some good resources one making these changes.  I was impressed with the amount of information provided.

Overall, I like the look of this top.  It hugs in just the right places and flares out exactly where you would want to hide possible “mom tummy” issues.  The scoop neckline definitely pushed this dress/top into the sexy zone rather than just another comfy mommy top.  I definitely can’t wear this to work without flashing the kids my goods. I would describe it as classy cleavage. I teach middle school, so I typically opt for higher necklines to prevent any wardrobe malfunctions.  I may bring the neckline up for the next one so I can wear it to school.  The drape of the double brushed poly I used was a perfect match for this pattern.  Be sure to check out the line drawings in the Magnolia Fit and Flare Dress and Top listing.  Those really helped me to make a plan on what options I would choose.  

And lastly… how about this floral print? Do you love it?  I have a little girl make that will be live on Friday in this same print.  Don’t miss it.