Discover my detailed review of the Lady Voluptuous Phoebe Dress in Pink Rose Floral on Cream, size 20, and Japanese Black Floral, size 22/24. How does it work on a curvy body?
Lady Voluptuous, Lady V London‘s plus size line, is doing great things for full-figured women. The range comprises gorgeous dresses and skirts that are exclusively offered in UK sizes 16-32. The garments flatter the figure and are comfortable and practical to wear. I love how the designs have been made with larger ladies in mind, with realistically sized sleeves and armholes, good boob room, and a range of necklines.
One of the newer dresses to be released is the Lady Voluptuous Phoebe Dress (£55; UK sizes 16-32): a fully lined 1950s inspired dress with a flared skirt and built-in petticoat. It comes in a number of pretty prints but for me I was particularly enamoured with these two:
Images courtesy of Lady V London
I desperately wanted to try the Lady Voluptuous Phoebe Dress so I asked Georgina of Fuller Figure Fuller Bust (as seen in the photos above) for some advice on sizing. She said this one comes up a little small compared to other Lady Voluptuous dresses, especially on the bust. She is wearing a size 18 in the stock photos here so she recommended I try the 20 and 22/24 in order to have enough room for my big boobs. I took her advice and went for the Lady Voluptuous Phoebe Dress Pink Rose Floral in a 20, and the Japanese Black Floral in a 22/24.
When the dresses arrived I was not disappointed. Both prints were every bit as lovely – if not even lovelier – as they look on screen and I could not wait to try them on. They are made from a soft stretch cotton fabric (97% cotton, 3% elastane) and have a 100% cotton lining, meaning that these dresses are ideal for wearing in warm weather as the material will help to keep you cool. Both dresses are machine washable at 30 degrees.
The Lady Voluptuous Phoebe Dress has a scoop neckline that shows a glimpse of cleavage but not too much. It has a defined waistband, short sleeves, and a full skirt, and the dress fastens at the back with a concealed zip. Unusually, the Lady Voluptuous Phoebe Dress has a v-neck at the back, which makes for an interesting feature as so often this is something that dress designers don’t think about and just stick with a regular high neck at the back. The dress is designed to sit just below the knee, so the perfect length for the likes of me.
I’m now going to review the dresses one size at a time. For reference, in these photos I am wearing my Ewa Michalak S Kamea Bra 36KK/80KK, some sheer tights from Matalan, and a pair of nude peep toe heels from Internaçionale. I am not wearing shapewear, a corset, or a petticoat (apart from the dress’s own built-in petticoat) in any of these photos.
I tried the size 20 Lady Voluptuous Phoebe Dress in Pink Rose Floral on Cream first of all.
OH MY GOODNESS. I think the print of this Lady Voluptuous Phoebe Dress could well be my favourite EVER. It is SOOOOO beautiful! And as I took these photos a few weeks after coming back from holiday I still have somewhat of a tan, and the cream and pink fabric makes me look even browner. This is the perfect dress for sunshine holidays!
I am sure you have noticed the silly expressions, gurning, grimacing, and multiple chins in my photos, and so you can gather that the Lady Voluptuous Phoebe Dress did not fit me correctly at all. Honestly, I could cry about this. The bust is way too tight and the waist is much too big. It can’t be solved by adding a belt as the bust would still be super tight on me, and the underbust seam would still be partway up my boobs. Yes, my cleavage looks great, but it’s pretty darned uncomfortable.
As much as I adored the fabric and the design of the dress, there was absolutely no doubt in my mind; the size 20 Phoebe was a complete no-go for me. So, the big question was: would the Lady Voluptuous Phoebe Dress Japanese Black Floral in a 22/24 be any better on me? Let’s take a look at the evidence…
Yikes! Perhaps unsurprisingly, the size 22/24 Lady Voluptuous Phoebe Dress was even bigger in the waist and so it completely swamped me. The bust fit was better but still tighter than I’d normally choose, and the shoulders and back were far too roomy. In fact, this combination of fit issues created a bizarre effect: because the shoulders were too big the neckline gaped, but the bust area was still fairly tight. I could have done with more of the volume in the front of the dress, rather than in the back.
So it seemed that the Lady Voluptuous Phoebe Dress was destined not to work for me…but I don’t give up that easily! I added a black sateen belt, and hey presto, the dress was transformed!
SO much better! Ok, it’s still not a great fit on me but the top half of the dress looks far less swamping with the addition of the belt as it pulls all of the fabric in. Thankfully with the black background of the Lady Voluptuous Phoebe Dress in Japanese Black Floral Print it’s simple enough to match pretty much any black belt with it, although I think I would avoid a patent belt as the shininess would be too much alongside the pattern of the material.
Sadly, I don’t think a belt would work with the Pink Rose Floral on Cream Lady Voluptuous Phoebe Dress for a number of reasons; mainly because it would be hard to find a belt in the right shade to match either the cream or the pink, and also because if a pink belt was added I think it might look wrong as it would break up the pattern of the dress too much and a pink line across the waist would not be right with such a delicate print.
Such a shame, as I adore that fabric so much! I see it’s available in the Isabella cut, but unfortunately it’s sold out in my size (for reference I wear an 18 in Isabella). I hope they restock it, and also bring the Isabella out in the Japanese print – in both black AND blue, please, Lady V!
Eventually and begrudgingly, I admitted defeat and returned both dresses for a refund. I so very badly wanted the Lady Voluptuous Phoebe Dress to work for me but she didn’t and now I need to get over it. She is a beautiful dress and I have seen her working very well on other bloggers who undoubtedly have more ‘standard’ measurements than me, including these ladies:
The (Not So) Secret Diary of a Wannabe Princess
Bump and Beyond
The Lady Voluptuous Phoebe Dress comes in a range of different prints – let me know if you own one of them by commenting below!
Wow both print's really pop on you! You look beautiful! Your review has forced me (ha ha) to buy both of these as they are gorgeous and you make them look stunning. I hope I look even a tiny bit as good as you in mine.
The dresses are gorgeous on you but what a shame about the bust being way too small. The cream one is to die for on your complexion x
So pretty….you AND the dresses ;0) I have just ordered a Phoebe….the kingfisher one….after reading your review. My boobies are smaller than yours so I am hopping this will work on me. I love these new options for us plus size girls. PS I have been following your blog for 3 years now, keep up the great work :0)
Such a shame these don't fit you well as they really do look like such beautiful pieces and the white looks phenomenal with your tan! C xx
I have been lusting after this dress for so long but I wasn't sure about the dual sizing as I have the Estella in a 22-24 and it is too big on my shoulders. I think you look fabulous but for the price they need to be perfect really. You are also the first person to show the petticoat as I did wonder what it looked like so thank you for that (and the rest of your very helpful review)!! xxx
The dress look good on you, what a shame about the fit. I am pear shaped so I think it will work for me, I might have just bought both prints he he!
I love how honest all your reviews are! The Phoebe dress looks stunning on you with the addition of that belt. I'm always a bit wary of the higher necked dresses and I thought this one might be a happier medium – your review has convinced me to order one and I think I'll have to size up a bit and try it out! Xx
I have this dress in the Flamingo print, TBH I only kept it cos I love the print to much as for me too the sizing is a bit off as it is big everywhere (although fits better since I went shopping with you and got a better fitting bra) but like you the 22/24 is a bit too big I am usually a 22 but I am pretty sure the 20 would have been too small. It is a shame that they don't fit right as the prints are stunning on you, especially the white. I hope for me they reconsider this dual sizing on the larger sizes as to me it is madness
I love both of them on you! Shame about the sizing, I have a few and the difference between the styles sizing wise is massive! xx
Oh no, it's such a shame about the poor fit because the prints are so gorgeous. I might have to take a chance anyway, I can always send it back if it doesn’t work xxx
Another useful review, thank you! I love how you always are so thorough, even down to your red lipstick and matching red nail polish!! <3 classic! I have been lusting after this dress since I saw it on Lady V’s socials and your review has made me want it even more, despite the tricky fit. Luckily for me I have small boobs so I think it will work. Time will tell x