shop what’s left of the collection at Saks Off 5th
An Update On Gal Meets Glam Collection from Julia
Let me start this post by saying that I have been a huge fan of Julia Engel and Gal Meets Glam for many years. She was one of the first bloggers I ever discovered in San Francisco and although her style is a little too feminine for me, I’ve always appreciated her aesthetic and the business she has created.
Long before she moved to Charleston I used to see her at the Ferry Building farmers market on Saturday mornings buying flowers and being fabulous with Thomas…while I was sporting my best athleisure look (hungover) and sneaking Benji around for free samples – some things never change.
So when news came out that she was launching a collection of dresses I was excited to check out the collection and support another blogger. The morning of the Gal Meets Glam collection launch I headed over to Nordstrom.com and quickly snagged the two dresses that I had been eying from the lookbook – The Tyler and The Ardith.
Let’s kick this review off with the Tyler. According to the description on Nordstorm.com, it is perfect for all those summertime fetes you’ve already RSVP’d to – I don’t even know what that means. All I know is that I put this dress on and felt like a million bucks…until I got downstairs and into my Uber and the dress ripped not once but twice in the arm the moment I got into the car…leaving me feeling like a $20 Forever 21 mistake.
Yes, this dress is cut from forgiving scuba crepe and finished with a twirl-ready trumpet skirt (making it very flattering on a curvy lady) but the draped neckline does not work IRL. Last time I checked I need to move my arms to say put on my seatbelt and this dress just DOES NOT allow that. So I’m sad to report that I will be getting rid of the Tyler dress just like I got rid of Tyler from Tinder. Buh-bye.
What I Wore:
Dress: Gal Meets Glam Collection, Tyler Off the Shoulder Scuba Crepe Dress
Bag: Topshop, Beverly Floral Embroidered Straw Tote Bag
Shoes: M. Gemi (c/o), The Cammeo (natural patent). Save $50 off with the code: KAT50
Next up is the Ardith Gingham Fit & Flare Midi Dress from the collection. I am wearing the same size in this dress as I am wearing the Tyler dress above (8) and I could not zip it up past my bra. My photographer Shannon even tried to zip it up and it refused to go up. We both agreed that it was a combinati0on of the fabric, fit and the zipper. It should have zipped up, there was plenty of room – just a bit of a defect.
So we just took some photos of the front of the dress (avoiding the back) and did our best to make it work!
Like the Tyler, the fabric did feel worthy of the $138 price point. The 70% polyester, 22% cotton, 8% viscose blend was almost rough to the touch and not anything I would imagine wearing in warm weather – I don’t imagine it will breathe well. I really pictured this dress traveling with me through the summer due to its ability to be styled oh-so-many ways, but just like the Tyler, Edith will be returning to Nordstrom.
What I Wore:
Dress: Gal Meets Glam Collection, Ardith Gingham Fit & Flare Midi Dress
Bag: Sensi Studio, M’O Exclusive Netted Straw Tote Bag
Boots: Public Desire (c/0), Empire
Sunglasses: Ray-Ban, Aviator Sunglasses
Earrings: SUGARFIX by BaubleBar, Mixed Media Tassel Earrings
I wanted to love the collection, but both dresses are going back (sorry Nordstrom). Yes, the dresses photograph well but last time I checked I need both straps on a dress and the ability to zip a dress all the way up…
I’m looking forward to watching the collection progress and continuing to support fellow bloggers. Let me know in the comments if you have tried the collection and what you think of it.
UPDATE: I received a lovely note from Julia regarding the issues I had with her dresses. She thanked me for supporting her, apologized for the bad experiences I had and even offered to refund me personally for both dresses.
I had already returned both dresses to Nordstrom by the time I received her note (love their return policy) and when I let her know that she offered to send a new dress. Well, I took her up on that and my new dress arrived today. Stay tuned for another review of the Gal Meets Glam Collection.
Shop the Gal Meets Glam Collection (if it still interests you) below:
