A few weeks ago, I wrote about an adorable tweed jacket at Zaftique. I’m still in love with that jacket. It’s a great cut, a great color, and reasonably priced.
On the other hand, I did note at the time that the goods at Zaftique are a touch…well…inconsistant in quality of design. After taking a stroll through some of their latest offerings, I’m here to show you just why it’s a good idea to tread carefully on this site.
Take, for instance, these leggings.
They may only cost fourteen dollars, but they are so very wrong. They are also pure polyester, so the legs they encase like sausages cannot possibly breathe. It is also recommended that one handwash them. Handwash polyester? Twistie saves handwashing for very delicate silks, not polyester. The point of man-made fibers was ease of care, once upon a time. Twistie thinks this is still the only excuse for several.
Oh, and if the floral pattern is what’s worrying you, they are also available in pin dots, in brown and white, navy and white, black and white, or black and pink.
Why, Zaftique? Why? What did we ever do to you?
And then there’s this dress:
<>Where to even begin? The bizarre cut of the neckline? The funny little cap sleeves that will not cover the lumpy-squishies of the target audience for this dress? The preciously embroidered overskirt? No, I think I can find far better ways of spending $129.
<> The worst of it is I think there could be a really pretty dress buried under all those unfortunate details.
I think the dress could be really cute if it had a simple rounded neck and the ribbon under the bust, but none of the vertical ribbon details.
Those tights though… There really is just no excuse for those.
Comment by Diane — October 28, 2007 @ 12:58 pm
Exactly, Diane. There’s a very pretty dress trying to get out from under all those funky details. It’s just a case of nobody knew when to stop with it. That’s the most frustrating part about it.
Comment by Twistie — October 28, 2007 @ 1:55 pm
The dress makes her boobies seem very asymmetrical, the right brestical seems larger than the bisected left twin.
It also kind of looks like the dress is twisted around her, and all she needs to do is pull it back to the center. Such an unfortunate design.
Comment by g-dog — October 28, 2007 @ 9:05 pm
Given what plus-size models are regularly asked to endure, it’s telling that they couldn’t get a non-plastic person to put on those wretched leggings. They look like a skin disease.
Comment by Bridey — October 29, 2007 @ 9:57 am
lol. Zaftique has always been hit or miss. Some of their clothes are horrid and some are very cute. Think of it as a plus-size MALL, not just one store.
Comment by Mandy — October 29, 2007 @ 4:52 pm
Yeah, from behind the dress is really not that bad – it would be better without the scalloped hem, but it’s not bad (if you like pink). From the front, though, there are all sorts of unfortunate things going on – odd neckline, cutesy bow, ribbon overload, too-short sleeves (for the proportions of the dress), etc.
Comment by Elizabeth — October 30, 2007 @ 11:09 am
All I can say about those leggings is WTFF?!
Comment by Never teh Bride — October 30, 2007 @ 11:49 am
The dress had potential until someone moved that neckline and I agree with “never the bride” on the leggings WTF??? There is no logical reasoning behind floral leggings, they are making me ill!!
Comment by Jen — October 30, 2007 @ 3:19 pm
Floral leggings are for wearing under gauzy dresses or skirts when you want to wear barefoot sandals, but don’t want your thighs rubbing together.
The thing is: not THOSE floral leggings. Ick!
Comment by La BellaDonna — October 30, 2007 @ 5:33 pm
About an hour after reading this post, I literally saw someone walk through my workplace wearing those leggings. Let me tell you, they are far more hideous in person.
Comment by Kendra — October 30, 2007 @ 6:46 pm
Kendra, that may be the single most terrifying thing I’ve heard in the course of the week leading up to Halloween.
Also, my mind? She boggles.
Comment by Twistie — October 30, 2007 @ 6:50 pm
Hi, I own a pair of the leggings (in print and black) and wanted to share my experience. True they are polyester, but like the website says, it’s a mesh not a heavy, solid fabric so it’s very breathable and not uncomfortable at all. The hand washing rec is right on, because like I mentioned, these are sheer mesh and machine washing would rip them to shreads. Many places sell tights, stockings, etc that are poly and these are no different, and the care is exactly the same.
While this particular bolder print may not be everyone’s cup of tea, they do carry other more subtle prints and solid colors. They look really cute under a short skirt, plain top and ballet flats.
Just wanted to weigh in with my 2 cents! :-)
Comment by Zaftique Shopper — October 30, 2007 @ 11:35 pm
I still contend that leggings to do not belong on plus women; even on the smaller of the plus, it seems like a sausage wrapping. I always recommend the super long socks over at Sock Dreams instead; it goes well with a lot of the same skirt styles that are paired with leggings, and looks I dunno… 21st century, rather than 80s out-of-ideas.
Comment by Di — November 2, 2007 @ 12:51 pm