When I first moved from Chicago to a small island with a fraction of a percent of the shopping options that had previously been available to me, through much experience, I learned the ups and downs of ordering clothing online. Over time, I like to think I’ve developed somewhat of an eye for ascertaining how the online look will compare with the real life look. Recently then, when Fresh Produce, a popular clothing line here on the islands as well as in many other places, approached me about reviewing their clothing, I was excited. Since Fresh Produce apparel is coastal-friendly, and because I easily found several items I thought I’d love, I knew it would be a good match.
When I opened their package, then, and tried on the aptly-named Impromptu dress, something was immediately obvious to me. In Chicago, I always had the proverbial little black dress. Now that I live at the beach, the Impromptu dress is, in essence, the beach version of the little black dress, the throw-it-on-and-go dress that’s equally appropriate for casual dinners, shopping, beach-walking and family get-togethers. It would even serve well as a beach cover-up.
Honestly, the dress was everything I hoped for, the often elusive combination of comfort and style. The fabric is soft, the smocking in the back is surprisingly comfortable, the color is true to the picture and the asymmetrical hemline gives the dress an attractively casual look.
I’m 5’3â€, and I believe I once mentioned I’m just a wee bit over 21 and thrice-birthed as well, so I’m what you would call an everyday short woman. For those of you also well under supermodel stature, here’s what it looks like.
In my case, the size charts ran true. It’s available in several colors and prints, too. In fact, choosing the color and print was my one challenge, as I liked so many of them.
If you are new to Fresh Produce, they have an impressive line of clothing, featuring many bright-colored, casual, island-appropriate dresses, shirts, skirts, shorts and the like. Plus, even if you are nowhere near the beach, you’ll find plenty of relaxed, flattering styles that suit a wide range of body types. Conveniently, Fresh Produce apparel is available online, with shipping to over 200 countries, and at numerous retailers throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
So when you book your next beach vacation, bring your swimsuit, your beach chairs, your sunscreen, and your Impromptu dress. And if your beach vacation takes you to coastal Carolina and you spot a short woman, likely followed by three kids, in a pink Impromptu Dress, come on over and say “Hey.â€
Fresh Produce provided me with the dress to review; my opinions are entirely my own.
there is nothing everyday about you!!!!
Hi to “my” kids! I think all 3 are teriffic. see ya soon.
Yes, there is: my recent bout with stomach flu! 🙂 No, in all seriousness, I could do an entire post on the outtakes from the pictures LCB tried to take of me in the dress for this post. Seriously, it was really windy on the beach that night, so almost every picture ended up with the skirt of my dress blown high in the air, my hair blown all over my face, and/or tears streaming down my face from the wind (it tends to make my eyes water furiously, especially this time of year).
The kids say “hi” to you!
Gorgeous dress and picture! Thanks for the dress tip. Trying to find a fun, nice, comfortable dress made for women-who-birthed-and-nothing-went-back-to-its’-original-spot is darn near impossible.
Amen to that. And one of my pet peeves is dresses that look good but feel awful (often because they are attempting,with great force :), to create the illusion that you didn’t thrice-or-more-birth), so I was really glad when this one came and it felt so comfortable, too.
I’ve been a big fan of Fresh Produce for years ~ lucky you! 🙂
Thanks! It was hard to pick just one thing!
You look fantastic in that dress! Very fun & flirty. I think an LCB outtake post is a must.
It might be. And oh, we’ve also got video. 😉
You look beautiful in your Fresh Produce dresses. I have a couple of dresses I use as beach coverups that are FP and I love them. I must have the two in your post though! They are my favorite colors and the cut is perfect and my very favorite for comfort, with the empire cut. You’re right, one must have those perfectly simple, (alternatives to the little black dress) outfits, to slip on when you live at the beach. I’m going to visit their site. I had no idea they had mail order. Our closest store is in La Jolla, CA. Not too far, but I much prefer to shop by mail. Thanks for the tip and again, you look magnificent in your little beach dress!
Thanks. You are so sweet. I debated between those two colors myself when I was choosing the dress! Have fun shopping!
Could you let me know exactly what dresses you have on in your photos. I looked them up and although I found a lot of dresses, shorts, etc. that I love, I’m still trying to find that dress.
Sure. Here’s the link: http://freshproduceclothes.com/clothes/dresses/fiji-impromptu-dress.html
I also linked to it in my post on Tuesday, April 24. 🙂
Great Blog! I just found you thru your comment on completely coastal. We left Houston in 2001 to move to Fort Myers, Florida- best decision ever~
I’m so glad you stopped by! And I love, love, love hearing stories of other people who have moved to the beach and found it to be the “best decision ever.”