Friday, May 20, 2016

Cosplay Review: Coronation Anna

Hello!

So, I recently purchased a cosplay from aliexpress. I like to make/piece together my cosplays myself, but for a class assignment, we had to save up to buy something we wanted, and I took one look at Anna's skirt full of pleats and, like Meghan Trainor's new song, was like, "No." So I started looking around for a good looking dress that would be in my price range (remember, I'm cheap. So while other people are fine spending $500+ on princess dresses, I'm just like, "no" again.) I saw someone posted a link to the one they bought for $120 on Facebook, and I thought, well that's pretty reasonable, I'll look into it. Then I started looking at other places, and found that aliexpress had a bunch of options for less than $120. Even a lot under $100. So I started to do more research there.

To start off, AliExpress is kinda like Amazon or Ebay. There are a bunch of different sellers, and they are all in China. The thing with these Chinese companies is that they all use the EXACT SAME PICTURES to advertise their items, so there's really no telling exactly what you're going to get. Unless you read reviews. The more reviews, then usually the more people have bought it. But I specifically look for the reviews that post pictures with their reviews, because then you can see what that seller's item actually looks like. I narrowed it down to two options this way: one that was $100 and one that was $79.

Next read the item description. This is where the seller posts the sizing guide, care instructions, and other random information about the item. This will be in broken English, but don't worry, just read carefully. The sizing will be in Chinese sizing, which is WAY off of American sizing. So carefully take your measurements (in centimeters), and write them down so you don't forget. If you find a size that will fit you, great! Order that size. But if you're bigger than a US size 12, or just want it to fit you better, look to see if they will do custom measurements. On the two options I had, one of them offered custom measurements, and it happened to be the cheaper one! Yay! That is what sold me. So I placed my order, sent in my measurements in centimeters, and waited.

Around 4 weeks later (with free China Air shipping), my package came in the mail, and although I had somewhere to be just 30 minutes later, I couldn't help but rip it open and try it on! My first impression was that the package was very small, but I had bought my prom dress from China, and it was also sent in a very small box. I carefully opened up the package, and pulled out each item and inspected it, and fell in love. Of course I had to try it on then and there.




I will leave my review for each piece of the cosplay separately:
TOP: I was super impressed when I saw the top was made out of a nice velvety fabric. It is also embroidered instead of just having the design printed on. At first look, I thought the bodice looked short, but after trying it on, I learned it was the perfect length. That being said, it was also a little too wide for me. Although the top goes on with a side zipper, there are ribbon loops in the back to lace it up and take it in a bit. They also provide a ribbon to lace it up. It works just fine. I still had to make a few minor adjustments to get the top to lay nicely on me and keep the sleeves up on my shoulders, because they are meant to be worn off the shoulder, but I want them up for a little more modesty. I also personally wear a camisole under the top because it is rather low cut, but that's my personal preference.



SKIRT: The skirt is gorgeous! I think the colors are incredible accurate! It is also fully embroidered, and uses nice fabrics. It is just a tiny bit shorter than I thought it would be, but it doesn't bother me since it is more practical for walking (well, let's be honest, running and skipping and hopping around). It zips up, and has velcro at the top, which I may switch out for hooks and eyes. It comes out of the package rather wrinkled, and is kind of a pain to iron (not because of the quality of skirt, but because of the style. Pleats are not fun to iron). I found that ironing it, then putting it in the bathroom while I showered worked well enough. Also, I suggest getting a small petticoat to wear under it. Anna's skirt in the movie is not "poofy" (like, Cinderella, or Belle, or Ariel's pink dress) but the skirt is heavy and lays a little flat without one. I wear a small petticoat my mom made for me when I was in sixth grade for Halloween, and I think it gives the perfect amount of fullness.


NECKLACE: I knew that the dress was going to come with a necklace, but from pictures I was expecting a green jewel on a ribbon, which is not screen accurate at all. I was very pleasantly surprised to receive a screen accurate pendant on a velvet necklace. It is great.


Over all, even with the very minor things I had to change, I think that this dress is AMAZING. I have received nothing but compliments since I got it, and I cannot get over how great it is for how cheap it was. To buy fabric to make my own would have cost way more than what I paid for it, and I would not have embroidered the designs on it. Seriously, if you are considering getting an Anna coronation dress, GET THIS ONE. Just do it. Even if you have to pay someone a little bit for minor adjustments, it will be way worth it.







*This is definitely not a sponsored post, I just love it too much to not share with the world. :)

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