Meaneor

Long Grecian Tunic
What a beautiful, flowing, versatile summer dress! Meaneor are a new name to me. When I was asked to try out some of their clothes, I took some time to choose because, at first sight, their styles looked a little plain in the photos; but put a body inside and things change!

The fabric has a lot of stretch and reminds me of activewear. It's a cotton blend with what feels like spandex, lycra or polyester. I thought I would dislike it because I prefer natural fabrics, but after wearing it for a few hours, I found it very comfortable indeed. Perhaps not the best thing for a really hot sunny day, but ideal for fresher summer days and the mid-season. Also ideal to wear indoors where air conditioning sometimes goes too far. The upside of the stretchy fabric is that it moulds very flatteringly and you don't have to worry too much about getting the size right. I normally wear a UK size 10, US size 8, French size 38. I looked at the size chart's bust measurement and asked for a Medium (despite the fact that my bust is 34-35 inches and the M is supposed to fit 31 inches). It feels like it fits me well. A bigger size would be looser but these styles are made to be form-fitting, so I prefer to stay close to my normal size.
However, the best surprise was the length, it's actually perfect for me (I'm 5'8”). Bravo, Meaneor, for getting it right! There is nothing more disappointing that ordering a long dress to find that it misses those crucial few inches at the bottom. At least, if something is too long, you can always take it up! The elegant simplicity of this maxi dress evokes a Grecian tunic, and the distinctive rope tie gives it a slightly monastic feel. Cleverly designed to adapt to a variety of shapes. Someone with a short upper body (like me) can tie the cord tightly at the waist, creating a blousey effect to the top; if you have a more conventionally long upper body, you can tie the cord more loosely to sit wherever it falls naturally on your waistline.

My chosen colour, an elegant steel grey, makes it casual, although it can be dressed up a little. The racerback cut at the shoulders contributes to the perfectly moulding shape. I wear a sports bra underneath, or one of those multi-position bras with straps that criss-cross at the back. Despite the low price, finishing and stitching are good. There was the odd loose thread but you can snip it off in a second. The care tag is pretty standard: Wash below 40°C, hang to dry, low iron, no bleach. It did wash well and does not need any ironing. I will be wearing this one a lot!

Mini-dress Floral Print
This dress makes me smile, it's so adorable and so comfortable to wear. When Meaneor proposed some of their new articles for me to evaluate, I really liked the look of this one. I chose the dark blue, but the same dress is also available in a really fresh white, dramatic black and bright mint green. The flowers change hue to harmonize with each colourway, so that they almost look like different patterns, but they are all vivid.

Size-wise, I usually take a UK size 10, US size 8, French size 38; I asked for a size Medium because the dress has a high almost empire-style waist and I wanted to avoid a loose fit. A size Large would have worked as well, but the Medium certainly fits like a glove.

Incidentally, there is a zip on one side but the fabric has a lot of stretch and I have never needed to open the zip. The material is described as a cotton blend, but it feels a lot like the elastic, smooth jersey of activewear with a fair bit of Spandex or Lycra in the mix.

The front scoop is quite low, showing a bit of décolletage, another reason to avoid buying too big a size. Length-wise, it ends well above the knee, basically a mini dress on me (I'm 5'8”).

Despite the low price, stitching and manufacture are very good with only the occasional long thread to cut off. It's super-easy to wash in cool water at delicate cycle. The care tag is pretty standard: Wash below 40°C, hang to dry, low iron, no bleach. A lovely, inexpensive, summer choice that I love to wear.

Rouched Half-sleeve Party Dress
I'm not much of a dress enthusiast, usually preferring to wear jeans and tops, but this gorgeous, form-hugging dress really appealed to me. I was given a sample to try out and review, and I have to say I find it delightful. It makes me instantly feel very feminine and “dressed up”.

The V-shaped, plunging neckline is fairly low and open, with a cross-over, wrap-around cut over the bust that really makes the most of your shape. The pleated, rouched half-sleeves are echoed in the pleated band under the bust, creating a high waistline that makes the skirt flow. It's the sort of dress that makes you want to move and dance! The fabric is a medium-weight polyester with a fair bit of give. There is a concealed zip in the bodice which I have never needed to use as the dress slips on very easily. After a cool wash and drip-drying on a hanger, the shipping creases have come out completely and I don't think this fabric needs much ironing, if at all. These are the care instructions from the label: wash below 40°C, hang to dry, low iron, no bleach.
As for size: I decided that the crucial measurement was the bust and so asked for a Medium (I normally wear a UK size 10, US size 8). The bodice fits like a glove while the skirt has a loose-pleated swing.

On the other hand, I'm 5'8” and the length is a bit too much for me, ending across my kneecap in an unflattering (for me) place. I would have liked a few inches less, in keeping with the flirty style. Choosing the colour was more difficult as I liked all of them. There is black, a deep red, forest green and my pick, a vivid royal blue.

So, in conclusion, an easy-care, very pretty dress, suitable for more formal occasions and definitely made to show off your cleavage and make the most of your waist and hips.

Scoop Neck Empire Waist Maxi Dress

I was over the moon with the other maxi dress that Meaneor sent me for review (the grey one, see top of this page), and was hoping for a similar item, but I'm very sorry to say that this dress is just not in the same league. The cut is fine as far as the half sleeves and the scoop neck, but the “empire” waist is a compromise that does not work for me. It's too low to be below the breast-line and too high to be anywhere near my natural waist. Also, because there is a lot of material dragging on that elasticated point, it does not hang in a flattering way.

Secondly, I can see that it's meant to be dressed up or down according to your mood, but for a solid colour it's just a bit too plain and with that awkward waistline, it's impossible to wear it with a belt (which is my usual strategy to give personality to a plain outfit).

The deal-breaker for me is the fabric. I got the dress in black and the fabric is flimsy and has a strange sheen which I find unattractive. Perhaps in a brighter colour the material looks different, but in black it's just not quality enough. It is stretchy and lightweight so it should be comfortable to lounge around in, but being polyester, it doesn't breathe like a natural fabric. I have other black clothes by the same brand, but they are nothing like this.

On the plus side, it's long enough to be called a maxi even on someone reasonably tall. I'm 5'8” and normally wear a UK size 10. I got this in Medium and I find that the top fits as I would expect and the hem reaches my feet, which is not always the case with long dresses. Meaneor have come up with lots of interesting styles and fabrics. This isn't their best. Sorry to be so critical, but my reviews must necessarily reflect my honest opinions, otherwise they are of no value to anyone.

The dress has been well received by other reviewers so, perhaps in a different colour and on a different figure, it works. I just hope to have given enough information for you to be able to make up your own mind.
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