ELLA COASTAL MIDI DRESS

Slow to arrive, worth the wait

Took longer to arrive than I'd have liked. That said, the timeframe was stated before I paid and tracking stayed accurate the whole way. I'd take that over a promise they can't keep. Half a star off for the wait, nothing more.

Better colour in person than on screen

The colour is a shade deeper than it looked online. I'd braced myself to be disappointed opening the parcel and instead I prefer it to the photos.

Someone actually thought about the cut

You can tell there's a proper pattern behind this rather than a stock template run off in five colourways. It sits well without being stiff, which is harder to get right than it sounds.

Packed properly, not stuffed in a bag

Folded in tissue rather than crammed into a plastic mailer. It sounds like nothing but it sets the tone before you've even tried it on.

A real answer on a Monday morning

Sent a question on a Sunday evening not really expecting anything. Had a proper reply on Monday morning from someone who clearly knew the product, not a template.

A full season in and no pilling

Bought at the start of the season, worn constantly since. No pilling where things usually rub, which still surprises me a bit given how often it's been on.

Beautiful, creases a little when sitting

Genuinely lovely and comfortable to wear. It does crease a little if you're sat down for a long stretch, though it drops out on a hanger. Not a dealbreaker, just worth knowing.

Fourth order, still the same

Fourth order in about eighteen months. Quality hasn't shifted and the sizing is the same across everything, so at this point I just order without thinking about it.

I return most things. Not this.

I buy a lot online and send back at least half of it. Nothing to return here, and I ordered two more things the same week. That hasn't happened in a while.

Barely needs an iron

It drops out on a hanger in a couple of hours, so I've basically stopped ironing it. For someone who hates ironing that's a genuine selling point.

Turned up before the estimate

Ordered on a Thursday and it arrived well before the date I'd been given. Tracking was clear from the moment it left them.

Pricey, but I buy far less now

More than I used to spend, I won't pretend otherwise. But I'm buying maybe a third as often, so it evens out. Half a star off because the price is still a real decision.

Good, though I'd size up next time

The quality is there and I've no complaints about how it's made. I'd size up if I ordered again though. The measurements were on the page so it's my own fault for not checking properly.

My Monday morning default

It's become the thing I put on when I can't be bothered thinking about it but still want to look like I've made an effort.

Return sorted in four days

Had to send something back, wrong size. Address came through the same day and I was refunded four days after they got it. No arguing, no forms. Half a star off only because I'd rather have swapped it directly.

Three people asked where it was from

Three separate people asked where it was from in the space of a month. That hasn't happened with anything I've bought in years.

Sizing is actually consistent

Sounds like a small thing but the sizing being consistent across everything changes how I shop. I know what I'm getting without dragging the tape measure out every time.

Very good, slightly darker than expected

Very well made and comfortable, no complaints there. The shade is a little darker than the photos suggested, which suits me fine, but worth bearing in mind if you're matching it to something specific.