Creating the Perfect Custom Dress

Shopping can be a frustrating experience. Clothes aren’t made to fit my body type, or the color’s not flattering, or the fabric is cheap. Usually, I stick with a tried-and-true wrap dress off the rack, knowing I’ve settled. Once again, I’ve had to buy something that’s just not right.

I’ve used a custom-made dress site before. While I liked the fit, the fabric felt cheap, the dress was unlined, and part of the tulle overlay of the skirt was left with a raw edge. Almost, but not quite!

When I had the opportunity to test out a PIOL dress through Vibrant Nation*, I had very high hopes. PIOL makes made-to-measure dresses in a color, style, and fit to perfectly suit your figure and natural coloring. 

The PIOL Dress website walks you through finding a color palette that suits your hair, eyes, and skin. Then it helps you select a silhouette most flattering to your body.

Once you are in the design section, you have a selections of prints and colors to choose from. I had 45 choices, some I would never have thought of. I’m just not good at picking patterns, and usually stick to a few shades I know look good on me. PIOL made it easy to just pick something and know it would be flattering. I did stay with a solid color, but next time I’ll go crazy and pick a print.

Once you pick a fabric (and you can go back and change this up later to try out different looks) a mock up of your chosen fabric and dress shape pops up for customization. With several choices for neckline, skirt length, and sleeves, you can create almost limitless dress variations.

After designing the look of your dress, it’s on to the “fitting room.” This is what separates a PIOL dress from anything you’ve worn before. Any size between 0 and 22 can be accommodated. I’m glad they make plus sizes, since so often the best brands end sizes around 14, abandoning us bigger girls to some schmatta off the hanger in the back corner of a store that also sells cases of motor oil.

Careful measuring of you bust, bra cup, waistline, hips and height means your dress will be custom fitted to your body. Then, after reviewing all your choices and data, you order your dress.

After I placed my order, I was sent status updates via email. All PIOL dresses are made in the Garment District of New York City. A completed dress should be delivered in three to four weeks, but mine arrived a little sooner than that. Opening the delivery box and lifting my custom dress from the folds of the tissue paper made me feel like Doris Day in a shopping montage where all the outfits have been designed by Edith Head.

The connection to Edith Head is no coincidence. PIOL is inspired by her design philosophy, and the site contains quotes from the designer to set the mood for you to create the perfect frock. My favorite quote from Edith Head was:

I assure you that even the most beautiful women are not pretty all over. They have merely learned to use clothes deftly enough to give others the impression that they are.

I am thrilled with my PIOL dress and am plotting ways to buy my next one. I’m thinking about making the perfect Little Black Dress this time. Something I can wear with a jacket for business, or add fun heels and sparkly accessories for parties.

For this review, I was not required to have any certain opinion. I am very happy to say that I am completely thrilled with every aspect of my PIOL dress. It fits perfectly, it’s made with a quality I haven’t seen in any store ever, and it was fun to design something unique and suited to best flatter my coloring and body type.

I’d love for you to have your own PIOL dress, and am happy to have this custom coupon code. Just insert the code VN315 into the box that says PROMOTIONAL CODE at the Final Checkout Page for $100 off the dress price.

If you want to learn more about this unique product, check out the PIOL Lookbook for ideas, and see the PIOL Facebook page for more information.

*Disclosure: I am participating in a Vibrant Influencer network campaign for PIOL Dress. I am receiving complimentary product and a fee for posting; however, the opinions expressed in this post are my own. I am in no way affiliated with PIOL Dress and do not earn a commission or percent of sales.