Review: Fanplusfriends "Lolita in Ball:Detachable Sleeves Dress&Peals Chain Choker"

I lacked updates past weeks, but I still read blogs every day.

At first I didn't notice it, but apparently quite some Lolita sneaked into my reading material.
Mixed with my growing fondness for secondhand clothing (rather low budget for frivolities like brand alternative clothing), it caused a new addition to my wardrobe. Before I bought it, I searched for a review or pictures not made by the brand itself, but I couldn't find any so I decided to make a review by myself. :)

I have to say I was a bit overwhelmed when I had a first good look at the dress back home. From the pictures I expected it was much less Lolita and more Goth than it is in reality. Maybe my own mind deceived me?

DISCLAIMER: I do not consider myself as a Lolita or have plans to become one, so my acknowledge is limited. I am not Lolita advisor, if that's what you're looking for you will find plenty people to help you out at other blogs. ^^ I don't have any experience with other Lolita items, I'll review just this one dress.


Brand: Fanplusfriend
Current price: €95,68 ; $132


Description from brand:
" made by cotton, lined;
detachable sleeves;
flower embroidery laces and cotton laces, wide lycra laces trimmings at the bottom;
choker with peals chain;
pin-tuck pleated in front;
the huge bowknots and matched smaller ones are both detachable;
a waist belt in the back, easy to tie tightly to emphasize waist curve;
colors available: black, lilac, pink"

About my own dress:
the former owner wore it only twice because the size was too large.
For myself the size is also too large, but I am going to make some adjustments.
I own the black version.
 
Attachable parts: two long sleeves, a choker/headdress, pearls chain, one large bowknot, four smaller bowknots .
 
The fabric:
it's black cotton and looks like it's a very good quality. It is strong, but smells a little odd (didn't dare to wash it yet). I have a bit doubts about the colour retention.
 
The lace:
five (!) different kinds of lace are used.
They look good, except the kinds used at the half of the skirt and the small bowknots. These are pretty, but the edge is cut and I don't know whether they might raffle after a while.
 
Figure:
the size is too large for me to have a clear vision on this, but with the waist belt the large size isn't that visible.
The decolletage is too low and I am not sure this is only because my dress is too large.
 
Bowknots:
very pretty! Tough the safety-pins are of poor quality and can't hold the weight of the bowknots up. Some simple sewing will be sufficient to fix this. ^^ 
 
Choker/headdress:
as a choker it's a bit too big (would they adjust the size of the choker to the size of the dress?)
I am not willing to try it on as a headdress. ;)
 
Pearls chain:
the pearls are ridiculously large. Very plump.
 
Additional:
there is a small sewing mistake made at the skirt part, but I am sure no one will mention.
 
Overall view:
there are some remarquations, but it is a very pretty dress and I believe the quality isn't that bad!
 
When I am not broke anymore I will search for an underskirt. :)
 
Find this dress online here:
http://www.fanplusfriend.com/servlet/the-840/Lolita-in-Ball-cln-Detachable-Sleeves/Detail