In case you didn’t realize already, we’re big fans of items you can use multiple ways. The same rings true for clothing. The Encircled Chrysalis Cardi is one of our favorite clothing items for travel and real life, so when we got the chance to test out the new Revolve dress, we were excited to see how many ways you can wear it.
Similarly designed to the Evolve top, the dress is more like a tunic that can be worn as a short dress or long top. And like all of Encircled’s products, the dresses are made in Canada of eco-friendly fabrics. It’s the ideal item for business travelers who want comfort without sacrificing style.
Ways to Wear the Revolve Dress
I tend to be hesitant when clothing can be worn multiple ways because not every style looks good on my body type. Thankfully, the Revolve dress can be styled in ways to fit just about everyone. The product claims to have six looks in one, making the cost per wear that much more reasonable. I tested out the slate gray dress in the medium size.
Top
The first way to wear the Revolve dress is as a top. Simply put it on as you normally would, but let the tighter bottom rest above your hips but right below your waist. Then let the excess hang over, creating a waistband.
You can decide how you want the rest of the top to look by having it drape in the front, creating a cowl neck, drape in the back, creating a boatneck style top, or pulling it to one shoulder. The shoulders have ruching that creates structure for the wearer.
With the boatneck style, I paired the look with a long, statement necklace while with the cowl neck, I wore a dainty necklace. Wear the top with black skinny jeans, leggings or even with a structured skirt. A light scarf and motorcycle jacket will top it all off.
Dress
When you want to wear the Revolve dress longer, you can keep the neckline in the same ways as the top. But this time, you’ll pull that extra fabric down to cover your butt. Wear as a cowl neck, boatneck or off-the shoulder. Pair with tights, boots or bare legs.
One problem that I found as a lady with a larger derriere was that when worn as a dress, the Revolve can be rather short. I felt better wearing it with tights than I would without as I’d have to be very careful about bending down, even at only 5’6″. This isn’t a problem for everyone, especially the models in the website photos, but might affect body types differently. I also tried it out with a small belt to define my waist, which looked fine.
There’s the tapered seam on one side, which allows you to wear it at multiple lengths, but I found that it poked out on the side and looked a bit odd. But this may be something that doesn’t bother everyone.
Travel Applications
I can imagine packing this item for my next cold weather trip. Not only is it extremely comfortable and lightweight, it can be worn so many ways and add layers. It would make for an ideal plane outfit.
The instructions recommend hand washing, which is easy to do on the road. You might want to give it plenty of time to dry, though. As a top, it’s modest enough to wear to religious buildings but can be worn as a dress for a night out.
>>Read about our must-have items for hand-washing clothes on the road.
Pros and Cons
As with every product, there are features that you’ll love and some you might not.
Pros
- Made of environmentally responsible products
- Can be worn multiple ways
- Material won’t wrinkle
- Comes in multiple colorways
- Can be dressed up or down, depending on needs
- Easy to switch from look to look
Cons
- Length may be too short on some body types
- High price ($154 USD)
- Tapered bottom may bunch up on some wearers
- Long sleeved, so limits wear by season and weather
- Not particularly quick drying
But with that said, I found this garment to be much easier to wear in the different styles than the Chrysalis Cardi, which took a bit of learning and YouTube watching on my end. This dress is fairly straightforward and requires little instruction. You just put on and go! I’ve worn the dress around my hometown, but am excited to bring it to a mountain wedding in Wyoming next month!
Interested in grabbing a Revolve Dress? Buy it on the official Encircled site.
Would you buy the Encircled Revolve Dress to bring on your next trip?
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I am going on my first European trip and chanced to find your column online, “Her Packing List”. Thank you for being ‘real’, and a normal woman, both who you are as a person who writes so well, friendly and interestingly, and second using yourself as the model, with a figure closer to most of us, so we can see ourselves in the items you discussed, and feel that we actually know you. I am sick to death of these young, ‘better than thou, skinny, young writers who have no depth or experience, but have such a superior attitude that I can read it intertwined in their writing. Then I have to think “if that outfit looks good on her size “O”, will it look good on my size 14?” A question answered incorrectly most of the time. I am appreciating you and wanted to say so. Thanks and keep writing. April Buchwald
I’m not so sure I could pull it off personally, but you look completely lovely in it!
Hello Caroline! Just curious, what size did you get? I fall between a L and XL and was hoping to get help from someone who has one of these. Thanks!