Fox’s is a discount store that has become my go-to shopping source for one reason: they carry Byron Lars Beauty Mark. I’d heard that Byron Lars designs his clothing for women’s curves, but until I stumbled upon a rack full of his pieces at Fox’s, I’d never had the chance to try them. Wouldn’t you want to try clothes from a designer with the following philosophy:
Beauty Mark is about clothes that make you look better . . . it’s that simple. They often accentuate the waist, perk up the bust, flatter the booty and leave a girl standing in the mirror feeling quite taken with herself.
The largest Byron Lars sizes at Fox’s tend to be a size 8 or 10. I’ve lost weight and now fit a 32G Panache Idina, plus I’d heard that Byron Lars sizes are generous, so I decided to see if I could fit them. Before I show you the results, I have a theory that many Byron Lars styles will work great with broad shoulders. Here are closeups of two pieces to explain why I think this.
Notice the absence of a shoulder seam across the shoulder bone in this navy dress. Instead, he provides structure with a seam that runs along the shoulder and ends beyond the shoulder bone–or on the shoulder bone if you have wide shoulders.
This is the back of a white blouse. There’s extra fabric built into the top of the arm that you can kind of see with the fold in the bottom left corner.
Now on to the fit of the dresses I tried. This navy laser cut lace shirt dress was my absolute favorite. I’m wearing it in a size 8, which I could get away with, but I would have felt more comfortable in a 10. And of course my favorite dress was the most expensive at $169, although that is nowhere near the full price.
Here’s why a size 10 would have been better, but I LOVE the set of three bust darts coming from the center front placket.
Next up is the black and ivory optical weave dress that I like to imagine Clare Underwood would wear–after all, it has an asymmetrical back and an architectural drapey knot just below the right shoulder! Speaking of politician’s wives, I only learned this week that Byron Lars is a favorite of Michelle Obama. This dress cost $79 at Fox’s, a significant difference from the $470 price at this Georgetown boutique. I’m wearing a size 8, and it felt fine.
Next up, another sheath for $79. There was some underarm bra display, but I got rid of it by pulling it up at the shoulders–hence the too high shoulder straps that I would have had altered if I’d purchased it. I’m wearing a size 10.
Here’s a tailored shirt dress with a fun surprise–check out the back! Unfortunately, this size 10 fit everywhere except in the neckline department. With the scooped out back, I’m not even sure a Perfect Cami could help. Otherwise, I would have had a hard time saying no to this dress. I can’t remember the price, but it definitely wasn’t $495!
Not all the dresses were streamlined, and I include a flouncy dress at the very end, but I’m including one more sheath-like dress because if you’re tempted to try the Byron Lars line at Anthropologie, this is a version of the Lana dress, which has mixed reviews from a couple of busty customers (one with a 40″ bust found the size 12 gave enough room, and one with a bra size 32E found the size 2 too tight). I’m wearing a size 8, and a 10 would have been better.
The dolman sleeves mean plenty of bust room in the top layer.
Not so much room in the woven button front bottom layer. However, since the princess seams are covered by the top layer, you could add an extra panel in here for more bust room.
Now for the flouncy dress, also in size 8. Here’s a closeup of the same under-bodice as the Lana dress.
This would have looked better if I’d rolled up the sleeves.
Incredible detail beneath the skirt–check out the scalloped slip!
Finally, I actually purchased one item–a white blouse for $35 in size 8. I’m not in love with how high the waist/knot sits, but the little details are AMAZING.
Just inside the neckline, there’s an inverted button to keep everything in place. Below that, there’s a hook to be sure it stays together.
Princess seams in back. A side zipper up the right side.
As with the white blouse above, there’s an added gusset under the arm. And although there is a traditional shoulder seam, there’s also a seam coming out of it (as with the navy dress in the first photo above), causing the sleeve to stand away from the shoulder.
With the extra space for the shoulders, Byron Lars takes it in at the elbows with a little tuck.
There’s also a Byron Byron Lars line on HSN! However, I’ve studied the video, and this twist front blouse is definitely NOT the same as the one I bought, so you’ve been warned. I’m VERY tempted to try one of the chambray fit and flare shirt dresses that are on clearance for only $29.95, especially since some of the reviewers have complained about there being too much room in the bust!