A Dual Review Of Anthropologie’s Most Popular Summer Dress

The devoted Shopping team is back with another in-depth review of an internet-raved item. This time it’s a deep dive into Anthropologie’s Somerset Maxi Dress: The Linen Edition — a new spin on the brand’s top-rated Somerset Maxi Dress in cotton. The label is well known for its fashion-forward styles and radiant shades, and we previously scoured it for the best summer dresses. Now, we’re glad to add this linen number to the praised bunch. The 2.0 version still has the original’s easygoing pullover style, smocked waist, and tiered skirt, but it also has pockets. The loud prints the cotton version is known for have been replaced with minimalistic solids (sky blue, a sunny yellow, coral, etc.) that replicate the whimsical vibes of spring and summer. Also, the new frock costs only $2 more than the original, coming to clean $170.

This is a great dress for when you want to feel effortlessly put-together (always, in my case).

Anthropologie Reviewer

While the original cotton Somerset Maxi Dress has many reviews, the new linen design is quickly making a name for itself at a growing 4.3 stars. People adore the relaxed fit and adaptable style. Reviewers report owning multiple Somersets in different hues. “Whether you are going to brunch, a bridal/baby shower, or date night, this is the best and the most versatile event dress you could have in your closet. I own the blue and white chinoiserie print and lilac linen, and they both fit the same and are true to size. Currently, the black one is sitting in my cart too,” one Anthropologie reviewer stated. It’s truly a staple that gives you creative freedom to accessorize however you want. You can wear sandals and a floppy hat for laid-back backyard BBQs, or opt for heels and a cardigan draped over your shoulders for a more upscale occasion. One side note for avid fans of the cotton style: The vamped linen number has more material and is heavier in weight, so you might not want to wear it to a 90-degree picnic.

Another Anthropologie reviewer who owns both styles shared her personal experience after trying on the linen maxi dress: “I got this dress in white and this is my 5th Somerset dress. The other four are all in cotton, but I am now in love with this linen version as well. Best fit EVER for my hourglass shape. It is a bit heavier than the cotton version due to being lined. But I LOVE how the linen drapes, especially how the sleeves are less stiff than in the cotton version. I am not so keen on pastels, but this white dress will be my new go-to white summer dress.”

Since the frock gets raves from countless reviewers for its effortless one-and-done look, we decided to see if it’s worth the hype. Scroll ahead to read our full reviews on the color, fit, style, and real-life appearance of the Anthropologie Somerset Maxi Dress.

The Somerset Maxi Dress: Linen Edition In Green, $170

“I’m typically an XS/S in dresses, and with the help of Anthropologie’s detailed reviewers, I could commit to an XS. There was an agreement online that the dress runs a little large, so I decided to size down and couldn’t be happier. I was worried about whether or not to choose from the standard or petite sizes. It didn’t help either when I pulled the piece out of the box for the first time, and it immediately looked too long. However, after trying it on, my worries melted away. I’m 5’5” (on a good day), and the dress fell to my ankles.

“Let me first say that pastel hues are my cherished territory in the fashion color wheel. Therefore I was in a rut deciding which shade I should choose. I naturally gravitate toward white and light pinks (my two favorite colors), but ultimately, the green tint caught my eye. Although I only have a few items in the mossy shade, I have this unspoken love for green items — especially now that it’s all over the runways. That’s why I decided it was time to add the tone to my collection of dresses for the spring/summer. I could imagine myself pairing my ivory JW Pei Gabbi Bag and thin pearl necklace with it for a contrasting pop of color. Now, I’m left imagining if I need to buy a white version for laid-back shopping/walk-in-the-park days. 

It cascaded perfectly down to my ankles and comfortably cinched at my waist for a fitted but loose silhouette.

Vivien Lee, Affiliate Fashion Writer

“When it comes to the dress’s structure, I wholeheartedly say that I love it — everything from the elastic waist, comfort, and thick lining. Plus, I don’t have to worry about it being see-through if it’s extra sunny that day. One tiny aspect I’d change is the clasp between the bust. I’m not a V-neck girl, and I was startled to see how deep the plunge went. Fortunately, there’s a hidden inner clasp that allows you to tie the two V-neck folds together without having a jarring button right in the middle of your boobs. Although it still leaves a gap. If the V-neck is too low for you, I’ve found a safety pin does the trick. I use one pin to close the open part below the metal clasp and another a little above for my comfort. Instead of a plunging neckline, it’s a little V-neck.

“Warning: Since the dress is linen, be prepared for it to wrinkle. I think the crinkles add their own flair, but I’ll probably iron it for formal events or use my trusty wrinkle-free spray.” —Vivien Lee, affiliate fashion writer

The Somerset Maxi Dress: Linen Edition In White, $170

“I received the dress in white in a size 2X. I’d say it’s pretty true to size. If you’re in between sizes, size down. The dress has a good feel to it. If you’ve worn linen before, it’s just what you’d expect. It has a slip, so it covers your undergarments pretty well.

“One of my biggest complaints would be that the clasps in the front of the dress near the bust area aren’t sewn on as tightly as I would like. The clasps essentially operate as internal buttons, and I unlatched one in order to slip the dress on because I have a larger bust. I’d recommend unfastening all of the clasps before slipping on the dress: They aren’t on super tightly, and one of them was loosened substantially after my attempt to slide on the dress.

“The dress arrived pretty quickly after the order was placed. Immediately, I noticed it had an impressive amount of weight to it. After ripping off the plastic wrapping it came in, I noticed the dress was pretty wrinkled. This made sense because it’s a linen material. I gave it a quick steam to smooth out some of the wrinkles for styling purposes. However, I don’t mind it being a little wrinkly. I personally love when linen has a little character. I decided to style the dress with my Maria Dora x Emily Dawn Long hat, light green Jonathan Geiger sneakers, and strawberry socks for a more casual look.

From every stitch and seam to the flowy-ness of the fabric to the cinching of the waist area, it’s clear the dress was designed intentionally.

Chichi Offor, Associate Affiliate Writer

“From every stitch and seam to the flowy-ness of the fabric to the cinching of the waist area, it’s clear the dress was designed intentionally. To top it all off, the dress has pockets! It’s a pretty thoughtful design addition that definitely makes it stand out among other linen dresses on the market. If the cut and style of the dress fit your ideal aesthetic, then I do recommend it. For me personally, this isn’t really in line with my personal style, but I know a well-made garment when I see one. This dress is definitely that.” —Chichi Offor, associate affiliate writer

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This Might Be Chromat’s Most Inclusive Swimwear Collection Yet

Becca McCharen-Tran is waiting for a call from DHL. The samples from Chromat’s Spring 2022 collection of inclusive swimsuits — for trans femmes, non-binary people, and intersex bodies, and developed with activist and filmmaker Tourmaline — is ready and waiting in the factory. She’s just trying to get them Stateside. “I need to import these garments to Miami so I can actually start selling them,” she says at the SCADStyle conference — hosted by the Savannah College of Art & Design in Atlanta where she was a guest speaker in April — noting production issues and the pandemic contributed to delays. “It’s been a long time coming.” 

McCharen-Tran and Tourmaline’s collab was introduced in September at a pop-up runway show on Jacob Riis Beach, a haven for queer, trans, and gender-nonconforming New Yorkers. The collection — which comes in sizes 4X to extra small and is made from nylon spun from recycled fishing nets — is fitting for the Miami-based label that has valued sustainability and inclusivity long before it became fashionable to do so. Since the beginning, the brand showcased models of all sizes, as well as models with disabilities, on the runway.

“There’s no rule that says you have to work with people that are size four or you have to work with all cis people,” they say. “As a designer, you choose who you cast, and that is a responsibility. And I think maybe some people are just fine with the status quo, but every choice is political, no matter which direction you go.”

It’s also why McCharen-Tran, who was an urban planner before she learned how to sew, turned to the swimwear category. “One of the reasons swim was so successful is because it is such a vulnerable garment. It’s something that [some] people feel deeply uncomfortable wearing in public,” they told students gathered at SCADStyle. “Our ethos [is]: celebrate your body; be comfortable in your body. Here’s a million different bodies that may look like yours and they look amazing, so you are too.”

While attending SCADStyle, Refinery29 caught up with McCharen-Tran to chat about the collection. Ahead, what we can expect from the new drop and Chromat in the future. (And, in case you were wondering, DHL came through — and the suits are now for sale.)

What makes the new collection different from Chromat’s previous offerings?

We really are creating an entirely new category that does not exist in the market. Not to be someone who’s really tooting my own horn, but when I was doing research for the collection, for girls with penises, there literally is nothing. You have to wear menswear bottoms; you don’t have a high-waisted bikini bottom. As a woman, a high-waisted bikini bottom, that’s a must-have. I think this is going to be really interesting to get real consumer feedback. For years I’ve had people DM me like, “I’m trans femme, what bottoms do you recommend?” So I know there is a need.

It’s important, because we are for the people, and we want to make sure that we’re doing things that are serving people. We would never want to make something that just to make it. 

Diversity and inclusion have always been part of Chromat’s DNA. Other brands are finally catching up, but sometimes it veers into tokenism. Where do you see the industry headed?

I have really struggled with figuring out what I feel about tokenism. Because sometimes it feels like a positive thing — to just have at least someone there where there was no one. But on the other side, the feeling of the person who is tokenized, it’s such a negative feeling for them. It’s traumatizing and damaging. So I think, if it’s not a holistically inclusive place, it actually does more damage than good to the people who participate in that.

You showed the new collection last September at Jacob Riis Beach, instead of a typical New York Fashion Week venue, and skipped last season in February. Do you think you’ll show on the runway again?

I think I’m gonna be focusing on [showing a new collection] once a year, instead of twice a year; that feels more sustainable. Now I’m more thinking about quality of life for myself and my team. The pandemic gave me so much time to kind of peel back what’s smoke and mirrors and what’s really important. I feel like one collection a year is the perfect amount, because I don’t want to make anyone stay up till 2 a.m. anymore. It’s not worth killing yourself over and not having a life.

You’re chromat_party on TikTok. How do you think the platform is shaping the fashion industry?

I’m personally obsessed with TikTok. It’s literally like TV to me. I’m on DIY TikTok. I love to do the dances and there’s so much politics and social justice and knowledge-sharing and hacks. Maybe it’s just my little algorithm, but one thing I’ve seen on TikTok is so many upcyclers and DIY people. I genuinely feel that we all need to be upcycling. If you can sew, start buying more from Goodwill and less at the mall because there are already so many garments out there. We need as a society to change the flow of consumerism and start reusing things. 

What’s next for Chromat?

I’m trying to find that artist in myself again, like that little Björk-loving 10-year-old Becca. I think the pandemic offered me a lot of reflection time. I’m also trying to think of systems outside of capitalism; I kind of went on a whole Marxist journey during COVID. I felt like COVID exposed the system for what it is — who is winning and who is losing? [I am thinking,] how can we increase smaller businesses in every country in every city so people can do upcycling on a larger scale?

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

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