Dreamy Parfait by Angelic Pretty

Today I am looking at Dreamy Parfait by Angelic Pretty. This series includes 2 dresses, an apron skirt, a head bow, a blouse and 2 pairs of socks.

First is the OP. The bodice seems well fitted, but I am not overly keen on the overall bodice shape. I think this bodice shape can work, but I don't think I like it with this particular print, if that makes sense. I suppose I was expecting something a bit more cutesy, like an updated take on 2010 era sweet. The sleeve length doesn't look quite right to me and I think the neckline shape is a bit boring. I think the lace and bows on the sleeves is cute though. There is a waist bow, which is made with pretty stripy ribbon. The shape of this bow is simple, but cute. However, I feel the waist bow blends in to the background quite a lot. A contrasting colour is used for the white and mint versions, which stands out a little bit more than the matching coloured bows on the pink and blue. The bodice features a few lines of lace and a row of buttons going up the middle. This row of buttons is lined with a ruffle and has bows between the buttons. I think the lace and ruffle looks really pretty. The ruffle sits well on the dress. I feel a more interesting button design could have been chosen, but they are at least well spaced out. However, I am not fond of the bows between the buttons. I feel this is a detail too far. With the neckline and waist bows, I don't feel these extra bows are needed. The neckline is lined neatly with some ribbon-threaded lace and finished with a stripy bow. I really love the lace choice and I think the neckline bow is a suitable size as well. The back offers a panel of shirring, which is topped neatly with a ribbon corset. This is a bit of a pleasant surprise, as for a while AP's OPs have not really featured any shirring. The stock photos show that the skirt is very full and it flares outwards a lot. I really love the rounded shape created in the stock photos, although I think it highlights how out of place I think the bodice shape looks. The skirt is kept simple in design, so the print is displayed beautifully. The bottom hem is then finished off neatly with a line of adorable cherry themed lace layered on top of a ruffle of check printed fabric. I appreciate the main dress fabric has a check pattern, but I don't think the ruffle on the bottom hem is really necessary. It means the cherry lace is not as obvious.

Here we have the JSK. The bodice looks quite well fitted, but I think the bodice shape is a bit dull. Despite the curved neckline, the bodice shape looks quite square and 'boxy'. The straps look a decent width and pretty supportive. They are lined with lace on the outsides, which is really nicely shaped. I like the lace choice too. The waistline is lined with lace and then topped with 2 organza bows. The fabric used for these bows is really pretty. I would have maybe liked them to be positioned a bit further apart, but I appreciate how the bows line up with the bodice lace. I am not sure I like the bow tails being this long though, and I also worry that the waistline looks a bit fussy. The bodice is divided, with a small chest panel. This panel is lined neatly with lace. There are also additional lines of lace going up the bodice. This helps to break up the empty area. Given how detailed the waist area is, I find the simpler bodice quite refreshing. There is a bow on the neckline, which has a sweet shape and it looks well formed. It sits well on the dress too. I do think it is a bit too big though. The back has a panel of shirring, which is topped neatly with a ribbon corset. The stock photos show that the skirt has a good amount of volume and flares outwards lots. It should hold a fair amount of petticoat. The skirt is again kept simple in design, so the print is displayed wonderfully. The bottom hem is then finished off in the exact same way as the OP.

Finally, here is the print. As we can see, this series comes in sax blue, pink, mint and white. I personally don't think the white colour works. The details look a bit washed-out and I don't think the white suits the print. A soft yellow colour could have maybe looked cute? But the other 3 colours are lovely and well suited. As for the print itself, it has a bit of a Fruits Parlor vibe to it, but like an updated version. This could have been a good thing, but this actually makes me a bit sad. Fruits Parlor was one of the first prints that I truly fell in love with and I don't think this new print quite equals it. I think it is the check pattern which is putting me off. I am also not keen on the flat labels placed between the parfaits. The parfaits are lovely though. The fruit is glistening and well drawn. I like the lace at the bottom print too, as I think it sort of mimics the appearance of a table cloth. There is a good distribution of lemon slices and cherries in the background as well.

I think this series could have had a lot of potential but overall, I am quite underwhelmed. It just doesn't have that Fruits Parlor 'magic' in my opinion. It is a very 2010-like print, but the more modern dress designs don't quite 'gel' with the print. Fruits Parlor was super popular years ago, so I understand that AP would maybe want to try a more updated version of that series, but there are certain details which don't seem to work that well. I am especially unimpressed with the OP's bodice. I think this series is okay, but I can also see why it hasn't sold out (I am writing this almost a week after the release and almost everything is still available. The only thing that has sold out completely is the head bow, which I admit is really cute). So it is safe to say I would not buy this series. My top choice would be the JSK in mint. If I was in to the more cutesy style, I would probably pick the apron skirt. I do really like the transparent crew length socks that came out as part of this series though. I am also holding out hope that some lovely parfait or fruit themed accessories may get released at a later date.