Horny Toad Penumbra Dress Review
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Penumbra Dress in Cinnamon
The Penumbra Dress by Horny Toad is another top performer in the casual and travel category for fall and winter. The Penumbra is available in ginger, shark, and walnut. I’ve been testing out the dress in shark and for starters, I am not totally convinced that the dress is gray. It almost looks blue when you look at it in certain lights. How can this be? For starters, the Penumbra’s jersey knit features multiple fabrics which means that the dye uptake isn’t universal, meaning it has a little depth or layers of color. I don’t mean this in a tie-dyed sort of way, but more of a soft, multidimensional way.
This close up is not only to show off the wide cuff that features a vent, aka a slit in the cuff, to keep the cuff from feeling too restricting, while also adding a bit of style. The close up also shows off a bit of texture featured in the jersey knit fabric. The fabric combination is called opus, and as Horny Toad says, “An opus is someone’s masterpiece.” So it seems, the opus fabric is something that Horny Toad is very proud of. First off, opus is made from the following combination: 35% Modal® / 25% organic cotton / 25% nylon / 15% angora. Many of you are probably wondering, what the heck is Modal? For starter’s, Modal is a type of rayon, and therefore a bio-based textile made from reconstituted cellulose. Modal is soft and is quite similar to cotton, but offers the following advantages: added resistance to shrinkage, less likely to fade or pill due to friction, and remain soft after multiple washings. By combining all of the great attributes of modal with organic cotton and angora, you get a super soft garment and that is one of my favorite qualities in the Penumbra Dress.
The Penumbra is a tad more conservative than the Nadia Dress that I recently reviewed from prAna, and I don’t mean that in a bad way at all. Rather, the Penumbra has features and style all of its’ own that makes it more work appropriate for me. The shawl collar, featured below, lays nicely and provides adequate coverage up-top, without looking too old fashioned. I love the fabric belt and have worn it tied on the side, front, and back in either a lose bow or even a knot. There are two small loops that help the belt to stay put, yet remain not all that noticeable if you decide not to wear the included belt or want to add your own favorite belt. Wearing the belt adds some definition to the dress, which is otherwise relatively loose fitting and flowing. The belt does not sit as low as the photo above suggests, rather the photo with the model below is more accurate as the belt sits around your true waist.
The Penumbra Dress is available in XS to XL. I felt the dress was true to size, as well. The dress features a 37″ length from the shoulder, making it hit a few inches above the knee-depending on your height. I love the soft fabric, but have found that it tends to cling to various leggings and tights that I wear underneath. Therefore, I suggest wearing the Penumbra with a simple slip, something that most outdoorsy chicks don’t think about. Without a slip, the static causes the backside of the dress to get stuck to your bottom, a not so flattering look:) The sleeves are generous in length, added to the cozy feel of the dress.
The Penumbra Dress is available in Ginger, Walnut (above), and Shark (below)
MSRP $90 For more info on the Horny Toad Penumbra Dress and other Toad and Co. products, visit www.toadandco.com.
