you guys.

i have a new best friend.

she’s basically an upscale potato sack, but whatever, i’m in love, i’m in love and i don’t care who knows it.

meet madewell’s poncho dress.

image via: madewell.

she’s cute, right?

so cute that she was one of the items i was insistent that my mom “rescue” when she zoomed over to my condo to gather a few essentials before we were evacuated last week. as yes, i know the level of ridiculousness i just reached by saying that.

anyway when i walked into the madewell store two weeks ago, i was immediately drawn to this dress’ classic v-neck cut and black and white design. she was styled on a mannequin -her billowy silhouette cinched with a camel-colored belt. well hello, beautiful i thought to myself. i located the dress on a rack near the front of the store and added it to my every growing pile of blouses, dresses, and tees. when i could no longer see my forearm beneath the sea of wooden hangers and pastel-colored knits, i was finally escorted to a dressing room.

okay, so on the hanger this dress looks like a tent. turns out, on the human form, it is also a tent. i tried on an xs and it still looked like it could house me and a few of my friends. i actually ended up purchasing an xxs. you guys, i didn’t even know they made sizes that small.

but before i ultimately decided to make this poncho mine, i had a long dressing room debate. i’m fairly certain that most of the female population has their own version of the “dressing room debate.” mine usually includes taking a few selfies in the full-length mirror to send to my mom for a second opinion, as well as trying it on with several different accessories -a panama hat, flats, booties, with necklace, without necklace, belted & unbelted. i am also not above venturing into the store to gather the unsolicited, actually they are very much solicited opinions of my fellow shoppers.

despite all of my debating, i still couldn’t find a reason to not purchase the dress. though initially anyone would have guessed it to be extremely unflattering, it was cut just so that i felt really flirty and fun and pretty beneath its cotton fibers. i figured that it would serve me well for nearly all of the four seasons -a much-welcomed breezy throw on and go frock for the summer paired with a fedora and sandals, and the perfect transition piece for fall with tights and boots.

and if i wasn’t already sold, lauren (my madewell stylist) also pointed out that kate brien, author of the “view from the topp” blog, was recently featured on madewell’s blog “madewell musings” wearing the dress. i quickly pulled up the images on my phone and found kate looking so comfortably chic -pairing the frock with black sandals and an oversized tote.

image via: madewell blog.

alright, poncho dress, you win. looks like you have found yourself a new home in my closet.

it’s a little cramped in there, but i assure you, you won’t have to stay in there too often. i plan on wearing you all summer long.

dressing room selfie.