Unless you have been living under a rock this past year you have probably heard of the brand Selkie, and you’ve probably heard that they are size inclusive and are curious about their plus size fits. I currently have three plus size Selkie dresses (with a 4th on the way) and two plus size Selkie sweaters so I feel comfortable enough with Selkie to give an in-depth review.
I started my Selkie journey with the iconic Selkie piece – the puff dress. I initially ordered a 5x based on their size chart listing it as the equivalent of my typical size 22 so I was surprised to find it too big. Luckily I was able to find another fan in the Selkie Obsessed facebook group who had a 4x and was looking for a larger size so we traded. The 4x puff was a better fit but still a little loose in the chest, which honestly surprised me as I wear a 42G bra. My bigger problem with the fit of the puff is the length. While the puff is beautiful and makes for wonderful photos it’s not really great for everyday life on my 5’10 frame. I loved the overall style and romantic feel of the dress so I decided a french puff (the longer version) would be a much better fit. But at $325, it was hard to justify the expense.
In the meantime, I indulged my love for the Selkie aesthetic buy purchasing two sweaters (these are really a sweatshirt material but that’s what Selkie calls them). The sweaters are a really good fit for my lifestyle as I live in sweatshirts and leggings during the week but they still feel dressed up and have a fun and romantic aesthetic.
As much as I told myself I didn’t need it, after months of wanting a french puff I decided the Selkie cyber week sale was the best time to buy and I asked for one for Christmas (and told Shaun taking pretty pictures of me in it had to be part of the present, lol). My Milk Jade French Puff was $260 and that makes it the 2nd most expensive dress I own (the first being my wedding dress).
I also couldn’t resist grabbing a red dream girl dress because it was pretty discounted due to only being available in a few sizes and I paid $140 for it which is more in line with what I an typically willing to spend on a nice dress.
When my french puff arrived I knew I has found my perfect Selkie silhouette. This time I ordered the 3x and it was the best fit of the three puffs. Truth be told a 4x altered to fit would be best but I didn’t have the patience for that if I’m being honest. You can see in some of these pictures that in the 3x I have some boob spillage.
The puff / french puff sizing can be a bit tricky because it’s all about the bust and is otherwise very loose by design. While an ordinary dress having extra room in the bust wouldn’t be a big deal it makes or breaks the fit of a Selkie puff. As someone who when it doubt sizes up it was hard for me to come around to the concept that the Selkie puff is designed to be snug on the chest – so snug in fact that a bra is not needed. I personally do prefer a bra though and I am wearing one in these pictures.
Selkie is another brand where the sizing is not consistent and it’s very important to refer to measurements on the size chart vs numerical sizes listed. I also find reviews to be helpful. In talking with other Selkie fans I believe other style dresses are more true to size and the general consensus seems to be to take any puff style one size down from your typical size. Starting in Spring 2022 Selkie is revamping their size chart and offers up to a 6xl. Everything shared here is part of the old size chart. I appreciate that Selkie is committed to serving the plus size market and all items are available in their full size range.
Another concern with ordering is Selkie does not provide refunds. Because I only shop during sales the items I buy are final sale but full price items can be exchanged or returned for a store credit. Items are shipped from China and typically take a week or two to arrive; shipping is an additional $15 for US Customers. I have heard of non US customers having to pay additional duties as well.
The Selkie website has the best selection and is where sales will be found but there are other retailers who sell Selkie, although most do not offer plus sizes. If you are plus size and looking to try Selkie for the first time and are unsure of your proper fit I would recommend looking at their tagged photos on instagram for others who have shared the style you are looking for. I find that as long as you are polite, most people are happy to give fit feedback. You could also try renting one off Nuuly if you’re not ready to commit to a purchase.
For the price point you might expect Selkie to made from luxurious fabrics and have fancy packaging. Most pieces are either organza or cotton and the quality is similar to lower priced brands. I have seen several people to have issues with their pieces but I have never had a problem with anything. Selkie is made in small batches and there are a no waste company so you are paying a premium compared to fast fashion as a result. The organza is delicate and you need to be careful with it – I wash my pieces on the delicate cycle using a delicate wash and then hang to dry and steam once dry. Your Selkie will arrive in a simple plastic wrap and you will need to steam it before wearing for the first time.
While taking pretty pictures in Selkie dresses is fun I personally only buy pieces I will actually wear. I think Selkie dresses are perfect for nice dinners and special events – I wore both the dream girl dress and the milk jade french puff for a nice dinner and concert. You’ll see a lot of Disney influencers post Selkie at the parks but I do not think the organza fabric is suited to all day outdoor wear. Afternoon tea, museums, the theater and parties are the perfect place to wear organza Selkie dresses while the cotton dresses are more versatile. Of course, you can wear Selkie where-ever you feel comfortable in it. Keep in mind Selkie dresses are statement pieces so you’ll need to be comfortable with the attention you’ll receive- although I promise it’s going to be mostly if not all positive.
I do see a lot of people discuss wearing Selkies to weddings and I would caution against that. I do think the Selkie gowns in darker colors and prints would be fine for a black tie wedding but should be avoided at non black tie weddings to avoid out dressing the bride. I actually was asked if I was getting married when I carried my french puff into our hotel recently – even though it’s a pastel it does have a bit of a bridal look. My french puff absolutely looks like a white dress in black in white photos; which a lot of couples do get for their wedding. As someone who wore a simple organza wedding dress I would not have been thrilled if one of my guests showed up in a poufy pastel organza dress. My point is, be respectful when attending events held in someone else’s honor.
I know that I have shared a lot of information here but if you have any specific questions feel free to reach out! For me, Selkie is one of those I only shop on sale brands but I plan on adding a piece or two to my collection during their rare sales. I hope this post has helped you determine if Selkie is right for you.