13 Comments on Retro Rack: 10 Rules for Shopping eShakti - Plus Extra Tips! from Gail Carriger

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  on July 10, 2014 | 10:55 Angelica R. Jacksonsaid :
  "I've been following your posts on this and I think I'll give them a try. I too will be needing dresses for events since my book comes out next spring. I am continually frustrated by outfits that I like, except the hemline is too long (gives me chicken legs) or the neck is too plunging (I have scars that I'm not particularly self-conscious about, but don't necessarily want them on display). This may be a good solution for me!
  
  I'll let you know how it goes! Thanks for sharing."
  Comment #1
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  on July 10, 2014 | 11:03 hbirdgirlsaid :
  "I just ordered my first dress yesterday after your positive experience. I am excited!"
  Comment #2
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  on July 10, 2014 | 11:14 Gail Carrigersaid :
  "I hope your experience is as good as mine. "
  Comment #3
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  on July 10, 2014 | 11:17 Gail Carrigersaid :
  "It may indeed. I think the boat neck totally faltering and their hem line was spot on, for me. You can't get it for every dress, though. I'm considering above the knee because it looks much better with flats but I'm kinda addicted to at the knee so I keep ordering that. "
  Comment #4
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  on July 10, 2014 | 12:59 Angelica R. Jacksonsaid :
  "I'm going to go ahead and guess "flattering" over "faltering" for the neckline? Haha. All I pretty much have to wear with skirts is one pair of Mephisto flats, or black or brown steampunkish boots. O, the woes of picky plantar fasciitis footsies! I'll have to go through my closet and see where most of my hemlines fall.
  
  I tend to go shorter, but if I remember correctly from my stage days, it can be far too easy to, erm, overshare your knickers in that case. "
  Comment #5
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  on July 10, 2014 | 18:53 Anonymoussaid :
  "2nd attempt; my first comment vanished!
  
  I have bought a dress from eShakti, before they stopped shipping to Canada due to crazy custom fees. (Well, internationally due to crazy custom fees. And they were indeed impressively high, so I was very thankful that I didn't pay full price for the dress!)
  
  While over all, I am very happy with my dress, I did have concerns-- I was greatly looking forward to how your dresses turned out, Gail, to see how they worked for you.
  
  You see, I'm fairly busty. I'm very familiar with my measurements, as I make my own costumes, and my dress fits perfectly... But. It has a side zipper and a very tight band below the bust, which has absolutely no stretch to it. As a result, getting the dress on and off is something of a struggle. The band simply isn't big enough to fit easily over my chest, and the neckline on the particular dress I have isn't big enough to step into.
  
  I wasn't a fan of side zippers in general, and I don't think I'd get a side-zipped dress from eShakti again. Or, if I did, only one with some stretch to it and without the empire waist. Something to be aware of, for those who plan to buy!"
  Comment #6
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  on July 12, 2014 | 08:50 Rosesaid :
  "I don't think you'll be sorry...I found Eshakti about 4 months ago and have had no issues...even with one return (not their fault, just didn't compliment my figure). Just ready to order 4 more dresses for a cruise...I love that I can't pick and choose what I would like on each dress individually. I hope you have the same experience I have. Best Regards"
  Comment #7
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  on July 13, 2014 | 11:14 Wendysaid :
  "I've never used them myself but I've heard some pretty decent things about them from other women, they have a very generous size range and the customisation is reasonably priced and not restricted to certain styles or sizes (from what I've heard).
  
  I'm not currently in a position to order from them but it's nice to read how your experience with them went as I find the best way to get to know a company is how they deal with customers when things don't go smoothly."
  Comment #8
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  on July 17, 2014 | 07:23 Tophersaid :
  "Gail, check your Other Inbox messages on FB.
  
  I apologize but Facebook couldn't let my message go directly sent to you fast"
  Comment #9
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  on December 01, 2014 | 20:33 Bianca Csaid :
  "I came here to check out the eShakti info, as suggested by someone on Facebook. Then I saw the quote from the Parasol Protectorate series, and was like, I love those books, this blogger is awesome!. Then I looked back up and saw this blog actually belongs to Gail Carriger!! O_O !!!!! :D Good times. "
  Comment #10
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  on December 02, 2014 | 14:02 Gail Carrigersaid :
  "That is awesome! What a round about way to find me!"
  Comment #11
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  on January 10, 2015 | 10:09 Senatorsaid :
  "I love eshakti-- it's taken me an order or two to figure out what fabrics and styles work best, but their customer service is fabulous so I've never had issues with exchanges. "
  Comment #12
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  on January 10, 2015 | 18:20 Bridiesaid :
  "I LOVE LOVE LOVE eShakti and always will. But as a longtime shopper I've noticed a couple of things: 1) They run small. Anyone who has just ordered a standard sized garment has probably noticed this. Sadly, the amount of small they run isn't the same with every garment, leaving me very surprised to discover I can't button one dress over my chest when the other of the same apparent size and style fits perfectly. 2) Maybe this is just me, but whenever I order something with a short skirt, I have to claim to be about two inches shorter than I am. I once ordered a crinoline that was meant to hit just above the knee. It grazes my shins. And 3) Beware if you're long waisted! I'm very, very short waisted, so it's great for me. My poor long waisted mother has never had any luck.
  
  It's worth it to learn the quirks, though! Where would I be without all my ridiculously printed dresses?"
  Comment #13