Are you a ladyboss? Then this is the dress for you! Cashmerette Rivermont is a fitted ponte dress with lots of darts for shaping. It’s a really classic, business-appropriate style. To me it says, “Look at me! I’m hot, AND I’m in charge!”
Which, I have to say, means it’s not the ideal dress for my day job, which often involves sitting on the floor to read with students! However, my sister works is a conference planner for a governance non-profit, and she often needs smart clothing for big events. This dress is for her, and I hope she’ll love it and she got lots of compliments when wearing it to work!
Let’s look at the basics, shall we? Rivermont has a fitted bodice with four darts in front and two in back. The neckline is finished with a shoulder-to-shoulder facing, which is caught in the arm seams to keep it in place. I chose to topstitch mine down anyway, but thanks to some tweaks after testing, you shouldn’t need to.
Like many Cashmerette patterns, the neckline is wide, so bring it in if you wear narrow-set bras straps like I usually do. There is also an option for a peplum top with short sleeves – I could definitely see using this bodice with a variety of skirt shapes. An a-line shape would definitely make it less body-con!
During testing, the dress was designed with a snug fit in mind. Since then, the sizing has been made more generous! I sewed this version based on finished measurements, which at the time put me up a size, but now I think the size chart would give something similar to this fit. Do check the finished measurements if you aren’t sure what size to pick, and when in doubt, I’d size up and take in the side seams later!
The skirt is a classic pencil shape, with an optional walking vent. The balance of my skirt isn’t quite right – see how it tents out in front and back, and collapses a bit at the sides? I’ve love suggestions on what to tweak to make it hang perfectly!
The skirt has big, deep pockets, which do add some volume on the front hips. I rather like the effect though – it gives a very hour-glass effect overall! I’m wearing the dress with a black elastic “belt” (it’s just elastic sewn in a loop) which for me helps raise and define the waist. My sister is taller and has a lower waist than me, so the fit is just right on her!
The fabric is a heavy ponte from Fabricland. I muslined this in a medium-weight scuba, and just couldn’t get the facings or hems sharp, so I would suggest a fabric that presses well.
Here it is on Anne, who is also showing off her new Find Your Fade Shawl!
I have to give kuddos to Jenny and her pattern drafter for the fit on this on. The bust and shoulders just fit so well right out of the gate! The armscye is high and fitted enough that the dress doesn’t lift up when you move your arms, and the the built-in FBA options are fantastic. At this point, I can’t imagine choosing to sew a fitted dress like this from any other pattern line. I regularly sew Cashmerette patterns for Anne and myself, and the fit is so consistent across sizes and patterns. I always need to add room for my booty, but that’s easy to do in advance when patterns are drafted consistently. If you are size 12+ and you haven’t tried Cashmerette yet, you really should!
That’s a lot of love for a pattern I wouldn’t wear myself, isn’t it? Maybe I’ll make one for meetings when I want to look fancy. In the mean time, I hope Anne gets lots of use from this one!
Crafting A Rainbow 
I really like this silhouette – and I think it looks great on you (even if it isn’t the sort of thing you like to wear).
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You know, I was at a big meeting today full of principals and superintendents, and I thought, “Damn, if only I still had that dress!” So many I do need one in my wardrobe! 😉
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Nice on both you and Anne. Rockin’ that Lucy Worsely look 😉
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Ooh, I need a hairclip, stat! ❤
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I’ve been waiting for this pattern release! This is exactly the kind of dress I like wearing to work. Love that fabric – is it from this season at fabricland or was it in your stash?
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Oh this looks lovely on you! I don’t think this pattern is for me either because I don’t really wear slim skirts anymore, and also good stable knits are hard for me to source here. But man, I’m tempted, because it looks so good! I’m trying to decide if it’s worth buying it for what would probably only be one, rarely worn item. Considering my huge cupboard and nested folders on my computer filled with patterns X-/
I’m not quite sure but it looks to me like the hip curve is more generous than you need, or maybe in the wrong spot – too high or low. If you were keeping it I’d try basting a line to shallow out that curve and see if it sits better with a longer, gentler curve.
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I really love the fit of the bodice, and i have a feeling you would too! Plus because it’s a neckline with a facing, it would be so easy to try different shapes. I”m trying to picture different skirt shapes so see if I can come up with my ideal version!
You might be right about the hip curve – my hips and butt are not standard Cashmerette shape! 😉
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I was trying to remember when I had a similar thing – it was when I made the blue ginger doll violet with a slim skirt. My hop curve is lower than the one she drafts for so the high hip was all poufy. I just nipped it in and it worked fine!
I bet it would look great with a circle skirt (my platonic ideal).
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Super cute dress love the color. You should make one for yourself. I can tell you how to fix the skirt issue if you would email me. Slightly more info than I can leave in a comment but totally do-able.
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Thanks Beth! I’ll shoot you an email – thanks!
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Are you kidding Gillian? This is fantastic on you and you definitely look da bomb! You should make this for yourself in that beautiful blue, then go and buy theatre tickets, clicking on the optional champagne option – seriously gorgeous on you.
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Thank you! I do love the idea of a glam dress that is secretly stretchy! 😉
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Both style and colour look great on you! There’s more to life than our day jobs. Cocktails? Holiday party?
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If only my cats appreciated fancy dresses as I lounge around the house! 😉 You are right though – I’ll keep an eye out for an occasion that is worthy!
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I saw your dress and thought, “Wow, Gillian looks so professional,” before I saw your opening line! 😀 I wonder if it’s just the drape of the ponte since it’s a heavier one that it’s hanging on you like that. I might try pegging the bottom a little and going for the walking vent so you don’t have to penguin walk! I think a slightly narrower hem would accentuate your shape really well.
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Good suggestion! I did try the option for the walking vent in my muslin, but decided it wasn’t necessary and left it out! Hmmm…
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Gillian, it looks so nice on you! I do hope you will find an occasion for this dress, especially with the holiday season approaching. It’s just such a good fit and color.
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Both you and Anne look beautiful! That neckline looks super elegant on you.
Sadly, I don’t think this pattern is for me – my saddlebags aren’t too keen on pencil skirts.
What kind of elastic did you use for the belt? Would you do a quick tutorial? 🙂
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The elastic is used is wide and soft… I also use it for my husband’s underwear! 😉 I buy it locally, so I’m not sure what it is called. I literally just sewed a loop! 🙂
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I noticed that sticky-out bit on the sides on the pattern photos on her website,too…so maybe its drafted that way on purpose? Or is it the pockets making it do that? I love this dress and am going to get it, despite Canadian exchange rate and astronomical shipping! I’m retired, but this is a dress I can see myself wearing every day ” just because” with tights and a sweater. Comfortable without being frumpy!
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I love that attiitude – comfy but chic every day clothes! I hope you enjoy it. I did adjust the shape of the hip curve a bit, but I’ll try going a bit further this time. You are right, it might be partly the pockets!
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I like your dress. I think that it looks very nice on you both and the fabric is gorgeous. Fitting wise I would also go for the hip curve being both too big and too low for you. I would also peg the skirt a little bit at the sides to bring in the back. Got to love a work dress that doesn’t crush. Xx
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Those are great suggestions! I do think it fits a bit better on Anne (who has similar measurements, but has a full high hip and I have a full low hip (that is also 4″ bigger than hers!)! It’s tenting on her too though, so there is more to it! Thanks!
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You are slammin’ in that dress! I’d’ve kept it -if not for work, than for a date night or some other special occasion. You look great! I wasn’t going to get this pattern because it seem too basic, but seeing how it turned out on you, I am seriously reconsidering.
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I always wonder which Cashmette patterns I’d actually pay my hard-earned cash for if I wasn’t a tester… but I have to say, almost every pattern because a TNT eventually, even if I’m not sure it will! It’s just so nice to have a well-fitting bodice to pair with other skirts!
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Beautiful! You are such an inspiration 🙂
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I love the way it looks on you! But I totally understand your hesitation. I used to wear dresses like this a lot but with 3 kids under 4y I find them not practical (I remember being pregnant and vowing not to change my style 😉 , totally lost that attitude).
I haven’t tried Cashmerette yet. But everytime I see it on you I get tempted. It’s just that I wonder if it would really be so much better on me to make it worth the price. I’ve got a lot of ottobre and burda patterns that have similar styles, but I’m on their upper size (EU42 US 16 177cm height), so some adjustments are necessary.
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