I think the problem with the shoes is that they're the typical espadrille style. AG seems to have a few different shoe styles they re-use in different colors and patterns. Because these are espadrille, the back isn't connected to the front. That means you have to watch that the front of the foot stays in while you get the back over the heel - and with the elastic going around the ankle and through the sides, so that it slips around and gets in the way, it's even harder. I noticed that although the shoe upper is basically canvas, like the other espadrilles, it's covered in crochet, which makes it very stiff. So Beatrice's feet couldn't get far enough into the front of the shoe to let the back slip over her heel, or if it did, part got folded over and wedged down, and then it didn't fit right.
I did eventually get them on (spent too long fighting with them, really), and now that they're on, they're staying on extremely well. They're also not wobbly or anything, so she stands up without any problems. I find that some of the other shoes I've received recently have bubbles or other imperfections in the bottom of the sole that mess up the balance.
As for the rest of the outfit, I really like it. It isn't very much Beatrice's style - a bit too froofy girly - but it's much LESS froofy girly than other spring outfits, like the two Flower Garden dresses or the new flower-print sundress. I think it's because it's two pieces with crisp colors and a simple but bold design. It's definitely something that I can picture Beatrice wearing to a somewhat dressy event like brunch at a nice restaurant for mother's day or a matinée at the symphony. It's very sporty, that's the word I've been searching for.
The little scarflet is much shorter and narrower than I had been expecting, so there really aren't many options for using it. It can be tied around a ponytail, though, if you doll dislikes neckerchiefs.
The barrettes are decent, plastic. As usual, both clasp on the same side, so it's more awkward to get one in than the other. What a pain! But still, they're nice accents for hairstyles.
The blouse fits quite nicely, I think. It's a relatively thick white cotton, but if I pay attention and look, it's thin enough that I can distinctly see the top of the pink skirt underneath, contrasting with Beatrice's 'skin.' This might not be an issue on lighter skin dolls. I like that even though there aren't any sleeves, the armholes go right up to where the fabric body ends, to help disguise the shoulder joints.
The velcro goes all the way from top to bottom in the back (well, nearly), and it's the lovely newer kind that's more flexible and thinner and not as likely to snag hair. There isn't a lot of stretch at all in the blouse, and no elastic anything, so if it doesn't fit your doll, then it won't, but it's also a fairly simple style to recreate, I imagine, barring the eyelet along the hem (only in the front) and neck.
The skirt is yoke-style, but that doesn't really affect the fit much. It's an A-line. The lining is the same white cotton as the blouse and its hem is about 1cm higher than the overskirt's hem. The embroidery (only on the front) seems to be done with a running stitch of some kind, and it doesn't have the backing you might expect from appliqué.
The front waistband is flat, but there is a smidge of elastic at the back. I don't know why - it doesn't seem to make any kind of difference, but I've noticed this a few times recently. The velcro is a matching pink and stiff, and it's about half as long as the skirt.
The little purse is nothing to write home about. It's fairly stiff, which surprised me - I thought it'd be soft and collapsable. It is faux-straw and the inside is lined with matching pink fabric. There is a cluster of three same-colored flowers on one side, but they don't match the flowers in the skirt any, which is disappointing for me. (Then again, why are the barrettes hearts? There are no hearts anywhere else on the outfit!)
Overall, I love this set. Even though the shoes are a PITA to get on and the purse and barrettes are mostly useless (but pretty!). I especially like that even though it is pink and floral, it is still sporty and crisp-looking.
The only thing that I would want to change about this is to make it in different colors, because it's still
pink and as much as I love pink, it's not a great match for my doll's personality. Well, and I'd like the shoes to be easier to get on, but you can't have everything.
Oh, by the way, Beatrice doesn't wear underpants, but I imagine that if you're dressing your doll in this, you'll want to be careful with the underpants or they might show through - especially light colored ones on darker-skinned dolls.
Grade: A!
--- KERI