Outfit Review: Cécile's Parlor Outfit

I've always thought that Cécile is a gorgeous doll. She was one of the doll's I wanted to make sure I got outfits for. I realize that the NOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana) girls Marie-Grace and Cécile aren't the most popular dolls, however I have a weakness for elaborate dresses and chemises!

I got Cécile's Parlor Outfit during the weekly sale, I printed the page out and brought it to American Girl Place, NY. I managed to get the sale price for the Parlor's Outfit (yay!). I will review the outfit and its components and tell you whether or not I think it is a good buy.

Doesn't she just look beautiful?

Colors:

Compared to her meet outfit, I find that the main color of purple really suits Cécile's coloring. Not only is it a really good color for her, but I think it is a well detailed outfit. I like the how the yellow, purple and brown is integrated in the outfit.

It isn't garish or too bright. Not only is it elegant looking but I believe it is a well-conceived and well thought out Outfit for Cécile. 

Take a good look at the well integrated colors in her skirt.

Details:

Use the picture above for reference, see the patterns of the skirt and how it completely is scaled to the doll. The skirt is voluminous enough for the crinoline set underneath. Looking at the fashion plate from a 1859 fashion plate from Godey's, you can see that little girls's skirts are as voluminous as an older woman's skirts but end at the calf like Cécile's Parlor Outfit.

I find I get irritated when something is not completely historically accurate and it is nice to see that the skirts are at least keeping to the time period.

Photo Credit: Godey's Magazine (1859) from Wikipedia

Another delightful detail of the outfit is the buttons! I have a weakness for buttons and these just look so good on the outfit and I love how it matches the brown on the skirts!

The pleating really shows how luxurious this outfit can be. The buttons are covered in the same type of cloth as the pleats (from what I can feel) and underneath the right side buttons are velcro to close the outer coat of the outfit.

Underneath the outer coat is a white long-sleeve blouse that goes well with the rest of the outfit. I love that I could use the blouse again for more informal shots later on (the combinations from this outfit with OTHER outfits are endless). 

The big skirt really works with the Crinoline Set which is sold separately from the outfit.

I cannot imagine this outfit without the Crinoline Set.

Overall Impression:

Looking at the big picture, I find this outfit just worth the money. The ribbons, the outer coat, the white blouse and the skirt are a match made in heaven! I love the color on Cécile. I am not sure how it would look on Marie-Grace but once I break out Marie-Grace from my closet - this will be the first outfit I will be putting on her and updating this review!

At $28 USD, I think it is an outfit worth buying. Not only does it have details that I would love on my own outfit such as pleating and detailed patterns on the skirt, the entire color scheme just works. I will take one AG doll rating from my overall rating system because it did not come with socks or shoes. At the price of $28 USD, I would love to have more than just the outfit.

However, it is historically accurate and that is a huge plus for me. If I had the money, I would buy this outfit again for another doll. But for now, my dolls will have to share its components.

Rating: 4 out of 5 AG dolls