As a “romper” expert, I have had a lot over the years and liked many for different reasons. But once I bought my first Pistola, it quickly became the one I reached for. It’s flattering, while being roomy. Cute while having big pockets for a phone, etc. For us, our job being relatively physical, so having an easy-to-move-in “outfit” that is cool in the summer, always comfortable, and cute (for camera) is a Venn diagram miracle. I find myself telling any stranger who flatters me in it that it’s the best comfortable romper on the market, so I figured I’d see if my team agrees. So today you’ll see their new summer line on a few bodies (yes, I reached out and they sent them to me and my team with no obligation to say anything at all, let alone something positive). Here is what we think:
Emily
Meg Zip Front Romper | Sandals
Archie Pleated Romper | Sandals
Size: Small (I’m between 4-6 (so I guess a 5, lol)
Height: 5’4″ with a short-ish torso
True to Size?: I love how it fits and wouldn’t want smaller or bigger, but admittedly I want it to not be tight AT ALL. No body-con rompers for me, thank you. Size down if you are in between, like me.
Official Review: MASSIVE fan. They have some structure while being lightweight (some other brands that are canvas are great, but too hot for most months). The cotton is thin enough to be cool, but thick enough not to be cheap poplin that doesn’t keep its shape. It gives more “utilitarian,” which I also want (and is the whole point). The huge pockets are fantastic for work or just for weekend cleaning, so I can keep my phone/podcast on my person as I run around the house.
The red one – I’ve worn the red one almost every day since I got it – oh, and it washes great, too. I don’t need to steam it, and they don’t wrinkle up in an annoying way. I have the denim version that drapes/falls really well, too.
The green one – This one is new to me and I really like it for a dressier version (great for summer office) but l’ll likely wear it less since it does cinch at the waist (I might have sensory issues, guys!). But it’s really flattering and cute for a slightly dressier/less utilitarian vibe.
Jess
Parker Romper in Fade to Black
Size: Small
Height: 5’4″
True to Size?: I think so but only if you like a looser fit, otherwise consider sizing down.
Official Review: Needless to say, I was so so excited to get a Pistola romper. Em has been wearing them for a while now, and every time I think how cute they are. When I first put it on, I immediately felt the quality and loved all the details. But after staring at myself for a minute, I was afraid it might be slightly too big. I even panic messaged Caitlin, who was the one in contact with Pistola, that I might need to swap. I then adjusted the waist to cinch it in, and I was so much happier! As you can see, I went vintage shopping (with Caitlin) and felt great the whole day…although we both forgot to get any good front shots of me in it in the wild, lol. I will mention two things that I think are worth considering. I think the top is a little roomy, in general. Great for maybe tall, longer-torsoed, or bustier people (plus, I do think it’s also just the look). However, with the adjustable waist, it fixes that problem for us shorties. But if you like a more fitted look, I would size down (maybe even 2 sizes). Also, there are snaps AND buttons going down the front! Which is great because you are secure. I just wouldn’t wait too long to go to the bathroom because it’s a 2-step “undoing” process:) Overall, I really love it and will absolutely be wearing it all summer. Recommend!
Arlyn
Parker Romper in Fade to Black
Size: Extra-Large
Height: 5’3″
True to Size?: Totally. I followed the measurements on the online sizing guide, which led me to an XL, which is typically what I am with pieces like this. (For reference, I waver between a large and XL in tops because I’m very busty, and wear XL bottoms or anywhere between a 14 or 16, depending on the brand.)
Official Review: I have a complicated relationship with rompers in general. I always love them on other people, but because I’m petite, on the rounder side, and, again, chesty, it’s very hard for me to ever get a comfortable fit. Either the crotch is too low and rubs in weird places, the shorts ride up, the top is too small for dem boobies, or it has way too much fabric everywhere for the size I need. BUT, I have to say, I did think this was a good fit. However, as Jess mentioned, my goodness, you’re caged up in this thing! There’s an internal layer of snaps and a top layer of buttons. Secure? Yes. Overkill? Perhaps. The fabric is thick and sturdy, so it’ll likely wash really well and last a long time, but it does feel a bit stiff at first, FYI. I may need to break it in a bit to feel more comfortable, but it sure is cute.
Caitlin
The Vance Romper in Vivid White
Size: Large
Height: 5’8″
True to Size?: True to their size chart? Yes. True to my understanding of my size? No! I almost grabbed an XL here – it’s my go-to size when ordering from any new brand – and am so glad I checked the chart before adding to cart. (I technically could have fit into a medium!) I have a super long torso and normally need to size up, so I was pleasantly surprised by how comfy and roomy the large fits me.
Official Review: I LOVE THIS ROMPER. (I love it so much that when it was delivered at my house, I took to Slack and proclaimed “just got my romper and I LOVE IT,” followed by “taking all my restraint not to throw it in the link up this week lol.”) I love that it’s loose and breezy around the legs, a little more formal up top, and that I can tie it as tight or as loose as I’d like. It’s a total blank canvas – easy to dress up, easy to dress down – and it’s one of those rare pieces of clothing that you could wear both to the grocery store and to like, any conservative church on your summer European vacation travels. The fabric is weighty and luxe – I’m just blown away by the quality. Pistola, I see you!!! You have a new fan 🙂 (PS. I was shocked to read the other gals’ commentary on the buttons. This one just hag regular ol’ buttons. I can pee without issue!)
Mallory
Parker Romper in Fade to Black
Size: Small
Height: 5’7″
True to Size?: Yes!
Official Review: This is a solid piece – the quality is great and the fabric is thick. The fit definitely works for a longer torso because the crotch is a bit lower. It also has double-layered buttons so skin doesn’t peek through when you sit down, which I think is a really smart design (but know it will take you a bit to take off during bathroom trips). I also really love the white version of this romper, which I was initially nervous about getting (and ultimately went with the black) because I thought it might be see-through. But now that I know how thick and high quality the material is on the black one, I think the white would be SUPER cute and easy to style too:)
Gretchen
Meg Zip Front Romper in Fade to Black
Size: Large, fits me perfectly
Height: 5’9″
True to Size?: I am normally a size L/XL and debated about ordering a size up, but I am super glad I didn’t. While I’d say this romper is true to size, make sure to check your measurements with theirs. Mine lined up best with a size large. But when I first tried the romper on, I was a bit worried it was maybe too loose, wondering if I could’ve maybe squeezed into a medium. I wasn’t totally swimming in it, but I’d wanted it to feel just a tad more fitted in places. HOWEVER, mine now fits perfectly after a wash. The group shot with Marlee, Em, and me was taken pre-wash, and my selfie is the romper straight out of a cycle. I don’t feel like it necessarily shrank per se, but just that it tightened up in all the places I wanted it to, while still feeling plenty comfortable and roomy. Added bonus–these are a breeze to wash!
Official Review: I’m absolutely in love with this romper and heading back to buy it in another color–I’m serious. I love just how unbelievably easy, cute, and comfortable it is. Like, it’s so simple to throw on and run around in–a full outfit in one–but more than that, I just look so dang cute and put together wearing it (that, yes, it makes me want to toot my own horn!). I love what the zip front does style-wise, but it also makes it very quick to slip in and out of (for bathroom breaks, etc). The waist tie situation is great to cinch you in, and the material is casual, breathable, and hangs so nicely. I also like that you can roll and snap the sleeves up or leave them down. I’m partial to the latter. This piece is very much “ME” and I know I’ll be reaching for it all summer long–heck, I’m wearing it as I type this. I’ll be watching Pistola closely to see if they release it in more colors!
Marlee
Parker Romper in Fade to Black
Size: Small
Height: 5’8″
True to Size?: Yes!
Official Review: I am not typically a romper girl, but I was pleasantly surprised about this one – I feel like my biggest issue with rompers is typically the fact that they “ride up” if you know what I mean… but this one, I did not have to worry about! The length of the shorts was great and was roomy enough in the leg that I didn’t feel constricted, and long enough that I didn’t feel “exposed” (but not too long that it’s an awkward length). The shorts part also has a little cuff with a button holding it in place, so if you wanted them to be longer, there’s some flexibility there. I really like the buttons on the side – it fits true to size in the waist and was perfectly roomy, but if you wanted it to be a little more snatched, you have the option to take it in a little bit. I love the look of the pockets and the utilitarian vibe, but the highlight for me was how soft the fabric was. It’s so cute with sneakers for a casual look, but I think the way I’ll wear this the most is dressed up with some tall boots and a cute purse:)
I think it’s fair to say that we all very much approve of these very cute rompers. So if you are in the market, we recommend Pistola hard:)
*Pretty Photos by Kaitlin Green
