Sharing an honest review of the pickpocket-proof Roma Reversible Wrap Dress from wayre - and an exclusive discount code
One of my favorite late-night rabbit holes to go down is the world of YouTube pickpocket videos.
(no wait – come back! Oh, alright, I’ll see you in a few hours…)
There’s something deeply fascinating to me about 1. how slick and swift the thieves are, and 2. how oblivious travelers and locals alike can be in public spaces.
I’ve shared a few tips in the past, like this roundup of pickpocket-proof travel items on the blog and my purse hack on TikTok (where a pickpocketing commenter praised me for my efforts, thank you very much) – but haven’t reviewed any specific clothing with hidden pockets because the styling is often too utilitarian for my taste.
This dress was kindly gifted by wayre, but this post is not sponsored. This post contains affiliate links.
Until now, that is. I recently stumbled on wayre, a woman-founded clothing brand for the modern traveler. The brand’s clothing is created from reclaimed post-consumer plastic bottles and is designed to be lightweight, stylish, and ultra-packable. But best of all, nearly every garment features a sneaky pocket or two, whether it’s hiding in plain sight thanks to a tonal invisible zipper or tucked inside for only you to reach.
wayre’s product offerings are minimal but considered, with just a few items per category. I’ve been really drawn to traveling with versatile dresses as of late, and the Roma Reversible Wrap Dress caught my eye for its ability to be worn with the wrap in front and in the back. That, and the fact that it has three pockets!
Looking for more honest style reviews? Check out my index of reviews, sorted by brand
The dress arrived in just four days, and I wholeheartedly appreciated wayre’s plastic-free packaging (as much as I try to reuse or recycle every piece of packaging that lands on my doorstep, it’s best if it is never created in the first place!). Now that I’ve had a chance to wear and wash this travel-friendly dress, I thought I’d break down my thoughts for you, category by category.
wayre’s Like-Silk Fabric
Right out of the mailer, the dress felt cool and light in my hands, almost slippery. The brand refers to the fabric as “Like-Silk fabric” – and while I don’t think I’d mistake it for the real thing in a blindfold test, it is definitely silk-adjacent, and yes, like silk. With 14% stretch (from 8% recycled Spandex and 6% Spandex), the fabric has a lot of give. The remaining 86% of the fabric is made from Recycled Plastic Bottles (rPET).
Roma Reversible Wrap Dress Fit
But how does it fit? I waffled between sizes for a long time before finding wayre’s helpful fit page. I’m impressed that they not only committed to sourcing models for each available size but also photographed each model in multiple garments.
After comparing my measurements to the size chart and model photos, as well as scrutinizing the reviews, I landed on a size Small – and it was the right choice.
Styling the Roma Reversible Wrap Dress
The low cut, midi-length, silk-like fabric, and twirly nature of this dress nudges it closer to the formal end of the casual-to-formal spectrum. I’ve fully embraced this by styling it with heeled sandals, but it looks just as good with sneakers. The Aluminum colorway reads either cool or warm depending on the light, which means you can pair it with just about any color you like (I like the grounding effect of a black strappy sandal, but go with whatever your heart desires!).
My Review of the Roma Reversible Wrap Dress
This dress is so close to perfect – and it would only take a few minor tweaks to get it to absolute perfection. Normally when I write a review, I spill all my thoughts out over the course of a few paragraphs – but for this dress, I think it’s easier to break things down by what I like and what needs improvement. Ever the optimist, I’ll start by sharing the features I like before moving on to what could be improved:
What I like about the Roma Reversible Wrap Dress
The Fit | The dress feels like it was made for my figure, with carefully placed pleats at the bust for a more tailored fit. The ties wrap around my natural waist, and the length is just right.
The Fabric | The color is a really unique neutral that happens to be light and opaque, and it fits in so well with the rest of my wardrobe. The fabric is soft and stretchy and miraculously doesn’t feel snug after a big meal. After washing, the dress dries quickly on the line (and it’s supposed to be somewhat stain resistant – though thankfully I haven’t had to test that out yet!).
The Pockets | The pockets at the hips zip and unzip with ease, and I find it equally comfortable to place my hands when the dress is worn with the wrap in the front and the back.
The Reversibility | I like that I can simply flip the dress around if I don’t want to show cleavage.
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What could be improved
The Fit | In case it’s not glaringly obvious, I had to add some hardware at the bust to make this dress bra-friendly. I started with the hook & eye clasp shown here and switched to a clear snap soon after – but I still can’t quite get it to be invisible, and I think it cheapens the look a bit. Based on my experience and the other reviews lamenting the too-low cut, the dress could use a bit more fabric at the bust.
The Fabric | wayre advertises the fabric as wrinkle-proof, but even after washing, line-drying, and steaming the dress, I can’t quite seem to smooth out the wrinkles from the original packaging. But they have lessened quite dramatically, so I have hope!
The Pockets | The interior pocket is designed to hold a passport, but because of the drapey nature of the fabric, I’m not sure I would store more than a credit card or a little cash (bills only) for fear of it showing.
The Reversibility | I’m currently unable to realistically wear the dress with the wrap in the back. Why? If I move just too much, you can totally see my bum in my slip shorts (as happy as I am to share honest and thorough reviews, this isn’t an image I feel comfortable sharing on this page – but you can see what I mean in this SFW photo). Adding an interior tie to secure it at the thigh is an easy and invisible fix, but with so many trips on the horizon, I haven’t gotten around to it yet.
Final Thoughts on the Roma Reversible Wrap Dress
For me, wayre didn’t quite knock this dress out of the park – some tailoring needs to be addressed before it can be worn as effortlessly as intended – but the enormous potential leaves me wanting to try more of the brand’s travel-ready garments.
Looking ahead, I’m eyeing the Button Up Crop, Button Up Tank, and perhaps my favorite of their offerings, the Jetsetter Trouser. Who knows? Maybe you’ll see another review here some day.
An Exclusive wayre Promo Code
Think one of the brand’s travel-ready items is right for you? You can save 10% on your wayre purchase with promo code WAYWARDBLOG10. Thanks for supporting the brands that support this blog!
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Questions for you
Do you have any pickpocketing stories to share?
What are your favorite travel tips for keeping your belongings secure?
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