Dekka Elementy Lily
Composition: 77 % cotton, 23 % polyester
Weight: 320 g/m² according to the manufacturer, 312 g/m² counted by us
Size: long 6 (507 cm measured by us)
Front wrap cross carry
Dekka Plectrum PinkPunk
Composition: 88 % cotton, 12 % modal
Weight: 316 g/m² counted by us
Size: long 6 (508 cm measured by us)
Christina’s ruckless back carry
Dekkas are currently on the top of the popularity wave – in the Czech Republic, these are basically the only wraps that you can sell above retail price without problems, even now, when the babywearing market is more than oversaturated. And if you can sell something above retail, that means not only a really big wave, but a tsunami of popularity!
Let’s admit it – this is caused mainly by the functional properties of Dekkas (and, of course, their relative affordability). Their design is somewhat conservative, which is, of course, preferred by many wearers, but let’s have a cup of honest tea – the designs are not the boldest or the most original in the world or an example of ‘high-design‘ that would be loved by art epicureans who would buy them just for their looks. And I say it openly while also stating repeatedly that I love the Elementy pattern.
Mr. and Mrs. Dekka want to move forward, quite naturally – their try new blends, combinations of multicolour yarns, different weave densities. Both Lily and PinkPunk belong to the ‘winter‘ (or better said autumn) Dekka collection, same as Caroli, which we reviewed a while ago – i.e. the collection with a slightly denser weave which makes the wraps less elastic and springy compared to the ‘summer‘ Dekkas (or Dekkas from autumn 2017).
Concerning Lily, I would only repeat myself in many aspects, because it is the same as Caroli, regarding the pattern and composition. Therefore, I will try to be brief. It is also a typical soft and pliable Dekka at the first touch – but little-elastic wraps are nothing for my shoulders. Same as in case of its neon sister, a somewhat firmer hand is necessary when tying it, compared to Tilia Chris which has identical composition as well. Lily holds firmly and reliably in the carry only in one knot, but as I said, it is too little elastic for my taste. As far as being-prone-to-pulls goes, this aspect is also the same as in Caroli – it is prone quite a lot. However, this property is something that all the Dekka lovers are used to and already forgave to these wraps (specifically, those in the Elementy and Tilia pattern). But Lily is not a wrap I would fall in love with (also when it comes to its colourway) and therefore would be willing to forgive it anything. Bottom line, I am not planning on queueing for Lily in the ‘ISO‘ albums – well, at least the queue will be shorter by one for those who wish to buy this wrap. 😉
Plectrum PinkPunk is closer to Luna (you can find the review here) by its composition. To be completely clear, there is rayon in Luna and modal in PinkPunk. These are both a kind of viscose and I do not see much difference between them (all you textile technologists, please, do not kill me now 😀 ). Considering Plectrums are generally tougher than Elementy and Tilia patterns, PinkPunk is tougher twice – it is simply a hardcore punker, no emo-missie who thinks that wearing pink and black is a sign of real punk.
I rarely give the same or similar reviews to wraps as the wearers in our local babywearing group; however, in case of PinkPunk, our opinion was somewhat uniform. PinkPunk is less pliable and it is more demanding to tie it compared to other Dekkas while it holds tight in the carry and it is much less elastic. For some wearers, such wraps are heaven, but no pleasure for me, same as in case of Luna or Lily.
Oh yes, I am not very excited about these two wraps. But this does not change the fact that all the Lilies and PinkPunks have their super-excited owners and that they were hopelessly sold out in a few minutes after their release – while I am, personally, still waiting for my ultimate Dekka-dream. 😉
