Fitting Room Reviews: 12/01/2011

Happy December Readers!

During the last half of November I tried to stay away from my favorite retailers with the hope that they would have enticing Black Friday sales... and I was right! Unfortunately, during Anthropologie's 25% off sale items and brief 50% off sale items markdowns the items on my wish list were snapped up before you could say "cornucopia!" Even an item in my order was cancelled- even though I placed it on the first morning of the sale (bitter? no...)

This past Thursday I had a few coupons/free offers to redeem before they expired so I combined a trip to my favorite grocer (Trader Joe's) with a trip to my local mall. During the trip, I tried on these items at Anthropologie:

1. Glinting Persica Sweater Dress by Knitted and Knotted (size small)

To be honest, this dress never jumped out at me until I saw it on the clearance rack in my local store (the last one!). The online photos, even from the catalogue, do this dress no justice! The subtle copper sparkle and peachy hues of the dress are absolutely lovely.

The dress alone...

Plus the Beaded Wink Belt

Perfect!

For those who are tall, or with long-torsos, this dress is perfect! The waistline fell at my natural waist and the length of the dress was very flattering. I'm still not crazy about the cutout on the back of the dress, but it does not reveal well-fitted bra straps (which is wonderful!)

The dress runs true to size and gives a bit of room in the hips. Some reviewers said it was itchy- but I have sensitive skin and I didn't notice any itchiness with the fabric.

Woah! That was a long review, eh? Here are a few more (shorter) reviews:

1. Twin Tiered Top by Deletta

Twin Tiered Top by Deletta

I could only find a medium in this top, but it fit quite well. I never know whether I am a small or a medium in their tops because the fit of each top seems to vary so much- even within the same style. I liked this top- especially the muted orangey-brown in the pattern's background- but I didn't like it enough to buy it. The ruffles at the shoulder were a bit too big for me- they had a football-player effect on me and looked a lot like shoulder pads (but that effect made my arms look quite svelte!)

3. ??? from Leifsdottir

Top by Leifsdottir

I don't recall the name of this top, and I couldn't find it on the Anthro website but I remember seeing it's sale price (around 80 dollars) and thinking "woah- that's expensive!" and then looking at the full price of the top and thinking "what?" I tried it on to see what was so special about the top... and I'm still searching for the answer to that question. The fit was fine and the design was cute- but I was not impressed with the quality of this garment's construction. A thin jersey top with a delicate lace does not add up to the price I saw.

4. Iced Foliage Top by Project Alabama

Iced Foliage Top by Project Alabama

I love the color charcoal but I did not love this blouse. For length I tried on a 6- a very good decision indeed! But even the 6 was a bit too short and the width was a bit too puffy for my taste. It does have a zipper on the side, which cinches the waist a bit but the way the bottom of the blouse flares out is not flattering at all! This blouse would, however, look cute with a cardigan or layered under a pencil skirt.

5. Mystery top!

I don't remember seeing this top online... but I found it in the clearance section at my local store. I really like the print- it reminds me of a wallpaper you would find in a fancy store or boutique. But it didn't quite wow me. What I liked about the blouse was that it has a band of fabric that wraps around the waist- creating a more defined silhouette. I couldn't find a 4 or 6, so I tried on an 8 but even with the sashed waist it was too big. I also found the fabric to feel somewhat cheap, or at least too airy to wear during the  cold winter months.

Thanks for reading! I hope you found these reviews to be helpful!

Fitting Room Reviews: October

Hello Readers,

Nowadays I live further away from the city than I once did- a change that also increases my distance from the closest mall and perhaps an increase in the amount of money I save each month. This also means that I've been trying on less clothing than usual. . . but I finally have a few items to review! The first is from Banana Republic and the next four are from Anthropologie. Enjoy!

Black Wool Sheath Dress from Banana Republic from the Mad Men Collection

When I first heard about Banana Republic's Mad Men collection, I was elated- but when I finally saw the collection in person, I was disappointed with most of the collection with the exception of a couple of items, including this dress. It is a wool-linen blend with a fabric and fit that is true to clothing from the Mad Men era. This dress reminded me of something Joan, from Mad Men, would wear.

The fit was a bit too snug in my usual 4 at BR, but the 6 fit like a charm. What I love most about this dress is the lace that peeks out from the hem and neckline of the dress- very delightful and oh-so-feminine! This dress is hard to find- but worth the search if you are looking for the perfect Little Black Dress.

Dog Rose Pullover by Knitted & Knotted in Ivory

This sweater is adorable- the crocheted neckline and puffy sleeves are so sweet! Unfortunately, this sweater has a shorter torso than I expected and it looked absolutely ridiculous on this long-torso wearer. Otherwise, the sweater was lovely- but even a larger size wasn't long enough for me.

Trifecta Tee by Postmark in Navy

The Trifecta Tee was even more stunning in person than it was online! I tried on a small and a medium and found the small to be the best fit in length and width. This is a top, in my opinion, that you need to try on before buying (or order two sizes). If it is too small or too large the lace yolk/runner that runs down the center of the blouse looks very awkward- but if you are able to find the right fit it is divine! This is currently on my wishlist for fall.

Ruffled Shell by Lil in Red

This little lacey shell was lovely but unfortunately it was a bit too short for me. I wish Anthro carried tall sizes! This top would be really cute with a cardigan or a blazer- but not a contender for me because of its length (or lack thereof).

Renewed Folds Pullover in Brown by Odonate Epiprocta

I actually purchased this top, I was so in love with it, but a few hours after I put the shirt on I noticed a small hole in the front. The top I tried on had a loose string so I grabbed another one from the rack without inspecting it- I didn't see the hole. When I am near an Anthro store again I hope to exchange my shirt for a new one- sans the hole.

Banana Republic Fitting Room Reviews: July

Dear Readers,

The other day, I realized that most (well, probably all) of my reviews are for clothing from Anthropologie.  While this is one of my favorite stores, it is not the only store where I shop.  There are other fine retailers who I frequent quite often: Banana Republic being one of those places.  Over the years I've found that their sale items are priced much lower in stores than online (as a general rule of thumb).

Earlier this month I received a few emails about a sale at Banana Republic that enticed me enough to stop by my local BR store.  Here are a few of the items I tried on.

Silk Ikat Pencil Skirt in Blue, available here

I tried this skirt on in a 6, my usual size, but I found that the skirt had an odd fit.  Upon trying on the size 8, I was relieved when I found out that it was a pencil skirt. While the skirt was silky and beautifully colored, I decided to pass on the skirt because it had no lining.  Even though the skirt was made out of silk, it was a very thin silk that (in my opinion) needed some sort of lining.

Jersey Ballerina-esque Dress in Pale Blue

This dress reminded me a lot of Degas' paintings and sculptures of ballerinas- maybe a modern interpretation? I tried this dress on in a small and found it to be an excellent fit but I decided to pass on it because I couldn't think of a place where I could wear it. It was too formal for average-every-day-wear and the jersey fabric was too casual to wear to wedding or party. Very fun. . . but a bit too whimsical for me!

Silk Floral Knotted Dress in Green Combo available here

When I first spotted this dress in an email from BR, I decided that it was something I had to try on.  Upon trying it on, I discovered that it was, indeed, a lovely dress of verdant hues but that the draping was slightly off.  From the front it was fine (as you can see in the photo) but from the side the fabric awkwardly centered in the middle of my chest.  No thanks BR!

Pink Print Silk Dress

When I looked at this dress it looked like it ran big, so I grabbed a 4 for the fitting room and found that it, in fact, did not run large.  The fabric's print was delicious and it seemed to liven up an otherwise ordinary  dress style.  I recommend this dress for those of you who want to beat the summer heat while also dressing like professionals. Good job BR!


Thanks for reading!

Fitting Room Reviews (from St. Louis and Chicago)

Hello Readers!

It's almost July- can you believe it!  I don't know about you all, but my June has been jam-packed!  Like all of the other busy times in my life though, I've found the time to stop by Anthropologie.  The first review is from the Anthropologie in St. Louis and the others are from the Anthropologie on Chicago in Chicago (which, by the way, is an amazing store!)

This round of reviews includes two dresses, a pair of shorts, and a blouse.  I hope you find these reviews helpful!

Sugared Dress- Corey Lynn Calter

Over the past year, I've found myself drawn to dresses with '50s silhouettes, and this dress was no exception to this fascination.  While I found this dress to be lovely, it wasn't the sort of lovely that I was looking for.  The print is quite unusual, but I found it to be overwhelming even to my 5'10'' frame! I took a size 6 in this dress- which fit well across my shoulders but was much too big for my bust, chest, and waist. I felt like the fit and overall look was a bit frumpy, but might look better on someone with more mature taste.

Whirligig Dress- Velvet

This was my third time trying on Velvet's Whirligig dress (I think the next time I try one on I will have to buy it!), and I was pleased to find two more color offerings in this dress at the Chicago Ave store in Chicago!  I am in love with the raspberry color, but this orange number caught my eye. The picture (on my computer) captures the color well, a delightfully warm hue between salmon and burnt sienna that you might find in a summer sunset. Unfortunately, when I put the dress over my head to try it on, I was only able to successfully get one arm through an armhole!  When I took the dress off to inspect what was going on I found that one of the armholes wasn't there. The other dresses had two armholes each, but this one must have fallen to the wayside during production.  Oh well!

Going Places Shorts- Paperboy by G-1

The Going Places Shorts, from Paperboy by G-1, are adorable! I normally wouldn't even try a cargo short, because they don't have a history of flattering my body.  But, the femininity of the short's lightweight fabric and delicate lilac color compensated for the utility pocket and boxy stitching. I took a size 6 and it fit perfectly! They still aren't the most flattering shorts, but they weren't unflattering either. I purchased these shorts and this summer they will be going places!

Adorned Azure Tank

I vaguely remember seeing the Adorned Azure Tank on Anthropologie's website, but my visit to the Chicago Ave store was my first real encounter with this treasure. In person, the tank is an azure shade, but just a bit more turquoise than the picture above. What I loved most about this top is that the adornment seemed to be a detachable necklace! This top was a pass because the fit was a bit off.  I tried on a small, which seemed to be the right size for me but the bottom half seemed a bit too wide.  Cute, but not cute enough.

I also bought a pair of white crops (Sateen Crops) from Cartonnier for only 19.95! The only size available was 8, but they were a great fit! I will feature these in an upcoming post! :)

Anthro Try-On Reviews

Hey Readers!

For this set of reviews, it seems that I tried on a few things that did not have names I could find.  I hesitated writing a review for these items but decided to go ahead in case any of you saw these items in your store or maybe your Anthropologie wish list. Here it goes!

Yellow Nameless Dress (6)

I saw this dress online first and was intrigued.  In person, the dress is a dusty mustard color and it was a bit heavier than I thought it would be. It seemed to be well-constructed but I found a few problems with the dress.  The first problem, for me, was that the torso was very short and fit like an awkward empire-esque waisted style.  If you are tall, like me, this dress may not work for you.  The other major problem was that the bust, which was molded and looked a bit like a superhero top, was very small.  I NEVER had this problem until I tried on this dress.  Very uncomfortable. The dress seemed to run true to size, but  if you are average or well-endowed, go up at least one size.

Gull Wing Dress- Girls from Savoy (size 4)

This dress reminded me of a boardwalk, or maybe something you could wear while walking on a boardwalk.  Anyway, this dress was super comfortable and it seemed like the fabric was breezy enough to be a summer dress contender. The dress ran true to size for me, but if you are bust-ier, it might be a good idea to go up a size.  The bottom button on the top of the dress was missing on the dress I tried on, as well as at least two other dresses on the rack. A sympton that can indicate an overall problem of a dress' construction.  I thought the dress was cute, but not quite my style.

Mystery Yellow Skirt- Size 6

This skirt fit a bit snugger than I thought it would be, but overall I found the fit quite flattering.  The mustardy color was absolutely charming and as I tried on the skirt I imagined all of the fun outfit color combinations that would work well with this skirt.  I didn't purchase the skirt, but I wish that I could!  I don't remember seeing this skirt online and when I searched for it I couldn't find a name.  My advice: if you find it in your size, try it on, and like it, buy it!

Mompos Dress- Plenty! by Tracy Reese (size 6)

This dress was featured a few posts ago (here), but I neglected to write a review then, which is why I am doing it now.  In the store, I was tempted to try on a size 4, but upon comparing the 4 with the 6 on the rack, I went with the 6 and it was perfect. This dress resounds retro in a very She & Him sort of way. Catchy and clever.  I love this dress, but the price tag prevented me from purchasing it at full price.  Thankfully, I found a listing on the EA (Effortless Anthropologie) Trade Market, and I was able to purchase the dress at a more reasonable price.

I hope these reviews are helpful! Let me know if you have any questions!

Fitting Room Reviews

Hey Readers!

I apologize for my absence on this blog lately.  The past two (or maybe few?) weeks have been so busy with the oral defense of my comprehensive exam, finishing final papers, grading final exams, getting ready to graduate, and packing up the majority of my apartment.

Anyways. . . in the midst of this craziness I was able to make it into Anthropologie (of course!) Here are a few of the things that I tried on:

Across the Land Dress by Maple

Across the Land Dress (Maple):

I love the seafoam green and polka dots of this dress but its fit didn't quite suit me.  There was too much fabric and I wasn't too fond of the cross-over neckline.  I think the dress would have been better (for me) if it had a v-neck instead of a modified sheath neckline.  Overall, I thought the dress was well-constructed, but not for me.

Chartreuse Shoots Dress by Moulinette Soeurs 

This dress wowed me online, but in the store I found its neckline to be a bit too high and the hue of dress resembled something closer to the color of a highlighter.  I appreciated the tie at the waist, but it was placed too high on the dress for my torso. Maybe it would work better for girls with shorter torsos?

Quechua Dress by We Love Vera

This was a graduation dress contender but it did not make it to the stage on Friday.  I stalked this dress online, and eventually tried it on in the store but it was a disappointment for me.  The amount of fabric was overwhelming, the top of the dress was way too roomy and I wasn't impressed with the quality of the fabric. The only winning quality of the dress, for me, was the beautiful black and white print.

Name of dress unknown

I really wanted to like this dress: it is navy blue and it has a ribbon-tie waist.  But this dress just didn't impress.  The fit of the dress was very loose- but not in an intentional easy-breezy sort of way. It looked sloppy and I felt like I looked 10 lbs heavier while wearing this dress. No thanks!

Whirligig Dress by Velvet available here

I absolutely love this dress- the raspberry color, the romantic draping, the soft jersey, it's overall feel.  I took a size S in this dress and it fit wonderfully.  My only complaint is that the hem was a bit too short for my height (it hit my leg at an odd spot).  I really like this dress, but I think I'll wait for a sale.

My friend Mary came with me on one of my recent visits to my local store and she tried on this outfit- which looks stunning! She is wearing the Deletta Expanding Horizons Tank in Navy Blue and a skirt from the sale rack whose name I forgot.  This skirt will be perfect for her internship this summer in Florida!

Looking good Mary!

Fitting Room Dress Reviews: 05/5/2011

Happy Saturday Readers!

On Wednesday, I went into Anthropologie to return a sweater that I bought during the Spring event last month. It was a lovely cardigan, but I have so many cardigans right now, and it really didn't make any sense to buy another right before summer.

While I was in Anthropologie, I decided to try on a few things that caught my eye online and happened to be in the store.  Here they are:

Nouveau Rose Skirt

Side Angle

 I absolutely loved this skirt!  The color, the print, the cut, the draping- absolutely wonderful!  My only hesitation in purchasing the skirt (besides my dwindling budget) is that it made me look wider than I am from the back.  The front was flattering, but the draping in the back accentuated my rear and hips (which actually made my legs look smaller).  Maybe I will purchase this skirt when it moves to the sale section.

Level 99 Lily Straight Leg

Let's just say that these pants run small.  Usually I wear a 28/29 in skinny pants, and these were a 28 and they were tight.  I could still zip the zipper, but the fabric of these pants were thin enough that they looked like leggings (which I do not like).  Maybe a larger size would look better? The pants are cute, but if you are going to try them on or buy them, I recommend going up a size.

Expanding Horizons Tank- Deletta

Closer

Deletta = Delightful. That equation rings true with the Expanding Horizons tank.  I tried on my usual S, which was a bit snug, but flattering nonetheless.  The V of the neck runs a bit low, so it would be a good idea to layer this tank with a cami or another tank.

Loosened Shelby Blouse- Porridge

I was not impressed with this blouse on me.  It is a beautiful blouse, but it just didn't suit me.  I wasn't sure if I should tie the hanging ribbons of fabric or leave them hanging.  It is cute, and I think that styled properly it would look better, but for me it wasn't quite my style.  But. . . if you are considering this blouse it is definitely worth a try!

Reflecting Pool Dress- Moulinette Soeurs

If I lived near the ocean, or was going on vacation anytime soon, this dress would be a great pick! It is lightweight, breezy, and colorful.  The print of this dress reminds me of a watercolor painting, a trait that adds to its breezy feel- but it was so lightweight that it almost felt like a slip.  If I lived in a warmer climate, this dress would be wonderful, but for the climate in which I currently reside, this dress felt a bit bare. Sizewise, I found that the dress ran a bit small. Usually I take a 4 in dresses from Anthropologie, which is what I tried on in the photo, but I think a 6 would have been more comfortable.

Hope you enjoyed these reviews! Let me know if you have any questions!
(PS- When I returned the cardigan, I found something that I've been looking for for a great price- more details on Sunday!)

Fitting Room Dress Reviews: 03/15/2011

Happy St. Patrick's Day Readers!

It is a beautiful day in Peoria- the weather is fairly warm, the sun is shining, and it's almost Friday!  To celebrate St. Patrick's Day, I am wearing green today- are you?  

On Tuesday, I had a very intense job interview in St. Louis that went well, but ended a lot sooner than I thought it would.  I was going to drive back to Peoria on Wednesday morning, but this extra time gave me the luxury of extra time in the day to drive home. . . and even a bit of time to shop at Anthropologie!

I took a bit of a break from Anthropologie for a short span of time (2 weeks, maybe 3), but after seeing the fresh cuts in the sale section of anthro's website, and after successfully making it through my interview. . . I decided that a visit to my favorite store was in order!

There were so many cute things in the sale cubby and throughout the store and I tried on such a wide selection of items that currently reside in my wish list.  Here is a review of a few of my favorite things: 

Tied Down Dress by Maeve ($98)- Size 6

I was fascinated by the color of this dress (a coral-red) and the ring of detail at its hem, and the price point made this dress worth trying on. To bring the waist in, I added a belt that also brought a bit of texture and sparkle to the dress (it also looks lovely without the belt- but I love wearing belts with dresses!) I would say that the dress runs a bit big, but I don't think it is meant to be very tight fitting.  If you are going to try this on, grab your size and the next size up.

 Irresistible Maxi Dress: Plenty by Tracy Reese ($89.95)- Size Small

I've never been a very big fan of maxi dresses, mostly because none of the ones I've tried on have been long enough, but this dress was an exceptional exception to this dilemma- there was plenty of length!  The dress is stunning- the color is so rich and the draping is beautiful.  The fabric is a bit sheer (motivation to continue with my workout routine!), but since it is so lightweight it will wear well even into the summer months.  This dress IS Irresistible (thank you Tracy Reese!) and this was one of my purchases of the day.  I am singing in my cousin's wedding this summer, and I think I will wear this dress (we'll see. . . ).

In An Instant Dress: Maeve ($98)- Size 4

Charcoal is one of my favorite clothing colors- it is versatile, flattering, and a great alternative to black- and marigold yellow has been a recent fascination of mine, so I had to try this dress on. I was not impressed with the dress- the fabric seemed a bit cheap, like it wouldn't retain its shape after a few washings.  I might try this on again if it makes it to the sale section, but for now it's just not quite what I'm looking for.

Emerging Leaves Dress: Weston Wear ($69.95)- Size 4

The print on this dress reminds me of the Madeleine books from the bookshelf of my childhood, which I think is why I gave this dress a try.  Lately, I've been trying to be more bold in my clothing selections, so trying on this dress was an exercise in that pursuit.  The dress has a nice, but heavy, weight to its fabric and an unordinary, but vintage-inspired shape.  I really wanted to like this dress, and I did, but I'm not quite bold enough to invest in a piece like this (it would be quite a departure from my ocean-inspired wardrobe).  The dress made my waist look very small, but it was a bit tight in the chest.

Anonna Dress: Edme & Esylite ($79.95)- Size 4

I tried this dress on with a bit of hesitation because of some of the negative reviews I read on anthro's website regarding the straps, but the dress was so adorable in person that I disregarded the reviews.  The dress that I tried on did not have any problems with the straps- but I wish that the belt on the dress was made from the same ribbon as the straps (but that's an easy problem to fix with a strip of white grosgrain ribbon).  The fit was flattering, I loved the lacy textured fabric on the box/bow portions of the skirt, and the flare of the shirt- but I was so wowed by the Irresistible Maxi Dress that this one went back on the sale rack.

Sunny Soiree Dress: Girls from Savoy ($148)- Size 4

This dress reminds me a lot of something Emma Pillsbury would wear on Glee, and seemed very teacher-ly to me.  The color and print of the skirt were delightful, but the fit of the skirt wasn't as flattering as I hoped it would be. The blouse portion of the dress seemed well-intentioned, but a bit over the top in the ruffles department.  Very cute dress, but not quite what I was looking for.  The dress fits fairly true to size.

Wicklow Dress: by ??? ($79.95)- Size Small

I think this dress is by Deletta, but I can't remember (does anyone know?) This dress is beautiful, and I appreciate the draping, but the overall shape was a bit to va-va-va-voom for my liking.  Yes, it is fun to play up one's assets, but this dress did that a bit too well!  If you have a straight body-type, this dress will add curves- but if you already have curves- beware!

Enjoy the rest of your St. Patrick's Day Readers!!!