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!

Purple, Polka Dots, and Positive Feedback

Hello Readers!

As many of you may know, I love teaching Public Speaking- I absolutely love it. Friday, however, my enthusiasm and passion was weighed against my actual ability to teach- and it turns out that I am good at something that I love to do! My supervisor visited one of my classes and took notes on how I ran my class- and I received really positive feedback from her.

To calm my nerves before my evaluation, I decided to select an outfit that would (yet again), tell a story. A story about a confident, fun, and smart teacher, and this is what I came up with:

I think it turned out pretty well, because I felt those things (confidence, fun, intelligent) when I taught my class on Friday. My supervisor even gave me positive feedback on my outfit- which was also wonderful!

Here is a bigger picture of the outfit, along with my retail details:

Black Floral Headband: J. Crew

Heathered Grey Cardigan: Banana Republic (my classrooms are always so cold!)

Dunder Mifflin Mug: Target (The 1-Spot)

Black Short-Sleeve Tee- Banana Republic

Purple, Black and Ivory Silk Skirt: Anthropologie

Black (almost) Opaque Tights: J. Crew

Black Heels: Banana Republic

A Grand Weekend

Hello again Readers!!!

The past 4 days have been wonderful- quite marvelous actually!!! Every year, it seems like fall break happens at just the right time every semester. Since Friday afternoon, I've been on a relaxathon (a marathon of relaxation). On Friday, I had coffee with one of my mentors from college (Kathie- she is amazing) in Greenville and then went home to celebrate my littlest brother's 14th birthday. On Saturday, I did nothing except nap, read, and go on a date with my dad (we saw the Social Network). Then yesterday, my "home church" (Imago Dei) had its first service at its new location (wonderful), went to Grandview Drive, and spent the evening at my grandparents' house for fun and food. What a great weekend!!!

This week, you may recognize my skirt from a post from last week (Falling Into Neutrals). This weekend I was inspired to re-wear the skirt. I don't usually wear clothing multiple times in one week- but, it was clean and I packed it for my mini-vacation. Like last week's outfit, this one is grounded in neutrals, with a pop of color from a raspberry pair of opaque tights. Below (and above), in a picture taken by my mom on Grandview Drive, is a second "iteration" of the draped tan skirt from Anthropologie:

I love Grandview Drive, and this outfit!

Retail details:

Sunglasses: Coach (Rx)

White Scarf: Target

White Craft & Creation Top (in the first and last pictures): Deletta, from Anthropologie

Tan Creme Confection Jacket: Anthropologie

Tan draped skirt: Anthropologie

Raspberry tights: Hue

Brown-grey sliver-wedge boots: Anne Klein (from Macy's or Bergner's)

Also, when I went to church on Sunday; I saw my friend, fellow blogger, and fellow Greenville College alum Kristi! (check out her blog: www.yarcho365.blogspot.com). Kristi is also a fellow fan of Anthropologie, and when I saw her outfit in church, I thought "That would be a great outfit for my blog!" She graciously agreed to pose with me for a photo in her stylin' outfit!

Here we are at Imago Dei's new location on Arcadia:

Kristi's retail details:

Olive-green short-sleeved tee: Anthropologie

Olive-green striped skirt: Anthropologie (btw, I love this skirt!!!)

Gold Sandals: Target

Falling into Neutrals

Why Hello Readers!

Fall is here! Well, it's been here for a while officially- but the signs of fall are finally making their appearance in St. Louis. The leaves are changing, Starbucks has Pumpkin Spice Lattes, and the air is starting to adopt that wonderful crispness that I enjoy most about fall. (It's not the most popular thing to talk about, when talking about fall- but I love it!)

I have a tendency to wear neutrals- especially navy, grey, and white (a throwback to my days at Abercrombie), and I've tried to expand my palette of colors- but there are days where I go back to my comfort zone of colors that match almost everything and nearly anything. Monday was one of those days.

Silver, brown, khaki, charcoal, and tan- with a bit of blue to liven up the outfit. When I pick out items of clothing for an outfit I try to tell a story. (I even wrote a paper about narrative and fashion for a conference). The story of today's outfit is "an autumn amble at the beach." I see it- do you all see it? I imagine that this beach (upon which I would amble) would be a beach with rocks, dark sand, logs, and seashells. This is midterm week at SLU, so I've tried to put together outfits with soothing colors that tell relaxing stories (like this one).

So readers, what stories do you like to tell through your outfits?

PS- Here are the "retail details" of this outfit:

Silver bead necklace: American Eagle Outfitters (summer 2010)

Light blue pleated shirt: Banana Republic (at least 2 years ago)

Brown woven belt: Anthropologie (summer 2010)

Tan draped skirt: Anthropologie (summer 2010)

Charcoal tights: Macy's

Golden-tan almond-toed high heels: Calvin Klein, purchased on sale at Nieman Marcus