Taryn Crepe Shift and Petalblush Sweater Dress Reviews

I went to Anthropologie this weekend to scope a few pieces I was interested in (especially with the newly, temporarily lowered prices) so I figured I would do some reviews. Although I don't shop as often as I once did, whenever I do I always take dressing room photos (old habits die hard). It's from my own blog laziness and life busyness that I haven't shared them. Anyway, onto the reviews!

First up is the Taryn Crepe Shift. I loved the print on this one and once it hit the weekend's sale price (plus the extra 20% off) I was sure I would be buying it. That was until I got to the store to try it on in person. Above I am wearing a 12 which fit well through the torso and hips but remained a bit blousey through the shoulders. The 8 and 10 I also tried (not pictured) were very snug in the bust and the buttons wouldn't stay closed.  I am still larger through the bust at the moment due to nursing so snugness makes sense but the overall flimsiness and tenuousness of the button closures doesn't. This combined with the shortness of the dress (particularly when I raised an arm) meanted that I had to pass. Plus the above 12's pattern placement was a bit too "paisley-ish square marks the spot," if you know what I mean.

I expected to love the Petalblush Sweater Dress on the hanger and hate it on me. I was pleasantly surprised to find it to be really cute on! I grabbed a medium expecting to need a large but the medium fit nicely. The colors were really vibrant in person and the knit is very soft. I actually decided to grab this one. I am not sure that I will keep it but at the promotional price (plus extra 20% off, minus a giftcard balance I had) I wanted to have the option to mull some more. Granted, it isn't nursing-friendly but Emilia doesn't really need or want to nurse on the go much these days. She is easily preoccupied with a sippy cup or solids. Besides my hoarder stash means that I can always bring some bottled milk if I am really worried about it. What do you think of this dress? Is it a keeper? I thought the quality was quite good and the shape was flattering. I also thought that the print is one special enough to justify a space in an otherwise crowded closet. But I am open to opinions. Some online reviewers found it to be short waisted and that is likely true but I am a bit short waisted so it didn't bother me.

What are/did you get from this promotion? You have the rest of today to make final decisions so happy shopping!

Dressing Room Outfit

I've been wearing variations of this favorite ensemble from summer 2011 with some frequency of late. It's just so easy and comfortable. Tights are optional, depending on the weather and whether I'll be hanging out in sunshine or in extreme climate control. I also realized I haven't worn my contacts lately, on the blog or otherwise. But with summer around the bend, I'm sure they'll be a go-to.

Details:
Forever 21 top (current version on sale here and here; similar here)
Anthropologie skirt (similar here; midi length here; midi plus here)
Burberry flats (similar here and here)
Spanx tights
Balenciaga bag in the background

Quick Birthday Snap

Nanette Lepore Cafe Sheath

Testament drape cardigan

Streets Ahead bow belt

Shoes from random store in Brazil

I wore this to birthday shop and to birthday dinner with Chris's family on Sunday. My MIL was trying on her potential Anthro finds but I already finished. The dress was a birthday gift from her last year. So it seemed fitting to the celebration. I didn't find anything at Anthro that day. But I have a few reviews I'll put up soon. Thanks for reading!

Coveting Kate Spade

This weekend I got to head west to the Bay Area for my niece's bat mitzvah. Although the weather was dreary and rainy I was grateful to be in a place with a lot of incredible restaurants and shopping. While here, I grabbed brunch with two of my absolute favorite bloggers, Tien of Adiaphane and Anjali of Golden Means. (This goes without saying but, they are both GORGEOUS in person, not to mention super sweet and fun. More on that later!)

While shopping on one of my drearier first days in SF, I was able to try on some Kate Spade dress in person. For some reason the local Kate Spade store has a very limited selection of clothing. I promptly became obsessed with this Violetta dress. It is so charming and cute. But unfortunately it is also way out of my budget. And it is a little too similar to (albeit fancier than) the Two Wheeler.

I am wearing an 8 which is true to my anthro size for this style of dress. I found the fabrics to be extremely luxurious and although I can't afford the price point, it seems clear why the brand can get away with charging such a premium.  At least I now know my size so that I can watch for sales!

Anthropologie Review plus quick OOTD

The Charente Skirt by Floreat is very lovely on the hanger. The lace overlay creates an interesting disruption to the stripes underneath. The ornate, embroidered waistband was a special detail that added value and uniqueness to the piece. I grabbed an 8 and the fit was exactly true to size. I had comfortable room but everything fit appropriately too. I think this one is a bit long for me but that is good news for tall gals! It could very easily be dressed up for a party or worn in a more casual setting.

I wore the Nanette Lepore Cafe Sheath with a See by Chloe cardigan, Chie Mihara Lumi flats, and my Tibi ruffle coat. I carried an older season Marc by Marc Jacobs Softy Max Tote in Camouflage green pebbled leather. I'm really happy with how this bag has held up over the years. I bought it as a self bday present back in 2008 and carried it quite a bit since then. You can see it on the stool or featured more prominently here, here, and here.

Anthropologie Dress Reviews: Watercolor Folds and First Whisperings

Yesterday, because of the newest round of price cuts at Anthropologie I decided to see if the Brief Meeting Blazer still enticed me. My plan was foiled as it was sold out in my size. But while there I tried on a few dresses and wanted to share.

Long drawn to the muted hues but graphic print of this Sunner number called the First Whisperings dress, I grabbed the only one in my store. It was a size smaller than what I would have typically grabbed but the loose style seemed forgiving. This is a small. The fit is a bit snug around the bust but not insurmountably so. And the shape is otherwise right up my alley. Perhaps it isn't the sexiest silhouette but it is one I often wear because it is comfortable and comforting. The fabric is very lovely in person. The dress is unlined and simple. The sizing is on the larger side of things because of its billowy shape. I find it to be a bit expensive for what you get so this one is going on the wishlist!

The next dress I tried was from Tibi, one of my favorites brands. The style, called the Watercolor Folds Dress wasn't something I would typically wear, particularly because of the short length. The length is only exacerbated by the bubble hem. And the draping, while potentially dreamy on some looked pretty bulky and messy on me. I am wearing an 8 which is my typical Tibi size in dresses. It fit comfortably in the waist, hips, and bust but the length bordered on scandalous. It was marked down in my store (Pittsburgh's Bakery Square) to $178ish (I think) and they had sizes 4-8 if you are trying to track one down. I'm sorry I don't have the item number for this one handy. 

When I have a bit more time I'll add a skirt and dress review. Things are hectic today though. Thanks for reading!

Some Dressing Room Reviews During Sales

Since Bloomingdales is having a Friends and Family sale (use coupon GIFT or FFSAVE to get 20% off your order and click through ebates to get cash back!), I figured I would finally post some dressing room photos I took while in DC last month. First up is the Marc by Marc Jacobs Hana dress. I liked the easy drop waist shape and the saturated print. The quality was excellent. It is fully lined and substantial. And it ran true to size for Marc by Marc Jacobs. I took an 8 in this dress but it wasn't the most flattering shape on me.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Cotton Silk Ruffle Dress would make a great occasion piece for the holidays. I was floored by how flattering this ended up being on a curvier figure. On the hanger it looked like only a straighter shape would make sense. The velvet ribbon at the waist is a nice additional detail but the real star is the cascading ruffle that extends from the collar all the way down the side of the dress. I am wearing an 8 but if I were to buy this one I would size up to a 10.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Wool Felt Coat was stunning in person. The buttons and red trim juxtapose with the deep wool to evoke a military uniform from the 40s. The details reminded me of the best elements of vintage nurses capes reworked for a modern wardrobe.  The wool is incredibly thick and warm. This one ran a little small through the hips. I am wearing a medium and definitely would have needed the large.

I am sitting this sale out myself, but if these pieces hit the 70% off mark, I might rethink that stance. Are you buying anything for Friends and Family? 

Modern Love: Gets Me to the Church on Time

Can't stop singing David Bowie in my head... no matter how cognitively dissonant the lyrics... Anyway by the time this is posted, I will be at the church. Figured I would share one of my fitting photos from before the beadwork was finished. Thanks for reading!

From fitting room to real life: the plague of the distorting mirror

I've noticed a few times now that my fitting room photographs, reliant upon the mirror to reflect an image, offer a somewhat misleading portrait. And that portrait often depicts something more traditionally "flattering" in that: my body looks thinner than it is. Now this is not a place where I am compliment-grubbing but rather objectively trying to wrap my mind around this unethical and common sales strategy.

Note the above. Granted, I was wearing different undergarments that could have skewed the appearance slightly, but on the whole this is my body with only about 48 hours between when I tried on the dress in the store and wore it in real life. Does anyone else notice the significant difference in how the dress looks? What do you do when you get home and notice a garment lost its fitting room luster? Over at Fashionable Academics, La Historiadora de Moda ran into this issue after purchasing an outfit for her dissertation defense (Congratulations again!) at Macys. Where else have you run into this problem?

Moschino wasn't all I tried on: Fitting Room Reviews Off Fifth

Tahari Dress, size 6. Similar here. Pretty snug so I would say this runs tts. I should have grabbed an 8 and wouldn't purchase the 6 cause of snugness. I very much liked the skirt's pleating but I wasn't thrilled with the outlet price.

 Ali Ro printed silk dress. Size 10 (left) too big. Size 8 (right) too short. Feeling like goldilocks again... But I loved the print.

Strange flapper esque dress and printed top, both by Nanette Lepore. Size 10. Both it TTS and did my shape no favors.

Tibi cocktail dress in royal blue. Silk, size 10, fit on the small side of TTS. This dress was lovely in theory but the little sleeve was too noncommittal as a sleeve for me to like it. 

Cotton Marc by Marc Jacobs dress was way overpriced for what it was, but this is a size medium and ran a little big.

The only thing I bought. This recycled/organic cotton dress with rosette trim was $35 after a coupon. It has nice pockets and it ran true to size. This a medium. The brand is called Threads 4 Thought.

Dressing Room Reviews: Saks and OOTD

This Marc by Marc Jacobs dress in an ethnic diamond print was so cute in person that even though it was full price I had to try it on. They were out of the 8 so I grabbed the 6 and it was plenty roomy. This style runs large. And I can't seem to find the above anywhere online. I've found a few similar ones in the same lovely print.

Next I tried on a few Marc by Marc Jacobs cardigans.

This Sofi Belted sweater reminded me of the western/Aztec inspired prints I would admire at long-closed Century III Mall chain stores (I *think* it was called Capezio like the dance shoe company but my memory is fuzzy). I tried on a size medium. And although it was true to size, it was sort of a nightmare on me. Regardless, the quality of the weaving and the saturated colors were very striking in person. It is available here and here.

The Tracy Pointelle Sweater comes in both ivory and black. Ivory was on the sale rack and really lovely. This is a size medium. See it in black here.

What I wore that day. Two Paths Trench from Anthropologie, See by Chloe paisley print shift dress.

Fitting Room Reviews: Anthropologie and Saks

Don't forget to enter the Consume or Consumed Blogiversary Giveaway! 

First up are three Anthropologie items. The Aniseed Skirt was very cute on the rack but I was pretty sure it would be no good on me. Although it looks poofy, and adds girth to my bottom half, I kind of like the silliness of it. This is a size 8 and fit true to size. The skirt itself is very nicely made for the retail price. I plan to be practical and not buy this even after it goes on sale because it is not flattering.

The Abstract Greenery skirt is now sold out online but you can run an in store search for it. It went on sale last week. It was unlined and kind of unsubstantial but the print is nice and the green is a lovely saturated hue. The buttons are functional and made me worry about gappage while sitting or something. I passed.

The Lattice Cardigan in navy is so pretty.  This is a medium. I have seen it all over the blogosphere and although I don't know if it will last long enough, I might try to grab it once it hits the sale section.

Next up is Saks:
Everything I liked was full price or still too expensive to buy. I went for Friends and Family but ended up leaving empty handed. The extra 20% off didn't make a larger enough dent.

This cobalt blue rosette trimmed Tibi dress was beautiful in person. Still too pricey even though I found it on the sale rack... This is a large. It was a bit big on me but I sort of liked that because it made the dress a little more slouchy. You can buy it in black here.

This gray Marc by Marc Jacobs Willis Dress had nice, thick stretch cotton, a cinch buttoning belt, and pockets. The size medium was a bit bulky so I would say this style runs large. For sale in black here.

I loved this Trompe Loeil Ramsey cardigan from Marc by Marc Jacobs. All the buttons, pockets, and the peter pan collar were knitted faux details. It closed with snaps. The medium was sold out so this is the large. It runs true to size for MBMJ, which is to say, on the larger side of things. Very similar one here.

More fitting room reviews to come later today. That's all for now!

Window Dressing as I Wait for Fall Sales

Some dressing room pics, with quality, and fit reviews from my 36 hours in NYC:

I wish this Nanette Lepore "Florodora's" dress was available in a different colorway. The electric blue with black embroidery and beadwork is 80s bohemian goth and I feel too old to pull that off.

Tibi Ruffle coat. I LOVE THIS. Very nice wool that is substantial without being stiff. I really want it but it was new and not at all on sale so I passed. Plus, this is the 6 which was a bit snug if I wanted to layer underneath. The 10 was a tent. They didn't have an 8 at the Fifth Ave store.

Nanette Lepore "Cafe Paris" (Paisley) dress. This is super cute in person. I loved it so much that it will likely be the shower dress. Chris's mom was extremely generous in purchasing it for me. The pleats are forgiving and although it is sleeveless, I can easily layer a cardi over top or something with sleeves underneath if I feel too self conscious about my arms. I am wearing a 10, which offered slight additional length. They had no 8 for me to try. 6 would have been obscenely short and too small in the bust, especially.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Ruffled Silk Kaleidescope dress in two colorways. The dress on the right is a 6 and the left is a 10. The 6 was too snug. The 10 was a little blousey up top. They had no 8s so I passed without remorse.

Marc by Marc Jacobs wool "Peacock Paisley" dress. This loose style is not very flattering to my figure but I love the print and the ease of the shape. I am wearing a medium and found it to be very forgiving. I didn't try on the small but I imagine that would have been fine too. The wool of this dress is very soft. I will hunt for this in the coming months, hoping for a sale!

This silk chiffon "Lynda" Diane von Furstenberg dress in "Passage to India" has a paisley print very similar to the Nanette Lepore dress, but the ruffles, fabric finish, and shape are quite different. I liked this but it was full price and I was already getting another paisley print dress. I am wearing a size 8. Apparently it should have had a belt but it was the only one there and I saw no belt in sight.

I ended up getting a souvenir trinket key necklace.

I also got to try on the Peretti Bone cuff in Ruthenium, which is so cool.

Someday it will make a nice self present to commemorate a future milestone yet to be determined.

Other than the necklace, I left New York with some lovely memories (including teaching Chris's mom how to use the subway!) and the gifted Nanette Lepore Paisley dress that I hope will make a cute shower outfit. I might try to track down a few more of the above pieces if prices becomes right after markdowns.