Emphasizing the shape of things

When the Bailey 44 column dresses were finally seeing markdowns at Anthropologie (cap sleeved here; tank here; scrolled here), it was just too hard to resist. I ordered what was available that seemed like it could fit a pregnant body without factoring in that 1. I don't really wear BRIGHT RED and 2. I don't really know if I want to "show" that much of myself. Being pregnant gives some women more body confidence than ever before because the body is doing remarkable things. But for me, on many of my more emotional days, my body feels unrecognizable. When your wardrobe is cultivated to emphasize a relatively small waist (the way the bulk of my pre-pregnancy clothes are), it can be a little disorienting to watch your waist change so much in such a relatively short time frame.

So in many ways, my Bailey 44 buy was an experiment. Incidentally, I was able to track down one of the purple versions which I tried and reviewed a while ago. But the red went back. I'm too much of a wallflower to pull it off, pregnant or not. We'll see if I wear the purple while my stomach continues to grow. If not, I am confident it will be a great piece for next fall!

Bargain Alert for Lovers of Bailey 44 Column Dresses

Tank dresses similar to Anthropologie's Maia Column, and Petite Column dresses

I am not usually one to promote knock-offs but many Anthro-philes have lamented the retail price point, quality, and full-price sellout of Bailey 44's column dresses, available at Anthropologie in various iterations over the last year. Recently, while browsing my Google Reader, I noticed that the lovely and always well-dressed Najeema of A Stylized Hysteria was wearing a maxi dress that looked suspiciously familiar, with its askew, zig-zagging stripes and its potential to flatter a range of figures. In her entry, Najeema mentioned that she found it at TJ Maxx and the brand was Max Studio. I decided to check out my local Marshalls and TJ Maxx to see what was up.

Tank dresses similar to Anthropologie's Ines Column and Scrolled Column Dresses

Although I couldn't track down the exact maxi shown on Najeema (which is a shame because I love the full length of it) I did find striped and lacy tank tops, shorter dresses, and maxi skirts from Max Studio as well as other brands, adopting a very similar aesthetic to Bailey 44's.

 Bailey 44-esque maxi skirt

In my research I found the "real" Column dresses to be made with nicer and thicker fabrics, offering a bit more coverage than these cheaper versions. But all of the discount options I saw (from checking two Marshalls and one TJ Maxx) were available for $19.99-$34.99, making them an undeniable bargain, comparatively speaking. I imagine the simple design elements and the popularity of the column dresses mean we'll be seeing a lot of brands attempting their own versions in the coming months.

If you missed out on the Bailey 44 Column dresses, do you think you will buy one of the bargain options?

Recent Outfit of a Chilly Night

I wore this the other night to go out with some friends. It is useful that I can offer to be our regular designated driver when we go to restaurants or even bars but so much is already in my neighborhood that I do a lot of walking anyway. I'm all about comfort right now so flats are reigning supreme even more so than usual. Flats and stretchy clothes!

Outfit details:
Bailey 44 top from Nordstrom Rack (summery tank on sale here; sleeveless similar; ls similar here)
Off Fifth house brand skirt (used to be too loose in the waist and is no longer) (similar)
Spanx tights
MBMJ captoe flats (similar here and here)
Vintage Alviero Martini bag (current version here; budget map-themed bag here)

In which pregnant Jess reviews clingy Bailey 44 Maia Column Dress

Maia Column dress

When I was last visiting my local Anthropologie, I debated whether or not I was feeling bold enough to try on a Bailey 44 column dress while inhabiting what many women refer to as the "in between." I really think Bailey 44 columns make beautiful pieces to emphasize all types of figures, including prominently pregnant ones. That is why I bought the almost tunic-length, long-sleeved top version in San Diego a few months back. On my better body image days I also find myself wishing I had bought one of the longer iterations of the column when I had the chance. 

But during this period when my whole body is squishier than normal but not quite "pregnant looking," it feels risky to embrace a body-conscious silhouette. In the spirit of rejecting the discourse of flattering, I grabbed both the Ines column and the Maia column. Ines was only available in ivory and in medium, which were not at all workable and bordered on obscene. To keep the blog PG, I am refraining from posting those photos. The Maia was actually super cute and the stripes tricked the eyes enough to make current me look and feel very much like pre-pregnancy me, even with the extra weight and inches all over. I grabbed a large which was perfect for now but would be too short to suit me throughout this pregnancy. It seemed clingier and less stretchy than the Tiered Stripes of yore but the fantastically flattering effect remained. The dress is lined and provides decent coverage for something meant to be tight. I also liked that the length is available in petite or regular. I am wearing regular, size large which I thought was a nice length. I think this dress runs true to size but a bit smaller than the Tiered Stripes from collections previous. Ines runs a good bit thinner and smaller than the stripey versions because of the different fabrication. I hope this is helpful information!

Now I'm curious about the cap sleeved version and kind of wish they'd release it in a midi length. Are you sick of the column dresses? Do you own one or many?

Tiered Stripes Top

I was excited to find a Bailey 44 tiered piece at the Mission Valley Nordstrom Rack while I was in San Diego. I grabbed it and immediately worked it into my wardrobe rotation. I wore it for a day of informal meetings and campus business.

It was cold that day so I had a few layers that worked with the outfit for interoffice/interbuilding travels.

The entire outfit is pretty dark and fall-like but I prefer fall colors anyway so I'll risk seasonal inappropriateness.

Details:
Bailey 44 tiered stripe/pieced column top (summery tank versions here and here)
J. Crew matchstick cords (on sale for $19.99 before coupon codes!)
Romeo and Juliet cardi
Stuart Weitzman flats (similar here and here)
Marc by Marc Jacobs bag
Kors watch (15% off watches on saks with coupon code "friends"; 20% off clothes!)

San Diego Dreaming: Part 2

Besides the conference, the other two big components of my trip to southern California involved day excursions to La Jolla and Coronado. The above photos were taken in La Jolla. On my birthday, we rented a car and drove north to visit the beaches and check out the seals who bask and effectively squat the "Children's Pool."

You can see many of them (along with more photos and travel overview) below the cut:

What I bought from the Saks Clearance

Burberry coat

As I've already mentioned, it's pretty bittersweet to be losing the local Saks Fifth Avenue. With the consolidation stock they received, it makes the browsing experience even more fun than usual because there are have brands not typically carried in Pittsburgh. But the knowledge that the store will soon be gone for good is a bummer.

When I visited last weekend I wasn't sure that I would purchase anything. I went to handbags first and found a smooshy gray Rocco bag that tempted me. I even carried it around for a while to figure out if I could manage its infamous heft. Those iconic studs are some serious hardware! Ultimately I put it back. I have plenty of bags so I've become very sensible about impulse purchases (even when things are 65% off!). This is especially important because everything at the Pittsburgh Saks is now final sale.

They are honoring the original return policy for merchandise purchased before the clearance began. And because Anthropologie keeps releasing new colorways for the Pieced Column dress (some of which I like even better than my after Chrismas Saks Bailey 44 buy) I returned it. I read about some quality issues with the fabric and decided I could better put that gift card money to something that will be able to be worn often (lowering the cost per wear) and for years to come.

I've written about my enduring love for outerwear and every year I tend to find one coat to add to my collection. Well, last year was an exception. Although there were coats that I liked, none were the right price at the right time. When I saw the racks of Burberry for 65% off (with a gift card that would make it more than 80% off), I decided to make a purchase. 

Burberry coat

I have already worn it every day this week! 

Note: They still had a lot of the Bailey 44 dresses and they are going to keep marking things down along the way so it might be back in my possession eventually. I will also be sale stalking the Pieced Column at Anthro because I do think it is a gorgeous, fun dress and I liked how it fit me. Eventually I believe I will be able to find one for a better price than retail. Check out Carol's new reviews of the dresses on In Pursuit of Pretty Things. 

Connect Forty Dress Review

Connect Forty Dress

Since it got marked down today, it seems like a good time to finally post this overdue review of Bailey 44's Connect Forty Dress. I tried this on the day after Christmas (when I had just eaten three Christmas dinners) so the practice of trying on such a squeezy dress seemed ill-advised. But I had just come from the Saks sale, where I bought the Pieced Column dress (which is now available at Anthro in a very similar though still not quite the same colorway) so I wasn't totally opposed to tight dresses or Bailey 44. I grabbed it because I loved the green color, the wiggle shape, and the unique length (which I think could stand to be an inch or two shorter on me). This is a size medium and it fit snugly (especially through my stomach and hips). But perhaps it is supposed to? I still wonder if a size large would have been more forgiving. With Spanx or other appropriate shapewear either size would probably look better. But the smoke and mirrors effect of the strategically staggered stripes is missing from this one. You see every curve with ease because the pattern is so uniform. The fabric is nice and much more substantial than that of the Tiered Stripes/Pieced Column/Layered Column family (speaking of, I just noticed the newest iteration featuring thicker, supersized stripes: Rugby Stripe Column). It seems very winter-friendly because it is thicker and warmer. But it is not a dress I will be buying myself.

For the complete sale roundup, which includes a number of sweaters I've long coveted (but still find to be overpriced) check out Roxy's full list.

Pieced Column Review: Tiered Stripes for the Shorties!

(size large in another colorway)

(size medium in another colorway)

I always try to make the after Christmas sale at Saks because the early morning promotion is tough to beat. This year I went a little too late for the best deals and best selection but I did find something I loved in the new arrivals. A shorter version of the Tiered Stripes dress by Bailey 44 (reviewed here). Anthropologie is calling it the Pieced Column Dress. The sales associate at Saks told me they also had it in purple and black stripes which would have been totally up my alley. Sadly, it was long sold out. She said this new version in navy and white was unlikely to last until sale time so I used a merchandise credit to buy it. I like it but I am not sure if I will keep.

I went with the large for this one even though I liked the medium better in the longer version. I'm sure the lack of shapewear and the three Christmas dinners I ate the day prior didn't help me fit into a smaller size of this already body-conscious dress. The fabric is the same as the other iterations of this Bailey 44 number. I wonder and worry about long term wear of what seems to be a somewhat delicate fabric. It is unlined but I find the construction and striping to flatter many figures. I think the placement offers a smoke and mirrors effect at least from the front. I haven't braved wearing this in public yet. Like I said above, I am still deciding.

What do you think? Do you like the long or short option? Does the longer version make it more modest, balancing out its curve-hugging?