Anthropologie Review: Starlit Stripes, Channeled Dots, Leopardo, Gilt Bouquet and others

Oh the holiday dresses at Anthro this time of year! So fun to look at! I'm not exactly filling my dance card with a thousand parties to attend so I'm usually trying on these dresses for fun, but if one particularly struck my fancy perhaps I could find an excuse to wear it!

Starlit Stripes Dress (Size 2) by Leifsdottir

Leifsdottir can always be trusted to produce something interesting but this just didn't pass the test! The sequins are SOOOO scratchy on the top. Like unbearably so. And then the silhouette is so unflattering. The top is very fitted, which looks nice, but the waist is quite high with the skirt flaring out several inches all over from it. Yikes. Reminds me of Mother Ginger in the Nutcracker - what could I possibly be hiding under my skirt? Snacks for later? Several pregnancies? A flotation device?

 Channeled Dots Column Dress (size 2)

I tried this on on a whim and wow! I think it does the body good. The material is synthetic but is very soft and comfortable. Contrary to reviews online, I did not find this to run big at all. Most of the reviewers claimed it ran big in the chest, which for me is a plus, so perhaps that is why. I don't think the colors or shape is particular unique but I do think the overall look is incredibly slimming. Wish it wasn't on sale for $99. $50 would feel more appropriate.

Leopardo Sweater Dress (XS)

Soft. Soft soft. Oh my this dress is like wearing your favorite throw. I don't know if this dress got slightly stretched out or what but it definitely runs big. It looks fine in the photos but I definitely felt like it was too big in person. I don't think I can handle an all over leopard print but I love the material of this dress and the idea. Comfy chic.

 Starshine Brocade Dress (size 2)

I was attracted to the colors and shine on this dress. It's not terrible but it felt a bit snug up top. Here's another dress where the waistband is placed fairly high - not empire high but weird in between high. This placement always makes me feel like I'm trying to wear little girls clothing. If you are younger, this will be adorable and very festive (and on sale!)

 Gilt Bouquet Skirt (size 0)

I would definitely need my normal Anthro size 2 on this one. I could get it on but it was snug at the waist. It's very pretty - the overlay is beautiful and the volume of the skirt is easy and not overdone. The material did not feel particularly expensive to me but the overall vibe is elegant.

 Brocade Peplum Top (size 2)

Clearly this top is not meant to be layered over a voluminous skirt. I adore the print and colors. It fits fairly well and is a cute little top. Again with the awkward waistline - although I supposed this is more of an empire fit. It felt a little maternity but I still liked it. The material was way more substantial than I had anticipated and had a bit of sparkle to it. Nice.

Tiered Arden Dress (XS)

Another sale item that I was drawn to because of the gorgeous color. In the pictures you cannot see the waistband which is a nice way to delineate top from bottom. In these pictures I think it looks like I have some weird long-waisted thing on but in person it appeared more proportional. The sweater knit on top is quite comfortable and the skirt portion is interesting. The delicate pleating gives it structure and the overall shape is more tulip rather than a-line. Everything seems to drape nicely.

 Roseate Blazer (XS)

Tried this on for fun. I love bold floral prints but this made me feel like a granny. Granted I would not pair it with an ornate sweater dress but still. The shape felt a bit too 80's (cue flash

back).

 Sydney Moto Jacket (size XS)

Moto jackets are clearly in this season and I am still trying to figure out how to partake in the trend without looking too trendy. I think J. Crew has two excellent options with the Boucle Motorcylcle Jacket (see review here) and the Stretch Wool Motorcyle Jacket. Anthro has this cute little option. I liked that the jacket was out of sweatshirt/sweater material - really made it casual but in a fun way. The collar falls nicely and the quilting is super cute. my only complaint is that the pockets stick out a bit on the sides. If this one flaw could be fixed, I would be head over heels for this jacket!

So many fun things to see at Anthro. What is on your holiday wish list?

J. Crew Review: Curator Pant, Side-Button Sweater and Technicolor Skirt

This is the ride-along edition of reviews. You know, those items you add because you've been wanting to try them but know you are not going to keep them but need free shipping? Yeah, I'm not proud but at least I'm honest! I have been really fascinated by the Curator pant - I love the idea but as you will see below, it wasn't quite a love IRL.

Collection Curator Pant (size 0)

The good: the waist band fits perfetly and the material drapes well overall. The bad: The length is too short in my opinion. I felt like I had flood pants on. Plus, the rise was sort of short. The waist fit great but it made me feel like the crotch was riding up, not nice.  The worst part was the pockets. You can see in the front and back shots that they are sticking out, badly, on the sides. The way the material falls in that area - it's like there's too much material so it has to stick out to the side. If this was fixed, they would maybe be cute but I just felt like they added pounds.

Better with a shirt over it, but still not worth $148!

Side-Button Sweater in Colorblock (XS)

This si definitely on the slouchier side for J Crew. If you want a more fitted look, I would side down. That being said, I enjoyed the slouchiness and the slightly longer, almost tunic-like, length. It's a very soft cozy little sweater and I can see throwing this on during the weekend with some leggings or skinny jeans.

Girls' Technicolor Flora Skirt (size 14)

I'm a little bit obsessed with this pattern but didn't like the material they used for the grown-up version. Well, if you are teeny tiny, this girls skirt is for you! It has elastic in the back so it did fit but it was a bit snug. It's really well made - the pleats are perfect, it's lined and it's made with soft cotton instead of polyester craziness. It almost felt like it was working - with a more grown-up black crewneck sweater or something - but it still made me feel a bit too little girlish.

How are your 40% off orders working out ?

J. Crew Review: A vacationland and some shoe porn

I've been pretty good with J Crew lately but the extra 40% off, yet again, pushed me over the edge. Some many things were coming up as NOT final sale that it was too tempting. Here are a few things I tried:

Linen Rose Tee (XXS)
Shirttail Mini in wool (size 0) in Deep Riviera

 Okay, so this is neither vacation or shoe porn but I wanted to share. I wanted to confirm my love for the shirttail mini and my preferred color was blue anyway so I thought I would have a go. I love the cobalt blue color and I think it is very on trend right now. I also think JCrew did this mini right - very streamlined and the waistband fits very well. It looks like it's a wee snug from the side but the front shoes a little extra material. I don't think it's obscenely short if I throw on some rights.

The linen rose tee is something I aboslutely adored when it first came out and then when I finally snagged it for a reasonable price I wasn't so sure. I would actually prefer it if it wasn't linen and was made of a more opque fabric. I do like it overall however and I'm going to see how it works into my wardrobe before making my final decision.

 Collection Vacationland Dress (size 2)

 I have always admired this dress - the pajama style, the sweet little graphics that make you look closer, the nice piping at the edges, but $325? They must have been insane. It is not lined and is in fact slightly sheer. I know it's so wrong, but I sort of love it. So comfortable to throw on and go and so different!

 Dress size 2 on left, size 0 on right

 Here is a side by side of the two sizes - not a ton of difference but the size 0 definitely feels more streamlined without being restrictive.

Collection Vacationland Dress (size 0)

 Here is a full view of the size 0. Again, I know I'm probably insane for liking this dress but there is something so appealing about it. I'm not sure about the color with my skin but I think with a hint of tan in the summer it would be acceptable.

Kiki Cap Toe Ballet Flats (size 7.5)

I thought these were so Chanel. I love the cream/navy combo. I have heard many glowing reviews of the kikis and wanted to try them myself. I like that they feel more like a structured shoe then your typical flimsy ballet flat. They squeeze my bunion a bit (I know, TMI) but I think a could stretch at the cobblers would fix that. I was going to invest in another pair of Blochs however so am on the fence.

what did you get with the 40% off? What do you think of the Vacationland dress?

J. Crew Review: New Arrivals that I actually like :)

I've been a little off the Crewlade recently only buying closet staples (t-shirts and such) at rock bottom prices but I liked some of the most recent arrivals. I don't need anything right now and so feel happy to wait until after the holidays when I will have some gift cards and then inevitable 40% off sale offers. Does anyone else feel like these are happening way too frequently? I seem to remember 40% would happen about twice a year before - once in the summer to clear out that stuff and once after holidays. Now it seems like every couple of weeks! Not that I'm complaining but this tactic seems to mean that prices for items stay higher but you are offered 40% off which makes you more inclined to bite. Just a thought. Anyway, of course I fell prey to a few non final sale popbacks (hello vacationland dress, will you work for me?) but I'm going to try to abstain for while :)

Silk Boy Blouse in Owl Print (size 2)

I love anything with a bird print but didn't find myself particularly drawn to this blouse. That being said, I liked it more when I put it on then I did on the hanger. It has a nice relaxed drape and fit and the silk felt nice on the body. From far away, the printj ust looks like an interesting medallion print, not owls, which I sort of liked. 

 Boucle Motorcycle Jacket (size 4)

Love. Moto jackets are so in but I just feel sort of silly when I try on the leather ones. I have not been on a motorcycle since about 2000 and I've never driven one :) This is one size bigger than normal because it was all they had and I would prefer my normal size but this one certainly wasn't huge. It fits so beautifully and the boucle is really sturdy giving the jacket a beautiful structure. Too cute.

 Open Cardigan in Heather Graphite (XXS)

This is a size down from my normal. The knit is super thick and dense which I liked. The sweater naturally falls in the right places and hugs the shoulders correctly because of the thickness. It almost has a jacket like structure to it  which is nice. Definitely cozy. I don't think it's doing anything super fabulous for my body but I guess this style isn't really supposed to. A belt might add a little pizazz. I should probably feel embarrassed that I just used the word "pizazz".

 Double-Zip Sweater in Colorblock (XS) in Graphite Charcoal

Adorbable. Nothing super fancy but the zippers are a really cute touch. I prefer the way the sweater zips with the zip parts unzipped - a great way to give a peekaboo color or print underneath as well. The length is right, the neckline not too high, the colorblocking on trend. Very nice!

 Fluted Skirt in Double Crepe (size 00)

This is a size down from my normal and while it fit I would prefer my normal size. I liked this more than I thought I would but I still can't really get behind this shape. Feels way too skater to me but I think it would be cute on someone much younger. The seams at the top do make it lay well on the body and the "fluting" is well done. Just not my general taste.

Overall, I really like some of these newer arrivals, especially the boucle jacket. What are you liking?