Ann Taylor Loft: Full Bloom Shorts and Some Sweaters

Full Bloom Riviera Shorts with 4 inch inseam (size 0)

I love these shorts. I originally tried on a 2 but they were way too big. These are a perfect fit, I just hope they don't stretch too much. I also tried the size 2 Petite and while they fit fine, I preferred the regular. The 4 inch inseam feels modest but not dowdy and the overall style of the short is flattering and fun without being too revealing. A winner!

Triangle Sheer Sweater (S)

I love a lightweight sweater in the summer - I'm always cold so having a little cute layer to pop on is perfect. Something about the pattern added visual weight to my eyes. I think if I'm going to do a lightweight sweater from the Loft I would go for This sweater  instead. Has that whole tropical palm thing going on and much cuter on. I'm trying to hold back on buying more stuff I don't really NEED right now. My closet is about to explode since I'm still holding on to several different sizes of clothes post baby. Once I stop BFeeding I'll do a major cleanout but want to see where my body is really going to land!

Foiled Chevron Pointelle Stitch Sweater (XS)

I LOVE gold sweaters. I have too many of them already. I liked that this was sheer - I envisioned layering it over a cute little tank. Unfortunately the side had a hole in it. Otherwise it is quite delicate and fun. The feel of the knit is odd - the metallic must be sort of coated on in the last part of the sweater-making process because it felt a teeny bit stiff.

Melange Trouser Skirt (size 0)

This was on final sale for like $14 or something. It's cute and oh so comfortable but definitely a little on the snug and short side so I passed. Love the "melange" knit however.

Loft seems to have had some real hits this summer. What do you think of their current offerings?

Ann Taylor Loft: Dresses

I don't really stop in the Loft that often - I feel like I have enough on my hands with keeping track of sales at J Crew, Madewell and Anthropologie. But...I have noticed some pretty cute prints. I feel in love with the full bloom print which you can find on shorts, a maxi dress and a romper. I bought the shorts and think they are lovely - nice material and fit. Here are a few other things that caught my eye.

Sky Bloom Midi Dress (XS)

Love this print and the fabric swishes around in such a fun way - I could do twirls in this! My usual XS fit fine I just don't wear spaghetti straps very often. Very comfortable and I like the midi length.

Lou & Grey Chambray Shirtdress (XS)

This fit fine but the waist fell a bit too low. Felt a little too "I've been workin' on the railroad" for me. I'm 5'4" and the length was just right.

Summer Eyelet Dress (XS) in Bright Passion Plum

I'm not sure why I picked this up - the color maybe? The eyelet? Once I put it on it reminded me far too much of something I might have worn in the early 90's. It is very comfortable and breezy but it was way too short and not that flattering. Made me feel like a little girl but not in a good way.

Embroidered Baby Doll Dress (Size 2)

I would definitely need at least a 0 in this dress. Wish the embroidery went all the way around. This, as opposed to most of the other dresses, felt a bit too long and thus frumpy. I still liked the idea of it - great for throwing on on a hot day when you just want to laze around not doing much. Ha, I can't remember the last time I did that!

Bloomtime Jumpsuit (XS)

I'm starting to come to terms with the fact that jumpsuits might not be for me :) This print is fun but too big and loud for all over my body. The fit was basically fine but I didn't feel like it did me any favors, especially in the rear view. Cute on someone taller maybe? although the length of the pant portion felt too short...

Have you found any goodies at the Loft recently?

J Crew: Shorts, Midnight Floral Top and Lightweight Camp Shirt

Sales galore! It's hard to keep up with the price drop game right now but it's nice to not worry about final sale. I'm attempting to try on as much as possible while I still have the possibility of returning and while J Crew is getting a bad rap right now, there are some nice things still out there. The 50% was almost irresistible and it did allow me to buy a few coveted items...

Lightweight Camp Shirt (Size 0)

I bought this to go with the Gold Foil Leaf Skirt but it doesn't really work that well. As a shirt it's totally cute. My usual size is 2 but I felt like the 0 was fine. It was a little shorter than I usually like. The cotton is very soft and lightweight. If you need a light cotton summer shirt, this fits the bill.

Tinted Seersucked Pull-on Short (XXS)

These are adorable and so comfy. I almost bit but they are a bit too small. If they had the XS it would have been tempting - so TTS.

Drapey Belted Pull-On Short (XS)

LOVE these. We'll see how these wear - the online reviews were sort of negative. I like them because they seem sort of dressy. The belt is weirdly like a foot or two too long but I guess I can live with that.

Midnight Floral Cocoon Top (00)

I do love this print. The color combination is gorgeous. This is a size smaller than my usual size, actually 2 from my normal shirt size, 1 more my usual this type of J Crew blouse size. With the 50% off I couldn't resist. I think it will go well with so many things and I like the way it grazes the body and hides the tummy!

What did you snap up during the 50% off?

Madewell Reviews: North Shore Cover-Up and Kimono Romper

I was excited to see the extra 30% off at Madewell and had a feeling it was coming. I've noticed that when older items begin to pop back and sizes are restocked that usually a percent off promo is coming - this time was no exception! I did order a few things including this little tank (final sale risk - ahhh!) which turned out to be quite cute and these pants which are really soft and comfortable although slightly big at the waist. I will take pics of those soon. Also, I think this dress is a great deal. I bought it a month ago and as predicted have worn it weekly. Feels chic and yet so easy. I like it even more since I washed it and it shrunk a little.

Here are 2 little numbers I tried on when in store.

North Shore Cover-Up Dress in Electric Stitch (XS)

I did not realize this was a cover-up when I tried it on. Or that the back was quite so low. That being said, it's lovely for that purpose. The deep dip in the back is certainly sexy which is a nice balance to the overall voluminous shape. I would probably size down on this one although not sure if that would matter. I was honestly looking at it as a "house dress" to run around in while I'm sweating and cleaning up house :)

Kimono Romper (XS)

The romper trend - argh - I sort of want to participate and sort of also think that I should let it pass. This romper is actually pretty cute and I'm surprised it's on sale for $49.99. My usual XS felt fine. The top is fairly roomy so if you do not have a full chest i'm not sure how it will fit - maybe just a bit more drapey. The shorts portion have a big pleat in the front but overall the look was fine. The fabric is thick which is good for shape but bad for heat.

What do you think of the romper trend?

J. Crew Review: Midnight Floral and some Plumeria Jacquard

Ah... finally done teaching for the year! YAHOO! I rewarded myself with a babysitter and some shopping/lunch time with a good friend. So fun and so restorative! Now I am ready to tackle the summer with 2 kids and probably not enough camp. We'll see how that goes.

Of course we popped in J Crew where I was not entirely surprised to see so much new stuff on sale. Here are a few things I tried:

Crossover Pencil Skirt in Plumeria Jacquard (size 0)

 I thought this was lovely and liked the little crossover detail. The material is fairly thick so keep that in mind if you live in a very hot climate. I also tried on the size 2 but the hips were huge. I am finding that in most of the pencil skirts this season - big hips, tight waists. Anyhoo I would have purchased this except the waist was SNUG. Like holding things in but in a bad way. It's a bummer because I really like it. Perhaps if you have not had a baby semi recently it will fit you the way it was intended :) It's definitely meant to sit a bit higher which I liked!

 Sleeveless Shift Dress in Midnight Floral (Size 0)

 The IRL photos of this print never do it justice. It is so rich and delicious looking in person. This is my normal size in shift dresses. I'm sure a 2 would have been fine as well. It's very cute and comfortable and I liked the contrast piping down the front. I saw someone wearing this at graduation the other day and really liked it.

 Garden Pant in Midnight Floral (size 2)

I loves me a good dressy pant with a gorgeous pattern and this one is it! I went to a size 2 because I'm still sort of a 2 in pants at J Crew. It was slightly big at the waist but fit great everywhere else. My only complaint is the pockets - they are sort of a weird shape and stick out a teeny tiny bit. I might just have my tailor sew them up if I purchase them. Really love these and think they would work beautifully in the winter as well.

Those are my sale finds. I think these prints are lovely and I actually like the thicker fabrics - hide some lumps and bumps. What do you think?

Brooks Brothers Reviews: Clearance

So I know it seems a little goofy to review winter items now that the summer heat has finally rolled in but there are some good deals to be had! I've been loving me some Red Fleece this year - the quality has been great and the fit very nice - not too old ladyish which is what I tend to think of when I think of Brooks Brothers. Anyway... here are a few goodies:

 Jacquard Flower Pants (size 0)

The material on these is so special - sort of like a men's tie. There is no give at all which does make the fit a little tricky. The size 0 fits me but just barely. The size 2 was definitely too big though.

Close up of the lovely material. I would definitely wear these to work and feel they are dressy but not overly so. Such a steal at their current price.

Hibiscus Print Pants (size 2)

I was immediately drawn to these when they realeased their spring line. Reminiscent of a lot of the casual drawstring pants J Crew is releasing these days. The print is adorable. I found the fit fine but nothing too exciting and the material is a little thinner than I was anticipating - which is probably a good thing for the heat of summer.

Crewneck Stripe Tee (size S) 

I love this little tee. The fit is lovely and the material is SO soft.

 Crewneck Stripe Tee (size XS)

The XS fit nicely too - I just like to have a little extra room in the tummy area these days so I don't have to spend the entire day contracting my abs ;)

 Crewneck Stripe Tee (XS)

Also comes in red and black. Also comfortable and adorable.

 Shawl Collar Cardigan (XS)

I have a cotton shawl collar cardigan from J Crew that I wear constantly and was really hoping this one could join the rotation. I wanted it to be longer. And the elbow patches to look a bit less obvious. Overall a decent sweater just not the style I was looking for.

Buttoned up does a nice imitation of a blazer.

Fair Isle Sweater (XS)

Both sizes fit well. It's really beautiful and again it is at a good price point right now.

 Fair Isle Sweater (S)

I prefered my usual size XS but could have gone with either. The S had a little more length to it. My husband said it just looked to LLBean Preppy Handbook for his taste.

Really loving Red Fleece this year - a nice alternative to J Crew since their quality has been so lacking. Have you shopped Brooks Brothers recently?