Anthropologie Reviews: Empress Dress, Coquillage Dress, Whitby Blazer and others

So many markdowns this week! Anthro is really trying to clear some of the summer stuff out and although some prices are pretty rock bottom I'm trying to resist stocking up for next summer. Must focus on the season at hand! I'm really excited to try on some of the gorgeous winter cocktail dresses but this time I mostly focused on some sale stuff. Here's what I found:

Escape Dress (size 6)

So fun and cha cha! I usually have to size up in Tracy Reese but the size 6 was too big. I might even be able to go with my normal size. The colors are so beautiful and I love the beautiful panel at the waist. I also appreciate that is a bit more modest than some other summer offerings. 

 Empress Dress (size 2)

 Me oh my am I sucker for bright blue. Cannot stay away from it! This little dress is adorable and quite flattering. The empire waist nips in at just the right point and the pleating is nice for covering a little belly but not too overdone. It definitely runs a little bit small in the top. There is not tons of room to move but all I need to do is lift a cocktail in this dress anyway ;) Length is perfect for 5'4" me.

Coquillage Dress (size M)

 This is way too revealing for someone my age but there is something intriguing about it. You would definitely need to wear a full slip underneath (which I am way too lazy for). This is a size Medium which is 2 up from my normal size and I don't think I could take any smaller. The crochet detail at the top is so beautiful. I guess this is a summer dress but I always feel a bit strange wearing a sweater dress in the summer.

 Canela Panel Skirt (size S?)

 Random sale find. The print is so beautiful, which is no surprise coming from Tracy Reese. I generally don't do elastic waist skirts because they don't do me any favors.

 Whitby Blazer (size 2) in Purple

 So Anthropologie! I think I have at least one other blazer like this. The color is unusual - sort of a purply mauvey color. TTS. I like the tuxedo lapels and the length on this one. Feels very laid back. I find that this material gets really wrinkly really fast...

 Katrine Peplum Top (XS)

This top is so gorgeous but really short-waisted. Usually this is no problem for me since I am quite short-waisted but I don't think it entirely works with this top. I LOVE the eyelash lace on the shoulders - so beautiful - but something is unflattering. I really only like it with the belt but I want it to work so badly. Maybe if there was lace frou-frou at the peplum? I don't know. Anyone else have fit problems with this top?

French Stripe Column Dress (size S)

Bailey 44. It's all variations on a theme but they really are magical dresses. I was on the fence with this one because the lighter colors are definitely more revealing and the neckline looks a little 80's/90's to me. I do like the longer length (I own a different iteration that is above the knee) and of course the fit. These dresses are a great sale find because you can pretty much wear any size (I own a S in the other dress and a medium in a short-sleeved style). What do you think of this one?

I'm assuming the crazy sale season might be winding down until Black Friday but perhaps I'm wrong. I can hardly keep up these days!

J. Crew Review: Flower Tee, Technicolor Top and Collection Mini in Quartz Jacquard

Ah... fall marches on to its own crazy beat. I can't believe it is already almost Halloween! When I bought my little lady's Halloween costume I was thinking I was so ahead of the game and that Halloween was SOOOO far away. Now I'm like, what? Next week? Yikes. Anyhoo, there have been so many promos going on with crazy percentages that I can barely keep on top of them. I did quickly slip into a J. Crew that is not my usual one to try on a few not seen before items:

Only In-Store (as of now) Flower Linen Tee Linen Rose Tee (XXS)

Ok. So I have tried this on before but not in this size. usually with the linen tees I have to size down and I guess I would have to on this one too (thus the XXS in the picture) but it was a little slimmer than I would normally like. I feel like I need an XXS1/2. I am definitely obsessed with this tee - looks like something out of an old vintage flower catalogue. J'adore.

 Technicolor Floral Top (size 0)

I was definitely intrigued by this top online but not so much in person. It looks like some crazy 70's reject you would find at a vintage shop (IMHO). Even the material felt sort of strange. This is one size down from my normal which I may be able to pull off but probably not without some gap-page so stick to your normal size. What I really find unflattering is the shape. The high neck just looks so .... uniformy. It's interesting but I don't think I could pull it off.

 Collection Salon Mini in Quartz Jacquard (size 0)

My usual size 0 was a bit snug and definitely fit at my actual waist so if you're looking to wear this skirt a bit lower, size up. I love the color and the shimmer in the pattern but the material felt CHEAP. Like Forever 21 cheap. I don't care if this is "collection" or not, blech. Stiff. It reminds of the origami mini from about 2 years back? If the material was nicer, perhaps thicker, it would be cute.

Sorry to not have more positive reviews. I will be checking out some of the newer arrivals later this week so hopefully I will have good news!

Thank goodness the 40% online is over. I felt like I was looking for something to buy when I really need nothing right now!

Madewell Reviews: Some sale and 2 new dresses!

Ah Madewell. I have a little bit of an unhealthy obsessions. I think I was looking to quit the Crewlade and Madewell has helped me do that. Not everything there is a win for me but it's nice to try some pieces with different proportions and colors. As of this weekend they were running 40% off sale but I'm not sure if that's still going on. There are some pretty decent deals to be had but I don't feel like Madewell's items ever go quite as low as J Crew's. Here's what I tried on:

Madewell Basket Weave Colorblock Sweater (XS)

 This seems to be sold out online. In general, I am not a huge fan of Madewell sweaters. I like their summer ones but a lot of the fall items feel cheap to me. The colorblocking is cute but the knit feels flimsy and like it might pill? Don't have much experience on this one. Anyway, soft, cute but looks a little cheap IMO.

Pocket Cardigan in Stripe (XS)

Stripes, pockets and grandpa cardigan - the holy trinity of sweaters for me! The XS was definitely too snug, made this look a little off. It would be basically cute in the right size but didn't wow me. I find Madewell's sweaters (some styles) do run a little small. 

 Windowpane Boyshirt in Red (XS)

 This was a random sale find and while I don't like it untucked I do LOVE it tucked. The color is great and it's a really lightweight, soft cotton. Sometimes Mwell's shirts don't fit me correctly but this one is lovely.

 Shirred Silk Dress (size 2) in Beetle Green

 Tried this on before in the red. Excuse the knickers around my ankles. Sooo lazy these days. The color is a rich jewel-tone green and the silk is wonderful. I'm really addicted to Madewell's silk numbers - I think they do them well. Although this is not exactly super exciting on the fashion-forward front, it is a great little dress to thrown on with some jewelry and heels and look great in. Extremely comfortable. I like having something to cover the food baby that brews in my stomach occasionally.

 Zip Shiftdress (XS)

 I think this kicks the pants off the J Crew Zip Pocket Dress. It had a very slim fit and the zippers are more of a subtle detail. I recall it feeling a bit tight in the shoulders but besides that I really like it. Nice heavier material that draped well.

 Cap-Sleeve Dress in transatlantic blue (Size 0)

 This reminds me of the Tailored Minidress from last season. I sized down on this one and I think I could go with either size 0 or 2. I love this dress with one exception - the extra material that gets bunched up above the waistline. I've experienced this with other Madewell Dresses (namely the Silk Shirtdress which I love). Unlike the silky version, this dress is made out of a heavier, lined crepe so there isn't much to be done with that extra material. It just sort of bunches and sticks out there. Blah. Everything else is perfect!

What do you think of Madewell's latest offerings?

Anthropologie Review: A fox and a sale

Creature Feature Top (size S)

I tried this on before in an XS and just felt like it was painted on. The small is still quite fitted but much improved. I might even try a medium. This is such a flattering tee - the lower back, button details and nice boatneck are fabulous. Wouldn't mind trying on a medium as well, just to see.

 Chaton Shift (XS)

 I love cats and had been curious about this dress even though I knew that it wouldn't really work. My normal XS fit fine, the dress has a lot of give, but the shape is terrible on me. HIGH neckline and straight down the sides. From the side I definitely look odd. Love the idea of the print but the whole thing is a bit too young for me.

Caraiva Pencil Skirt (size M)

Hmm. The material on this feels very shape and has no structure of its own so it shows every lump and bump. The colors are very pretty and it is very comfortable but it looked sort of cheap. Need a pair of spanx underneath. This is 2 sizes up from my normal size and I think it looks plenty tight enough so I'd definitely say this runs small.

Sorry for the quickie reviews, I am in a crunch until at least this weekend but just wanted to get some things up and reviewed!