/ Reviews

Here’s an extra post for today, as I want to finish up my reviews by tomorrow, the end of F&F. (Note – You’ll need a code from an email sent by BR.)

~ Fringe Tank Tunic, Small ~

I have the J Crew retail version of this and it’s still sitting in my closet with tags. 🙁  But I do love this version by BR. The fringe is layered and looks more “feathery”. When I originally saw this tank on the hanger I thought it was a cool mini dress. It just barely covers my rear so it would be indecently mini mini on me. The Small was a great fit, so TTS for me.

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~ Plaid Lace-Trim Tweed Top, size 8 ~

This was the other “early look” item I purchased a few weeks ago. I wanted something in the plaid print and chose this over the Anabel Plaid Wool Scarf and Plaid Tweed Mini Skirt. I like the pattern and this is lined so the wool isn’t itchy against your skin.

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This had only just a bit of shape and was boxy looking from the side. The arms fit me well, they weren’t snug or tight but I still felt constricted in them due to how they were cut. I think I need either true short-sleeve or higher and not elbow-length, like this top.

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The lace trim is as the bottom of the shirt. You couldn’t see it very well against my dark denim.

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~ Haircalf Large Pouch ~

I’ve been wanting a Leopard pouch for a while and was excited to see not only this in-store but also the Haircalf Foldover Crossbody. That one has interior card slots and zippers and the strap can be removed. But it is also almost $100 more than the pouch. The front is haircalf/calfhair in a leopard print and the back is black embossed leather. There’s a single zip at the top and is actually quite big, about a letter-size sheet of paper. I was expecting something a little smaller.

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I did end up buying the pouch as I didn’t see but one other in-store and I didn’t want to miss out on it and since it’s leather it’s excluded from any promos or F&F. You should see this divine Satchel too!

/ Reviews

I hope you’ve been enjoying the reviews so far. I’m glad that I was able to time my fitting room reviews with Friends & Family so you have a better idea of what you might want to buy. Note – You’ll need to have received a code via email from BR.

~ Foulard Ruffle Dress, size 6 ~

The size 6 fit well in this 100% Polyester dress. I’m very disappointed in the material considering the next dress below is $20 more and 100% Silk. The dress was stuck to me and took a while to adjust. I highly recommend a slip with this dress, since it’s not lined.  I am also not a fan of the ruffle going from one sleeve to the other either. We were doing so well in these reviews. It has a shirttail hem and button cuffs. You can see it hits me above the knee but it does come in Tall sizes and solid Gray.

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~ Foulard Silk Bow Dress, size 6 ~

I ordered this during an early access window that also included 40% off. I like the olive color tones of the dress as well as the drop-waist pleats. But the size 6 was a little ill-fitting in the chest and upper body. Sizing to an 8 would make this a little bigger in the waist than I would have liked. And I couldn’t envision myself wearing this anywhere. Bonus points for being 100% Silk, though it is unlined. Had this come in the Preppy Navy I might have reconsidered keeping it.

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Though I like Olive for Fall, Navy always trumps it for me. So I wish these had been offered in both colors. I might have overlooked the ruffle on the Foulard Ruffle Dress.

/ Reviews

Let’s move on to outerwear next. I am usually wearing one of my many wool blazers in Winter and only use my coats when it’s really really cold. But I’d love to add any of these next three items to my closet!

~ Faux Fur Vest, Medium ~

It’s always hard to not look like a Bumble when wear a Faux Fur Vest. I had one in the past that was reversible from GAP Factory and wore it once or twice. I know there are folks out there who can pull off wearing one, it just has to be the right one.

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The Medium was a bigger fit so I would definitely size to a Small which was sold out in-stores. I don’t think I would ever zip this so I am not a fan of the zipper though the contrasting black zipper does break up the fur some. I like the look better unzipped and open. Overall, I like the Faux Fur Vest but is this vest better than it’s competitors (F21, Kohl’s, Lord & Taylor)? The quality might be but IMO, not really. Especially for an item I probably won’t wear next year, or even much this year.

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~ XO Cocoon Coat, Medium  ~

I so loved this coat! I thought the pattern was a swirl at first but it is abstract X’s and O’s. The Medium was a generous fit so I would size to a Small maybe even XS. I cannot remember the warmth of this coat whether it had a nice thick quilted lining but it’s relaxed enough to layer. Size down at least one in this beautiful unique coat.

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~ Plaid Three-Button Tailored Coat, Small ~

This was my favorite of the three and is also offered in Citron Green.  If you like the bright green but not all over then don’t worry as this is mixed with gray in the Plaid version. There’s also a Pink Double-Breasted Coat I love!

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The Small was a tight fit in the shoulders and arms. I think a Medium Petite would be a much better fit in that area as well as shorten the sleeves some. I love this plaid and it’s on many items in this collection. So if the coat isn’t for you maybe the scarf, gloves or Plaid Moto Jacket are! That jacket was gorgeous IRL and has a faux fur collar that’s so soft! I didn’t see it until I was leaving so I wasn’t able to try it on.

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It’s fully lined.

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Double-pockets on the left side

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I really loved the coats compared to last year. I think Marissa is doing a great job with these collections!

/ Reviews

I prefer wearing skirts over pants so I’m always looking for good ones to add to my closet. Let’s take at look at three I tried on last week.

~ XO Printed Full Skirt, size 8 ~

This is no longer available online but was in my store on-sale. It’s the same print as the Cocoon Coat. The size 8 fit pretty snug in the waist so I’d need to size up one. The material felt like a thick crepe and the length hit at my knee. The pleats on this make my hips look wider. I think sizing up would allow them to lay down a little more.

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~ Red Full Skirt, size 8 ~

This is exactly like the skirt above but just in a solid red color. The Red isn’t a true red as it seemed to have a little big of orange tint to it IRL. The sizing was just the same as the XO Full Skirt and was also on sale in-store, priced at $49.99. It’s still full-price online.

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~ Taffeta Fit-and-Flare Skirt, size 8 ~

It was a miss on all three of these skirts, including this lovely olive taffeta one. The size 8 also fit snug in the waist and I’d need a 10 to feel more comfortable. It’s nice and full and I’d put it under “party” outfits because of the taffeta. I wouldn’t want to be rustling around in this skirt at work.

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I am happy with the skirts in my closet so I wasn’t completely sad that these skirts didn’t fit in my normal (J Crew) size 8. There will be others.

/ Reviews

Banana Republic started their Friends & Family event today. You can take 50% off if you purchase 5 full-price items. I’ve found BR is now automatically applying the promo code to your cart. I was able to head in-store last week to try on a lot of items from the latest roll-out.

~ Mixed Stitch Turtleneck Pullover, Green, Small ~
~ Medium Wash Crop Flare, size 29 ~

The Mixed Stitch Turtleneck Sweater Pullover was a generous size so the Small fit well. It comes in an array of colors, including this “green” which is more of a Citron. That color is peppered throughout the collection. I do think I prefer the J Crew Relaxed Wool Turtleneck Sweater as far as style but this “green” color is bright but gorgeous IRL.

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The Medium Wash Crop Flare were pretty snug and not cropped on me. I’d have to size to a 30 which would also make them full-length. The hem is also unfinished/distressed, which I liked. I’m really comfortable in my current wide-leg crops so I’m passing on buying any new skinny jeans right now.

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~ Pink Print Silk Boyfriend Shirt, Pink Strawberry, Small ~
~ Foulard Silk Boyfriend Shirt, Preppy Navy, Small ~
~ Foulard Silk Wide-Leg Pant, Preppy Navy, Small ~

I first saw the Pink Strawberry styled under an Ivory Sweater similar to my Harvest Moon Poncho I purchased at Anthro last year. The sleeve hem has a contrasting foulard print, similar to the Navy below. The background is Olive with pink dots all over. The size Small fit well. I find I am more consistent in a Small with tops at Banana Republic than a Medium, so I would say this is TTS.

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After trying on the Pink Strawberry print, I knew I would be getting the blouse, it was just a matter of what color to buy. Once I tried on the Preppy Navy I knew that was the blouse to buy during this F&F event. I love the color and print so much more than the Pink Strawberry.

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With the Foulard Silk Wide-Leg Pant the two items together look like nice pajamas. The small fit (thank goodness for a tie-waist) but the length was way too long. I don’t even think the Medium Petite would fit in the length without some alterations. Since I would want to keep the contrast print at the hem it would need to be cut off, the foulard part taken up, and then the hem added back. Still these are really nice pants and also come in the Pink Strawberry color. Did I mention the silk was so soft and comfortable? Just lovely.

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Other than the jeans, I really liked all of these items. And I have one item out of 5 to purchase.