/ Reviews

Next up are three completely different dress styles and all wishlisted for me.

~ Maeve Cabled Colorblock Dress, size 6 ~

I love Mod style from the 60s but never feel comfortable enough to pull it off. This dress changes that. I loved it immediately when I saw it on the hanger. I’m a 34C and don’t think the colorblocking at the chest accentuates it any further. The skirt hits just below the knee on me but has a nice flow to it. The skirt also has some accent buttons on both sides.
 

There are pockets at the front, not the sides of the skirt. The only negative I have is the exposed zip. But the zipper pull has a little ribbon on it to help with pulling it up if you find yourself without and extra pair of hands to help.

 

~ Maeve Brindille Sheath, Navy, size 8 ~

I went straight for this dress because of the pattern, especially the blue flowers popping out all over. My sizing is all over the place for Maeve but it does depend on the style. This sheath dress is the right size in an 8. It has a slight waist to give you just enough curve and definition. The chest is snug but not tight so there’s no gaping on the sides.
 

Again, an exposed zip but it does seem to blend well into the pattern.

 
~ Tylho Brynn Shirtdress, Green, Medium ~
This is an absolutely darling shirtdress. I love the green print and the criss-cross at the waistline is flattering. The chest isn’t tight, which is common for me in shirtdresses, and the skirt portion pleating doesn’t add bulk. The Medium was the best fit though I would like the length just an inch higher, though it’s not a deal-breaker. I think I could easily transition this through Late Fall which boots and a long chunky cardigan. I wonder if I could add my Harvest Moon Poncho in Ivory over the top? I’ve added this dress to my wishlist.
 

/ Reviews

I had an evening to myself last week and dropped by Anthropologie to see what they had. I had not been in the store to try any items on since June. Though not on purpose, I picked a range of dresses to try on during this visit. So let’s take a look this week at what I tried on and liked.

I saw this little Navy option and thought it might work well with my Frye Shirley Boots. I’m trying to make the most of those boots considering how much I paid. I made sure to add them to my Stylebook App Calendar every time I wore them so that I could track cost-per-wear, which is currently around $48.
The size Small of the Laced Augusta Dress fit ok. The shoulders and arms are tight and since they are lace will probably tear if I struggle too much trying to take off the dress. And from the few reviews showing online, it seems as if the tight shoulders is an issue for others. A Medium would be too big through the body and there’s not a Petite option offered. The length is above the knees in the front and a little longer in the back.
 
I think, for me, there’s too much bulk added to my frame and sizing up will only increase that. This one is a pass.
I gravitated towards this dress because of the colors and pattern. Though the colors are Fall-like the halter-style itself is Summer, maybe early Fall if you have 80-90 degree temps like I do until late October. There’s a single button at the neck and the dress is a pull-over style. The Small fit well and the neckline was not tight. The dress flows really well from the chest to the hem, not too wide or overpowering. The length is just above the knee. Though it’s offered in Petite I would stick with the regular size Small.
 

The back has a small open section and the material from the halter is more of an overlay to the body portion of the dress. Though I liked the dress and style of it, I’m not in need of anything like this so another pass for me.

I really wanted to see this dress in the Purple colorway but my store only had the Red. The plaid mixed with the red is a little too Western for me. The Small fit well through the body but the shoulders and top of my arms were snug. The first button hits me just at the top of my chest so I would have to watch myself if I bent over. I like the length but that’s about it, at least in the Red. The Medium Petite might be a little better fit but I’ll wait until this goes to sale before ordering the Purple.
 
Have you tried any of these dresses on? What are you thoughts?
/ Reviews

To finish out the week I have one last set from J Crew, the very popular Patio Pants.

~ Patio Pant, Cabernet, size 8 ~
I reviewed the Patio Pant in the Navy in a size 6 and was able to find a size 8 during my last visit in the Cabernet to compare. The length it longer but still a little off when wearing them with heels. I would like for them to be about a half inch longer to look a little better with the heel. They are a cropped pant so I expected this. The fit is not as snug/form-fitted as the size 6 but there is a little bunching in the front.
 
With “flats” the length is perfect though I did have a defective pair of pants on. The right leg is slightly shorter than the left so I don’t know which length is correct. You can tell by the break in the pant on the left side.
 
This color looked really good with my Collection Heart Dot blouse.
~ Petite Patio Pant in Bi-Stretch Wool, Blue Stone, size 8P ~
I ordered the Blue Stone in 8 Petite to compare length and fit, which I expected to be similar to the regular size 6. The length is just where I would like it, hitting just above the ankle bone. The fit is snug, just like the size 6.
 
The Footless Capri Spanx will smooth things out a little more and hide those VPLs. It seems colors are limited between the Regular and the Petite sizes in Bi-Stretch Wool. The Blue Stone is beautiful IRL. It looks a little Chambray in color which I’m hoping will make it versatile enough to dress down.
Here is a closer look at the color.
I’m so very happy with the 8 Petite size. If I wanted a true trouser I would probably buy the 6 Tall. After receiving these I ordered them in the Leather Tux Stripe in an 8 Petite as well. I’ll share some IRLs when they come in.
What do you think of the Patio Pant in Bi-Stretch Wool?

/ Reviews

I’m not in need of any dressy dresses but was able to try on two in-store last week.

I knew the length was not going to work on me and on the hanger it didn’t appeal to me but I was pleasantly surprised by this dress. The size 6 fit really well on me. Depending on the shape of a dress I can wear either a 6 or 8 so this is the smaller of my two sizes. The top portion is Viscose and has seaming/darts at the chest that are a little too pronounced. The neckline has a little button to give you the option to wear that part open or closed.

 

The length was as I expected and too long, hitting me mid-calf. Though not exposed, the back zip is showing just a little, especially on the skirt portion. The dress didn’t feel tight on me but since the zip is showing some, then it is pulling a bit. An 8 Petite could fix that and the length issues. Sizing to an 8 would be loose all over. Though not my style, this is a very pretty, work appropriate dress.

 
The dress seemed a bit modest on the hanger for me, even with the dot pattern and sheer sleeves and upper chest. But then I put it on and absolutely loved it. The fit is fantastic in the size 6. It is not a shift dress or boxy and there’s no defined waist or waistline. There’s a bit of shape just below the chest. The length hits me just above the knee. The arms just fit though I wouldn’t go up to an 8 or size to an 8 Petite. The size 6 fits really well. The Silk Chiffon is airy and floaty in the skirt section of the dress.
 

The back zip is hidden (YAY!) and looks just as pretty as the front. The only negative I have with the Speckled Chiffon Dress is you will need to wear a strapless bra with it due to the sheer top. But otherwise, this is a beautiful dress. After looking at these pics for a while the shape reminded me of the Tory Burch Alice Dress I purchased earlier this year.

It also comes in a Textured Dot version that is a Poly/Viscose blend. But they are the same dress otherwise.
Have you tried on either of these dresses? I absolutely recommend the Speckled Chiffon Dress.

/ Reviews

J Crew has a new promo code to take 30% off Final Sale and 25% off select Fall Favorites. Use SHOPFALL for the discounts.

~ Graphic Floral Sweatshirt, Medium ~
When I first saw this sweatshirt online I thought it looked like iron-on felt flowers. Needless to say, not a fan. But, My VPS put it in my dressing room and when I saw it IRL I changed my mind. I really like the black flowers against the gray background. I saw the Sequin version as well and it looks like with the copper against navy background. I took my normal size Medium and it fit well, especially with the layer of the Boy Shirt in Mini Gingham underneath. Sadly, it’s not available for the 25% promo.

The flowers still look like iron-on felt but I liked the placement of them and they seem to be stuck on pretty well. It does have a dropped-shoulder seam which I’m impartial to on this sweatshirt.

~ Boy Shirt in Mini Gingham, Eggplant, size 8 ~
I LOVED this color! The Eggplant is a nice dark purple and I plan to wear this quite a bit in Fall and Winter. The size 8 is my normal fit in button-down shirts. I think an 8 Petite would be a little too snug in the shoulders for me though would fix the extra material in the arms. I liked the mini gingham so much that I ordered it in Bright Avocado as well. This is showing in the current promo of SHOPFALL.
Full-length shots for you. I actually like the outfit on the left with the sweatshirt and layered gingham underneath. I have the perfect J Crew shoes to go with the outfit so I’ll have to pull out another gray sweatshirt I have to replicate the look.
 
Have a Great Afternoon!