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More reviews from the mid-March roll-out. This time skirts and shorts.

The Lace-Stripe Skirt comes in three colors. My store had the Light Citron and White but not the one I wanted, Strawberry Rose. The Light Citron is bright but a beautiful yellow. I’m wearing a size 6 in the Light Citron and an 8 in the White. Honestly, both fit well. There was just a little difference in the length and the 6 sat at my waist while the 8 was a little lower. The pleats are nice and don’t seem to add any extra weight. I’d probably order the 6 in the Strawberry Rose.

I love white skirts for Summer. I have one from Kate Spade I found at the Outlet a few years ago. This one is really cute but there’s no need for two white skirts in my closet, right?

Esplanade Skirt in Seersucker Eyelet, size 6 – I’m not digging this seersucker eyelet on anything. And the drop-waist followed by pleats on this skirt are hideous on me. I would definitely size to an 8 if I thought about getting it but I won’t. The concept of the Merino Sweater in Seersucker Eyelet just baffles me. I just can’t grasp my head around Merino Wool and Seersucker…together. That’s just not Summer to me. Can you tell I’m not a big fan of this roll-out? I know some people will love the sweater and this skirt but a big ol’ pass for me.

Pleated Crepe Short, size 6 – This is the Byzantine Purple but looks blue on my screen. Anyway, they are purple and I was surprised the 6 fit well in the waist and hips. I’m a size 8 in all shorts so sizing up in this short would making it really baggy and unflattering. I’d probably get the black or navy in these as this seems like a dressier short. 

Collection Pyramid Brocade Short, size 8 – I really like these shorts. They fit well in my normal size 8. Though the website states these area a 3-inch inseam they are sitting on my hips which provides more coverage. Of course if I sit down anywhere that is not a smooth surface I will snag these like crazy, so I’ll need to be careful when wearing them. I like these better than the Factory Metallic Brocade Shorts I ended up returning. {review}

 

And styled with the Merino Silk-Panel Sweater. The colors go though I really wouldn’t wear a Merino sweater with shorts.

The Lace-Stripe Skirt is one I really like and would love to get it in the Strawberry Rose color. And I am pretty sure I’m keeping the Collection Pyramid Brocade Shorts.
Have you tried any of these yet? 

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It seems I am a little obsessed with Tory Burch shoes so I thought I would share with you how it all started.

Thora. Thora started it all. She is a flip-flop but not just any flip-flop. She’s classy and immediately dresses up any outfit, including shorts.

I started with the most amazing pair, a Leopard print. I wore these every other day that Summer.

The following year I grabbed the Black Patent, with the black insole. There is also a Tumbled Leather in Black but the insole is brown. I prefer the matching insole for this color.

I bought the Tan in the Tumbled Leather the following year and also found Navy Blue. The Patent Thora 2 are similar to mine. I can’t determine a difference between the Thora and Thora 2 and my sales person said something so silly I can’t even remember.

You can see that the insole has some discoloration from wear. I guess it’s because these are a lighter color on the insole.

These are a flip-flop so there is no support, cushion or heel of any kind. I love that the “T” logo, in gold or silver depending on the shoe color, makes these nicer than any others I’ve owned. 

Now you know what started the Tory Burch obsession. Though a little pricey around $125 for the pair, the cost-per-wear drops quickly for me as I wear these all Summer long.


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Again, making returns to the retail store I checked out some of the March/April new arrivals. I was returning the Schoolboy Blazer in Tipped Linen {review} because I scored it on promo plus 40% off, making it $99! So I ordered the White one as well. Review coming soon!

Eyelet Shirtdress, Navy in size 6 and Neon Kiwi in Size 8 – I like the idea of a shirtdress but prefer those that have a defined waist of some kind. The Eyelet Shirtdress is a straight shift silhouette and is cute. The size 6 is the better fit but I love the Neon Kiwi color. I’m a little confused by J Crew as to why eyelet, seersucker, and lace are being introduced in Spring and not Summer. I’m not inclined to buy it now, which I guess is a good thing because when Summer weather does roll around this will be on sale.

I’m sure you could belt this and not be worried about the length. Your bra-straps will show at the shoulders but if you wear a nude bra then it will hardly be noticed. I take a 6 or 8 depending on the style of dress. I’m a 6 in shift and straight silhouettes, like the ones in this post, and an 8 in structured, waist-defining shapes, like the Scallop Crepe Dress or the Split-Neck Dress. To me this dress fits TTS. If you are like me and vary with two sizes then take the smaller size. Others who are consistent should stay in their normal size.

Pink Geo Shirtdress, size 6 – My VPS said this is an “Audrey Dress”. I’d have to agree. I love the pattern, multi-color and shape. The length hits just above the knee but might be a little more fun a few inches shorter. It was very comfortable on and I could see myself wearing it until the hot temps came along. That poly lining would be horrendous at 100 degrees outside. The print also comes in a Shirt and Skirt, neither of which I’m a fan of, at a glance. The shirt looks big and boxy and the skirt is Poly. See the dress and shirt on my Fit Twin!

Silk Crepe Maxidress, size Small – This dress was a completely unexpected LOVE! This comes in black, Brilliant Blueberry and Neon Papaya. I never would have noticed this if it weren’t in-store as it is in the Beach Cover-Up section online. The Small is a great fit and I almost considered trying an XS if it weren’t for my belly pouching out just a little. The length is perfect; no hemming needed. It is a bit sheer, since it’s meant to be a cover-up but a light cotton slip or nude lingerie should help with that. I like that the straps are wider and not spaghetti skinny. There are bra keeps as well. The back does dip a lower than my bra but again, this is being sold as a cover-up not a DressDress. 

Here are two styling options I came up with in the dressing room for both colors of the dress. The first top is the Perfect Shirt in Crosshatch Linen in Lemon Pulp and the second is the Metallic Linen V-Neck Sweater.

Have a Great Day!

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This is round 2 for the Chambray Shift Dress from Banana Republic {original review}. I really couldn’t get it out of my head and was able to order it for almost the same price as last time. Actually, maybe a little less this time. This is the size 8 and it fits much better. The size 6 was snug, not necessarily tight but definitely not for wearing while eating a large meal.  The size 8 is a little looser everywhere and now I really really like it so it’s going to be staying in my closet. It will be a great dress to just throw on for the day and doesn’t look too bad with the Lillian Mirror Metallic Wedge Sandals I had on that day.

I also decided to try the Heritage Denim Top in a size 8. This top is just the dress without the bottom half. The material is the same as the dress and feels soft and comfortable against the skin. I’ll return this as it was just a little difficult to take off. There is a short, exposed zipper in the back and no stretch in the shirt. 

I was glad I decided to give the Chambray Shift Dress another try in the size 8. It’s very cute and should get a bit of wear this Spring and Summer.
Have a Great Day!

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I had a few people ask about the differences between the Retail vs Factory Scalloped Shift Dress. I have the retail version in Black and the Factory in Pale Citrus.

The material on both is a blend of Poly/Viscose/Spandex. The retail dress has 75% Poly compared to 62% in the factory dress. Also, the factory dress label states there is less Poly, more Spandex in the back than the front. The feel of the material is the same. I can’t tell a 13% difference between the two. Maybe the retail is a touch thicker but just barely.

You can see the shape is the same. I should have gone against a lighter background so you could see the retail shape better. Both have bra-keeps at the shoulders. Scallops are around the sleeves and hem.

There is maybe a touch difference in length, with the factory dress slightly longer. As you can see in the above pics, the dress is short in either version. Be careful bending over.

I really do see myself wearing the Pale Citrus. It looks good with the Lillian Sandals in Calf Hair {patent, suede, metallic}. I did end up returning the Navy dress as I kept the Ann Taylor dress in Navy.
Overall, the Factory Scalloped Shift Dress is a great, exact duplicate of the Retail version of this dress. 

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