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I’ve ordered a few things here and there from Banana Republic lately. Though I returned everything but one item in this post I thought I’d share the IRLs in case any of you are interested in them. My previous reviews are {here}.

Banana Republic Chambray Shift Dress, size 6 – This dress just fit and I’d feel better in a size 8. I material felt nice and soft, very Chambray and not denim-like. I wanted to exchange this for an 8 but feared that it wouldn’t be available online when I sent it back. Non of my 4 stores have received this yet so I just returned it outright.

  

Exposed zipper…

The Hampton Pant is my new favorite pant. These are the Hampton Fit Crop in a Regular 6 Short. I love that there are different inseams (Regular, Short, Long) and Petite sizing for these pants. The color is Flirty Pink. They fit amazingly well and though I liked these I have a pair of Cafe’ Capri in the same shade I still haven’t worn so they were returned. I also have the Emerald Print Crop in 6 Regular that I still need to wear.

  
I did keep the Hampton Fit Chambray Crop. I was about to purchase another pair of the Tory Burch Cropped Skinny Jeans and found the BR ones that are a perfect, and less expensive, duplicate. I’ve worn them several times already. The fit is flattering and the rinse is dark enough to be dressed up with a silk top and heels. I took a Regular 6 Short in these as well. 

I saw the Gold-Button Blazer in Cocoon in the store back in January but my size was not available. I ordered a size 8 when it was 50% off. Unfortunately I don’t think even a 10 Petite would work for me. I didn’t like where the buttons hit, way too low. The sleeves were crazy long as well. This was just ill-fitting all over so I returned it.

Though I didn’t keep the dress, I really did like it. And the pants are a definite love! I will be trying more colors as they come out.

What have you tried at Banana Republic lately?

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Tory Burch has always had some lovely shoes. I have the Tevray Wedge Sandals, the Amalie Sandals and the Laser Cut Pumps. I found the Audra Sandal in Navy and Metallic in-store completely swooned over them. It was the heel detail that did me in. I had only planned on getting the Navy pair but when I tried on the Metallic for sizing reference I loved those too. I know I will wear these all Summer long. The heel is block and a little over 1 1/2 inches in height (45mm). Perfect for those women who want a little height but can’t wear heels very often.

Look at that detail! Just gorgeous. 

I love the Navy because 1) Navy sandals are rare. 2) The footbed is Navy and not Tan like the Metallic.

I love how the Navy leather is the background for the gold Tory logo.

I’m really tired of this cold Winter and am so ready for Summer. New arrivals for Spring do not help relieve the Winter Blues but they sure are fun to shop. I did end up returning the Metallic pair since I purchased the Nori Laser-Cut Wedge.

Have a Great Day!



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I first saw the Swoop Dress in Latticework Medallion in-store and liked the pattern on it. I didn’t have time to try it on so I had no idea it was the Swoop Dress. I have the dress in Punk Floral from last year along with the tops in Navy, Brown and Punk Floral. The Punk Floral is one of my favorite prints from J Crew as I have the two items just mentioned along with the bikini and scarf. I had the skirt but returned it as it was too poofy. Any takers on the print coming as a pencil skirt to the Factory later this Spring/Summer?

Anyway, Swoop Dress…it dropped to a promo price and I was able to order it with the 40% off sale promo in a size 6. It is like last year’s dress in that it is a shift dress and has the pleating at the neckline. But sleeves were added and the hemline was lengthened.

It has the same back opening with the tiny stitch holding the wrap together. Now that I see it in pictures, especially the back, I think I would benefit from the Petite size to bring up the hemline and possibly bring in the chest and waist a touch. It’s not as A-line as the Summer versions.
  
Here’s the Punk Floral so you can gauge the hemline difference.
I love the pattern and the silk is very nice. The online description from the CFS states this is a straight silhouette, while last year’s versions were an A-Line silhouette.
I do prefer last year’s sleeveless versions but they also came out in Summer and not Spring so I see why they added them. The longer length is a nice touch and it’s offered in Tall sizes as well. 
Have you tried the Swoop Dress in Latticework Medallion yet? 

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The Sparrow Cuff is super cute and was something I immediately asked to see out of the case. It fits well, not too tight but does stay put on my wrist. It’s unique enough to wear alone as well.

The pretty greens and browns of the Floral Pastel Statement Necklace also caught my eye and was something I couldn’t resist. I love Mint and Brown together.

This shows the necklace on the first jump-ring bringing it up high on my neck.

And this is on the last jump-ring, lowering it down the neckline about 3/4-1 inch. I think I prefer how it lays in the pic above.

I bought the Radial Medallion Necklace twice already; once at FP and then again at 25% off. I still am unsure if I want to keep it as I have a few crystal statement necklaces, including a long pendant from the Factory. This first pic shows the claps on the first jump-ring.

This is on the last jump-ring. I like this length better.

I definitely love the first two pieces but am on the fence about the Radial Necklace. Have you tried any of these pieces?

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I was excited to see the Hummingbird Print make it to the Factory. I was able to visit the Factory Store during the 50% off weekend. I love the print but resisted and purchased only the Pencil Skirt in Botanical Bird Print. I took my normal size 6 in pencil skirts.

  

I saw the Skimmer Pant in Oxford in Blue Grotto from an image in an email or on the website, but I can no longer find it. I tried on the size 8 and it was too big in the front and slightly through the waist. These are the size 6 and fit pretty well. The Blue Grotto is more light Chambray in color which I love instead of the pink.

  

I was unable to decide between the Navy and the Pale Citrus of the Scalloped Shift Dress so I brought both home with me since they were 50% off. I have on a size 6 in both since that was the same size as my retail dress in Black.

  

I still, truly cannot decide between the two colors. I know Navy is classic but I love how the Yellow just pops against my skin-tone.

  

The Addie Loafer in Chambray Dot is now online. A set of new arrivals snuck in this past Wednesday. I took my normal size 7, same as the Addie Printed Loafer I reviewed a few weeks ago. Now, I need to decide if I will really wear them or if I should return them. I’ll need to plan some outfits in the next week or two, before my 30-day return window is up.

The Minaudière Clutch in Botanical Print was the other item I picked along with the skirt. This was not in my store so I didn’t get it for 50% off. I am definitely keeping this clutch. The material is a soft silky-feel cotton. The interior has a single pocket and can hold my cell, lipstick, card-holder and even my keys. I have a time with my some of my kate spade clutches as the lipstick and cell have to be next to each other and not all thrown in together.

I tried the following items on in the store but forgot to take my phone inside, which I use to take my fitting room pics.

I loved Skimmer Pant in Multi-Stripe. I took a size 6 and the fit was perfect, just like the Skimmer Pant in Oxford above. I really should have bought these to at least make some outfits with, especially at 50% off. Fingers crossed I’ll catch it on FS in the store in a few months. 

Factory skimmer pant in multistripe
I tried on a size 6 in the Optic Dot Dress and it was ok. It was a little big through the waist and just fit in the arms and shoulders. Sizing to an 8 would have been really big on me and both sizes would have required alterations to make it a little more A-Line or at least bring in the waist a bit. 
Factory optic dot dress
I saw the Keating Boy Blazer in Chambray and grabbed an 8 to try on. It fit but since I know my size is a 10 Petite I didn’t buy it. I think the Chambray felt nice but the shoulders just fit. We’ve had such a cold Winter I’m afraid we will have a really hot Summer and I won’t have any chance to wear this blazer. I would rather try the 10 Petite in the retail Schoolboy in Chambray. 
Factory Keating boy blazer in chambray
The Charley Sweater in Oversized Flower is cute but I definitely didn’t need another sweater. The ones I have are getting plenty of use this year. My normal Medium fit TTS. 
Factory Charley sweater in oversize flower

No, my store did not have the Factory Isabelle Printed Pump but it did have the Isabelle in Suede. I found a lone size 7 and tried that on to gauge how it would be. There’s a little less than 1/4-inch space at the heel. Sizing down to a 6 1/2 would fix that issue but tighten the toe-box. The insole felt comfortable and looked like leather. The sole was definitely man-made but didn’t bother me. I love the look of these Printed Pump but since I have the Etta in Hummingbird I will definitely pass on the Isabelle. I think they are a great substitute with a slightly lower heel. 
Factory Isabelle printed pumps

I am still really tempted by the Skimmer Pant in Botanical Bird Print and the Shorts in the same print.