Reviews – Page 25 – Life is Short…Buy the Shoes

audreybella / November 4, 2015 / Reviews

Banana Republic: Casual New Arrivals

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.

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.

~ 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.

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.

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.

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

audreybella / October 29, 2015 / Bella Picks

Crewcuts for Me!

My J.Crew store recently added a Crewcuts section. I have no little ones that fit in Crewcuts but my friends do. I can’t really see myself buying, or them accepting, a $40-50 tee when Factory, Target and Old Navy have cheaper ones they will get dirty and outgrow in months.

The section does have some really super cute tees and sweaters and I wish I could fit into the Girl’s size 16 but it’s still too small. I can fit into the Boy’s larger sizing and tried something on last week.

~ Skiing Yeti Crewneck Sweater, Boy’s size 14 ~

I grabbed this on my way to the fitting room not expecting to get it over my head. Not only did my head fit, the sweater did too. It’s form-fitting in the size 14 so I could size to a 16 for a little looser fit. I normally wear a Medium/size 8 in tops. The length hits at my hips and isn’t cropped like I expected. I like the Yeti though he looks a little too angry. I can only assume it’s because he was forced to the Bunny Slopes.

Here’s what I would pick from the Boys’ Crewcuts section now. I love Star Wars and am so geeked out about the new movie. I suppose these would be good to get for the nephews as well. That Thomas Mason Flannel Shirt is one I’d love to try on in a size 16.

And I also took a peek around the Toys section. There are some pretty cool items that are right up the nephews alley. Some of these will make perfect Christmas stocking stuffers. Who doesn’t want a Lightsaber or at least the Popsicle version of one?

I told Husband I wanted to convert The Boy’s room to have twin beds just so I can get the Chewie version and Ballerina Bedding. He said no. 🙁

audreybella / October 28, 2015 / Reviews

J Crew: Pleated Chiffon Hem Tee, Shrunken Boy Shirt in Misty Forest Plaid, Lace Applique’ Sweater, Relaxed Wool Turtleneck with Rib Trim

Last up from J Crew are a few tops and sweaters.

~ Pleated Chiffon Hem Tee, Black, Small ~

I wasn’t a fan of this on the hanger and even more so on me. The Small fit me just fine. I even tried on a Medium in the Gray which was so loose on me. The chiffon hem is nice but the shape is square, even more so than a regular tee, I think. It looks really boxy on the model image.

Also, the scoopneck is too oval-shaped to adjust well under a cardigan or blazer. Or at least I was struggling with the sleeves and neckline to get it to lay flat and not be bunchy. Maybe I would like the Stripe version better? I will say that the cotton is soft and comfortable.

~ Shrunken Boy Shirt in Misty Forest Plaid, size 8 ~

This was one of the first items from the latest rollout that I added to my wishlist and wanted to see in person. I didn’t even read the description and notice it was flannel. It’s not a super thick flannel but still thicker than the Emerald Buffalo Check I tried on. I was very comfortable in the size 6 in that top. I feel this one is more TTS.

The olive green is just as saturated IRL as it is online and what originally drew me to this shirt.

~ Lace Applique’ Sweater, Flannel Ivory, Medium ~

Yikes! This sweater was a hot mess on me. Look how tight the Medium fits in the arms and across the chest. I was so uncomfortable in this and it was itchy.

I did like the Gray color better than the Navy/Azurite but I’d have to size up to a Large and maybe even an XL. It’s just way too tight in the arms to wear a Medium.

~ Relaxed Wool Turtleneck with Rib Trim, Heather Dockside, Small ~

I tried this on in the Bright Orchid but I originally grabbed the Heather Dockside color for the fitting room. The color is a pretty heathered blue and the Small fits well.

I like that the turtleneck is not tight. I don’t wear many because of that reason.

The only thing I was really interested in and added to my wishlist was the Shrunken Boy Shirt in Misty Forest Plaid, but I don’t like it enough to purchase it full-price.

What are you thoughts on these tops?

audreybella / October 27, 2015 / Reviews

Shoes-day: Gemma Glitter Flats

Throughout my latest reviews I’ve been wearing the Gemma Glitter Flat. I haven’t been looking for new shoes lately but these sparkling beauties caught my eye.

I felt these fit TTS to just slightly loose. I don’t think they’ll fall off but they felt a little like they were already stretched out. They feel wide but I don’t think I could size to a 6 1/2 as the length fit fine.

Though the name states “glitter” these are made with metallic silver and gold thread. I thinks that’s much better than actual glitter as you won’t be leaving a trail of sparkles wherever you go.

Before I found my Kate Spade Blair Heels I was looking for a sparkly dressier flat. I couldn’t find one I liked but three years later, the Gemma Glitter Flats are the flats I was looking for.

These were included in the 25% off SALETREAT promo so my store honored the discount for these.

Happy Shoes-Day!

audreybella / October 26, 2015 / Reviews

J Crew: Leopard Sweatshirt, Lightweight Jackie Cardigan in Wool, Sleeveless Drapey Popover Shirt in Clover Print, Ryder Pant

Next up are the Ryder Pants with some top options. They are feeling the love in the reviews. Let’s take a look at how they do in this review.

~ Leopard Sweatshirt ~

~ Lightweight Jackie Cardigan in Wool ~

~ Sleeveless Drapey Popover Shirt in Clover Print ~

~ Ryder Pant ~

~ Gemma Glitter Flats ~

~ Leopard Sweatshirt, Medium, #E4458, $69.50 ~

This looks like it could be a retail only item, at least for now. My VPS saw it as boxes were being unpacked and gave me one to try on. She originally thought it was Crewcuts but it’s for Women. The Medium fit well, with the sleeves being a little bunchy. There’s also a drop-shoulder seam but it wasn’t annoying. If you wanted something more slouchy than the Tippi Leopard Sweater then this is what you need. There’s also a Collection Cashmere Sweater that is similar to this sweatshirt.

Now, I do think of Gigi (WWGGD) on items like this and wonder if I can find something similar at Forever 21 or H&M. At this time, I don’t see anything but I could see this at either store as well as it going to the Factory next year.

~ Lightweight Jackie Cardigan in Wool, Academic Green, Medium ~

I hadn’t paid attention to this cardigan when it first came out but my VPS put this in the fitting room and I immediately noticed the gold buttons. I thought it was a nice touch especially since the cotton Jackie Cardigan buttons break and fall off all the time. I see to be in the minority on the gold buttons though as most reviewers don’t like them.

This Wool Jackie fits TTS and I like this color. I do have a Cashmere Cardigan I purchased from a sale last year that is the same color. But it’s nice to know I like the Wool Jackie and will look to it if I need another wool cardigan.

I have a Jenna V-Neck Cardigan in Black (Gigi Review) and the similarity between these two is the gold buttons. I’d rather have gold buttons than cheap plastic ones that break apart after the first wash, sometimes before that. At least they won’t break and I can sew it back on.

~ Sleeveless Drapey Popover Shirt in Clover Print, size 6 ~

This was high on my list to see in person and possibly purchase and it didn’t disappoint. I love the print and colors of it IRL. The size 6 fit well on me. There’s no pulling across the chest, which is what I look at when trying on sleeveless tops.

And, I did confirm the material is 100% Silk. All I’m wearing these days are my silk tops.

~ Ryder Pant, Bittersweet Chocolate, size 8 ~

I have no need for more pants but wanted to try these on since they went well a few things I brought into the fitting room. The size 8 fit well but you can see that the length will need to be hemmed for me. I tucked the right leg (your left view) under and the other is bunched. These have plenty of stretch to them and though they will probably get looser with wear, I wouldn’t size to a 6, maybe an 8 Petite. And the Bittersweet Chocolate is a very nice color IRL.

I had not read the reviews before trying these on and one of the main complaints is the folding and creasing at the hips and the knees. You can see it’s pretty pronounced on me in both places. Other reviewers are stating that these are not holding up well after a few washes (machine wash). They are pilling and is seems the elastane used for the stretch is starting to show up like hair on the pants. These are currently at a 58% recommendation and I have to agree with the reviews, particularly on the crease and folds. I don’t even have the pockets open so I’m sure that will add to the issue. Maybe I need to try the 8 Petite but I’ll pass on these instead.

All of these items are included in the SALETREAT promo of 25% off. The in-store promo of 25% was for all tops – shirts, sweaters, tees, etc. – so the sweatshirt is included in that. I did purchase the Sleeveless Drapey Popover Shirt since it does fit into what I’m wearing now.

What are your thoughts on the Ryder Pant? Anyone else feel the same way as most of the reviewers?