/ Reviews

In case you are shopping the Banana Republic Friends & Family this weekend, I have a few reviews for you. The F&F promo is you can take 50% off 5 full-priced items with a code sent via email.

~ Floral Lace Shirt Dress, Sun Palm Green, Medium ~

This was one of the lace items I wanted to see in-person. I found both this color and the navy lace dress. You’ll see the pattern of the lace looks like rosettes with scalloped hem, sleeves and button placket. This “green” was really bright IRL. I would prefer the Navy. The Medium was a great fit. Comfortable but not too roomy, hitting just above the knee.

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~ Nautical Basketweave Blazer, size 8 ~

I have a wool blazer, linen blazer and cotton blazer all in navy. I’ve been wanting to add a double-breasted blazer to my collection of navy blazers and this was exactly what I’m looking for. The size 8 was a bit snug in the upper arms and a little tight across the shoulders. I ordered the 10 Petite online and it is perfect, especially the arm length which hits right where my wrist ends. I never button my blazers but the 10 Petite did fit well when buttoned too.

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~ Sleeveless Lace Trim Top, Medium ~

I like the contrasting trim at the neckline of this top. I meant to buy it in-store but am glad I didn’t since it wasn’t on promo at the time. The Medium is a really good fit though a little square and boxy. This also comes in Tipo which is an Ivory with either navy or black trim. Another winner with this top.

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~ Boyfriend Jean, Medium Wash, size 29 ~

I don’t need any new jeans this Fall but these boyfriend jeans were really comfortable on. I ordered them in the 29 Short online and they came with a 3 inch cuff. I think if I let out the cuff it will be the same length as the pair I tried on in-store. I’ll have these hemmed to my liking and may order another pair before the weekend is over to have a backup on hand. Then I can have one pair for flats and one for heels.

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~ Raw-Edge Tweed Moto Jacket, size 8 ~
~ Lace Tie-Neck Top, Medium ~
~ Frayed Tweed Short, size 10 ~

This moto jacket was really cute IRL. I bought a J.Crew tweed jacket similar to this on Final Sale so I don’t need another but the raw edges and cropped style make this jacket stand out from others. The sleeves are sown oddly to the body. Almost like they cut the armholes to large and then sowed them on. You didn’t have a whole lot of movement in the arms.

~ Frayed Tweed Short, size 10 ~

As soon as I saw these shorts I knew I’d be bringing them home with me, as long as they fit. There was no size 8 to try, since they were in the Final Sale section, which was 50% off. I liked the color of the tweed so I was really happy to buy them over the moto jacket. The frayed edges of the jacket are only on the pockets of the tweed short. I did go up a size but that helps since the inseam is 3-inches. The size up makes them look like a 4-inch inseam.

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~ Lace Tie-Neck Top, Medium ~

I was really interested in this top when I saw it online but the way I have the neckline unbuttoned and the tie all loose makes me look like a disheveled Colonel Sanders. The Medium is the best fit and I love the sleeves; just my style. The bottom/hemline did grab a little more to my hips than I’m accustomed to but I still wouldn’t size up. I didn’t check to see how easily I could switch out the tie to another color but a pretty velvet or satin navy would be nice.

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~ Denim Sheath Dress, size 10 ~

I bought this with a different promo last week. It was part of the new arrivals and I knew it would sell out quickly (and has). The one thing I don’t like about BR is when something sells out online, they completely remove it from the site. There’s no way to perform a “Find it in Store”. I’ve found a lot of things in-store that had sold out online so I don’t think they keep track between the two very well. So check your stores if you are interested in this lovely sheath dress.

Judging by the online image I knew this would be a slim fit so I decided to size to a 10. That size turned out to be a perfect fit. It’s a mostly cotton blend with a little spandex and poly mixed in. That helps make it pretty stretchy. Though they look snug, the arms are pretty comfortable. The length is hitting me just below the knee. I cannot wait to wear this when the weather cools. I have these ankle-strap sandals on with it in the pics and also plan to wear it with these strappy sandals. I think I can get away with some dressy flats too. Tory Burch has a lovely new 60s-style shoe called the Gigi. I am in love with the Redstone and the Oceano.

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Are you shopping the Banana Republic Friends & Family? If you don’t have 5 full-priced items to purchase, there’s also an online promo of 40% off using code BRFORTY.

Happy Shopping!

/ Reviews

I’m not seeing a whole lot of reviews for some of these items online, so if you’re looking at them, here are my thoughts and pics.

~ Collection Gingham Cardigan in Gauzy Cotton, Small ~

I couldn’t decide between the Tippi Sweater in Blue-Emerald Gingham or this Collection Cardigan. I should have chosen the Tippi sweater. I did not like this cardigan at all. It is over-sized so take a size down from your normal size. But that wasn’t the problem. The gauzy cotton material was…blech! I don’t have a word to describe it but I didn’t like the look or feel of the material. It was gauzy, maybe a little thicker than medical gauze. I think it may have been that this is not 100% Cotton but is blended with nylon. I like the gingham and I like the length but other than that, it was immediately returned.

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~ Tippi Sweater, Berry Melange, Medium Petite ~

I’ve finally found my real Tippi size, Medium Petite. That size has the arms at 3/4 length and the overall length is a little shorter than the Medium I’ve been wearing. The color is very pretty IRL, with hints of blue/purple throughout. The Tippi Sweater and Tippi Sweater with Ruffles are both 20% off with code NEWCLOTHES.

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~ Gazebo Pant in Market Stripe, size 8 ~

I have been stalking these ever since they showed up on the website. They sold out pretty quick, especially in my size. I wasn’t able to catch them again until they were on sale with a great promo. I haven’t worn them yet but they are really nice pants. A great linen with an almost chambray stripe look to them. I’m really happy I was able to finally snag them on a pop-back.

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~ Sloan Gingham Leather D’Orsay Flats, size 6 1/2 ~

The flats are just adorable. I originally thought they were printed canvas, silk or cotton but they are printed leather. The colors are similar to the Tippi. I wear a 6 1/2 in the Sloan and these are no different in sizing, even with the all leather outer and inner lining. They did crease almost immediately, just from trying them on and walking around for a short time. I always put the little tissue back after wearing my shoes to smooth things like that out. If you prefer, there’s also the heel.

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~ Mixed Gingham Sandal with Ankle Straps, size 7 ~

I really debated whether or not to get these fun looking shoes. I was very leery about the ankle strap and how to get them to stay tied without cutting off circulation to my feet. I’m so glad I decided to order them. They are really fun sandals and the colors all pop. The size 7 was perfect, making these TTS. I tied them with a bow slightly to the side and love the way it looks. Even though I have plenty of white bottoms to wear with these, I’m looking at a few white dresses to wear with them too.

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Here are a few 40-60% off sale picks with code NEWCLOTHES.

I think I am pretty much done with shopping Spring and Summer sale items. What about you?

/ Reviews

Some shoes to peruse for your Sunday Shopping today.

~ Sadie Flats in Snakeskin Printed Leather, size 7 ~

I was eyeing both these snakeskin flats and the Elsie pump. I like that the traditional snakeskin colors are broken up with contrasting colors at the heel and toe. These are TTS with my normal size 7 fitting well.

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Here are a few other shoes I found in-store.

~ Collection Colette D’Orsay Pumps in Leopard Calf-Hair ~

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~ Collection Sadie Loafers in Leopard Calf Hair ~

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~ Gemma Cap-Toe Flats ~

I like these but even though I haven’t seen them IRL, I want the Kiki Cap-Toe Flats.

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~ Gemma Suede Flats with Contrast Trim, Brilliant Purple ~

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~ Slingback Flats in Satin, Navy ~

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~ Slingback Flats in Snakeskin ~

Check out the gold glitter heel on these.

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Have you tried any of the new shoes at J.Crew?

/ Reviews

I almost forgot about the cutest item in the whole rollout! I pre-ordered the Tippi Sweater in Bee Embellishment but my store also had it so I was able to try it on before I received it.

~ Short-Sleeve Popover in Chambray, size 6 ~
~ Sammi Pant in Polka Dot, size 30 ~
~ Sadie Flats in Snakeskin Printed Leather, size 7 ~

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~ Short-Sleeve Popover in Chambray, size 6 ~

I can’t decide between this popover shirt which is one of my favorite styles or the chambray shirtdress. I think I might get a little more use out of the shirt, since I also have the Off-the-shoulder Dress in Chambray. The size 6 fit but was a snug on the sides of the chest. I think I would stay with the 6 though as the 8 would be completely shapeless and baggy.

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~ Sammi Pant in Polka Dot, size 30 ~

I was not a fan of the Teddie pants and was hoping these might be a little more to my liking. The polka dot are unique and are easily wearable now (if it wasn’t so darn hot), as well as into the Fall. The size 30 was too big, especially in the front. They also seemed to have excess and bagginess below the butt, in back. That disrupted the flow of the pant leg. The rise is higher on these, which I like, but not in this size.

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~ Tippi Sweater in Bee Embellishment, Medium ~
~ Sammi Pant in Polka Dot, size 29 ~
~ Sadie Flats in Snakeskin Printed Leather, size 7 ~

I was very excited to see this sweater IRL. The embellishment is up near the shoulder with three little jeweled bees. This a little thin and will require a cami underneath though you might be able to get away with just a nude bra. Medium is my normal Tippi size and this fit well. I’ve since tried a Petite Medium in the Tippi Sweater and the hemline is a little shorter and the sleeve is more 3/4-length. I’ll consider the petite sizing in Tippi’s going forward since the that is how it should really fit. I cannot wait until cooler weather to wear this sweater!

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~ Sammi Pant in Polka Dot, size 29 ~

The size 29 was a much better fit, though still a little baggy in front. The leg line is not baggy in this size. I think my best fit would be a Petite 29, which would make them cropped, as they should be. But the polka dot are not offered in Petite so this size will work. And I don’t mind that they are not cropped. I don’t want to have them altered as it might mess up the little flare kick at the bottom.

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I brought the Sammie Pant in Polka Dot home with me. I’m happy with the size and already have a few outfits planned around them. And the bee sweater will be front and center in my closet waiting for that first cool breeze.

/ Reviews

The print of the month is the Brushstroke that also includes a dress. I like all the vibrant colors in the print and should pair with a lot of solid colors.

~ Ruffle-Neck Top in Ponte, Ivory, Medium ~
~ Double-Pleated Midi Skirt in Brushstroke, size 6 ~

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~ Ruffle-Neck Top in Ponte, Ivory, Medium ~

I had high hopes for this top due to the ruffle collar but I did not like the fit at all. I would stay with your normal size but it felt really snug on top and then it loosened up on bottom. There’s a little button in back that I had a hard time closing. This ponte top is getting good reviews online but they seem to be coming from those who wear smaller sizes. I’m glad it is flattering to some.

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~ Double-Pleated Midi Skirt in Brushstroke, size 6 ~

I gotta love my VPS who thinks I’m smaller than I really am. I was able to zip up this size 6 skirt but would feel way more comfortable in the size 8. It’s already really long on me so the right size would probably lengthen the skirt some more. The Tall size 8 might actually be a true maxi skirt for me. Because of the flat waistband, the pleats don’t seem to add any fullness to the skirt.

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~ Tie-Neck Secretary Top in Retro Chainlink, size 6 ~
~ Sailor Skirt in Ponte, Navy, size 6 ~
~ Sadie Flats in Snakeskin Printed Leather, size 7 ~

This ponte skirt was really cute IRL. I took a size 6 in the Ponte Pants and the skirt was a nice fit in the size 6. The length isn’t too bad on me but I wish it came in Petite sizing so I could have a little shorter length. At the $80 price it’s worth it to me to have it hemmed to my liking. The sailor-style buttons in front are for show. There is a zipper in back.

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~ Tie-Neck Secretary Top in Retro Chainlink, size 6 ~

I loved this top. I thought I would need a size 8 but the 6 fit very well. I will probably end up getting this top next time I’m in-store. I know I’ll wear it throughout the Fall. I liked the entire outfit, including the Sadie Snakeskin Flats. The top also goes with my new Kate Spade cross-body bag.

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Have you tried the Sailor Skirt in Ponte? I love my Ponte Pants and that they have a skirt option available now.