/ Bella Picks

Swimsuit shopping is right up there with jeans shopping. It’s not fun and can be pretty painful. But, I am in need of a new swimsuit for a vacation we are planning, as well as just needing another on hand since I am in the pool all Summer. My struggle is that once you start searching, it’s really hard to narrow down options from the various prints, one-piece, two-piece, mono-kini, cut-outs, straps, strings, retro, plunge, maillot…just so many options.

I really love the styles and prints from Mara Hoffman. With the Shopbop sale, BIGEVENT16, the prices don’t seem too bad to try a few. My favorite is the Braided Swimsuit with the Slit-Front One Piece a close second.

Lest you think I am looking for the most expensive swimsuit, these next 6 swimsuits are under $100. I love the solid and print contrast of the Shabby Apple swimsuit. I own a different J Crew Scoopback swimsuit in an ocean print but this aqua-striped version looks perfect for a pool.

My absolute favorite is the Mosaic One-Piece swimsuit from Tory Burch. It has a matching Rashguard as well as a Cover-Up. And I love the retro-style of the Seafolly Maillot.

As you can see, I’m all over the place on what swimsuits like. There are just so many choices. I also need a new bikini as well since both of my J Crew one’s have seen better days. I’m going to have to bite the bullet and start trying some on this weekend.

/ Reviews

I went to the Factory store to exchange the Denim Trousers and, though pressed for time (I was with Husband), try some things on.

~ Striped Knit Dress, Small ~

Just your standard striped knit dress but it does run big. The Small fit me best. I was swallowed up in the Medium though it gave me a touch more length. Husband and I are planning a trip and dresses like this are easy to wear and comfortable for flights. I would add a scarf and leggings for the flight. A maxi dress like the Racerback Maxi is another great, comfortable option for travel. That one is also easier to layer with a cardigan and blazer, if needed.

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~ Embellished Sheath Dress, size 8 ~

I was at a family wedding last weekend and wore a Tory Burch Dress. If I had been looking for a dress I would have bought the Embellished Sheath Dress in a heartbeat. I was a little leery about the embellishment at the neckline and how cheap it would look but it looks well done. The material is cotton/basketweave and the size 8 was a great fit. The Navy and White stripe is perfect for Spring and Summer and could double as a work dress, with a built-in necklace.

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~ Keating Boy Blazer in Linen, Navy, size 8 ~
~ Printed Drapey Sleeveless Popover, 10 Petite ~
~ Denim Trouser, size 6 ~

My original goal was to find and try on the Denim Trouser in a size 6. They fit much better than the size 8 and I know they will stretch when wearing so I did exchange them. Now to get them to the tailor to hem them up.

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~ Keating Boy Blazer in Linen, Navy, size 8 ~

I’m trying very hard to be thoughtful in my purchases this year but the Keating Boy Blazer in Linen made it really hard for me during my store visit. I have a Cotton Navy Blazer as well as a Tipped Linen Blazer in Navy but I was in love with this one instantly. I miss the retail Schoolboy Blazer and this is the factory duplicate. I hate the Regent Blazer, with it’s one-button and permanent popped collar. The Rhodes is okay but the buttons are so cheap looking. I’d rather have the buttons that are on this Factory Blazer.

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Anyway, the size 8 fit well in this, though a little long in the arms. I almost always roll my sleeves so the length isn’t a problem. It does come in Petite sizing but only the White is available.

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~ Printed Drapey Sleeveless Popover, 10 Petite ~

My store brought in Petite sizing and I thought I had grabbed the 8 Petite in this blouse. It wasn’t until I took a picture of the tag that I realized why the “8 Petite” fit so loose. The 10 Petite actually fit good to a little loose. I would probably just stick with my normal size 8. This seems to fit TTS compared to it’s retail counterpart, where I can wear a 6 comfortably. I wasn’t a fan of the print and the purple-blue background.

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~ Basketweave Pencil Skirt, Navy Dot, size 6 ~

Pencil skirts are something I rarely wear anymore since I’m not going to an office daily. I have whittled my collection down to a prized few but this dotted skirt is on my wishlist. I immediately imagined stripes on top, like my Midweight Boatneck Tee in Cherry. I’m still fitting into a size 6 in the Factory pencil skirts so they are still TTS.

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~ Petite Basketweave Pencil Skirt, Navy Dot, size 8 Petite ~

I had to compare the Petite size and I loved it even more. The length hits me just above the knee, which is where I prefer it. On the rack this looked like a mini skirt, so if you see this in-store, just know it’s a Petite size.

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I regret not getting the Basketweave Pencil Skirt when I was in-store but it’s and additional 30% off today with code PICKLED.

Have you shopped the Factory recently?


/ Reviews

Sorry for the unexpected break. I hit a bit of a wall as far as blogging and retail in February is always a bit un-inspiring for me. Retailers are trying to rush us out of Winter and into Spring and I’m not done wearing my Cashmere. Husband and I were busy doing a bit of redecorating, painting and overall house cleaning. I have been shopping at Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Pottery Barn Outlet instead of my normal clothing stores. I can’t wait to share our “deal of the year” we found at the outlet! I also have some pics of fitting room try-ons from a few weeks ago so I will share those over the next few days.

~ Maeve Cantua Peplum Top, Red, size 8 ~

This reminded me, if only in color, of the HD in Paris Cabana Peplum Top. The stripes on this one are variated and the red and white stripes are saturated in different panels. The size 8 was snug across the chest for me and under the arms cut a little into the skin. I think I would need to size to a 10 Petite for this to fit comfortably. In my pics it looks like the Cantua Peplum Top is cropped but it did hit below the waistline of the Maeve Shorebird Pencil Skirt. The material felt like a sturdy cotton, almost denim-like.

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~ Maeve Shorebird Pencil Skirt, size 8 ~

Oh, I loved this pencil skirt. The bottom panel is a nice touch, giving the birds some water but it would have probably been just as nice without it. The size 8 fit me just fine though the length measures 27 inches and hits me at the top of the calf. I think I could fit into the 8 Petite and bring the length up some. The waist is sitting higher on me than probably intended but I don’t mind as it brings the length up.

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I would probably wear the AG Stevie Cuffed Jean to go with the Cantua Peplum Top and the Campanula Peplum Top or the Eyelet Sleeveless Blouse to pair with the Shorebird Pencil Skirt.

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~ Akemi + Kim Walking Tour Tee, Navy, Medium ~
~ Leifsdottir Regatta Skirt, size 8 ~

This tee was sitting on the table with the skirt so I grabbed it as an easy try-on with it. The tee is comfortable and the Medium fits fine but you can certainly find a similar tee anywhere, from your favorite brand.

The skirt is what really caught my eye when I walked in the door. It’s very Mod with a cute little, for-looks-only, criss-cross ribbon in the back and sailor-style buttons in front. This is a mini skirt and hit be about two inches above the knee. The material is a poly-blend, reminiscent of the poly texture used back in 60s fashion.

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~ Maeve Wynwood Buttondown, White, size 8 ~

The blouse is something Maeve does every season. This is cute in the umbrella print but was a little tight in the arms. Usually the 8 in this style fits me just fine so I may have had a mis-sized item.

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~ Holding Horses Pieced Denim Skirt, size 8 ~

I knew this skirt would be long on me since it is supposed to be midi-length but the waist was pretty tight too. Though I’ve gained some weight, it’s in different areas and a little in my belly but I’m still fitting into my normal sizes. I would still say this runs small in the waist. I have found that Holding Horses tends to run a little small on me so I usually avoid their items. The skirt is an a-line shape and the denim is mid-weight.

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I hope you all had a good February and get a good start to March.

Have a Great Day!

/ Reviews

I was in Anthropologie getting a quick wedding gift (this, this and this) and saw the HD in Paris Laila Linen Shirtdress out of the corner of my eye. I had no time that day but went back a few days later to try it, and a few other items on.

~ Maeve Au Revoir Dress, size 8 ~

This is a dress that looked much better on the hanger than it did on me. I think it’s the pattern that makes me look wide. The size 8 fits tight across the chest as well as the hips so sizing to a 10 would make it look even more like a sack. The material is a viscose blend with a poly lining. A cropped jacket on top, like a denim jacket, might give this dress some hope, but overall, it’s a pass for me.

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~ HD in Paris Enid Swing Dress, Ivory, Medium ~

I thought this was a very pretty lace dress and was surprised by how well it fit, especially in the arms. The lace is a bit stretchy there. The lace is varying in pattern on each panel. The high-neck isn’t as bothersome or uncomfortable as I imagined. This comes in Black and Slate as well, which looks more blue online.

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~ Cynthia Rowley Padua Dress, size 12 ~

I could have chosen a 6 or a 12 to try on in this dress. I chose the 12 since I knew I would not be able to zip up the 6. Based on the 12, I think I would size to a 10. The dress is very structured and shaped with a defined waist. There’s no give whatsoever but I wouldn’t want that in a party dress like this. I loved the pattern and colors on it and it a different option from your LBD. Be warned that this dress starts out short, hitting me in the size 12 about two inches above the knee.

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~ HD in Paris Laila Linen Shirtdress, Red, size 8 ~

This dress gets me excited for Spring. It’s my style and fits into my daily-wear well. The size 8 fits very well and the belt at the waist is adjustable. The skirt is pleated and the dress starts out short, above the knee. I usually get Petite sizing when the length is longer but I would stay in my normal size in this dress. There is a cotton slip in the same matching color. I ended up buying this in both the red and white.

The only con I have is that I would prefer this to be short-sleeve or sleeveless so I may alter this at some point. I’ll get tired of rolling up my sleeves every time I wear it.

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~ Maeve Evangeline Sheath, Red, size 8 ~

Flattering. Sexy. On sale. Those are the only things you really need to know about this dress. Oh, and it comes in black too. I saw this dress on the hanger and knew it would be flattering. This is a poly-blend but I feel that is needed to have the slim silhouette. The size 8 fit quite well. I would add some Spanx for the mid-section.

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The back is nice but you will need to find a low-back bra to wear with this since the strap across the back sits above a regular bra strap.

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~ HD in Paris Picotage Sheath, size 2 ~

I grabbed the wrong size. I just noticed that now, looking back at my pictures. I didn’t even look at the price tag but the tag on the dress. The UK size is first, then the US size. So, not a bad fit if I’m being honest. But I would definitely go up to at least a size 6.

This was the first dress I tried on and loved it immediately. This dress is meant to be form-fitting and the material is a spandex-sweater type; maybe a little ponte. No Spanx needed in this dress. It’s going to hug and fit in all the right places. I’m even more amazed now at how well it fit.

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I would love to add the Maeve Evangeline Sheath in black to my closet and may return the HD in Paris Laila Linen Shirtdress in White. I have a white dress already in cotton.

What do you think of these dresses?

/ Reviews

As you know by now, Tory Burch is my new favorite brand. All the pieces I’ve purchased have held up well, fit well and I wear a lot of those pieces on a regular basis. It’s why I’m looking to add more Tory pieces to my closet this year, spending the money on items I know will last. Let’s take a look at three tops I tried on last week.

~ Embroidered Cotton Tunic, size 8 ~

I went to the store to specifically try-on this tunic. It’s shorter than Floral Linen Tunic I have and hits around the hip. The sleeves and hem are embroidered in multiple colors with red being the stand-out. I think it might have been nice to have some of that embroidery at the neckline.

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The size 8 was the best fit, and is my normal size. The boxy style seems a bit shapeless on me. I would prefer it to have a little bit more shape at the waist. I do prefer the sleeve hitting at the elbow. The neckline is low but still covers well, IMO.

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~ Smocked Peasant Top, size 6 ~

I wasn’t interested in this originally when it showed up online but after seeing it styled as an off the shoulder option I tried it on. Due to the smocking the top fits very loose. I ended up sizing down to a 6. I tend to shy away from smocked items that have it at the arms because it’s always too tight but the smocked on this blouse was fine and I barely noticed it.

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It really does look cute as an off-the-shoulder option and I actually think I would wear it this way during the Summer. There are ties at the neckline and the waist has a contrasted smocked band.

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~ Ruffle-Sleeve Cotton Peplum Top, size 10 ~

The SA brought this to me while I was in the fitting room. They had just gotten it in the store and she hadn’t seen it on anyone yet. It tried on the size 8 and it was very tight in the arms. I didn’t even get the top all the way on. The size 10 fits a lot better and the side-zip helps get it off and on with ease.

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The sleeves have two ruffles and on someone with a longer arms will hit 3/4-length while on me the sleeves hit at the wrist. The waist is smocked giving a little definition and the hem is a single ruffle. The blouse is lined in cotton so the sheerness you see in the arms is not in the body.

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I have my eye on a couple of other Tory tops as well.

I think my favorite is the Ruffle-Sleeve Cotton Peplum Top. To be honest, I didn’t like it when I tried it on but after seeing the pics a few times, I think it’s really cute, something I’ll wear quite a bit in the Summer and will look good with pants, skirts and shorts.

What do you think of these tops from Tory Burch?