I took a study break trip last Friday that I'm just now getting around to doing something with the photos.... Yeah, school this semester is sort of kicking my butt. Look for a mini- Banana Republic post sometime soon too- "my mall" (aka Mall of Millenia)'s location is newly renovated and I just "had" to go in and try on some lovelies in the fantastic new location. It's a seriously beautiful store now. But, back to Anthropologie!
I would call this trip overall fairly successful- I have one item in this bunch that is now on my birthday month wishlist, one that would be if I had a comfortable and flattering strapless bra because if I did, it would
rock and a few other assorted items. So let's get to it.
Tintype Tunic by Deletta I mistakenly sized down in this after looking at it on the hanger- I should have stayed with my sometimes usual (usually a large, occasionally a medium, yet again occasionally an x large. Gotta love consistency in sizing and the fun that having a chest causes), but I got a decent idea of fit and features regardless. This top is growing on me- definite tunic length, which okay, the name says. The lace insets are pretty and not too revealing. I took the side view picture because I was unaware of the side bottom inset lace- and I really liked that one. The sash is not exactly effective at doing much of anything except..tying. Flutter sleeves that don't add bulk. Print with more colors than I realized and very pretty besides. Soft. This is actually wishlisted for me now and it was barely on my radar before I saw it in person. The colors don't register all that well on the net (their are pinks in the floral print, not just the gray, black and yellow that are more obvious, it's a nice accent). Of course, it's wishlisted in a large for me, not the medium I'm wearing above. In case you are wondering, the one I have on above is super tight in my armpits and is not having the flowy-ness that I would expect a tunic to have. at all.
Charlotte. One of those I wanted to like a lot, but I ended up liking a little. Tried on in my tts. Fit well in the bust, the waist also was a decent fit. I love the penguin silhouettes. The colors were also very nice- the golden yellow and blue weren't too drastic a contrast and weren't too pastel either. So the bad? The peter pan collar combined with the flared bottom made it very pregnancy top look- and the flare hit at just the wrong place on my hips. So sad. Well, the price point really doesn't help much either but hey, there's always sale for those pieces that work well but are at a too high price point. Unflattering pieces? Those aren't helped as much by sale. I hope this works well for some of you out there because the concept is awesome.
Trifecta Tee Postmark. This is another top that looked very appealing online but the fit just had...issues. Ruching is one of those things that either works well or is disastrous. There just seems to be no in between with this feature. This is not a time when it works well. It seemed to create more lumps and bumps and hide good curves- and just generally...well, let me put it this way, it made me feel awful enough I felt like a-not taking a picture and/or b- deleting the photo on the spot. Not a good thing when it's in one of my favorite shades of blue to wear. Some reviews have noted it runs big in the chest- I didn't have that experience, but hey, tops running big in the chest really aren't usually a
problem for me.
Salix Petal Blouse By Odille. This blouse caused something really rather amusing to happen- I had to take about ten pictures before I could get a couple that my camera could almost sort of focus on the print. My camera wanted to focus on anything but the diagonal floral print. No idea why but it was both slightly frustrating and bemusing at the same time. This little shell by Odille has a random drawstring waist (I say random because the string is just that- a string, it barely cinches, a belt would do a better job, or just leave the darn thing free! It seems a poorly planned attempt to bring the waist in on an otherwise pretty top). Fluttery sleeves and a cowl neck. The real draw is the sweet floral print in many tones- reddish cranberry, gold, white on a blue that is somewhere between royal and navy. It strikes me as a layering piece. It also strikes me as needing some adjustment- i.e. the drawstring needs to go. If this goes down low enough on sale, it may very well end up in my closet because I do really like the print, and I happen to love cowlnecks, so I could see the merit of layering this piece, BUT I can't see paying much for a piece I know I'm not going to wear on it's own. So for me, this is a second cut piece.
by Baily 44. You know how I mentioned that one of the items I tried on ended up on my birthday discount wishlist? This would be that item. Probably in the black or the also available dark green color (see it on the site- soo pretty!) but this pink was surprisingly pretty too. Love this top. Very flattering- double layer in front, extra length which is good for me, might not be good for everyone (I had visions of it being long enough for a dress for those very petite girls, it's that long.) Bottom hems are strangely unfinished, but I had a thought that might be so you can make it shorter if you want? Back is not double layered, which means it does tend to show lumps, bumps, and bra straps (which is why I contorted myself to try to photo the back view). Form fitting, of course. Shows cleavage, so not so work appropriate. Amount of cleavage shown varies from person to person- and not completely dependent on amount of boobage- more dependent on shoulder drop I think. (like my technical speak? my spell check doesn't :) )
I happened to look at new arrivals today and Anthropologie is selling a dress version of this top as well in a cute floral print.... Score another for my wish list methinks....
Sweetheart Shrug Tee by Velvet. This would be the top I mentioned that would be perfect if I could find the perfect strapless bra. It is sexy but the top guarantees the need for a strapless or convertible bra that can handle the wide top. The bottom is actually more flattering than the picture tends to show too- I don't know why it didn't translate as well to pictures as it did to mirror. I loved the top but generally felt a bit fidgety in it because my bra was very illsuited to it. It is a bit low cut. Loved the ballet feel to it overall. The black and soft pink (called beige online I think) it is offered in really carry that ballet theme forward too.
Final two reviews are dresses- one is one that got a lot of blog attention before it even made it to Anthropologie's website :)
Fluted Ponte Dress Girls from Savoy. I was surprised by the heft of the knit of this dress- it's surprisingly heavy. The color is a mustardy gold. The attached belt is velvet. The dress is very stretchy and I could have probably sized down to a medium for a better fit through the waist and top. However, it is short! I wouldn't have sized down due to this- a medium may very well have been tunic length on me. Not a good one for me but I can see this looking fantastic on others....particularly petite girls. I love what the design is going for, just not for me.
Many Folds Dress Maeve. This dress has a rather complex design that ended up reminding me of a kimono robe, which I
think is intentional. Unfortunately, I ended up feeling as covered as if I was wearing a simple silk robe, which I
hope was unintentional. The print amuses me greatly- it's various origami (is that the plural?) There is a lot of intricate pleating on the sides under the bust (see the closeup) and in the back of the dress which adds to the kimono feel. The top is ever so slightly blousy while the waist is super fitted. And about that waist.... since it is so fitted, I had some concerns about the buttons gaping- there is none of the somewhat standard at this point Anthropologie reinforcements at the buttons- no hook and eyes to keep them from gaping or help if a button pops off. There is a button, and the sash if you wear it reversed and tied across the waist. That's it. One button. And in my case, one button that gaped. I wore the sash reversed across the waist to feel more secure. Can you figure out why I felt like I was in a silk robe? The dress is unlined. Without a slip, I felt very exposed in this dress. So although the nipped in waist is flattering, the print is cute, the kimono styling is intriguing, this dress has some flaws that just left me feeling uncomfortable and realizing if it ever was mine, I would be doing my own alterations to add reinforcements at the waist, and I would HAVE to wear a full slip underneath to feel secure. Or risk feeling like a potential flasher.
Until next time! (which will be Banana Republic mini reviews once I get around to editting that post) :)
