I wear full skirts, I wear high heels

Couple of years ago when Taylor Swift's song 'You belong to me' was on the air all the time my daughter asked me about the meaning of the lyrics. I tried to explain about this girl that wears sneakers and t-shirts is a better friend than the one in high heels and short skirts. My daughter pondered over this a little bit and then decided. 'Well, I want to be a good friend in high heels'. I could not help but high-five her with 'that's my girl!'.

I don't often wear full skirts but this is one of my favorites.

shoes Sofft, bag Kate Spade, scarf  L&T, sunglasses Ray-Ban

This camel tiered velvet skirt is by Odille, bought from Anthropologie, years ago. It is made from lovely cotton velvet and lined in acetate. It is luxuriously full and swingy and creates nice movement as you walk. I paired it with black v-neck cashmere sweater from Brora.
   

 

Those pictures were taken early in the morning and after I looked at them I decided to change the shoes. Because I am a short-shinner I have trouble pulling off flats and low heels (especially round toe ones) with skirts. I feel much better once my heels are higher. For me, the optimal heel height is about 2.75", enough to elongate my calves, but low enough to be comfortable. I think that's why I love the Valentinas so much.

Joan & David (2.75") heels

I can and do wear flats with capris and trousers. They also work better with shorter skirts and dresses, but once the skirt is knee length or longer I cannot pull it off. I always knew it instinctively but once I read this helpful post, I realized there is a science behind it.

I love those kind of posts because this is how my mind works and I think proportions are crucial in putting together an outfit (along with color harmony). I am also one of those people really bothered by crooked or unbalanced pictures on the wall, I drive my husband crazy every time we hang something up.    

Everybody have a great weekend!  I have tons of errands to run, including getting a Halloween costume for my daughter. She wants to be the witch and since she was a witch last year, I thought she can use her last year's costume but apparently this is Absolutely Unheard Of. Even if we did not have Halloween last year because of the huge snowstorm. Oh well. We stuffed her 2011 costume and now we have this cute witch guarding our front door.

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That's all Folks!

Do you like full skirts?

What is your ideal heel length?

What are you up to this weekend?

Lounging in Saturday pants and Duo Colorblock top

How was your weekend? My was pretty lazy and relaxing, just the way I like it. I seriously needed it, after working the whole last weekend and a very busy week last week. After watching the soccer game where my daughter scored two goals (way to go A!), I took this future Alex Morgan to the the street fair in our town. Yes, I am that soccer mom, I yell a lot (and loudly) from sidelines. We had lots of fun. We brought Richard the Penguin back with us, isn't he cute?

Richard and I had matching outfits, although it wasn't really planned. His beak provides a nice pop of orange, don't you think?

As you can see, I am in my casual mode here. You usually see my work outfits, but this is how I like to dress on weekends. I am wearing my J.Crew Saturday pants (review here) and Anthropologie Duo Colorblock top (review here). My messenger bag and trusty necklace are from Banana Republic and their cost per wear must be down to pennies by now. So is the case with my black patent Annie Klein loafers that are in serious need of replacement. It is funny that with all the shoes that I own these are close to developing holes in the soles. But as much as I love to wear them, black loafers are not exciting to shop for, so I've been putting it off. Do you ever do that with some basics you need?

Poor Richard lost his right arm somehow. I swear I didn't to anything to him, he just popped out of the sudden. I think it was the sun... My daughter was not satisfied with this explanation.

I have to say, I was very happy with both pieces and I liked how this outfit was super comfortable without looking sloppy.

I hope you had a great weekend too!

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Did you have a good weekend?

What do you choose to wear when comfort and ease are your priority?

Do you postpone shopping for basics or do you take care of them first?

Please share it would be no fun without you!!!

Anthropologie for the J.Crew shopper

Skirted Striped Tee

This top prompted my visit to Anthropologie. After I saw it on Lisa from Respect the Shoes, I had to try it on. I actually saw it in the store previously and never gave it a second thought. But seeing how Lisa looked so cute and fresh, that I decided to do a double take.

Size Small

This top runs big. I tried on smaller of my sizes and it was still too big. It looks OK in the pictures but it was boxy and swingy irl.

It is a very pretty top, but I  had doubts that it is too sweet on me and I don't think I can pull it off.  It looks great on Lisa but she is cute and young and tiny. I thought it looked forced on me. 

I may reconsider it if it goes on sale.

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Dotty Knit Blazer

I decided to try on this blazer only for the blog. I think it is fun and pretty, but although I have no problem with wearing polka dotted blouses or skirts, polka dotted blazer or coat are another story.

Size Medium

Of course when you try something for the blog, you may easily end up liking the item and wanting to buy it anyway, but I was in no danger with this jacket becasue the fit was totally off on me.

It was almost too tight in the waist  (in bigger of my sizes) but too wide in the shoulders. It may be a great fit for someone with slender waist and broader shoulders.

The knit was soft and  comfortable and the pattern is fun. I like the idea of a unstuctured knit blazer, it seems so much easier to wear than wool blazers.  I like it even more in the camel colorway, but my store did not carry it.

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Duo Colorblocked Top

I was also looking for a longer, long sleeved comfortable top to wear with jeans or leggings. 

 Size Small

As for sizing, it depends on how you like it to fit and how swingy you want it to be. I could take a small or Medium but I decided Medium was draping better, giving it more of an effect I was looking for. This tee is
incredibly soft and feels good against the skin. 

Size Medium

I think this actually looks better IRL than online, I liked it a lot. It was exactly something I was looking for. The colorblock effect is quite pronounced and I know many of you are tired of colorblocking but I don't mind, especially with the leggings that are similar color as the bottom of the shirt.

I had a $20 leftover gift card and I decided to apply it to this top.

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Intarsia Dotted Sweater Dress

This dress looked interesting on the hanger and I decided to take it to the fitting room as well. For some reason Anthro dresses are always off on me, but you never know until you try it on, right?

Size Small

This dress fitted me quite well in size Small. It is not high waisted, too short, too full or too low cut.  In fact is is just right. The mix of different knit patterns may be too much for some of you, but I actually liked it a lot. I think it works because the colors are subdued and the patterns are subtle. The concept reminds me of J.Crew Inside-out Fair Isle sweater.

Waist in the correct place

Not too short

The problem I had with this dress was practicality. This dress is quite warm as you would expect from a sweater dress. But with the very short sleeves I am pretty sure my arms will be freezing while the rest of my body will be cooking. Wearing a cardigan with a sweater dress seems like, well, too many sweaters. I guess you could wear a blazer but I am afraid the dress will not look as cute covered up. I think the dress would be much better with long or 3/4 length sleeves.

seen

Mix of viscose, nylon, cotton, lambswool, angora and cashmere

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Corduroy Godet Skirt

Size 4

I loved the color of this cord skirt. It fits TTS (and coparable to J.Crew sizing). It is not lined which may be a benefit to those who don't like the inevitable polyester lining especially in the warmer weather. The corduroy is very fine and soft and the flare at the hem is flirty and fun. Because of the weight of the fabric and lack of lining it is more of a warm weather skirt but I am not usually inclined to wear a corduroy in the summer. I would personally prefer that it was lined. I know you can wear a slip but lining is easier and it makes the skirt hang better imo.

Overall, I think it is great transitional skirt.

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That's all folks!

What do you think of the items I reviewed?

Do you own any of the pieces or are tempted by any?

Would  you wear short sleeved sweater dress ?

Please share, it would be no fun without you!!!

Jean Shop and my quest for the perfect pair of jeans

"Handmade one at a time in the heart of NYC and crafted from exclusive Japanese selvedge that's woven on old-school narrow looms..."

Do you ever fall for those stories? I am a total sucker for them... This is how I ordered my The Jean Shop® women's skinny jean in dark wash. 

At least, since the jeans were part of the dreaded final sale, I had some sense to chat with Customer Service and ask them to make a note on my account, allowing me to return in case they don't fit.

Well, few days later, the jeans arrived and I was very excited to try them on. This was going to be the real deal and I was not your average mall shopper. No, I was a member of a secret society, possessing the rare knowledge about the whereabouts of  most authentic denim in the world. What better place to hide than the J.Crew final sale section?

Size 28

OK, the denim is very nice. It feels stiffer and more substantial and hard core and the seams are finished with the orange selvage strip that looks very nice when cuffed. I loved the wash and the orange stitching and the birthday date (of my jeans, no less) handwritten in black marker on the inside of the pocket. Gave me that 'cooler than thou' feeling ;)

But the fit was just OK There was some bunching going on and some not so flattering creasing in the hip and crotch area and overall, I think they are cut for someone a little more curvy than I am.

I wear size 27 in J.Crew matchsticks but I heard those jeans run small, so I ordered a 28 (27 was not available anyway). They had too much room in the hip but I am afraid the 27 would have been too tight everywhere else. 

From the back, they have an old school boyish fit, charming if you are cute twenty something hipster but certainly not a pair of jeans that will stop my husband in his tracks when he sees me going up the stairs.

Well, the fit is king and I decided these were NOT my 'Sisterhood of Travelling Pants' jeans.

These were OK jeans but I thought that even my old BR skinnies looked better on me:

Size 6

Still, I was afraid to return them. What if I am so pedestrian I just don't have any idea how the real deal, secret society jeans should fit?

So just in case I took them with me to the mall while I tried on endless other pairs. I went to Nordstrom and to Neiman Marcus then to a Seven's store and then to Anthropologie. I tried on about 30 pairs of Joes, JBrand, Citizens, Sevens, Paige, AG, Rag & Bone and Pilcros. They all look better than the Jean Shop.

I liked the fit of JBrand and  Sevens the best. Still reluctant to shell out $$$ for non-secret-society denim, I even stopped at the Gap, just to check if by any chance their under $50 (with coupon) pair of jeans is just as good as $200 designer duds. They weren't. They felt like the-under-50-jeans. OK, I got it.

I decided to stop at Anthro and try on the Pilcros Stet, I liked last time I tried them, but this time in the slim bootcut.   

Pilcro Stet Slim Bootcut

Yes, please!

Rear view

Husband approved

slim flair

I decided this is as close to Sisterhood jeans as I will ever get. But better yet, they were on sale.

$79.99!!!

This is where I got sucked in to add a tee and a skirt, but you already know that story...

And now I really want a pair of cords in the same cut (they have them!) but I am waiting a for a similar sale/promo.

Pilcro Stet Bootcut Cords

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That's all folks!

Have you tried Jean Shop or Pilcro Stet?

Do you think the cords will go on sale? Please say yes! When??

Please share, it would be no fun without you!!!

Camels and Elephants Remixed

My 'color story' for this week could be called 'Safari'. I love all the sandy shades of cream/ivory/beige mixed with brown and black. And I still did not get bored with my Elephant necklace!

Anthro skirt with J.Crew cami  (both older pieces)

This outfit got the most compliments. It was a gift from my husband, from couple of years ago. I am proud of his good taste. I don't like wearing a strapless bra but there is no way around it with this top and I make an exception.  I did bring a cardi to cover up but it it was hot that day and my office is casual.

J.Crew perfect tee and No2 pencil skirt

I never thought I would wear animal prints until last year, but I do like this skirt. I usually tone it down with simple t-shirt and soften it up with pink shoes. Miraculously, this skirt does not wrinkle, even if it is all unlined cotton. I usually don't like unlined skirts but this one holds its shape and feels cool.

J.Crew cami and linen trousers (older)

This Grand Ruffle cami was one of my favorite purchases from J.Crew despite having big ass ruffle, mixed fabrics and unfinished edges. I wore it a lot, machine washed it on regular cycle and it held its shape and did not unravel. It is also not a see through, rarity at J.Crew and I love the color.  

J.Crew Jenny dress with Jack Rogers sandals

I wore this Jenny dress on my work from home day, it is super comfy. I think I paid under $20 for it last year. It has a big exposed zipper in the back and it came in numerical sizes (I am wearing a 4). It even has bra strap snaps! I like that it is finished in the woven fabric, it dresses it up a bit. Still there is something off about the fit, so I like it but do not love it. 



Ann Taylor Shift with old sandals

You have seen the review of this Ann Taylor dress HERE. This was my husband's favorite from this bunch. I love this dress and it does not need any styling imo. I just wanted to wear a black strappy sandals with it. It did wrinkle but not horribly; this picture is from the afternoon. This is the only piece in this post that was purchased this year.

J.Crew perfect fit tee with Hutton pants

This is one of my basics outfits, so I like to add a little punch with my red Repettos.

J.Crew Rowboat dress

The Rowboat dress did not get much love in the blogosphere but I love it. I am wearing a size Small. I reach for it a lot, when I want to look casual but still polished.

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That's all folks!

Do you like 'safari' theme for summer?

Do you own any of the pieces? How do you wear them?

Which look is your favorite, if any?

Trying on Denim at Anthropologie

I love wearing jeans. But the funny thing is, I only own 2 pairs I like (and wear), one pair of skinnies from True Religion and one pair of flares from People's Liberation (a great brand but no longer existing, I think).

My jeans are several years old and probably have the best cost-per-wear ratio in my closet. This is because as much as I like wearing jeans, I do not like shopping for them.  It is a painful process, usually requiring to try on about 20 pairs, before giving up and deciding that my old jeans will do just fine.

Last week I was in an Anthro store with a friend. I can never find anything I like at Anthro, everything there always seems to have at least one embellishment too many.  So while she was browsing ecstatically and trying on things like a mad woman (or like me at J.Crew)  I thought I would check out the home section. Then, I had this great idea that I can occupy myself with denim try-ons. And why not?

I took five pairs with me to the fitting room, all in size 28, which is my regular size in denim.

AG Simona    

Comfortable

The Simona jeans were very comfortable and casual. If I needed jeans for hanging out on the deck and barbecues they would be just fine, but I would not wear them on the date. That said, they would definitely benefit from some styling.

Look OK from front

hmmm, not so hot

Pilcro Petite Edit Slim

Gave me hips!

I quite liked these Pilcro jeans but I was a little shocked by the look of my hips. I never thought I could feel big in this area but I did. The back looked good.  They were comfortable and soft, and no muffin top.

Not bad

Now I just realized that maybe they are supposed to be for Petites? I am not sure. I am 5'6" and they did not feel petite, just ankle length. For those who are maybe more familiar with the brand, what do you think, is Petite just in the name or are they meant for Petites?

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 J Brand Kori High-Rise Crops

Horrible in calf area

I know many people rave about their J.Brand jeans I always wanted to try them on.  The denim felt great, form fitting but very comfortable and I liked the dark wash. They did not give me a muffin top but the raise was high, almost too high for me.  I was satisfied with rear view. However, I did not like the length on me, it was cutting off my legs in unflattering point.

lu

Like the back view

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J Brand Super Skinny Ankle

Super Skinny!

they feel like jeggins

Supers skinny they are, for sure. I thought they were too form fitting and jegging-like, maybe I should have tried a 29, but the fit was good in the hip and waist so I think bigger size may just sag. I think I would have like them more in darker wash.

Form fitting

Are you a fan of J.Brand? How do you think sizing up would work? Do tell!

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AG Polka Dot Ankle Stevie

This was another style I always wanted to try. Before entering the store I saw a girl wearing a navy Stevies with bigger polka dots and she looked super cute but I think I would feel too conspicuous in them, so I tried the more subtle version with less conspicuous polka dots.

these are comfortable

These were very comfortable and I liked the color for the summer.

Like the subtle polka dots

Everything looked good until I glanced at the back view. My butt was OK but they were bunching up horribly in the thighs, and it looked ridiculous.

Do you own Stevies? Do you think they would look better if I sized up? 

But they bunch up in the back of my tights

Eventually, I did not get anything and decided to stick with the jeans I already own. But I thought all the brands were interesting and they seemed to work well with my figure.

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That's all folks!

Do you like wearing jeans?

What are you favorite brands?
Have you tried any of the jeans in this post?

Please share, it would be no fun without you!!!