Emerson Made Silk Pockets Blouse Review

I have mentioned to you that I have recently placed an order with Emerson made. I have already reviewed the tie waist dress and orange slangbacks here. The dress and shoes were definitely an extras for me and not something I needed but I decided to buy them because I really loved both and the price was right. Well, we can always find thousands of ways to justify an impulse purchase but, on the other hand, I never regretted buying things I truly liked.

This blush blouse however, was in another category. This was something that I wanted to have in my closet and I have in the past considered the collection blouse from J.Crew (not sure about the name, I remember Dani had one) and recently the pleated chiffon blouse. With the Emerson Made version I knew the fabric is going to be superior and the quality great, so at the sale price ($98) the value should be good.

I have ordered size M and it fits well. Emerson tops run short imo, but they have long sleeves. I do have proportionally short arms, so the sleeves may not be so long on you. I am 5'6 but probably have arms of somebody who is 5'4, lol.

The fabric feels great against the skin. It is the type of silk that is matte on the outside and satiny inside. It has some heft to it and I is NOT see through.

I love this blouse and it works great tucked in or untucked. It may be a little short if you like longer tops, but I like it because it is easier to wear untucked and it does not create bulk under my bottoms when tucked in.

I am also wearing J.Crew midrise toothpicks in carbon wash, Ann Taylor belt, J.Crew Valentina pumps, Kate Spade purse and Rayban Aviator sunglasses.

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That's all folks!

What do you think of Emerson's pocket blouse?

Is it worth the sale price?

J.Crew Stretch Suiting Tank and Helmut Lang Slouchy Blazer

Stretch Suiting Tank

I have mentioned in the end of my last post that did purchase something from J.Crew and it was the Stretch Suiting Tank.  I have been curious about it before and I decided to order it when they had the 40% off promotion going on.  It is a basic tank but the reason I was interested in it was that it seemed like it would not be sheer in white and that it would cover the regular bra straps.

Well, I am pleased to report that it is as expected. Not a see through and it can be worn with a regular bra. It is double layered and not tight in the mid section which helps cover the lumps and bumps. It is not too low cut and actually have a very nice neckline imo. I wish they would do it with different sleeve lengths as well, I would be first in line to order.

Nice length too, And it looks fine from the back. I have ordered it in Small and Medium but I did not even take the Medium out of the package because the Small was perfect.

It is not exactly cheap but it is so hard to find a white tank that it is not see-through so I am keeping it. I do think it should not be that hard, lol.

 

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I wanted to review the tank for you, but the purchase I am really excited about is not the tank but my new blazer. I have been looking for a black boyfriend blazer for some time. I tried the one from Theory some time ago but I eventually returned it since it was too much of a suiting blazer. What I was looking for was a blazer I could wear outside of work, over the jeans, tank top and a pair of heels.

Well, after my recent disappointing visits to J.Crew, I decided to stop at Bloomingdales to look at the latest offerings from Vince.  I am a big fan of Vince and the 'minimalistic cool' but it tends to be very expensive and out of my budget. Nevertheless, I tried on few t-shirts and blouses. I really liked this one, which actually looks more like something from Tory Burch except for the colors.

Vince Blouse - Wide Placket Silk

Vince's blouses are very slouchy and oversized and although I liked the idea of them, they were not that flattering on my figure.  The t-shirts were nice but not enticing enough to pull the trigger.  There was a lot of offerings mixing leather with other fabrics which made me glad I bought the Regan tee from Club Monaco some time time ago.

I was browsing trough the Rag and Bone collection (which btw has a lot of cool stuff that I would gladly wear, if I had the budget for it), when I spotted this blazer in Helmut Lang section:

 

HELMUT Helmut Lang Blazer - Slouchy Suiting

I was just going to try it on, it is not going to hurt, right?  Well, it turned out not so easy, because it was exactly what I was looking for...   

A blazer that feels like cardigan but with the structure and chic factor I love. It is slouchy and cool, lightweight and effortless. 

Looks good open and closed and has just the right length. 

 

I love the scrunched up sleeves. They are sewn like that, so you dont have to worry about them coming undone, but I suppose you could remove the stitching, if you'd like to control it yourself. For me they are perfect.

I also love the super narrow faux lapels and the single button and perfect pocket placement.

 

The fabric is lightweight 77% wool blend, which feels great in warmer weather and drapes well.  I took my regular size 6 and it fits me with a just right amount of slouchiness.
 

I love the blazer but it wasn't exactly in my budger so to fund my purchase I decided to return everything that was still returnable and get the extra money from my ebay sales. I was still off but it was now under $100, which I was OK with.  This was something on my list for a long time and I know that I never regret buying things that I really love and I would probably regret more if I did not get it.

I think I am going to wear the blazer tonight, for a night out in the city, including some live music.  It is supposed to be around 75 degrees, so it should be perfect.  

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What do you think?

Do you like the suiting tank?

Was I right to splurge on the blazer?

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

Styling Hilary

Here is what I bought with the recent 30% off and using my rewards card:

I have tried the Hilary dress some time ago (see HERE) and I loved the fit of it, but I thought it was way too expensive for a rayon dress. However, I kept coming back to it, and the simplicity and easiness of it was calling my name, so after it went on sale and with additional percent off, I decided  that the price was finally right.

Clothes like this can be deceptively simple. Many dresses will look the same on the hanger, but when you try them on, they end up not looking that great for one reason or another. It may be just the body type issue, of course.

size 8

I am wearing it with Giraffe charm necklace, floppy suede belt and patent leopard Valentinas, all from J.Crew. 

I like the idea of full skirt and longer length but it has to drape right, I can't stand anything puffy. I also hate when the waist is too high, armholes too low or  scoop neck is too deep (or too high). Hilary dress passes all of those requirements.  Plus, blue is my favorite color and  I like the back zipper and the pockets. I would prefer that this dress was made in cotton jersey knit, but they do sometimes stretch and fade quickly.

with Paintbox Cardi and cobalt Repettos

I like that I can wear this dress on its own, or just with the belt or necklace, but it also looks good with the cardigan. Actually, my paintbox cardigan turned out to be a perfect match for it and I imagine wearing it to the office and then taking it out, to go out on a lunch break.

 Madewell belt and Talbots shoes

This Madewell belt and Talbots stingray slingbacks have became my favorite accessories this spring, they go with everything I wear this season.

best mate belt

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My other 30% off/rewards card purchase was the cafe capri in Foulard print. Again, I tried them some time ago and really liked them but the price was too high.

With Spindrift Sweatshirt

I took size 4, which is my regular size in city fit pants and pencil skirts. They fit me very well in hips and tights. Sometimes I wish the calves were a little roomier, but I guess they would not look so streamlined then. They are pretty long, so if you are petite, definitely order a petite size. I have once tried ordering the tall size (in another color) to see if they will work as full length, but although the length was good, they did not look right, imo.

With pink Valentinas

Pink Valentinas give me an idea that they would probably also work with a pink top and navy shoes, what do you think?

With Chambray top

with white eyelet shirt

I love to wear white tops with everything. You don't always see it, because they are so difficult to photograph.

with Madewell Academy blazer

I am sure some JCAs will come up with some more creative styling ideas and I will happily emulate them. But contrary to many 'should I buy it' rules,  I usually don't worry about having thousands of options. This would be important if I had very pared down wardrobe, where every piece has to work overtime with everything in your closet. Since I never wear anything as often as I would like to believe, the important thing for me is not that I have so many options but that the options are good.

 OOTD

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That's all folks!

What do you think of my choices?

Do you own Hilary dress or Foulard capris? How do you wear them?

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

Can I pull off the schoolgirl chic?

I love plaid skirts, but they do have the Catholic schoolgirl vibe, so you have to be careful not to end up looking too juvenile. Wear some makeup and avoid pony tails and flat shoes, especially loafers and oxfords. And don't even think about braids or pigtails :)  I would not wear it with peter pan blouse and cardigan. In fact, no button downs. Instead, I would add some adult accessories and grown up shoes and I think you are safe.

Brora thermal t-neck and skirt, Boden shoes

My skirt and turtleneck are from British brand, Brora. If you haven't heard about Brora you can check them out HERE.  I was introduced to Brora by DaniBP, you can spot many Brora pieces on her wonderful blog. Brora is famous for their cashmere and rightly so. I have several sweaters from them and the quality is superb. I also own a few dresses, thermals and skirts. Their products are pricey, even on sale, but well worth it if you like the style. Almost everything is made in UK, from natural fabrics.

One warning, for the same reasons that make them unique, namely their slightly old-fashioned, romantic style,  if you overdose on Brora, (like I am prone to do), you have to watch out for the 'frump factor'. Modern shoes and accessories are the key, imo.

Add leopard clutch

This look was also inspired by this photo featured by the Fabulous Florida Mommy, but I wanted to winterize it a bit.  She always picks the best street styles in her 'Love this' series and her posts gave me plenty of ideas. Thank you FFM! If anyone knows where I can get that skirt, please let me know.

Add leopard shoes

Or black patent pumps

I think it works

On the side note, did you notice that I am matching my bedroom decor?  I told you so!

What do you think, did I pull it off? 
Do you like plaid skirts and schoolgirl chic? Please share!

Diane von Furstenberg And The Morning After Dress

Asked by a French journalist back in the Eighties how she came up with her iconic wrap dress, Diane von Furstenberg replied: "Well, if you're trying to slip out without waking a sleeping man, zips are a nightmare." Remind her of this now, and the 64-year-old gives a languid smile. "Haven't you ever tried to creep out of the room unnoticed the following morning? I've done that many times. (Telegraph.co.uk, read more here)

My life must be a little less adventurous, because I don't think I remember trying to sneak out unnoticed out of the bedroom in the morning, but nevertheless, my Diane von Furstenberg iconic sweater wrap dress is a favorite in my closet. It drapes beautifully and flatters the curves, miraculously, without showing every lump and bump. I like the color combination of camel, black and white and the abstract puzzle print is easy to wear and timeless. It really does not need any styling and it is fun just on its own, but I like to play with different accessories.

Classic with pearls and black pumps

All neutral with Valentina printed patent pumps

With a pop of color

You can tie it in front, like above, or in the back, like below.

with coral Valentina pumps

If you think that camel washes you out, you can add a scarf in the shade that flatters your skin tone.

 

Soft color next to the face

Make it more playful with J.Crew dotted scarf

This is a new scarf from J.Crew, very soft, light and fun. It is not online, so I am not sure if it is store only or part of the next rollout. It comes in different colors, I definitely remember seeing a blue one as well. It adds instant playfullness to any outfit and a way to sneak in polka dots in a smaller dose.

Scarf in stores but not (yet) online

As you can see, there is a pair of Valentinas for every one of my outfits, lol. I have ordered the yellow ones that popped back in the sale section yesterday. I told you I am obsessed with them.

What was your favorite? 
Do you own a DVF dress or consider buying one? How do you wear it?

Happy Valentinas Day!

I want to be buried in these shoes

I don't know if I mentioned that already, but I buy multiples. Frequently. When I find something I like, I want to have it in every color.  I actually find it fitting very well into my minimalistic approach.  Instead of variety I add more of the same. The multiples I buy are usually the basics, simple and not memorable. They have a cut that flatters my body and work with my style. Because to me the most important aspect of style is fit, not originality. And this is why I buy multiples.  

I have six wool double serge pencil skirts

seven perfect fit long sleeve v-necks

five button sleeve boat neck t-shirts

Because I just received my leopard ones, I now own five pairs of Valentina pumps: black, coral, red, leopard and strawberry snakeskin.

welcoming the leopard pair to the club

I know there are many people that liked J.Crew Juliets pumps of yore and own multiples of them. While they are beautiful shoes, they never worked for me because they were too narrow and they did not have a leather lining. I don't have a problem with man made soles but I cannot take the synthetic lining, my feet just sweat and slide in it.

The interesting thing about Valentinas is that despite being pointy they don't squish my toes.  They don't feel narrow.  It may be just my foot anatomy but the angle of the point works perfectly for me and they feel very comfortable. I took my regular J.Crew heel size in them.  The heel height is also perfect, low enough to have them on for the whole day in the office, but high enough to look good. I find the heels below 2.5 inch just don't look as attractive.

Now, you may notice that I have two red pairs, the snakeskin ones and the regular leather, which may seem excessive. OK, it is a little excessive.

Snakeskin versus Rooftop Red

Well, my rationale was that the snakeskin ones are my 'special' shoes.  They were the most expensive pair of shoes I ever bought, even with 25% off plus 8% Ebates. So far, I have used them for a Holiday party, New Years Eve and a movie premiere I attended.  Other than that, I wrapped them in the fabric shoe bags they came in and put them in the box. I hope to have them forever and I will put in my will to be buried in them ;) The other red pair I wear all the time, they are my everyday shoes.

The leopard Valentinas that I just bought are also great. 

Black Walnut Leopard

I bought them with recent 20% off sale price and with my rewards card and a leftover money from the gift card I spent the total of $22 on them. They serve as neutral shoes and work with almost everything solid and other neutral patterns.  Personally, I would avoid red with them. I am not afraid of items with 'sexy' vibe but I only can do one at the time. Because they are patent, I expect them to wear well. The leather ones are prone to scuffing but they are softer ad therefore initially more comfortable. Overall,  I highly recommend the leopard ones at current price with the discount.

And you know what? I am still waiting for the navy ones to go one sale.

Do you buy multiples? Why or why not? Do you own a pair of Valentinas? Do you think I am nuts for having so many pairs? Please share!