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!!!

Pop of Red

How cute are they?

Yes, I did it! I tried on the Apple Shorts. You have seen them in the window display picture HERE (forth down, styled with the sequin top). From the comments on JCA, it seems like many people were interested in them, so I thought I would brave baring my legs for you.

Shorts in size 6

They have the usual fit for J.Crew shorts, sort of.  I mean, my weight have not been fluctuating much in the last 10 years, but more than 3 years ago I was usually a 6,  two years ago I was always a 4, last year it was mixed 4/6, so maybe this year we are back to 6.  I noticed that with many items, I seemed to go up a size. Is that cutting down on vanity sizes (pun intended)? Or did I just gain weight? But my old clothes still fit me, so I tend to think it is the former. Have you noticed that? Or maybe I started to prefer a looser fit?

Now, I do wear shorts for casual wear in the summer but I think this print would be a little 'too cute' for me.

$54. 100% cotton.

But still, I am tempted. On sale, of course.

'Are you going on vacation?' the SA asked me when I picked up the shorts.
'No' I answered 'I am just ahead of the season'.
'You are smart' she tried to fool me. 'They will sell out by the time you need them.'
 'Or a sucker' I replied  'because they will most likely be on sale by then'.
She ignored me after that.

I didn't want to say 'I am just trying them for my blog'. She might get intimidated.

Just kidding. She would just think I am nuts. And maybe I am (that's the scary part).

Sydney patent sandals in Poppy

I just grabbed these Sydney patent sandals to have something to try the shorts with. They fitted me in size 8, which is smaller of my J.Crew sizes, but they were a little narrow. Quite comfortable. Stable heel. Pretty color, although more orange than it looks on the website. I don't think they are worth $228. Wait, I just ready the copy. Man made footbed and sole? Not even $128, if you ask me. How about $82?

Next, we have another iteration of Talitha blouse, in the same print as the pencil skirt seen HERE. This seems to indicate that there may be other items in this print as well.

I still don't like how it fits on me

This is a size 4, so I'd say size down.

Now, I wanted to show you something cool about the Tillary purse

The strap is attached inside with snaps.

So you can take it off

And you have a clutch - ingenious!

I would totally get this little purse, if I didn't already have one that fulfills the function, see HERE with the polka dot outfit.

I also tried on the Spindrift sweatshirt and new capri pants as seen in the last window display picture HERE, next to the maxi dress.  Again, this looks like a repeated print. The maxi dress dress was nowhere to be seen.

Spindrift sweatshirt

The sweatshirt is a size Small and I liked it. I mean, it is pretty basic sweatshirt but for what it is, it fulfills the function. I would buy it (with some kind of promo) and I could live in those things at home and on weekends. Very useful. Also see it on Gigi HERE.

Foulard print cotton cafe capri - $118

The Foulard print cafe capri pants were a surprising love for me. Surprising, because I usually don't like capris. I find them unflattering on me. But the thing that draws me to them is the patterned trousers trend. I find most of the floral/paisley incarnations too loud and sometimes hideous but I could do this. O yes, baby, I could. Only problem, they were $118, kind of pricey for trendy pants, if you ask me.

You can see the pants on beautiful Ema from 'My closet, my baby and I', HERE. They look great on her!

Close up of foulard pattern

That's all folks.

I have more for tomorrow: Fabiola Dress, some other unidentified (yet) dress, cotton striped v-neck sweater, and more. Stay tuned!


Are you tempted by any of those items?